I was downtown the other day and spotted this lady. She was dressed
differently from the other Black Hat people I have shared with you, who live in the Andes north of Cuenca. Notice that the top of her black hat is rounded and she has on an elaborate necklace. Her cape is held in front by a large ornate stick pin and her black skirt is long and has many pleats. I am not sure is she is from near Cuenca, from around Quito or even somewhere south of here. I am so intrigued with the culture of these original people of Ecuador.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Here is a scene that is very typical in Cuenca. The indigenous women washing their clothes in the river. They wash their clothes using one of the large boulders on the river’s edge for scrubbing. After washing and rinsing their laundry they lay it out on the grass to dry. As you can see this makes a colorful display. It is a tradition that apparently is unique to Cuenca.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Meanwhile, at "Camp Cuenca" everyone is having
a great time. We had dinner at home the other evening and the kitchen was full of activity as the meal was being prepared. Everyone pitches in and makes themselves at home. This was the last meal together before Vicki and Jeannie started their journey back home to North Carolina. Below is a picture of all of us, sans Chuck, the photographer. Thursday George and Ruby head out for a Galapagos adventure.
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Today is my sister's birthday. Happy Birthday Mary Anne!
Love,
Nancy and Chuck
