Cuenca

Cuenca it’s located in the mountain region of the country. It s known because of its historic center, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.

Actually the city lives in the conflict of old versus modern, on the one hand they want to preserve its historic center, but on the other hand, people want more urban development in their city, for example: new buildings and better streets.

However, people are proud of their culture. For example the churches, the national “Catedral”, it’s the biggest church of the city, it has an European gothic style, but inside, the church it’s covered with beautiful paints and gold.

People still very close to their catholic traditions, all the days in the church some people leave a candle at the foot of the Virgin Mary or Jesus as a symbol of their devotion and faith.

Each December, to celebrate the born of Jesus, people organize an event called “Pase del niño” which consist on a representation of the story of Jesus. People wear costumes of Virgin Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, angels and to show the other part of the culture, the Indian part, people also wear traditional costumes of “chola cuencana” skirts called “polleras” whit folkloric blouses, shoes called “alpargatas”. And all together walk in the main street of the city singing traditional Christmas songs and it ends whit a pray in the church.

The food it’s really different from the northern part of Ecuador. In Cuenca they eat a grain called “mote” with scrambled eggs, that dish is called “dirty mote”. They also have a special soup called “caldo de patas” which is made whit pigs meat.

Cuenca has big variety of traditions and food. My family is from there.
I recommend you visiting the city: the museum, the “Cajas” national park and the history of a colonial modern city.