Most wonderful Fathers Day

Coming to Ecuador and living in Cuenca has been an adventure of a lifetime Becoming immersed in the culture is not so easy because of the language barrier. But our lives have changed dramatically over the last several weeks.

I decided on a whim to learn to make Ecuadorian food. I visit the local markets regularly and have often wondered just what all the different foods where and how they were cooked. SO, I asked our landlords wife if she would help me learn. What a wonderful and exciting plan that turned out to be.
I never thought that the simple idea of learning to cook would lead to such a marvelous wonderful and emotional experience that has transpired .

We start by visiting the market on Wednesday when all foods are fresh and plentiful. The locals bring all there locally grown produce and we have it all to choose from. She tells me what it all is. ( and I have to try to remember all those strange names) Then we decide what we wish to make and purchase the ingrediants and carry it all home to cook. The first week she suggested a fish stew.

My special person, Lupe

The fish a tuna called 

We then travel on the bus to home and make the most wonderfully tasting stew

The following week we make ceviche with shrimp and.some humitas . Foolishly, I forget to take pictures as I am so engrossed in learning the process. We will repeat this lesson as humitas are absolutely out of this world. I love 'em

For this cooking lesson she brings her children, whom we had previously met. Her husband is also invited to enjoy the meal along with her sister and her two small children.

Our New Family

All the young children now call us Granma and Papa
Aren't they all so beautiful?

After the meal and the wonderful time and conversation had by all. ( Felex and his daughter, Erica 16 on his shoulder speak english) , we are invited to join their whole family to celebrate Fathers Day with them at their home in the community of Valle . Brian 12 , the young man on the right, decides he wishes to spend the whole weekend with Sharyl and I .

Sunday arrives and we travel with Brian by bus to their home

The house Felix built

He is proud of the views he has

Brain and Erica are proud of their rooms

Fathers Day was celebrated with most of Lupe's family . Sharyl and I were included and treated as family. . It was so very special.

Lupe's sisters in the kitchen preparing the meal. There are three sisters.

Felix and I rounding up the unsuspecting chickens.

Dinner. All together we enjoyed 8 of these fresh chickens.

At about 1pm we started with a wonderful chicken soup. There were at least 40 people attending including all the children. 4 of Lupe's brothers and their wives  also attended .The red drink is called Horchata
Made from special herbs and flowers all fresh from her garden..

Lupes Mom and Dad with Lourdes, a daughter-in-law

The bar-b-Qued chicken was enjoyed at 6pm

Prepared by Lupe's brother Patricio

NO! No Sharyl you can not bring them home......

SOME I have no idea how many , of our new grand children

A very very happy ending to a sad story. Their prodigal daughter, Gabriela,(23) whom they had not seem in over 13 months, showed up to help celebrate.

I was overwhelm with joy at being included with this family on this very special day.Because of language, I wondered if a day such as this would ever happen. But it did and I will never forget the warmth. It was very touching and natural