BEST FOOD IN THE WORLD

We were able to take a trip thru the food basket of Ecuador.It was a wet and rainy day, but this did not stop a bus load of intrepid adventures from experiancing where the marvelous food seen in the beautiful markets of Cuenca comes from.

The bus ride travelled through the ruggedly beautiful Ecuadorian countryside only about 45mins from Cuenca.  We were transported to another world. Here people have farmed for centuries with very little change. The mountains rise very steeply on both sides of the road. This makes for a very difficult but seemingly very happy lifestyle.

We visited 5 different farms growing all kinds of vegetables ALL ORGANIC. They guarantee 200% organic. How you might ask. Well they use only the most experienced and honest food inspectors,
                                                         
                                                                 " FROGS"

Frogs are very sensitive to their environment, so any chemical pesticide used will destroy them. There are loads of frogs living in the "San Joaquin" area where the farms are located.

This very proud lady is describing her farming technique

 Their farming plots are very small, but they are able to produce an incredible amount of food

                    These are called "tree tomatoes" and produce the most delicious juice

 Several crops growing together

Can you see them all?

                                                      Tall plants in rear are Brussel Sprouts

. I had never seen sprouts growing before.
     
           They are soooo delicious

                   BEETS

           They are to die for

We then climbed this very steep, muddy and slippery slope to see the 'Chicken Hotel"

You really can't tell from the picture just how steep this walk was







Can you imagine doing this everyday

HE DOES

THIS IS HIS WIFE MARIE

   Happy, free roaming chickens.


We ordered one. Very little fat and soooo juicy
                       




                 

                                                           Then we had to come back down

                                           
                                                          It wasn't easy.------- I slipped twice

                             My precious wife, Sharyl,  had the wisest  idea and waited on the bus

         The compost pile. The farmers recycle everything and use the compost to fertilize their fields

             
                                                             The bountiful harvest.
                                 We purchased $4.50 worth. It filled a bag I could hardly carry

Everyone gathered in their store to pick out the very very fresh and tasty veggies they wanted 

A family of farmers, Mom,Dad, Two brothers, and daughter-in-law

There are 25 families who have joined together to form a cooperative , APAY. We were given a price list from which we could order via e-mail on Sunday and Wednesday to be delivered Tuesdays and Fridays--free of change.

The food was cleaned and so gorgeous looking, I made a green salad right away  

Best food in the world. This was ordered and delivered to us fresh and clean all for $9.25 

 it will last us for more than the week The carrots and beets are the best tasting I have ever had 

We have three kids of lettuce, spinach, three kinds of cabbage, radishes,carrots, beets,parsley,swiss chard,tomatoes cauliflower, and brocolli 

Cuenca Christmas

Well now is is Christmas Day in Cuenca. The season is so festive here. People dress in native costume and there are many parades all over town. It is hard to believe that we have been so busy visiting our friends and having several groups over that we have not been out to enjoy all the festivities.

Real trees are not allowed in Cuenca

Sharyl does such a beautiful job decorating 

 We went to two dinners today. The first with our Ecuadorian Family. We enjoyed very much a typical Ecuadorian Dinner

Dinner arriving

 Dinner being made ready by all the 5 sisters

Erica,The Mom Lupy and Gabriela 

Mote

Typical Ecuadorian dish of  boiled corn 

The whole family sitting together

Our hostess Lupy

So much food but so delicious

After eating we travelled to a grigo gathering

Here I met a friend with whom I went birding in Tucson

Can you believe that!!!

Another interesting story of my life. I introduced myself  to a couple waiting with me for the bus Turns out they were from Phoenix. Bob & Kathy. we spoke and parted when their bus arrived. Two weeks later I thought they were riding the same bus with me so I spoke to them again and said " Your from Phoenix , Right" They said " Yes how did you know" " You are Bob and Kathy Right" " No  We are Gina and Dave "  What a surprise we all had But now I know another couple. They had been talking together and although I had no idea about what, I knew they were having a bad day and I wanted to offer them a glass of wine and some friendly conversation figuring they were the people I had already met. Unfortunately they were not able to accept right then, but at a future date they will get the wine and conversation.

TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY FOLLOWING MY LIFE IN ECUADOR 

I WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A JOYOUS NEW YEAR

HAPPY BIRTHDAY---------Ecuador One Year later

So hard to believe it has been a full year already. A very fabulous year at that.We have conquered the Ecuadorian bureaucracy,( We were issued a cedula), found a place to live and made it our home, made some great friends,both from the US, Canada and New Zealand and from Ecuador ( wonderful people) and had some time to visit other areas of this beautiful country. I really did not expect to enjoy this new life as much as we have.
 I have even learned to cook " Ecuadorian Dishes".
We have had friends and family visit with several more to come.( We welcome all and encourage you to visit).My best birding friends are visiting after Christmas for two weeks. I have enjoyed several classes about the Ecuadorian birds and plants.I have been hiking up high in the Andes ( 13,500ft) and in the Jungle ( Oriente). I have been able to pursue my passion ( Birding) in some of the best places to bird in the world.In fact, after I participated in the birding class , the Professor asked If I could assist with the second one

How Great it is

To so enjoy my passion and share it with others

Several weeks ago I invited 20 people over for my Moroccan. Dinner. I made a list of friends and realized that I knew more than 60 people so I did the dinner two Sundays in a row. It is a big undertaking, so even though I wanted to do it a third time it was just too much .

Living and enjoying Ecuador continues to be an adventure of a lifetime. We do invite any and all who wish it visit to come on down, We have plenty of room.