get the whole picture
by richiecdisc
When traveling by bus you'll find the less you carry the better and a backpack is easiest once you get off the bus. Good walking shoes are essential as its the number one activity in town. With the relatively mild climate we mostly stuck to our backpacking sandals but carried socks in case the temperatures dipped. A wide angle lens is what you need to get the big buildings into your focus when you can't get far enough back due to the narrow streets. A good zoom comes in handy in the markets as well as for balcony shots.
Great place for lunch - Super pour dejeuner
by Maillekeul about ?
I would call this place (whose name I never found) : "El taller del artista" ! Indeed, an artist runs the place and has transformed this place in a huge artistic restaurant. Few people come here, and you can enjoy its width and peaceful atmosphere...
J'appelerai cet endroit (dont je ne connais toujours pas le nom) : "El taller del artista"! En effet, c'est un artiste qui tient le lieu et il a transforme cet espece de hangar en un superbe endroit pour dejeuner. Peu de gens semblent connaitre l'endroit et donc, on peut vraiment apprecier sa largeur et son atmosphere reposante... 1 USD for a good "almuerzo" (lunch), you won't find it everywhere in Cuenca !
1 USD pour un bon "almuerzo" (dejeuner), vous ne trouverez pas ca partout a Cuenca !
Sunday Markets in Gualaeco
by Kindra
Sunday is market day in Gualaceo- the products are mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, prepared dishes, roasted cuy (guinea pig) and chicken, encebollado (fish soup with onion and spices ) etc. It is a great way to see local life, the mixing of traditional indigenous cultures with the more modern mestizos and to try that coconut juice, exotic fruit or crazy roasted meat!
There is an indoor market that is prepared-food for the most part and a few blocks down across from the main plaza and church, an outdoor market.
Museo del Banco Central
by pure1942
While I am not a huge museum goer, I do enjoy museums that offer something a little different and unusual and the Museum del Banco Central in Cuenca does offer something a little unique . While the multi level museum is one of Ecuador’s finest and has a variety of different exhibits and displays, it was the ethnographic section which grabbed our attention and is what most visitors come to see. The exhibits and displays on Ecuador’s ethnic tribes is hugely interesting and culminates in a riveting exhibition on Ecuador’s Shuar tribe and their past practice of shrinking human heads as tsantsas. The section on the Canaris and Inca peoples who inhabitated the land around Cuenca was also interesting...although the numismatic and art halls didn’t grab my attention but may appeal to others. A very worthwhile museum, although the provision of more information in English would have given me more of an understanding of Ecuador’s customs and tribal practices. I believe there is usually an entry fee of $3 but for some reason when we went to pay we were told at the desk that the museum was free, so we didn’t have to pay.
The museum is open Monday to Friday 9.00-18.00 and Saturday 9.00-13.00
Church of Saint Francis
by pure1942
The Church of St. Francis stands in a wide square of the same name just to the south west of Parque Calderon. The church was built at the end of the 19th century but restyled in a neo-colonial style in 1920. The interior of the church was also restored but some of the original work still exists including the gold leaf covered altar and pulpit.
The square in which the church is located is also worth a wander with its local markets selling everyday goods and clothes as well as a small number of Ecuadorian crafts and textiles, although wouldn’t hold out much hope of finding anything particularly mind blowing here. The arts and crafts centre in Casa de la Mujer located on the western side of the square is a little better if your looking or some crafts or panama hats (for which Cuenca is famous).
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La Cigale Bar
Indoor Sunday market in Gualaeco- Bean and Corn
Gualaceo Sunday market- exterior
open market
