Cuenca Never Ceases to Enchant: Killa Raymi

My first visit: 2015

While I may well have slowed waaay down on pecking my zany world travels here (sorry, Montengro and Turkey but at this point I may never get ’round to sharing my many glorious adventures of you) that doesn’t mean I don’t have plee-enty to delight me right here in my adopted home of Ecuador.

Yep, there was my recent spin around the Galapagos Islands of course, and I imagine you’re half-expecting a full report, amIright?

2nd vist: 2019

But it was my second visit after all, and I was basically just playing tour-guide for my visiting friend, so I don’t have much new to report.  Seeing those ancient tortoises again is always a treat, but it was an awfully short get-away, and we pretty much did the same things that I did on my first trip.
 
 
 

Indeed, though I surely reveled in the sunshine and swooned at the amazingly fresh ceviche – returning to the G’s reminded me of why I rarely re-visit the same place twice.  For me, it’s just never quite as sparkly on the rewind.  Besides, there’s just far too many new places on the globe to explore, as well as unique events right in my backyard to experience – like…
 

The Killa Raymi Festival

Just last weekend I stumbled upon (yet another) enchanting festival here in Cuenca.  I swear, they come in every flavor, and seem to pop up every other week around here.  You’d think after 5+ years I’d have seen them all, or at least become a bit blasé about them.  But each festival is completely unique, and this one proved both unexpected and especially delightful.

Now I’m familiar with Inti Raymi, as well as Pawkar Raymi (hmmm… I’m beginning to suspect that “raymi” may well be the word for “festival” or “celebration” in the indigenous Quichua language – gee, ya think?), but “Killa” Raymi was a new one for me.  Billed as “A party in honor of the moon” (along with other feminine deities) what made this particular “raymi” an especially fun treat was…

In addition to the parade, the colorful dancing and festivities – the banks of the river were lined with crisp white tents offering all manner of EATS!  And not just any ol’ eats – each and every food booth offered tasty traditional indigenous eats – many of the recipes hundreds of years old!

Needless to say… this nomadic foodie was pretty much in HEAVEN!

Not only that, but the eclectic assortment of traditional crafts and eats, combined with the beauty of a sunny Spring day along the gurgling Rio Tomebamba (yep, down here beneath the Equator we’re happily heading into summer now), gave me the perfect excuse to seriously test drive my new Galaxy phone with a dual back camera (and manual exposure control settings – yay!).

Bring on the Pics!

Of course among the many traditional eats there was plenty of “cuy” (yep, that would be your childhood pet guinea pig), the national dish of Ecuador, and quite tasty.

But my personal favorite here in Ecuador is “hornado” – uber-tender roast pig, served with a side of fluffy potato “llapingachos” (yah-peen-GAH-chos) and the crowning treat: a small piece of “cuero” (pork crackling).

And of course ever the ubiquitous array of handmade straw “Panama” hats (they’ve actually always been made in Ecuador, not Panama) in all manner of colors and styles.

Another surprise to me at this strictly indigenous food and crafts festival was a booth selling environmentally friendly take out containers, utensils and straws – made from BAMBOO!

And among the most interesting booths of all – a single young lass selling… colorful reusable menstrual pads.  Clearly something those of us from developed countries don’t consider for indigenous folks that don’t have access to (much less funds) for handy disposable products from the local Target store.  And these much better for the environment!.

And now it’s Get Serious Time…

Yikes!  Just 3 months til my BIG trip to AFRICA, and I still have quite a few loose ends to tie up in prep for the month-long itinerary to Spain, Rwanda, Uganda and Ethiopia.  No doubt the next 12 weeks will verily FLY by.

Bring on the GORILLAS!!!
 

 

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