FUNS SIGNS AND ART AROUND CUENCA

One of the reasons I love to travel is that I love to try new things, meet new people and experience other cultures. You have noticed from my blogs that one way I like to learn about a new place is through its food. Another way is through its arts and crafts. Also, for some reason, when traveling signs and symbols seem much funnier than they might at home. Here's some wall art (or maybe graffiti) on our local stairs from town to the river.


I like to think of him as the "Cuy Bandito" or Guinea Pig Bandit. Or maybe he is a revolutionary rat?

Shopping in the grocery store in a foreign country is nearly as much fun as shopping in the local market. You see all kinds of fun labels.

This sign was posted in the unisex bathroom at our favorite Colombian restaurant.

Loosely translated it says, "Socrates says, and Plato confirms, that the last drop always falls in the pants."

In this same restaurant are these large posters of stylized sculpture.

When I asked the owner if they were somewhere in Colombian she stated that they are in Medellin. They would be worth a trip there (I hear Colombian is very beautiful as well).

On the topic of food, I love things which translate like "beef jerky of pig" or "ham of chicken." This one is "hamburger of shrimp" and it's only $1.75.

One time we were in Paris and a friend ordered a soft drink. It turned out to be called "Schitt." Here one can order:

I also delight in literary references such as this nod to Don Quixote and his idealized love, Dulcinea:

One day we were shopping at a little tienda I often go to. The owner has just about every kind of Ecuadoran craft in her store. There is so much in there it is impossible to see it all. In fact, three of us had purchased hats from her and left when we spotted a revolving glass case with this excellent representation of an Andean woman roasting cuy.

Another, more upscale crafts gallery had this delightful chicken, as well as fish, horses and other animals.


And this whimsical roof ornament is located on a roof near the Dutchman's house.

He's a whole story in himself. If you want to read more about him, I have copied my story about meeting him in our first year.

THE DUTCHMAN, THE DOG AND THE CHICKEN

Today Jim, my brother Chuck and I were in the area of town along the Rio Tombebamba.  This is
lovely, with old colonial buildings overlooking the river.  As we walked up the hill toward
downtown, we noticed a really interesting looking modern art museum.  I was taking photos of
the exterior of the museum, which was quite interesting all by itself, and intended to go in.  By
the time I was done, Jim had made fast friends with a gentleman who was leaning out of a dutch
door next to the museum. 

Chuck went into the museum. I was waiting for Jim, who now was not only talking to the man next door, but also petting the man's golden retriever. Finally I just went into the museum (which is another story altogether - it was called "prohibited" and this was for a good reason).

When Chuck and I emerged from the museum, Jim was still talking to the man, who now was
inviting all of us into his house.  It turns out he is from the Netherlands and spent most of his
life as a ship's carpenter, traveling all over the world.  He met his Ecuadoran wife in Amsterdam
and they are now living in the house his wife inherited from her  mother.

What a house! We could have moved right in!  The foyer was a little showroom of antiques from
all over the world that they have for sale.  We got to tour the whole house.  Here is a unique
use for a piano that got eaten by termites.  

The bathroom had an antique Delft toilet that is now used as a pot for a beautiful plant. Beyond the living room was a wonderful open air, enclosed courtyard. The Dutchman indicated that we should go up the stairs in the courtyard to the upper level to meet his wife. He says, "I don't go up the stairs." We don't know if this is because he can't or because upstairs is her workshop, and therefore her domain. The wife has a wonderful workshop where she creates unique dolls. I believe he told us that she also creates the porcelain for the faces, but we did not see a kiln anywhere. Her dolls were quite lovely. I am not into that sort of thing but even I could appreciate the craftsmanship and artistry that went into these dolls. The wife (Laura) has two shops where she sells them.

The wife has an excellent and fun decorating style.  Lots of antique dishes that were sent over
from Europe got broken, so these items, plates, tea pots, cups, etc., got incorporated right into
the walls of the kitchen.  She had also taken long sections of halved bamboo and placed them
over every doorway, full of succulent plants.  Everywhere you looked, inside and out, were
interesting displays of oddities.

The courtyard was home to chickens, doves, canaries and other cheerful birds.  Here you will see
 the hen all settled in to a pot near the outdoor kitchen -

she's not at risk of being cooked since she is still laying. While I was photographing her, the rooster was really kicking up a fuss!

The Dutchman (we never did learn his name) and his wife converse mostly in Dutch.  His Spanish
 isn't too good and his English is passable.  He was so proud of his house and said, as we were
 leaving, "I am not a rich man but I have everything I need.  After all, you can only eat one piece
of bread at a time."  We felt so fortunate to have met these people, have a tour of their house
and get a glimpse into their lives.

Audrey & Jim