Farewells and the Orchestra

Aaahhh, Friday. Another week of class done and I feel like this was the week of verbs. Today was the last class with the Floridians (there were 3 of us in my class) so next week I'll have all new classmates. I have 2 classes Mon-Fri - 90 min in grammar and 90 min in conversation. Today for conversation we played a fun board game that had us asking questions and using our conversation skills in a fun relaxing way.

On Wednesday after class 3 of us took a cab to a couple nearby towns where we saw jewelry made by artists who have learned the trade from family members who have learned from generations before them. We learned that they have been discovered and some of the artists were swept away to New York and LA for the jewelry design. It's primarily silver with filigree designs that are really pretty. We stopped at a weaving display where we saw how they spin the wool from the llamas, alpacas and sheep, dye it from natural elements (walnuts, berries and soot) and then weave it into clothing. One shawl takes 3 days at the loom. That night was dance class where we learned the Bachata, which we fondly re-named the Ecuadorian Line Dance. I have come to believe that I am a 3-step dancer. When we learn steps 4-5-6 I'm lost, but before then I'm doing just great!

Last night was maybe the best night here. The city of Cuenca was hosting the Quito Orchestra and they put on a free show in one of the city plazas. There were people from all walks of life in the audience - the woman who sold fried plantanes on the street next to the university professor or bank manager. They played a tribute to Michael Jackson, La Bamba, a mambo and other traditional as well as classical pieces. For the last 4 songs or so, there was a professional singer there who had a beautiful voice to add to the orchestra. During the last song the man we believe was the mayor of Cuenca got up and danced. It was a great evening capped off with a meal on a veranda overlooking the city with the Floridians. The city takes on a different air when night falls and everything lights up - it's beautiful in a different way. During the day it's colonial buildings with ironwork and great details on the buildings. People walking who look modern in their dress with people wearing the traditional Andean clothing. I hope to sneak more pictures of people in the traditional dress becuase it's so much brighter and festive than the modern clothes.

Side note: I've been hearing a lot of Michael Jackson here - from cars, from Pablo's stereo, in the streets. Pablo went a party last weekend where they had a tribute party and dance contest. The president of the local university was even entered in the dance contest!