Pages

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Artesa ceramic factory in Cuenca, Ecuador

Eduardo Vega is a Cuenca Native and World renowned Ceramicist. He was born in 1938 and he studied in Spain, London and France, returning to Cuenca in 1969. He started the Artesa factory in the 70's. I visited his workshop and home Mirador de Turi and then took a tour of his ceramic factory Artesa.





Gallery Entrance






One of his great Murals





View of Cuenca from his Studio






Many original designs





Work Shop












After reading about the Artesa factory  here in Cuenca and that on Friday mornings you can go to the back room and select from many different designs at 70% off I took a taxi with the name and address written on a piece of paper as I usually do. Seems these taxi drivers can't quit understand my Spanish! Ha!




The Sales Center offered a variety of different colors and patterns. It took me awhile to decide on my pattern. I did not want the floral or bird patterns and wanted a color pattern that would match my condo. So finally I decided on a brown and yellow sun pattern.






Now that I decided on my pattern off I went to the back room to find the bargains!







It took awhile to find matching pieces and finding lids to match was a real challenge. But I was told that I can always come back on Fridays to see what new pieces have been added to the collection. I did meet several people who have been here many times and now have complete sets or a variety of different patterns!


 

Factory workers busy making new ceramics













So many great designs to choose from! The prices here at the factory show room are also discounted compared to the cost at many shops around the country. They also ship all over the World!














I met some very nice Ladies who visit Artesa on Fridays often to add to their collect of ceramics. On my right Pia who is 87, her daughter Maria with the 3rd and 4th generation. Pia and Maria just moved back to Playas on the ocean from New York.






And here is my 12 pieces for now and I paid $34!





Until next time have a good day!







Wednesday, February 1, 2012

First Cuenca Ecuador Christmas and New Years in a new Country



          Always a reason for a parade in Cuenca!

                           Christmas 2011






















Christmas was at Jimmy's casa on Christmas Eve, Dinner was served about 11 pm! All his friends and family and many kids were there. All the kids got presents and we drew numbers for presents we bought for the adults. Dinner was great and everyone had a good time!

And of course I kissed a dozen women on the cheek twice!


                      And now for New Years:






There is always a reason for fireworks in Cuenca!  But New Years Eve is spectacular!








And as well as Fireworks on New Years Eve an Ecuadorian tradition of burning dummies which represents leaving all the bad things of the old year behind and starting the New Year fresh!









 This woman is making many dummies to sale!





You can select from many different masks!



           



 And at the stroke of Midnight the dummies are burned all over the city and the New Year begins!










New Years Day dinner was at my new condo with Bryan, Jimmy, Mayra, her two kids and Jimmy's sister from Quito Anna. Bryan brought the turkey and somehow we managed to cook it! It was a fun day and marked the New Year in my new country!



Wishing the best of the New Year to all!











Tuesday, January 24, 2012

More photos of Cuenca, Ecuador




Many of my readers have asked for more pictures of Cuenca, so here they are:




Lets start with the flower vendors, there are beautiful flowers here all year around:



 Beautiful Orchids 






 Flower markets in El Centro





    Cuenca is busy everyday with farmers selling their goods

                                                                                                            And more flowers!
 Roses are a big Export around the world.






    Park  Calderon always busy with people.

















Across Park Calderon is the old Cathedral Iglesia de El Sagrario built in 1557 after the Spaniards settled Cuenca.



               Andean Indigenous Woman






Catheral de la Inmaculada Conception, construction started in 1885 and was never completed. 










       Park Calderon






                        La Escalinata (staircase) 







                       San Francisco market place











 
 Double-Decker bus - great two hour tours of the City




Ruins of the Castle of the Incas




City center from Turi



                              Central Market




      Amazing fruits and vegetables grow all year around here.





                            Fresh Bakery goods



                            Guinea Pig (Cuy) anyone?


    Many food concessions - Lunch $3.50!








                                 Miss Ecuador


   And guess where the Panama Hat is made?







            $400 can buy you a nice Panama Hat!





                 Four rivers run through Cuenca





  Rio Tomebamba                                         









University of Cuenca



And just a short drive out on Cuenca you will find beautiful Mountains and countryside!









Ingapirca, The Inca Castle












Why Ecuador for me!
By Gary A Sisk






  During my preparation to move to Ecuador I spent many hours on-line reading expat blogs and hunting for information about places to live, resident requirements, and what you could bring into the country. So I started writing this book a few months ago about my personal reasons for moving to Ecuador and how I prepared for the move. I also added as much material as I could find that might be helpful to anyone else considering the move.

  Most of the material in my book has not been included in my blog. Although there are a few photos and events that are.

  Many of my blog readers may not have a kindle as I do not, so all you have to do is install the kindle app on your computer to read my book.

  I want to thank my Ecuadorian friend Bryan who spent over 20 hours reading in Spanish and English the requirements to up-load my book to kindle. Plus re-formatting the book to kindle requirements. I also  spend many hours reading and re-reading the kindle requirements with much frustration because of my minimal computer experience. They need to make it easier!

  I had a few friends tell me just to e-mail the book to them! But with 140 pages and many photos it was impossible to do that.

  I decided to use kindle because they distribute worldwide and take care of advertising and taxes, etc.; plus I do have readers in over 30 countries now.

  I do hope anyone who reads it will enjoy it and for those thinking about moving to Ecuador I hope the information will be helpful. Also keep in mind that the legal requirements for residency here keeps changing so always check with an Ecuadorian attorney or immigration here before making the move.

  This is my first book and I know I have read stories by much better writers, but it is what it is! Hopefully my writing will improve in the future, especially on a good spelling day.

  To order my book just click on the cover on the top right side of this blog.





It seems to be a rare sunny day so I am off to enjoy it - Good day to all