The Way to Loja

Birthdays in Cuenca are special and when there's more than one, then it's multiplied. Last Thursday was a celebration of the birthdays of Pat and Mike Grimm. The festivities took place at California Kitchen. The setting was festive, with laughter and comradery. Below is the group with the birthday boy at the head of the table.

A view of the other end of the table with the birthday girl.

Jim and Selene
Mike with Carol and Mark, with George in the background
Pat with the birthday hat, a new tradition begun by Bob and Elaine Cerwin at Mick's birthday.

Also featured at the party was the California Kitchen burger, the best in town.
On Friday morning, Mick, Henry, andI left early for Loja. The drive from Cuenca is splendid. In addition to the variations in altitude, there are changes in vegetation and soil appearance.

The halfway mark for the trip is the town of Ona. We made a pitstop and brought hot bread for breakfast. This is the park in the center of town.

This is a street scene with a nun and another person walking in the distance.

This is the bus station, which is on located on the square. These are two women waiting by the roadside.

Another town on the way to Loja is Saraguro. In this area, men are known to wear knee pants with boots and ponchos.

The women of Saraguro are known for their unique headgear. The hats are made of mud, lined with animal skin and then painted. These pictures were actually taken on Sunday. We searched on Friday and could find none. Henry asked someone about the hats and was told that now they are usually worn on special occasions. The young girls complain that they are too heavy to wear.

Loja is a busy city with an elaborate city gate. I did not have the opportunity to get a good photo; so I found this one on the internet.

This is Plaza Bolivar.

A city view.

Henry had the task of finding a hotel. He said that we would be staying at the best in Loja. It was Howard Johnson. In Charlotte, one of the "dumpiest" places on North Tryon was the HoJo. This was an entirely different class. It was a high rise with lovely rooms. Nick is a traveling puppy and was thrilled to be there.

This was the living room of our suite. Notice, no pictures.

When we checked in, Mick said that he wanted two suites. However, the girl at reception, gave Henry her phone number and also assigned him this suite. It included 2 bathrooms, separate living room and balcony. He was thrilled and we were happy for him.

We had dinner at the hotel, which was held on the terrace by the pool. The ambience was exceptional. Henry had plans for later.

On Saturday, we planned to go to Vilcabamba. Near by is another small town, Malacatos, which is said to have the best coffee in all of Ecuador. Don Victor's was closed, but Henry called and they opened.

The bags are filled with dried coffee beans and are stored under the loza.

These are beans being dried.

The luscious, dark roasted beans are being ground.

Bromeliad were growing on the power lines.

This is the church on the square in Malacatos.

This is the gate to Vilcabamba. We had coffee on the square at Sambuca Cafe on the square in Vilcabamba.

The square in Vilcabamba.

This is the church on the square. On the stained glass is a large hornet's nest.

Dinner was at Manggatta's in Loja.

Mick requested fried shrimp and the chef-owner also made coleslaw. He had been a chef at the U.S. embassy in Quito.

Ready to head home to Cuenca.

We arrived home in time to attend Canadian Thanksgiving at the home of Brian and Shelley. It was a grand feast complete with turkey and dressing. Here's Brian hard at work.
Clarke and Brennie.
The hostess and host.
Mick thought the gravy was outstanding.