I’m sharing 5 things I love about Cuenca Ecuador. Also, look at my page Free South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas.
The house hunt is over! We have been so impatient in finding time to explore Ecuador, but had to focus on finding a home.
But in the few short weeks we have lived here, I have discovered a lot I like.
Today in 5 things I love about Cuenca, Ecuador, I wanted to share a few of them.
First, look at some of these books we love about South America.
Books About South America
13 Resources for a Study of South America
Add some of these fun books and resources to your study of South America.
An incredible variety of climates and biomes span the territory of South America. As a result, the continent contains some of the greatest biodiversity on Earth.
Rookie Read-About: Continents series gives the youngest reader (Ages 3-6) an introduction to the components that make each continent distinctive and exceptional. Readers will get to know each continents' geography, history, and wildlife. In this book readers learn about the continent of South America, including the geography, native animals, people and more.
A full-color, compelling book for ages 7 to 10 offers a deep dive into the three sophisticated ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica―the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas― through hands-on STEAM projects, essential questions, and loads of fascinating facts!
Why were there more than 3,000 steps built at Machu Picchu? Why did the Aztecs roam Mexico for nearly 200 years before finding a place to settle? How did the Maya study the movements of the stars and the planets? Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas! With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids takes kids ages 7 to 10 on a guided tour to experience the history, culture, economics, and daily life of the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas.
A man, his burros, and his books bring joy to children in remote Colombian villages in this inspiring book based on a true story by celebrated picture book creator Jeanette Winter.Luis loves to read, but soon his house in Colombia is so full of books there’s barely room for the family. What to do? Then he comes up with the perfect solution—a traveling library! He buys two donkeys—Alfa and Beto—and travels with them throughout the land, bringing books and reading to the children in faraway villages.
An Incan boy who tends llamas in a hidden valley in Peru learns the traditions and secrets of his ancestors.
In the sequel to On the Pampas, the author recalls her first year on the small Argentinian ranch purchased and managed by her mother, in an account that includes a visual dictionary of the Spanish words and geographical terms used in the text.
Atmospheric woodcuts illustrate this Newbery Award–winning collection of 19 South American folktales. Charles J. Finger heard the tales firsthand from native storytellers, whose fables of talking animals, witches, giants, and ordinary people in supernatural settings provide remarkable insights into regional values and culture. The first of the stories, "A Tale of Three Tails," tells of an age when the rat had a tail like a horse, the rabbit had a tail like a cat, and the deer's tail was plumed like the tail of a dog. "The Magic Dog" recounts an act of kindness to a stray animal that helps overcome a witch's curse. In "The Calabash Man," the creatures of the jungle assist a suitor in winning his bride, and in "El Enano," a greedy troll's insatiable appetite leads to his downfall. Packed with adventure and full of surprises, these and other stories emphasize the importance of hard work, courage, and loyalty.
In 1911, Hiram Bingham III climbed into the Andes Mountains of Peru and “discovered” Machu Picchu. While history has recast Bingham as a villain who stole both priceless artifacts and credit for finding the great archeological site, Mark Adams set out to retrace the explorer’s perilous path in search of the truth—except he’d written about adventure far more than he’d actually lived it. In fact, he’d never even slept in a tent.
With the memorable characters and plot twists she brings to her best-selling fantasies, acclaimed author Eva Ibbotson has written a hair-raising novel, set in turn-of-the-last-century Brazil.Accompanied by Miss Minton, a fierce-looking, no-nonsense governess, Maia, a young orphan, sets off for the wilderness of the Amazon, expecting curtains of orchids, brightly colored macaws, and a loving family. But what she finds is an evil-tempered aunt and uncle and their spoiled daughters. It is only when she is swept up in a mystery involving a young Indian boy, a homesick child actor, and a missing inheritance that Maia lands in the middle of the Amazon adventure she's dreamed of. Readers of every generation will treasure Ibbotson's lush historical adventure that harkens back to the beloved classics of Frances Hodgson Burnett and Louisa May Alco
Can you imagine living in a place where there is so much water some houses need to be built on stilts to protect them when the river rises? Or where it is so wet that some plants can grow on the sides of trees with their roots gathering water from the air? In This Place Is Wet, you'll find out all sorts of things about what it's like to live in the rain forest of Brazil. Try to imagine living there!
It is astonishing that Simón Bolívar, the great Liberator of South America, is not better known in the United States. He freed six countries from Spanish rule, traveled more than 75,000 miles on horseback to do so, and became the greatest figure in Latin American history. His life is epic, heroic, straight out of Hollywood: he fought battle after battle in punishing terrain, forged uncertain coalitions of competing forces and races, lost his beautiful wife soon after they married and never remarried (although he did have a succession of mistresses, including one who held up the revolution and another who saved his life), and he died relatively young, uncertain whether his
achievements would endure.
Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option...until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived. He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash
Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book – Fun And Education For Adults and TeensMake the perfect gift for anyone who loves coloring! Enjoy this Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book for Adults and Teens. Click the cover to reveal what’s inside!About this book:
- 40 original pages drawings of Symbols, Warriors, Masks and Mandalas.
Explore the Inca empire, including how the Incas survived in the mountains, how the empire was built, and why it disappeared.
A True Book: Ancient Civilizations series allows readers to experience what makes each ancient civilization distinctive and exceptional as well look at its influence on the some of the practices of the modern world. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study.
1) I love the laid back lifestyle. Once you leave the schedule treadmill of the United States, you see that a lot of countries have more laid back schedules.
Oh sure, we heard about the manana attitude here and for the most part we have adopted it too.
Do you remember the time when stores actually closed on Sunday and spent time with their families? It’s that way here. The only place I know in the states that closes on Sundays still is Chick-Fil-A.
(Warning: Picture overload again. I got a little giddy about sharing another post about our new home in South America because I want you to see all that we are learning about.)
A few stores are open and the “gringo mall”, Mall Del Rio, is open too. But the few stores that are open, close early too on Sunday.
The first Sunday or two caught us off guard, but after that we now know to have a quiet meal at the room or grab something earlier in the day for later.
We were wondering too why we see more of these play horses on Sunday. Ecuadorians spend their time with their families and they bring their kids to the park to ride these “rides” and spend time in the park.
2) Love the food in Ecuador.
The food is amazing here and especially lunch. Lunch is normally a drink, soup, main entrée and dessert. It can cost anywhere from 1.50 to 5.75.
Now I warn you that some of the $1.50 places we have seen, I would rather skip their entrees as I don’t eat intestines (sorry, but I just had to tell you).
The first week or so we ate the traditional grilled chicken and rice, but then after that we have investigated the other food here.
Oh yes, I have found one of my favorites, which is Mexican food too.
(charming restaurant for Mexican food where you have to walk through a patio
El Pedregal Azteca Restaurant)
Since there aren’t any preservatives here, all the food is delicious. It truly makes a difference in how it tastes.
At one of our favorite restaurants I mentioned in my last post, Don Colon, is owned by a man and wife that spend part of their time in the states and part of their time in Ecuador.
The owner and chef makes all of his juices with bottled water. So we have been enjoying all the variety of delicious home made fruit juices which is what they have for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
(Mr. Awesome having no problem adopting the local pineapple juice.)
3) Shopping Luv. I love having choices when it comes to shopping. If I want convenience, there is a chain (actually I heard it’s from the United States) called SuperMaxi.
Then of course, if you want really good prices, then shopping off the street from the different vendors is the way to go.
Quail eggs for breakfast anybody?
(Modern meets Old World)
(or you can buy from one of these nice ladies)
4) The history and culture is fascinating.
Of course you know my love for history and geography and there are so many exploring ventures that we want to take that I feel like an out of control child here.
Everywhere I turn, there is something else we want to do. We have started with learning about the town first.
(Bus tour)
(Beautiful rivers through town and the architect is stunning to look at each day.)
(Of course, we never get tired of people watching. The skirts of the women are suppose to tell what region they are from. We are still trying to figure that one out.)
Of course when the kids find something they recognize, they want me to take a picture of it for you. I guess BigMac is universal in any language.
I spotted Payless shoes the other day when I went down the wrong road.
5) The opportunities for field trips and learning are endless.
We have been catching up on and making up with lots of field trips. Today, we spent time at the hat museum.
Did you know that the Panama hats do not originate from Panama, but from Ecuador? It’s just that Panama figured out first how to export them. And Ecuadorians are proud of their hats and hat history!!
More Activities About South America
- Ikat Weaving and Makana Shawl in Gualaceo Ecuador
- Finding a Home in Cuenca, Ecuador
- Everyday Life in Cuenca, Ecuador
- 5 Things I Love About Cuenca Ecuador
- Effigies, Celebrations and Customs of Cuenca, Ecuador
Here at the equator, a good hat is a must because the top of your head becomes sunburned before you realize it.
I am hoping to have pictures soon of the house we will be renting while we are here and then we will be taking some more trips outside of the city too.
Roxana de Perez says
Tina,
Thank you for your useful information. We ( my husband and I) are thinking to check Cuenca as our first option for retirement.
Love your pictures and your inputs…
Roxana
Tina Robertson says
We love it here Roxana.
We appreciate the infrastructure here because not all cities have all the thing Cuenca does and it makes it enjoyable to find those amenities here when you leave the states.
Thank for being here..
Sade Stanberry- Lawrence says
My husband and I are considering spending several months in Cuenca while we explore south and Central America. Your blog has been very helpful, thank you! Love all of the photos and detailed posts!
Sade S Lawrence
Tina Robertson says
So welcome Sade. We just LOVE it here!!
Sade S Lawrence says
I can see the love and excitement for Cuenca in you alls photos. Quick question:My husband and I are thinking about bringing our small dog with us as well. Would you recommend Cuenca as a safe, dog friendly place?
Tina Robertson says
Absolutely Sade.
Many dog lovers here!!