Geography Based

I shared a post about our day trip to the Cajas National Mountains, which are high up in the Andes Mountains.

We loved the visit to the mountains so much that we decided to go ahead and rent a cabin there and do some exploring.

The first thing we did was to grab an English speaking guide and hike one of the highest mountains there.

As you can see, just a 30 minute drive outside of Cuenca where we live and the weather is very cold. That is a part I really enjoy about living here because there are no seasons really.

We have spring every day and when we want a bit of fall-ish or winter-ish weather, we just go to the mountains or should I say higher up in the Andes.

We had to pose for this picture because though the mountain was steep and we constantly were on a slant, the view was so breath taking we paused many times to just take in the moment.

Behind us on the mountain are two waterfalls and the whole mountain is also very soggy and wet.

But we are also up above the tree line and so that limits what grows on the mountain.

Did I tell you my legs were so shaky after we got down off that mountain? But it was so worth it.

Of course, we had to go right to eating and because of the amount of energy expended not only at high altitudes, but with the hike, we treated our self to fried trout again and their exquisite desserts at the restaurant.

We got a fire going in the cabin and just sat back and watched the sun go down behind the mountains that night.

The next day we had a trip planned to an abandoned town, which was built in the early 1900s.

When History Stands Still

The town is part of the Cajas National Park property and it was a half way point during the early 1900s between Guayaquil and Cuenca for those traveling on donkey.

It really was kind of spooky in a way because it was all the sudden abandoned and things were just left in place.

There weren’t many buildings, but just enough to be a resting place to give weary travelers a place to spend the night.

There was the caretaker’s house, which had several rooms. This was one where weaving went on.

The chests or trunks were the way they traveled then.

And the scales hung on the wall so that food, grain and other things could be weighed for bartering.

Even in this part of the woods, liquor was illegal at one time. But like the U.S., they had their smugglers too.

They would use the container made of cow hide to fill with illegal liquor and put it under the donkey’s saddle to hide it and transport it to other places.

This owner and caretaker made hand made saddles and his tack and gear were all left in place where he worked on them.

You can see the original adobe walls and bed.

Too, the way a baby in those days was swaddled is shown here.

I enjoyed this room because this is the place the rich travelers would eat.

They segregated between the rich and poor class back then too.

I loved this chair because it was wrapped with ocelot, which comes from the Amazon rain forest.

As you can see the rich back then enjoyed ample space to eat, dine in and rest up from their weary trek.

This is the room where 8 or 9 people would sleep for the night.

They would lay mats, blankets, and animal hides on the floor along with a fire to keep warm for the night.

In the display case, you can see some of the original clothes that were preserved from this time.

But that is not all we did while visiting there.

There is the coolest abandoned gold mine that we went to also. I will show you those pictures next.

Hugs and love ya,

You can check out my other posts in my Living Abroad category as we have enjoyed living here in South America for a little longer than a year now.

We have made some great friends here in Ecuador too. He is Ecuadorean and his wife is German, but she is the daughter of some missionaries who came here to Ecuador way back. But they also lived some in the states in Florida.

So when they mentioned about taking us to the majestic Cajas mountains, we jumped at the opportunity.

I mean we could take a tour guide, but having our own set of wheels and taking our time going through everything is so much better.

This is Part 1 because we spent the good part of the day at the restaurant and walking the grounds before we actually entered the Cajas because our friends wanted us to eat a traditional Ecuadorean meal.

So we headed for the restaurant or mountain resort called Dos Chorreras that is at the edge of the mountains.

This place is really unique in that they used as much of the natural surroundings as they could to build it.

But first we had to try some of the local food and drink. This drink has canela (cinnamon) in it with a shot of liquor and is like a pre-meal drink.

It is an acquired taste.

Then since we had an Ecuadorean with us, he ordered a traditional food or something that he has been eaten since a boy.

It’s a lima bean with shell and fresh cheese (top right). Just served like a snack before our meal.

This was actually delicious and in the normal Ecuadorean fashion, they serve aji sauce at the table.

Aji sauce is made from tree tomatoes, something I had never eaten before coming here, but it’s all to die for delicious.

We probably eat aji sauce just about every day.

Then came a real tradition and that is potato soup.

They take their soups here serious and I have not had one soup that I didn’t pass out over because of how delicious it was.

This potato soup  is actually real thick and they served it with avocado and a slice of hard boiled egg. Hard boiled eggs or slice of it on everything is common too.

Then the fresh trout we saw outdoors is what they serve as a traditional meal.

By the way I have been craving catfish here, but it’s not available. Catfish is considered a dirty fish and they don’t eat it here. Out in the country, they have other kinds of fish. But tilapia and trout are pretty common.

Then of course the 5 star restaurant is not complete unless you choose from the many home made desserts.

After that huge meal, we had to stir around and look at the awesome building.

As you can see they built around the cliffs and rocks. They just made walls and kept the natural part natural.

This is a gathering room for like wedding receptions and you can see the outdoors really is in.

They also had a store there that sold many local foods and  sauces.

Then we had to look at a few  of the rooms that they rented out, which is why I am hoping we can go back real soon.

I’d like to stay in the cabin, which is right across from where we ate at. It has a gentle stream flowing by, which comes down from the mountain.

You see the huge boulder in the floor. They didn’t cut it out, they built the floor around it.

Drop dead gorgeous room for staying in luxury when you want it.

Then I loved this bathroom and love the tubs. Our house does not have tubs and I have missed some relaxing soaks.

The whole place is just beautiful. From the rooms to the fireplaces.

Then we decided we would take a stroll up to the mountains.

But first, the locals told us to eat the local home made candy because it gives us energy at these real high heights.

Just how high were we? About 12,000 to 14,600.

Yes, so high it’s above tree line and we saw a few tree like things growing. I didn’t know the name of this tree/shrub but it had paper like bark.

As you can see, it is a break taking place and something you would see out of movies.

We even tried to get up on the second floor of the resort to catch some of the majestic views.

But it’s hard to explain the sheer vastness of the mountains.

It almost looks like a post card and hard to see the very tops of the mountains when the clouds are in the way.

I managed to grab a few pictures of the local handicrafts in the store.

And I took a group picture of everybody standing on the deck so you can get a glimpse of this most beautiful place.

Of course as we were leaving, the llamas came down from the mountains and were on the street.

I shot this picture in the jeep as I turned around backward, so it’s a bit blurry. But have you ever seen anything so cute as that cute baby llama?

Of course he has to scratch an itch as we rounded the corner, but I still got another picture of him.

I hoped you liked the glimpse of our day trip to the Cajas Mountains. It truly is one of the most breath taking sites we have seen since being here.

Hugs and love ya,

Check out my others posts about living here in South America.

Ikat weaving and makana shawl in Gualaceo Ecuador was one fun adventure. Also, look at my page Free South America Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas.

I couldn’t have planned a more perfect way to spend the day.

For a year now, I have been wanting to go to the La Casa de la Makana to see the ikat weaving and makana or shawls in Gualaceo Ecuador.

We headed to Gualaceo, which is about a 40 minute drive from where we live.

We finally got to go with some other gringos and homeschoolers we have become friends with while we have lived here in Cuenca, Ecuador.

Ikat – Tying and Dying – Natural and Ancient Arts

What is so amazing about this cultural experience is that the ikat pattern is not only an ancient pattern and art passed down from previous generations, but this family is one of only about a handful of families that practice this ancient hand work.

The word ikat actually means “to tie”.

The shawls, which normally have a fringed edge has been the typical dress along with the Panama hat for the people in this region for probably close to a hundred years, but it is a dying art because a lot of the locals are getting “modernized”.

Ikat Weaving and Makana Shawl in Gualaceo Ecuador

This family though is preserving the tradition.

Too, this family, like a lot of families in this area who have their own businesses, both live and work in the same dwelling.

(You can see the tyed yarn in this picture before it’s dyed naturally and weaved.)

Like most homes here, this home has an outside space for working and normally an inside space or separate space for cooking and for sleeping.

We loved the decorations and old exterior and charm this place had.

But first, I have to tell you about this very unique craft.

Like I mentioned, this family has been making shawls and using the ikat pattern for about 5 generations.

It has been a skilled passed down to each generation.

Also, look at some of these books for kids.

Books for Kids 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.

South America (Rookie Read-About Geography: Continents)

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.

Continue Reading

Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas!: With 25 Social Studies Projects for Kids (Explore Your World)

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.

Continue Reading

Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia

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.

Continue Reading

Secret of the Andes (Puffin Newberry Library)

An Incan boy who tends llamas in a hidden valley in Peru learns the traditions and secrets of his ancestors. 

Continue Reading

My Mama's Little Ranch on the Pampas

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.

Continue Reading

Tales from Silver Lands

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.

Continue Reading

Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time

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.

Continue Reading

Journey to the River Sea

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

Continue Reading

This Place Is Wet

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!

Continue Reading

Bolivar: American Liberator

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.

Continue Reading

Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay

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

Continue Reading

Mayans Aztecs Incas Coloring Book: Coloring Pages of Ancient Mexico Civilizations for Adults and Teens

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.

Continue Reading

The Inca Empire (A True Book: Ancient Civilizations) (A True Book (Relaunch))

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.

Continue Reading

Do you know the beautiful and ancient pattern of ikat?

Look at these patterns to give you an idea of why I was so stoked to learn about this beautiful craftsmanship up close and personal. (Can I have one of each please?)

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 the mother is using a warping machine to wrap the yarn. This determines the size of the shawl.

But what is really AWESOME, is the natural method of making dye, which is still practiced today.

Each barrel makes color and from that color they make several more colors.

You can see the color that is being made inside by the barrel by the color scarf on the outside.

Orange, light walnut (guess what nut that is in that barrel soaking with water) and indigo are some of the colors being made here.

South America Family Crafts

To make these natural dyes they used walnuts, worms, rocks, plants and cochineal.

Some of the natural dyes take days to make and still others months.

Cochineal is a bug that lives in the cactus here in South America and from that bug it makes the color carmine (reddish).

But look at this video as our guide adds lime to make one color (like an brown-ish orange-ish) and then baking soda for yet another color (purple).

Also, in this video you can see at the end of the video when she grabs the long ropes of thread that actually comes before the dying process.

So after warping and dying, next comes the weaving.

The focus here  is to be sure the pattern stays the same and stays in sequence.

Can you see why this ancient art is being lost? It takes time and skill to make just one well-made shawl.

The family also had a showroom upstairs. Of course I can’t wait to go upstairs to drool over all their handicrafts.

They provide the patterned material to make shoes to the local shoe maker. So you can have this beautiful pattern on a great looking set of high heels.

Look at some of their finished products.

Of course the price here is HALF of what it is in Cuenca or other stores.

The shawls, purses, and shoes are about $25.00 to $30.00. Of course they first said $35.00, but I always ask for a “descuenta” (discount) but that is the norm here.

People expect you to negotiate.

But one thing that hangs in their showroom that they are EXTREMELY proud of and that is not for sell is the 150 year old hand embroidered piece made the family great grandmother.

Ikat Master Weavers

They have it hanging up in their showroom to show off not only their proud heritage but the intricate quality.

It has humming birds on it and the seal of the Republic of Ecuador.

Too, I had to show you a close up of this one loom that is 150 years (on the left) and that is still used by this family.

Of course, I couldn’t leave without buying an item or two.

I just drooled when I saw this wool and ikat blue bag and had to have it.

I think I will go back and grab a few more shawls and maybe even a pair of heels.

Then, of course the day is not complete with a great fabulous meals at one of the local and CLEAN restaurants.

I went upstairs to snatch a picture real quick before we devoured our delicious meal.

Hope you learned something about the cultural of Ecuador that we are just soaking up while we are here!

I think I could decorate my whole house in the ikat pattern because I have fallen madly in love with it.