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Things To Do If Visiting Cuenca, Ecuador

February 3, 2016

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We spent the 2015 holiday season (December 19-January 2) in Cuenca, Ecuador!  My fiancé’s mother lives there so we knew exactly what we wanted to experience in the 2 weeks we had available.

So if you plan to visit in the near future, here are some things to consider adding to your list of experiences.  I’ll also throw in some helpful tips when traveling the area!

*I apologize for the mixture of photo quality!  We had phones and a Nikon DSLR to capture many different moments.

MIRADOR DE TURI

This trek is a lengthy 439 stairs straight up to a beautiful view of the city!  It is quite breath taking and you can also roam the peak to check out shops or grab a snack.

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Your view overlooks the entire city of Cuenca!

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If you live in an area where you are at sea level or close to it, your climbing stamina may be hindered.  Be sure to stop and rest.  There are plenty of benches along the climb to sit and admire the view.

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Biblián

Biblián is a small quaint little country town we passed through on the way to Ingapirca. As we were driving to visit the Inca ruins, we stopped at a beautiful cathedral.  You will always find cathedrals like this sitting on mountain peaks.  The cathedral itself was built out of stone that came from the mountain it sits on.

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The inside of this cathedral was absolutely stunning with an alter made of white marble.  And as you can see in the photo above, there are many stairs to climb and remember you are at a high altitude.  So climb slowly if you live in an area at (or close to) sea level.

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INGAPIRCA

These Inca ruins are located in the Cañar Province, Ecuador.  This is about a 1-1.5 hour drive outside the city of Cuenca.

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This center area is where the Incas would worship and the small rock walls are where the Cañaris and Incas lived.  They had quite the community.

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This is a very popular area for wild llamas to gather and graze.  We got to see a small herd of llamas, but they would not let us get too close.  Unlike a future encounter you’ll see shortly!

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PARQUE NACIONAL CAJAS

This excursion to the Cajas National Park was by far the most eventful for me on our Ecuador vacation.  This photo was taken at the start of a 4 hour hiking trial, and as you can see, the tundras were beautiful and the view (in every direction) belonged on a postcard.

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After about 10 minutes of hiking, we found a side trail to a giant boulder overlooking the tundras and small lake.  As we stood admiring this amazing view, Eric suddenly dropped to one knee! And OH MY GOODNESS the thoughts that ran through my mind!!!

Thought #1: ” Oh no, his knee (due to soccer injury) must be bothering him!  Dang, how am I going to carry him back uphill?”

Thought #2: “Wait a minute, he’s smiling and not saying anything…”

Thought #3: “Okay, I think I know what is happening!!”

And sure enough, Eric asked me to marry him and I couldn’t say “YES!!!” fast enough.

After hugs, kisses, and lots of excitement he says, “Oh yea, I do have a ring too”.  I had completely forgotten a ring goes with this moment.  When he pulled out the ring it was absolutely perfect.  A beautiful blue sapphire engagement ring.  I could not believe it and I thought “He knows me so well!”

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So of course as a woman, you have a million questions and luckily I had a 3 hours and 50 minutes to get them all in!  Questions like:

“Were you planning this the whole time?”

“How long had you known you wanted to do this?”

“Did you always have the Cajas in mind when you were wanting to ask?”

“How long did you have the ring?”

“How in the world did you keep this a secret?”

“Did you tell anyone you were going to do this?”

…And so on and so forth…

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And eventually, we got back to our touristy selves and enjoyed our hike!

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It seemed like everything went perfectly the rest of the day!

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We had a little visitor grazing in our hiking path.  It turned out that he just so happened to like people!  Or maybe he liked his photo taken… but he posed for quite some time.  Not pictured are his dos amigos peludos marrón (two brown furry friends).

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Every now and then you would run into very small flowers.  It is a different type of weather and scenery compared to Alabama.  It looked very desert like, but the weather was fairly cold and is always unpredictable.  If you plan to go hike, definitely go in the morning.  By the afternoon, the weather becomes unpredictable.  My fiancé hiked the Cajas the previous year and by the afternoon, it began hailing.  So definitely be sure to hike with the appropriate gear and snacks.

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AMAZON RAINFOREST

Arutam Ecotours is the company we used to take us on an Amazon excursion.  We stayed in a hotel in Limón and had a very personal tour of the local town and the rainforest.  We hiked trails only locals hike and got to experience so many different things.

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The colors of all the different insects within the rainforest are so fascinating.  The wildlife from insects to birds are so bright!

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Shown below is a hummingbird nest (nido de colibrí).  I have never known much about hummingbirds, but Ecuador contains hundreds of different species.

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This photo is a really neat shot I took of Eric to show how dense the rainforest actually is.  He is snapping a shot of the red walking stick shown 2 photos above.

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The ancient petroglyphs were so extraordinary to see!  You can easily feel with your finger that these petroglyphs were made with a tool of some type.  It was a lot of fun to try and decipher the messages carved into rocks all across Limón.  These rocks are not protected from weather and they are not in one central location.  We came across them often as we hiked around the area.

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The plants within the Amazon have the wildest shapes and colors as you can see below.

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And of course, being a dietitian, I had to snap a photo of a wild Latin American pineapple growing in a field!

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The last afternoon we had in Limón, we had planned to hike to a sacred waterfall and make sugar cane juice with a local.  The hike down the side of the mountain was SO steep!  It was a true test of physical fitness.  I must say, I am so glad we made the trek.  The force of the wind and spray coming from the waterfall was exactly what I needed after the intense hike down.

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We made a quick stop by the Zamora River which is one the more dangerous rivers around the Amazon in regards to the strong current.  Not so much wildlife here due to the Chinese mining this area for gold.  We could spot whirlpools as we watched the water race by us.

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Shortly after all of our hiking, we were ready to eat!  This was a traditional meal made by the Shuar tribe.  They prepared a mixture of chicken, white cabbage, and yucca, wrapped it in leaves that look very similar to banana leaves (but they definitely aren’t), and served it.  The flavor from cooking this meal in these particular leaves was so savory!  I could not believe they didn’t use any herbs or spices.  All the flavor came from the leaves.

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Pictured below is the community center where we ate our meal.  This is where the tribe will gather for many reasons.  One of these reasons may be to have an ayahuasca experience.  Ayahuasca is a plant the Shuars (along with many different religions and tribes) believe will bring you closer to the “God of nature” and provide you with a spiritual experience.  This psychedelic will usually last about 4-8 hours after ingested.

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One of the more exciting parts of our Amazon trip was the tubing down the Indanza River!  No worries, I made sure there was nothing that would eat/bite/kill us before jumping in.

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So this moment was when things were just fine.  However, the water was not quite high enough to keep me from flipping over after going through the rocky area.  If you’re looking for a good way to panic your fiancé , send your empty tube down a fast paced river in the Amazon!

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Sugar cane juice is quite delicious!  But so much work to produce.  Here you can see Eric and our guide Xavier pushing this giant log as a local man feeds the crank a sugar cane plant.  The green bucket is catching all of the juice excreted.

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The sugar cane juice was mixed with a little limón, and voila!  We have a delicious beverage!

In the background on the fire, you can see the boiling pot of sugar cane juice.  The juice being boiled for a 4 hour period provides you with syrup.  Luckily we got a jar to go home with us!

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HOLIDAY TRAVEL FESTIVITIES

The International Chorale is a national chorus group that happened to come sing at the Catedral Viejo (old catherdral) for a Christmas concert.  Everyone sang Christmas carols (in many languages) by candle light.  Such a peaceful evening.

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Again, look at that magnificent architecture.

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A Christmas parade is held in downtown Cuenca every year and can last all morning through the afternoon.

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They decorate their cars with garland, candy, alcohol, and of course a roasted pig!  This parade is a symbol for the gift of plenty.  The roasted pig is a sign of having plenty of food which Ecuadorians celebrate.

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Many cultures around the area are celebrated as they dance in the street wearing their cultural attire, or just simply dressed as angels and shepherds.

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New Years is definitely quite the event in Ecuador.  It is tradition to purchase an effigy of yourself from local vendors (which are on every sidewalk) and at midnight, set it on fire in the street!  This is a symbol for burning away the old you to enter a new year with a new you.  It was so much fun to see all of the piles in the road going up in flames!

Below is a photo of Eric’s mother (left),  me, and then Eric.  You’re supposed to choose an effigy that looks like you… Eric however, just enjoyed scaring us with his super creepy effigy.

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This is Eric adding his effigy to the fire.

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Once we set our effigies on fire, we went back inside to catch the firework show all across Ecuador.  Once the clock struck midnight, the BOOMS and CRACKS from fireworks were coming from every direction.  These fireworks went off until 6AM the following morning.

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TRANSPORTATION

Transportation is something to consider when visiting Cuenca.  If you are in fairly good shape you can walk mostly anywhere.  If you do want to have options other than walking, here are some things to keep in mind.

Bus:  When taking the bus you MUST have a quarter to ride.  The public transportation is cheap and convenient, but you must have change.

Taxi:  It is VERY helpful to be able to speak some Spanish when taking a taxi because your driver may know nothing in your native language.  You also want to make sure they reset the taxi meter before you start driving.  A taxi ride cost wise can be between $1.25-$3.50 depending on how far you go.  It was only around $3.50 when we were going to or from the airport.  Most rides were $2 or less.  Again, you will needs some loose change.

CUENCA (IN THE CITY)

The Architecture is amazing.  All of the colors and detail in all of the buildings is breathtaking.  This photo below just happens to be a plastic surgery clinic downtown and I thought it was beautiful.

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This door is the entrance to the Catedral Nueve (new cathedral).  I put the photo of us first so you can judge the size of this door.  The colors and detail within these buildings is quite phenomenal.

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This door is actually the entrance to these blue domes shown below.  The view of the white and blue domes can be seen all over the city.  This was a great help when trying to determine exactly where you are while walking downtown.

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The Tome Bambo River runs along side of the city.  You’ll see locals relaxing under trees nearby or washing some clothing.  It is an extremely peaceful spot when trying to move away from the sound of the city’s hustle and bustle.

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MERCADO: The mercados are definitely worth stopping and browsing.  The mercados that contain all of the fresh fruit, produce, and meat were so interesting to see!  Maybe it’s because I am so intrigued by food… But looking around at all of the different types of fruits and vegetables was right up my ally.  I can’t believe how many types of foods are out there that we don’t get access to here in the US.

CUISINE

RESTAURANTS: The traditional Ecuadorian meal is quite starchier than I am used to.  I will admit I really missed my vegetables.  Most of the traditional meals contain a meat, potatoes, rice/beans, and maybe fried plantains.

However, one of my favorite places to eat was Pedir De Boca.  If you are visiting Cuenca I highly recommend you stop in for a meal.  The cook there is so friendly and makes the most beautiful food.

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This soup was actually made my the cook’s mother who is 100 years old!  This soup was not on the menu and made for us personally.  It was the most amazing avocado soup I have ever had.  Presentation is definitely important to this establishment and you see it in every single dish.

I ordered a ham and cheese sandwich (sandwich de jamon y queso).  Here is how it came out.  Absolutely beautiful and definitely delicious.

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SUMMARY

Visiting Ecuador was the trip of a lifetime!  I got to experience a whole new culture, become more familiar with a different language, see some of the most beautiful sites in the world, and come home with a fiance.

I hope this post was helpful for you if you plan to be visiting the area in the future.  Please feel free to comment or share using the social media icons below!

 ¡Gracias por leer!

¡Chau!

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Abroad

Five Things To Do To Avoid Food Temptation

October 5, 2015

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With the holidays approaching, I feel that this blog post is extremely important to start practicing with now!

One culprit that causes weight gain is temptation.  Sometimes foods are so enticing, we don’t have enough will power to say no!

So what can we do to help build that will power and keep us from those situations arising in the first place?

Here are 5 tips you can follow to avoid food temptation!

1.  Make your home your sanctuary.

If you have junk foods or trigger foods at home, it will be nearly impossible to stay on track with those treats dancing around in the back of your brain.  Make today the day you grab an empty box, open that pantry, and carry a load to your local food bank!  This way, if you have a strong craving for something unhealthy, your only choice is to throw on shoes, jump in the car, and go purchase it.  And no one wants to do that in the middle of the night.  This will also help with mindless snacking on junk.

And before you say, “But the kids really like ____, I can’t just get rid of that…” think about their health.  Is that a regular food you want them to grow up eating?  Or should that food really be a treat for them?

2.  Remove yourself from the situation or find a distraction.

When choosing a healthier lifestyle, you must allow yourself time to go through sugar/salt/fat withdrawal.  Yes, we can be addicted to these substances and sometimes it is just as bad as drugs/alcohol.  When looking at brain scans, our brain can light up like a Christmas tree when eating these foods in a stressful state and shortly after, we feel calm and relaxed.  This was something we discussed during a food addiction seminar I attended.  What is happening is actually a serotonin (our feel good hormone) release.  And if habits like that have been practiced too long, we can now be addicted and must allow time for withdrawal.

So if its evening time, the tv is on, and you reach for something to munch on while you relax, ask yourself, “before I take this bite, am I truly physically hungry?  Or am I looking for something to do?”  If you are not physically hungry, this is a great time to remove yourself from the situation you are currently in, or find a good distraction.

By distracting the mind from temptation, you are currently in the process of breaking a habit.  It takes almost a month to break a habit, so stay strong.  Find something that can relax you at the same time whether its a craft, hobby, or going for a walk.

3.  Eat slowly.

This is an extremely helpful tip.  The slower you eat, the faster you fill up.  Once you are no longer hungry, you will be less inclined to have dessert or a late night snack.

Asking for a to-go box immediately when ordering your food is also a step in the right direction.  When you remove half of your meal from your plate, you are eliminating that temptation of eating the full serving.  Always give yourself 10-15 minutes after completing a meal to determine if you are satisfied or not.

The last suggestion when it comes to social gatherings, restaurant celebrations, or holidays, is that you can always eat before you go if you don’t think you will have full control.  Now this doesn’t mean I believe you should never have “cheat meals” or something unhealthy occasionally…  But if this is a gathering you are attending recently after a cheat meal or it happens to be a place serving trigger foods for you, it is a great idea to eat ahead of time and just enjoy the social aspect of the event.

4.  Don’t buy it!

If you do not purchase this food, you cannot eat it!  Practicing the word NO is really important.

5.  Avoid tempting aisles at the grocery store.

You always want to shop the outskirts of the grocery store.  This will keep you around fresh produce, protein, and dairy products.  Anything within the aisles will always revolve around processed foods.  If you have a specific trigger food, AVOID THAT AISLE!

One grocery store in particular has really helped some of my patients by doing an online ordering system!  You can order all of your groceries online, pay online, and schedule a pick-up time!  How awesome is that?  This way you don’t have to look at the junk on sale at each end cap or smell the aromas from the bakery.

SUMMARY

These are just some of the things I practice with my patients to make sure temptation is not going to be an issue while living healthy.  I do believe in moderation, but for some people, if they fall off track or even have a cheat meal, they may throw in the towel because they already feel that they have failed.  So these are some easy tips to work on to make sure you avoid temptation and stay successful with your healthy lifestyle.

 

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Back Deck Gardening

July 23, 2015

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 There are tons of reasons to garden!  It’s relaxing, rewarding, and gives you fresh ingredients without the trip to the grocery store.  The only problem is, when we think of gardening, we may think constant weeding, mosquito bites, tilling, fencing, pests, and sunburns.  So how do you garden so it’s fun, easy, and gratifying?

By using pots on the back deck!

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This is a very minimalist way to garden that requires very little attention and can still provide you with great produce or herbs.  For our climate in Alabama, tomatoes grow like weeds. They do require watering every few days, but that’s about it.  It is also important to try and pick your ripe tomatoes within a day or two of reddening so they don’t get eaten by other critters (especially if you don’t want to use pesticides).

But there is something truly exciting about growing your own food.  It is extremely gratifying to make your own pico de gallo with fresh tomatoes, jalapenos, and garlic right from your garden.

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For many of my patients, they use gardening as a way to get exercise and improve their vegetable intake in their diet.

But for me, I use it as a way to relax.  A way to provide fresh produce to my friends and family.  Especially when I have a great turn out.  Now that’s gratifying.

And if back deck gardening still seems like too much work, visit your local community garden or Food Bank.  There are always people in need of fresh food and the feeling you get helping people is beyond satisfying.

This is definitely one way to feed your mind and your belly!

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Stress Relief

Welcome!

AvatarI’m Tamar, a registered dietitian living in Alabama, fascinated by food, fitness, and travel. My goal for this blog is to help people learn more about how to live a long, healthy, and peaceful life to the fullest. Read More…

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