Saraguro weekend :)

Last weekend we went to Saraguro for the weekend. Saraguro is an indigenous community about 3 hours south of Cuenca. It is very rich in its culture and roots; known to have survived the spanish colonization. We arrived on saturday afternoon and spent time learning about their way of life. That night we went to a traditional dinner and danced to traditional music. The next morning we had a wonderful breakfast and then attended a ceremonial ritual. We then went to the market and later had a traditional lunch where, for the first time, I tried cuy (guinea pig!). Here are some of the pictures:

Stopped on the way to look at the beautiful scenery. You can see the "inca trail."

Saraguro!

Bus ride to the indigenous house museum.

Indigenous house museum, where we ate our box lunch.

Our janky bus :)

A family showed us their multiple different types of looms and beautiful textiles.  

Video of the son making an incredibly detailed table cloth.

The band playing traditional music, which we danced to and had a blast!

Listen to them play!

Reminded us of the proposal (shout out to my girl Lindsay!)...they are preparing for the ceremonial ritual.

After the ceremony was finished. They worship pacha mama (think Mother earth and more).

One of the offerings and center burnings for the ritual.

Our awesome guide! (This is where he grew up.) 

Our traditional lunch. That is pollo, the cuy is hiding (it was a small piece, and not too bad-for a pet). There is also barley, cheese, hard boiled egg and bread.

The younger boy was practicing and we asked him to play for us. Such a sweet family!

It's like Seattle, there really are mountains back there, but you would never know. Shout out to the beloved fog.