Day 216: Cuenca, Ecuador
After a long 14-hour bus ride from Otavalo I arrived in Cuenca on a Saturday night without any idea that it was the beginning of the city’s 190th anniversary of their independence from Spain.
This was not as great as it seemed when the first hostel I tried told me everything in the city was booked, but someone was looking down on me and a wonderful hostel owner saw me wandering the streets and gave me her last hostel dorm bed.
I’m not known to turn down a party so now that I no longer had to sleep in the streets I decided to stay a few days as the celebrations promised to be plentiful.
I was not disappointed as there were throngs of people everywhere, dance troupes and bands lining streets. This afternoon I stumbled upon this parade and was overwhelmed by the energy of this group.
Yes, I definitely think I’ll stay awhile.
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I'm Ayngelina and in my mid-thirties. I left an amazing job, boyfriend, apartment and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. I'm creating a new life choosing what I want instead of what other people think I should do.
Such a fun video. It already made me want to go visit. Festival and fun vibe!~
Sarah recently posted..Photos- A Glimpse of Hollywood- The Entertainment Capital
Wow, that all looks very energetic! The colours in the top photograph are amazing. Lucky you for stumbling into a festival like that – and for getting a bed!
turkey’s for life recently posted..A Bayram Stroll Along Fethiye Harbour
How lucky for you to have stumbled upon these festivities. Great video, lots of energy and color. It just so happens that it’s Independence Day in Beirut on Monday.
inka recently posted..The sweet smells of Saida Sidon-Lebanon
I was going to say “how fortunate for you to stumble upon this festival” but it seems more unlikely to NOT stumble upon a street festival. It’s one of the things we loved about South / Central America – there seems to be innumerable holidays and festivals.
Once in Alicante, Spain, we started following a procession (not having any idea where it was going or for what reason) and ended up walking like three miles. We didn’t figure out what was at the end (a statue of a saint or the Mother Mary no doubt) but we had a blast!
Did you say you almost slept on the streets in Cuenca?! Girl, you crazy!
No Vacation Required recently posted..Passports with Purpose – Build a Village and Enjoy Paradise
That’s really cool to have stumbled into something like that. Love the video. Nice way to start this cold Saturday morning..
Jill – Jack and Jill Travel The World recently posted..How To Survive Long Airport Layovers
Viva Cuenca indeed!!
Michael Hodson recently posted..Interview with Akila and Patrick of The Road Forks- Lucky 13 Questions
Looks like a happy, colourful parade
Nice video.
Hi Ayngelina,
Thanks for sharing this lively video – you just reminded me of my experience in Cuenca 3 years ago. I wasn’t there for independence day, but I do remember loving the area and the food (and it was a restful stop from the more active activities we did right before)
Thanks for sharing!
Lily @ Explore for a Year recently posted..The 4-Hour Workweek- Book Review & Give-Away ends Sat Nov 20
I LOVE when you’re traveling and you get surprised! Thank goodness you found a place to sleep.
Andi recently posted..Cuba- Day 5 Part 1
Nice post and great festival. Cuenca is lovely, especially the architecture.
Jason recently posted..Peruvian Cuy- Pets or Meat
YNice one Ayngelina, Cuenca Ecuador is high on our ‘Must do’ list. We spent a magical time in Cuenca Spain some years ago, so exploring it’s namesake in Ecuador draws us. Thanks for the vid and I’ll be reading everything you write on Cuenca.
Jim recently posted..First steps and new boots
Wow, that place looks really beautiful. I can’t wait to visit Ecuador some day.
Bethany recently posted..Melbourne’s Top Sporting Events
How lucky you were. I love their costumes.
Nancie recently posted..Wanderfood Wednesday &8212 Welcome to my Korean Kitchen- Again -
Are you going to Vilcabamba? If so, I have a DEFINITE hostel recommendation. Let me know! Definitely the best hostel I have ever, hands down, stayed in!
Claire (Travel Funny Travel Light) recently posted..A Year Ago Today
Wow they’re really going for it! great thing to stumble across!
I love the dancing! Great capture. I couldn’t imagine keeping that pace up for long periods of time.
Erica recently posted..For Love and Travel
Good thing you found that bed, wouldn’t want to spend the night in the streets especially after a festival.
Cornelius Aesop recently posted..Cleveland Rocks- Belly Busters- Beers and Cheers
What a great festival to stumble upon on your first day there.
What fun! Great that you happened to be there at that time.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Three Months in a New York Minute
That video is awesome lady! Be safe in Ecuador!
Hogga aka @ _thetraveller_ recently posted..On the Road- Vietnam- Yum- Yum! Rat- Snake and Frog!
I love when things work out like that! Have fun!
Christy – Ordinary Traveler recently posted..Holiday Gift Ideas When You Are Far From Home 5
Thanks so much for your comment on the glamour granny. What a coincidnce. I’m so gald you are now looking forward to going to Peru.
inka recently posted..THE dream trip to Peru!
Sounds like you are having a blast. Good on ya!
Devin the Travel Writer recently posted..The 5-Star- 2-Star Conundrum- part two
Cuenca is a magical place any time of year, but especially during the festivals (Holy Week is the other major festival time here).
You were definitely lucky (blessed, even) to have found a room. The city is filled from Friday until Monday or Tuesday (especially this year since it was also Day of the Dead on the Tuesday after).
If you’re still in Ecuador and plan on returning to Cuenca, send us an email or reach us through the contact page on http://www.captivatingcuenca.com.
Jeff recently posted..Why am I interested in Cuenca
that festival looked like a lot of fun
Nice! The video is great. WHere is the part where you start dancing with them? B well, Phil
Phil recently posted..Inside my Head- Five Months Alone in West Africa
Love the video. Just randomly coming across festivals while traveling is one of my favorites. And they really know how to do it in Latin America when it comes to singing and dancing and celebrating.
Adam. recently posted..La Boca Picture Post
What a fun slice of the traditional dancing that you happened upon – gorgeous colors and energy!
Did you have to run from fireworks this time?
@Ryan
They did have those big fireworks structures but you couldn’t fool me a second time, I stayed farther back!
Looks like fun! I can see why you wouldn’t want to leave!
Looks like it’s a good time. It’s so great when you go somewhere and find out that a festival is going on that you didn’t know about. Glad you found somewhere to stay.
Steve recently posted..8 Countries You Can Travel to That Aren’t Really Countries
That looks like a ridiculous amount of fun.
Candice recently posted..iPhone App Review- The Cartographer
Great video! It looks like so much fun and the colors are lovely.
A Tramp Abroad recently posted..A Miracle Berry Adventure- Tokyo- Japan
Awesome find! That video really made me smile.
I had a friend who studied abroad in Cuenca. From what I could tell, he liked it!
Amanda recently posted..Why the Travel Blogging Community is Awesome
what a colorfull and lively parade, loves the colors of s.a.
greg urbano recently posted..Hiking Honeymoon Island State Park
A great stumble upon. You are really inspiring me to get to South America
Caz Makepeace recently posted..Daily Travel Photo- Lost in Istanbul- Turkey
There is a part of me, albeit a small part, that misses the 14-hour bus rides. It has been a while.
Devin the Travel Writer recently posted..Get Published Now- Be Interesting
@Devin
I’m sure that one day I will feel that too, but it won’t be any time soon
Wow what a wonderful coincidence to meeet that hostel owner on the street! Hope you enjoyed the celebrations they look fantastic!
Andrew Murray recently posted..Attractions of Arkhangai Aimag- Mongolia
hmm…I never made it there, yet this is inspiring enough to go some other day
Federico recently posted..San Sebastian del Oeste- Colonial Charm in Mexico