Our First Road Trip

Our new friends, Mick and Kathy Wesson, invited us on our first road trip yesterday.  And of course, we said, "sure!"  It was good to get out of Cuenca for a while.  Our destination was Chordeleg and another town that I can't remember the name.  It was a really nice ride through the mountains.  Take a look:

Parts of it reminded us of California around Malibu Canyon, only much greener with higher mountains.

The town square with a really nice open market

Our new friends, Mick and Kathy, and their little poodle, Nick (he goes everywhere with them).  There was a really nice river that goes through this town.

Pat and Nick

Our First Ecuadorian Parade

An Official Float

We weren't exactly sure what the occasion was, but we think it was the 50th anniversary of the school in town.  Mick and Kathy knew one of the guys, Freddy, who was in the parade.

Freddy is in the middle of the picture (the guy with the black jacket and long white shirt) next to the guy holding the sign.

These ladies were representing some group, although we weren't sure exactly what group.  Check out the high heels that they are wearing.  Most of the young women wear VERY high heels all the time (not just in a parade).  I don't know how they keep from breaking their necks.

All in all, we had a wonderful day.  We look forward to seeing more of Ecuador in future excursions.  Will keep you posted.