Gualeceo

Today our last day in Cuenca, we hired a driver to take us to Gualeceo, about 45 minutes from Cuenca.  There, we visited the central market, where we ate lunch; the workshop where a wel known family weaves beautiful shawls, scarves, and other items in the IKAT way.  All of the dyes for the wool are natural, made from nuts, leaves, insects, lime, etc.  We also visited ecuagenerw, an orchid growing business where they have over 1550 tupes of orchids.

We feasted on some roast pork and a potato that is common in Ecuador which is mashed potato and cheese rolled and slightly fried.  We split a small plate for $2.50 and it was excellent.

Below is a photo of the market interior.  Think "food court" in your local mall.

Leaving the market, we visited the weavers.  Pat purchased two "infinity scarves".  We also received a demonstration of the weaving process.

Step one is preparing the wool, silk or cotton that will be woven.

The various color dyes are mixed in these clay pots.

And, the actual weaving of the shawl or scarf.

The last step, or finishing of the scarf or shawl, creating the fringe.  

Total time to complete one item ks about 4 days.

A panoramoc view of the workshop.

Below is an indigenous woman weaving the famous Panama hat, which in fact, is an Ecuadorian made hat.  She was sitting inside the town offices, in the shade.  

See our separate blog that follows for the Ecuagenera... Orchideas de Ecuador.