InGaPiRcA - Incan Ruins

On Sunday we had a day-trip to the Ingapirca Ruins, which are ruins from the Inca people.  We made many stops along the way to see many neat things. I’m not even sure where some of the places were but I enjoyed them nonetheless! J

Our first stop was at a church that is up in the side of the mountain.  There is a huge hill and a ton of steps that you have to walk up to get to the church but it was worth it because it was a very pretty church and the view was beautiful.  It shows the dedication and devotion of the people who make that journey on a daily or weekly basis; it’s neat to think about.

  

The church that we visited. Lots of stairs but
very pretty!



The view from the church!



 

On the way to our second destination we actually stopped along the side of the road to experience the typical preparation of the food.  A man was roasting a full pig, eyelashes and all, with a blowtorch and people stop all day long to take the meat right off of the pig.  There were also other different types of corn and food that the people can get for a small price as an entire meal.  We have seen these small stands along the side of the road on our trips through the mountains so it was neat to actually stop at one.

 

Lunchtime!

 

More of the food on the side of the
road. The little yellow things in the front
are potatoes and cheese mixed together.
They're very yummy.



The second stop on our trip was to see a market in another town along the way.  It was a huge market that covered many blocks.  There was fruits, meat, spices, traditional clothes, toys, trinkets, bread, pottery, herbs, etc.  It was huge!  Since it was a Sunday there were tons of people around too, many dressed in their traditional clothing.  I feel like Cuenca is more modernized and most of the people wear clothing that is very similar to ours so we do not see the traditional attire as much.  It was very neat to experience!  We bought some little pottery from one of the stands and I am pretty sure we made the lady’s day who sold them to us.

  

One of the many fruit stands at the market.




More of the market



Llamas!



Then it was finally on to Ingapirca.  We ate lunch on a grassy hill that had a step pattern in it; it was neat.  The ruins were also very interesting.  We had a very good guide and it was neat to hear what the different ruins were when the Incans lived there.  It was greatly a ceremonial area but it was also used for military as well.  It was actually destroyed in a civil war.  The view was very pretty and I learned a lot.  There were also llamas on the ruins and at one point they almost encircled us!  I noticed a large group of them gathering near us on one side and then I looked behind me and there was one standing right there on a wall.  It was a little unnerving because they were acting very territorial or protective but it was a very funny situation at the same time.  Us girls also shopped in the small shops after our tour of course.  We sure do love shopping! J  I just can’t pass up the amazing items at such great prices!

 

Ingapirca

 

The circles in the front of the picture were used for food
storage. The other areas were rooms and such.



The Incan Face

The drive out of Ingapirca was very bumpy and windy.  It was small dirt roads with people walking through fields and along the side of the road.  This area was big in dairy farming so there were cows everywhere but there was not any farm machinery to be seen.  There were just cows roaming or tied up along the mountainside.  We even see that in small towns around Cuenca!  It’s definitely not uncommon to see cows or other animals right outside the front doors of people’s houses.  It’s a very different lifestyle here for sure.

The highlight of the day was probably after we got home, though.  One of the houses that two of my friends are staying in actually got the channel with the Packer vs. Viking game so we were able to all go over there and watch the game!  It’s great to appreciate the little things in life like being able to watch a football game! Good thing I could watch what was happening though because the announcers were all in Spanish.  It was a great new experience! J

It is so awesome to experience so much of the area around Cuenca and be able to appreciate all of the beautiful places to visit.  We have had some great guides and amazing tours.  This is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Miss you all and I hope to write again soon!! XOXO



Us girls in the temple