The farm was located in a gorgeous valley. We were able to take a tour, and experience the incredible beauty of these versatile flowers. The flowers are first started from seeds that are placed in recycled liquor and coke bottles!
We saw a large variety of flowers and a beautifully landscaped garden area with orchids so tiny, you almost need a microscope to see them. We also spotted flowers that looked like spiders. The fragrances were wonderful!
We couldn't resist and just had to buy an orchid for our covered terrazza! We continued on to Chordela, known for it's numerous silver shops. It's also a quaint village with lots of parks, and a river running through it.
Juan's family owns a vacation home in Chordela, and has fond memories of week-ends and vacations here. We visited the mercado in town, an indoor market with row after row of produce on one side of the ground floor. Across the room were a variety of stands selling blended fresh fruit drinks. Juan bought us a drink blended with fresh coconut milk that was absolutely delicious! Coconuts are plentiful in Ecuador, and in Cuenca you frequently see roadside vendors selling fresh cut pieces. There were also booths with large containers of fresh grains for sale in bulk. Grains, fruits and vegetables are very inexpensive and are sold at the mercado by the indigenous Indians.
The second level was primarily different types of raw and cooked meats. One section is pollo (chicken), another carne (beef), last but not least were whole, roasted pigs (jamon). Pork is the most popular meat in the Andes mountains.
Since we were in town on Friday, we were able to take advantage of another outside mercado next to the cathedral set up once a week. Part of the purpose of our journey was to purchase plants to landscape our two terrazas. We hit the jackpot! Ken had great fun bargaining with the vendors! It's expected, and something Ken loves to do. I just stand back and let him go, marveling how well he communicates in his very broken Spanish and sign language! In a matter of minutes he has the vendors laughing, as they cave in to his offer. Sometimes he drives such a hard bargain, the other vendors crowd around just to watch this big gringo in action to see who wins the tug of war. It's all great fun with lots of smiles.
With Juan's car loaded with plants, we happily head home, enjoying the wondrous beauty that is Ecuador.
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