A couple weeks ago they Mayra and Julian took me to the Plaza Mayor de Cuenca. It's not the same as the one in the previous blog. That one is small and unexciting in comparison.
On our drive up I noticed a ridiculously bright star. And I also realized that it was incredibly close to the horizon. Finally we arrived and after we parked and bundled Cayetana up in coats and blankets we walked over to the most beautiful place I've ever seen in person.
The first thing I noticed was a giant, rickety bridge with dainty archways, crossing a freaking huge canyon. At the other end of the bridge, were houses practically hanging over the cliff (casas colgadas aka hanging houses). Mayra told me that many people come there to commit suicide. They just... jump off.....
Anyway, we went up into the midst of all the buildings and I remember climbing stairs and then suddenly standing near a gigantic church in the middle of a bustling plaza, La Plaza Mayor to be exact!
There were so many gorgeous churches that all have their own stories. I even saw some real nuns come out of a convent.
The City Hall (El Ayuntamiento) was equally pretty and large. In front of it were incredibly large arches that I noticed cars driving under. Which, later, on our way back home, we drove up through the same arches.
It was pretty cold, so, we didn't stay long because we had Caye with us. On our way back over the bridge Mayra pointed up at a large statue of Christ on a hill rather high up and far away. She said that you can see "La Corazon de Jesucristo" or "The Heart of Jesus Christ" from anywhere in Cuenca. A few moments later it dawned on me that I hadn't seen a large star close to the horizon. I saw the giant statue of Christ. It was one of the most incredible things I've ever seen. And provides a powerful analogy. Be sure to put Christ in a place in your life, where He is the center and you can always see Him, and don't stray away, that He is no longer in sight.
We made it back to there car but it was still pretty early, so Julian took us through the middle of the Plaza on the way home so he could tell me about the buildings. He told me a lot about the history which I don't remember much. He said stuff about armies a lot. I really am not good with history. Especially in another language.
They assured me that we will go back soon, since I didn't get to see much, due to the cold baby and whatnot. Then, we arrived home and I edited a few lovely photos for your viewing. I didn't get many pictures because a camera just couldn't capture the beauty. Because it was dark. And I have a tiny baby camera. But... ENJOY!
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| On the bridge in front of the "hanging houses" |
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| Dainty archways |
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| A hanging house |
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| I'm pretty sure that's a church. But I can't see it very well and I don't remember. |
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| Giant Beautiful church in La Plaza Mayor |
