Semana Santa Activities

As it is Semana Santa in Ecuador, which is basically Easter Week, there is a lot going on all around. Celebrations began on Friday, when I tried the famous Fanesca for the first time.  The following day, I travelled with my family to Old Quito.  My family didn´t exactly communicate to me that we were going to Old Quito; by their description, I had believed that we were on a bus out of town toward the supermarket.  However, about halfway through I calrified that it was not the case.

In Old Quito, we visited many churches and museums.  The interior of one church was completely adorned with gold, creating the most lavish site of worship I have encountered to date.  Unfortunately, in most of the places we visited, I was unable to take any pictues.  I have just a few of the exterior churches.

The main square in the Old City.

A view of one of many churches in Old Quito.

The inside of this church is completely adorned with gold.

Host sisters and mother with me infront of some church bells.

The busy streets and colourful buildings of Old Quito.

A church in another square of the old city.

The other side of the square, opposite the church.

A view of the guardian overlooking the streets of Old Quito.

The basilica.

A view of the colourful streets of the Old City, from the top of the basilica hill.

Inside the Basilica- the only church I could photograph inside.

The following day, I participated in some of the town´s activities for Semana Santa.  I met up with my gringo friend, Mitch, and we spent some time in the square observing the locals as they gathered to celebrate the important faith days.  There was a band playing as people walked around with boquets of some type of branch.   I encountered many of my students, all who greeted me happily with a hug or a kiss on the cheek.

Locals gather in the beautiful church of Yaruqui.

Locals gathering in the square.

Paying respects to Jesus Christ.

After some time in the square, we headed back to Mitch´s house where his family was serving Fanesca, my favourite Ecuadorian dish, as a fundraiser for a family member that injured his hand with a table saw.  Once again I stuffed myself with the delicious, mult-bean soup, followed by mashed potatoes.  We also had a rice drink, which I am determined to find the recipe for.

Quite the crowd at Mitch´s house for the fundraiser.

Despite my full tummy, I made pizza for dinner that night, which brought me great happiness.  Not only having a taste of home, but also just being in the kitchen and cooking after almost a month without touching a cooking utensil, other than to wash it.  Due to time and other restrictions, I only made the sauce from scratch and substitited the dough for pitas.  Also, mozzarella cheese is extremely expensive in Ecuador, so I was limited to just a few squares a pizza.  I made margarita pizzas, which were very delicious.  I was happy to see my family impressed and satisfied with my cooking.

Host brother and one host sister in the kitchen while I was cooking.

My delicious pizza, which I must make again.

Family and friends enjoying my creation.

Host mother and I in the kitchen.