Piedra de Agua, Founder's Week and Weddings!

When I head to Baños, I normally go to Hosteria Duran, but just up the hill is Piedra de Agua which is now fully functional and all the pools are up and running.

The first time I went to Piedra de Agua it didn't look quite finished and that's because it wasn't!  Now with all the facilities open, it's delightful and perfect for a day of pampering. I ordered a "jugo de piña" by poolside and was impressed with the attentiveness of the staff (all of which speak some English).  For $2.24 (tax included), my pineapple delight was delivered in a huge glass (twice as much as I've received at restaurants in Cuenca).

It was our first week back to teaching, so I thought a little pampering was in order and even the weather cooperated. We're back to "normal" Cuenca weather (sunny mornings with afternoon showers). Our schedules are even synchronized; Mark teaches in the afternoon, so we have our mornings and evenings together.

With all the Founder's Day activities going on this week, it's nice to have time to explore some of the craft fairs, food events, and traditional dancing. And last night we enjoyed a gorgeous sunset and fireworks from our balcony! It was a perfect end to a day of pampering and shopping. This upcoming week we also start back to Spanish classes (required of all CEDEI teachers -- 3 times a week for 2 hours), so this was our last weekend without homework so we're living it up until Monday.

Today after teaching, I got to witness my first Cuencano wedding and it was amazing. Everyone was lining the streets waiting for the bride to exit the antique car with her father. As I looked around, I realized that the guests were more dressed up than the bridesmaids. That explains all the "prom" dresses that I see in the stores around the city; they actually wear them to weddings! 

The bride was radiant and was so kind to let everyone take pictures of a wedding that we weren't even invited to. I counted 14 flower girls and junior bridesmaids (not counting the one in the maid of honor's arms) and the male escorts.

We had lunch with friends at the Coffee Tree and watched as the procession continued with guests arriving by bus and then two hours later they all emerged again with a spray of rose pedals and rice for good luck. The "get-away" car was also decorated with a large bouquet of roses on the hood and white bows in the back.

Hopefully, one of these days I'll be invited to a wedding so I can finally wear the only little black dress that I brought to Cuenca.

It's hard to get back into a rhythm of school and teaching after our last break, but that just means more trips to Piedra de Agua!

Until next time time...hasta luego!

New Chicken Soup stories coming out -- highlighting our trip to Cuenca:  "Just Breathe" and "The White Light" (May 22, 2012 and September 4, 2012).