After two days of revelry, a morning time-out
was in order. In the afternoon, we visited the modern
side of Cuenca, separated from the historic center by
the Tomebamba river. Tall modern buildings, wide avenues,
shopping malls and the stadium marked this part of Cuenca,
a sight very similar to Quito.
In the evening, music once again became
our companion. A concert by the popular Spanish group,
Jarabe de Palo, playing in Ecuador for the first time,
was scheduled in the Estadio de Cuenca. The concert
was sold out and the stadium was packed with Cuenca's
youth. The music, the light show, the band's charisma
coupled with the energetic reception of the fans made
the show an unforgettable event.
After the concert, we walked out into the
streets of Cuenca where picturesque views of the churches,
now illuminated, awaited our camera's attention -- a nice
final touch to our weekend getaway.
The aesthetic beauty of its architecture
and natural surroundings, as well as the numerous cultural
attractions, have made Cuenca an internationally ranked
place to live. What struck us most about Cuenca, however,
was the character of its citizens -- amicable, open, well-mannered
and generous. These personal characteristics are the qualities,
we thought, that can help generate integral development,
lay the groundwork for ecotourism and foment sustainable
economic growth.
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