After leaving Quito, we flew to Cuenca, Ecuador to begin our many-bus trip to Lima, Peru. We thought Cuenca would just be a stop to break up the long trip, but we quickly realized it would be yet another place to love. The colonial architecture harkens Spain (well, yeah), and the town rambles along a small river. It’s made for strolling, taking in the craning, old houses, and seeing a city alive with art.

Murals line many walls and city stairwells and are largely left alone by unskilled taggers or uptight city officials. Our hostal, El Cigale, had a bar/restaurant in the front with interesting local art, a big menu, and prices that probably subsidized our affordable room. We had a much-needed salad here after a somewhat involuntary french fry binge, and enjoyed cocktails each nigh before tucking in. The space was cozy, and the location perfect for walking around town.

There is plenty more to see and note in Cuenca but, as mentioned, we barely had enough time there. A few things we did see include:

A museum built into an old house, called Laura’s.

A barber shop with fifty-year-old chairs.

A nearby town called Baños de Cuenca where we indulged in a day of steam rooms, mud masks, and soaking in thermal baths.

And had the most awesome lunch ever.

Lastly, of course, more art.

Here’s one of the places we were:
(Piedra de Agua, Baños de Cuenca, Ecuador)