The walk continues

This was the case with our first stop, the Court of Justice. We could peer through the gates, but we couldn’t go in. Thomas showed us photos of the beautiful interior and explained that the building was formerly the University of Cuenca.

We walked through the craft and flower markets close to the new cathedral and then went to the old cathedral across the square. This is now a religious museum. We didn't go in, but we stood outside while Thomas explained to us all about the history of the city.

From there, we visited the former home of Hortensia Mata, a formidable woman who married José Miguel Ordóñez Lazo, had 16 children with him, and when he died, married his brother in order to secure the property for herself and her children. The house was completely restored in 2000 at a cost of $5 million and is now home to several small independent food businesses including a chic French café, a French patisserie, and an artisan cheese shop. This Ecuadorian business makes many different flavours of a Gouda-style cheese using techniques the owner learned in the Netherlands. We tried several varieties. They were all delicious. It was good to eat cheese that had a strong flavour. Most of the cheese we have had so far in South America has been very bland. We bought a piece each of garlic and portobello mushroom to have on the journey across the border tomorrow.Read more