With Jamie back home and back in school, we have once again slipped into our normal routines. This means that (as often as possible) Friday is the time we take to spend together. And at least once a month that involves a day downtown, in the colonial part of the city. So that is precisely what we did yesterday. Jamie is taking a silversmithing class this semester, so her main objective was to meet with her teacher and a couple other students, as he took them shopping and pointing out the best places to purchase their supplies. I tagged along and was amazed at all the little shops he took us to I had no idea existed. I also found out that silver, like gold, is susceptible to a speculative market, and over the last few weeks skyrocketed from around 60 cents to 72 an ounce. It was also rather shocking to see over $1,200 forked over for two pretty small bags of silver that will be divided between 30+ students.
Anyway… all of that just to say that Jamie and I spent the day downtown yesterday. For once, though, there was no purchasing of sewing supplies of yarn. The main attraction on this occasion was a visit to the Centro Cultural Metropolitano – this is always a must for us on our trips downtown. I love the architecture of this place. They did a beautiful job restoring the colonial part of the building, and then added another section around the main courtyard that is very modern.
That’s Jamie down there, taking a break from all the walking…
Beautiful corridors, warm wooden floors, and just a wonderfully calm place right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city…
On this occasion, there was an exhibition of an Ecuadorean photographer, Eduardo Quintana. Space case that I am, I knew the name sounded familiar. Jamie had to poke me when we saw his photograph. It just happens that his oldest son was her classmate growing up, and we’ve known this family for years. Connect the dots, Angie!
100 photographs taken over a 30 year period, all over the country. Be still my heart.
Uplifted, inspired, and tired, we decided it was time for a typically Ecuadorean lunch. And this time I actually remembered to take photos. I am always impressed at how such simple food can look so beautiful and artistic. We shared a cebiche de palmito (palm and tomato), Jamie had grilled chicken and brown rice, and I had llapingachos, the name given to potato patties, which are served with a fried egg, beet salad, and sausage. Doesn’t it all look pretty?
All in all, the architecture, the beauty of clean, pure silver, the photographs, the food… a day in which to really appreciate the beauty and art of everyday life.
I am a self-learner. I taught myself to sew and to quilt. And I taught myself how to draw. I am learning how to dye my own fabrics and am dabbling with mixed media. I am a quilt designer and teacher, and design and publish my own line of quilt patterns. With this blog I would like to share the bits and pieces of my life.