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| Sisa, Steph, Tayanta, Craig, and Yupanqui |
In May, we visited our compadres in Morochos, Ecuador. The trip was scheduled to coincide with a festival celebrating the 76th anniversary of the founding of their community. We got to enjoy lots of quality time with our Achi Wawas (godchildren) Sisa and Yupanqui, and their little sister Tayanta. Community celebrations took place from Friday, May 16 until Sunday, May 18th. We got to dress up in traditional Otavalan dress (Aida and Rosa had made me another beautiful blouse for the occasion) and march in a parade around the community. Sisa led her class marching in the parade, because she had been voted "Reina Deportes" (Sports Queen) at school. We are very proud of her! There was much music and dancing, and feasting on guinea pig and potatoes. Antonio played saxophone with the band. Festival queens were crowned, and soccer matches were played.
As usual, the family was extremely generous with their hospitality. We stayed in the beautiful and comfortable little casita that they had built just for us. Sisa, a couple months shy of her 6th birthday, has really grown into a mature role model for her younger siblings. Yupanqui, at 3 1/2, is much more verbal than he was the last time we saw him. And little Tayanta, almost 2 years old, is now walking and has had her second eye surgery. She was born blind with congenital cataracts and it is amazing just how much sight she has gained, even when she doesn't want to wear her glasses. She is a very sweet and content child. Their mom Aida and grandparents Antonio and Rosa are doing well, and it was nice to get to catch up with them and celebrate their community's heritage.
Read our full travelogue and see more pictures
here.
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| Sisa, Tayanta, and Yupanqui greet us at the airport |
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| Craig's surprise birthday cake |
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| Steph dressed in traditional Otavalan dress for the parade |
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| Sisa as Reina Deportes in the parade |
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| Steph parade selfie |
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| Craig eating cuy (guinea pig) |
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| Tayanta, Aida, Yupanqui, Rosa, Sisa, and Craig |
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| Steph, dancing with one of the villagers |
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| Craig, Sisa, and Aida |
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| Rosa, Steph, Sisa, Yupanqui, Aida, and Tayanta |
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| Buying ice cream for the kids |
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| Tayanta |
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| Tayanta observes the family's baby chicks |
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| Craig and Yupanqui |
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| Steph and Sisa |
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| Festival program (Rosa in top center photo) |
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