Causerie Called “Cotacachi” – Part 14

We are standing on the terrace of my Casa Amarija. The sky is clear, and God’s wonderful creation is looming up in clarity before us – the Cotacachi Volcano. Let me zoom in a bit.

Causerie Called “Cotacachi” – Part 13

Two Christian Churches in Cotacachi! What wonderful news! Looking closer you will see this.

Causerie Called “Cotacachi” – Part 12

I attended my first Spanish Church Service on 14 November 2010 at the “Amigos en Cristo” Iglesia. Pastor Bill was to preach his first Spanish sermon. I went along to support him. Quite a daunting task, I would imagine. Many years back Bill went to Spain for a year, and there learned quite a bit of Spanish. God always has a plan in mind. He never sits around and wonders what to do with His children next. He has an aim for everything He does with us.

Causerie Called “Cotacachi” – Part 11

I prayed for 18 months that someday there would be a church where I could go here in Cotacachi – an English Church. It was the end of June this year (2010), that a missionary friend handed me a little flier, advertising a first ever English Church opening – and it is just down the road from where I live. Does God answer prayer? He always does – always in our favor, even if we consider His answer unfavorable. It is not! It’s for our good.

Causerie Called “Cotacachi” – Part 10

How old are you? Would you carry wood like this? I wonder if we consider how fortunate we are that we have the means to afford transport. This scene is a picture of poverty, hardship and desperation to make a few cents. I wish you could have seen how difficult it was for these two aged people to carry those burdens on their backs! It appeared that the aged gentleman was blind, and was following his “guide” – but still working. “Count your blessings; name them one by one, and you will see what the Lord has done! How often do we do that?

Causerie Called “Cotacachi” – Part 9

Hi! I hope you had a good rest and that you are relaxed. It’s always good to be caught by surprise, rather than anticipating what you always feared. Just come with me. If you ask me to explain, I won’t even look in your direction. Just enjoy the rides!

Causerie Called “Cotacachi”- Part 8

Anything could have appeared in the news at any time in Cotacachi. A bank robbery (I doubt that), the cops were alerted; there was a fire and the fire department was called out; the new Post Office that opened recently, or when someone has passed away. Their “death notices” are impressive. A picture is published of the deceased in the newspaper,with a short resume of the person’s life. This is the sole news outlet here in Cotacachi – barring of course the verbal variety.

Causerie Called “Cotacachi” – Part 7

Un Policia? Si, el es mi agente de policia. He is my personal cop! This little man, badly crippled with arthritis, is a real delight. I refuse to cross the street unless he directs me to do so. He is so precious – always friendly, always a smile on his dial. His favorite pastime – watching people walk by and directing traffic. So he is my mascot for introducing you to some of the public services offered in Cotacachi.

Causerie Called “Cotacachi” – Part 6

Medical and Dental services in Cotacachi are extremely reasonable. Once again the facilities may not be what we are accustomed to, but their equipment is ultra-modern and their expertize excellent. We are going to look at certain of the services that are available here in Cotacachi.

Causerie Called “Cotacachi” – Part 5

By now you must be famished. You’ve walked about 6 blocks, so I am going to take you around to view a variety of food outlets. Just in case you overindulge, we have to backtrack to almost where we started out in  Calle10 de Agosto. We have arrived at the fruit and veg “mercado”.

Causerie Called “Cotacachi” – Part 4

If ever you have seen industrious people, it is the Quichua people. Every moment that they have, you will see them working, weaving or whatever their hands find to do.Take note of the embroidery on this lady’s blouse. It is done mostly by hand, the most exquisite work. Young girls learn at an early age to follow the typical cultural trend –  to be productive, and as close to perfect as you can be in their handiwork.

Causerie Called “Cotacachi” – Part 3

Wow! You took a long time to come back to me. Let us go and do some shopping in this town famous for leather and music.

Causerie Called “Cotacachi” – Part 2

 

Ok, I’m back. “Welcome to Cotacachi”! – To a “Tour of the Town”

This part of Calle 10 de Agosto is quite rough, but soon you will see the more “modern” Cotacachi. Just watch your step! If you trip and fall, it is not the municipio’s fault, it’s yours, because you do not look where you are going. Also remember, pedestrians are less important than traffic. Dodge and dash wherever you can. We have three traffic lights in the town – a real “high light” for Cotacachi – we are so impressed with them that we even take pics of them!. What a bunch of spoiled brats you are!