I’ve managed to fit in some sketching amongst all the other activities. Since there are 52 churches in Cuenca, I could spend weeks just on them — and their ornate styles definitely challenge my skills!

The Church of Santo Domingo is the largest church in Cuenca, aside from the Cathedral, and it is right across the square from Susan and Michael’s apartment. There’s always something going on here and I’ve spent a lot of time on the balcony just watching it unfold. Here’s the church at night, and my sketch of the top of the towers lit up at night, done from our balcony. When you look up from here, the towers seem to be appearing out of the tops of the trees.

Here are some more church sketches — San Francisco, the Old Cathedral, and the door of the New Cathedral.

This is the street running from our place down the square, and the Flower Market, which is right outside yet another church.

Last night we went to a jazz club to see a guest performance by Sue Terry, who is a friend of Susan and Michael and had been at the party on Christmas Day. She is a well known jazz performer who travels the world playing, so it was great to have a chance to hear her live in such an intimate setting.

When we came out, we came upon a Latin American tradition — the Quincenario. Young girls have a big party when they are fifteen with formal dress and the whole nine yards. The girl looked beautiful in all her finery, but what made us laugh was that she and her friends, all in formal dress, were all gathered round a vendor eating street food!

Today is our last day in Cuenca, as we leave for the coast tomorrow — at 5 am! Next post will come from the beach!