Cuenca

If you research the current situation in Ecuador beforehand, it can indeed deter you from traveling to this relatively small country compared to its neighbors. Not to mention the perspective from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you hear some wild stories from travelers: drug wars, bus hijackings, so-called no-go areas, and who knows what else. Such information is certainly not inviting. However, I encountered people who had absolutely no problems in Ecuador and expressly recommended the beauty of the country, so it quickly became clear to me that there was no option to skip this piece of earth. The first stop was to be the city of Cuenca, and I must admit that before my trip, I knew nothing or very little about this city. The first time I consciously paid attention to Cuenca was in the far south of Argentina. One of the motorcycle travelers in El Chaltén spoke of his transit through Ecuador and explicitly recommended a visit to the city. It was supposed to be relaxed and very worth seeing – that much I remembered, and now, a few months after this information, I was finally going to experience it. After another night on the bus, a fairly relaxed border crossing, and an uneventful onward journey, I arrived in Cuenca around noon. When you stroll through the bus station upon arrival, the first thing you notice is the number of heavily armed personnel in state service, who apparently secure the public places here. Military or some special police units stand masked around the area, surveying their surroundings. Whether this is necessary or not, I cannot judge, but it definitely has a deterrent effect. It was a stark contrast to Peru, as I had not perceived such heavily armed state servants there at all. After arriving at my room booked through Booking, I checked in and dropped off my things. I didn't know that in the next few days I would be part of a Chinese family, but more on that later. While exploring the city, everything seemed a bit more modern and European than in Peru, at least in terms of the cityscape and architecture. What doesn’t change, however, are the many indigenous people offering various goods for daily needs at the market or on movable stalls, even though their clothing style and appearance differ somewhat from the indigenous people of Peru. One immediately notices the abundance of splendid and unique buildings that shape the city’s landscape – and there seems to be no shortage of churches here either. It definitely gives a relaxed and visually appealing impression – just as the Frenchman reported. The old town of Cuenca seems like an open-air museum: cobblestone streets lead past elegant balconies, charming courtyards, and magnificent colonial buildings. The oversized park-like squares of the city, surrounded by shady trees and historical facades, invite you to linger.

Numerous workshops, galleries, and small shops line the city center, and there is a lively hustle and bustle. Perfect for just sitting down somewhere and observing the surroundings and the people for a while. After the first exploratory tours, I returned to the hostel and got a taste of Chinese family life. The room is rather sparsely furnished and has a comfortable bed. However, the door is just a better wooden board, and through the huge gap under the