Yesterday we did things a little differently so we too could take in some of the festivities...
We started with 12:30p.m. Mass at San Roque Church which has just started an English Mass....the crowd is not large yet (still plenty of room for more English speakers) but they are working hard to bring the Mass to those who are rather lost at the Masses in Spanish....Lyle & Patricia Rhoades do a great job with the music!! .....Robert is the organist, ...still waiting for more song books.....the priest is a cute young man whose English is quite good - he really tries.... All in all it's very nice and will get better and better with more input and participation.....go and see for yourselves.... 
The church reminds us of a Church setting in Mexico with the fountain area outside like a park gathering place and a large area for celebrations....
The Church has some interesting statues.....
Very unusual statue of Jesus.....first one I have ever seen of Jesus sitting down....
Not sure if this is St. Francis or St. Joseph -- the wound on the thigh throws me so if anyone knows please let me know....
We probably won't go every Sunday -- I love the Spanish Mass (it reminds me of the old Latin Mass of my childhood) and we have started taking food to 3 old ladies who wait outside the Cathedral for the generosity of the people to survive.
After Mass we walked down Loja street towards the river.....a small little cafe drew us in with the roast pork ....
We had 1 almuerzo for me (soup, mote,chicken & rice) with a large beer, and the Chanco plate for Rick with coke = total bill $6.70 ... and we were stuffed...
Next stop, almost next door, was the Bakery
Erika sold us 10 huge sugar cookies for $2.00 .......
and on down the street to the corner where Marco was selling some garden tools....
In the states Marco would be considered handicapped -- he has a deformed hand and leg...here he is a business man selling garden tools on the street....I stopped and asked how much ... 3 for $5.00, and then he came down to $4.00 .... Rick tried to just give him money and he shoved the tools at him.....and Rick gave him $5.00.....I asked to take his picture and told him to smile big....precious man!!
Later I saw other people with the tools, and a couple stopped us and asked where we got ours so we directed them to him telling we paid him $5 so they wouldn't try to give him less..... Think Marco had a good day -- sure hope so!
Around the corner was the ART FAIR......
So much BEAUTIFUL ART!!!
This lady from Otavalo was very sweet....after I took her picture she wanted to see it..then she wanted a copy, but with no email I had no way to give her one.....I couldn't resist this little butterfly noise maker she was selling....
And lots of sellers of clothes, handmade jewelry, religious art.....
I had a ball -- Rick found a seat and patiently waited for me.....
This young man is quite talented .. charges $10 - $15 for a hand drawn portrait....
It was time to head home.....
The festivities continue thru tonight......
Our street is crammed with parked cars on both sides....so they don't get parking tickets the city has "meter maids" who get paid to watch the cars and collect the parking fees...
Rick says he'll take me for Sushi tonight....a sacriface for him -- hopefully he'll find something on the menu to eat....
The statue with the leg wound and dog is St. Roch (French)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info......as a lifelong Catholic I couldn't figure out who this is supposed to be...am not familiar with St. Roch so must look him up and find out more.....Gracias!
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