Ingapirca

We had read about a set of Inca ruins (yes, more Inca Ruin pictures) located about two hours from Cuenca, so we hired our trusty guide Efrian to take us there.  He warned us that there were no restaurants, so we should bring a lunch with us.  We told a neighbor that we were going to the ruins and she told us that there was a nice restaurant, very close to the site, and we should have lunch there, but she warned us that most Ecuadorians don't eat there because lunch is too expensive, about $5.00 - $7.00 per person (when we were out with Efrian previously, all three of us had a FABULOUS lunch, with desert and  tip included for less than $11.00), so we called Efrian and told him we would buy lunch at Posada Ingapirca.  More about that later.

Efrian showed up in his lovely, large, Ford Explorer, which is a great treat after hopping into and out of taxis that are the size of Matchbox cars, so Dan, Michael and I were on our way to Ingapirca Inca Ruins!

The ride was beautiful, we stopped a few times to look for Condors, and watch farmers working their fields, OMG, they are on the sides of mountains tending to crops. 

These people were tending their crops HIGH on a mounatain side, they were still working when we were returning to Cuenca.  Hard Life.

As most of you know, Michael and I really enjoy taking photographs, so the night before we left for our day trip, we cleaned our DSLR cameras, charged the batteries and cleared off  the memory cards, when we arrived at the ruins we started shooting pictures, when the cameras wouldn't work, we realized WE FORGOT TO PUT THE MEMORY CARDS BACK IN THE CAMERAS. What dopes, oh well, at least we had both brought the little point and shoot cameras.

Too picturesque, the ruins are behind this horse, did someone leave him there for the photo op?

My Cousin Dan with the ruins in the background

 Efrian gave us a tour of Ingapirca, explaing the structures and way of life. The Canari people were the original occupants of the area but were conquered by the Inca's and basically reduced to slave labor.

Overview of Ingapirca

Remains of buildings, many stones were carried away by the Spanish, after they conquered the Inca's, and were used as foundations in Churchs the Spanish  built.

A few pics of the Inca Stonework.

 Stone Work, cut to perfection, no mortar, and still standing.  Unbelievable.

Temple of the Sun

The rocks around Dan were used as a Calendar system

If you were caught committing a crime, you placed your neck in the opening of this stone, and your head got lopped off!

The site is surrounded by homes on private land and Efrian explained that the ruins extend up into the private lands, artifacts such as bowls and tools have been excavated by the local Canari people, although it is illegal to possess these artifacts, some do, and he took us to the home of an older couple that showed us a few pieces. I like to believe that the pieces they showed us, which were hidden in a shed, were real.

Artifacts hidden in a shed on private property. 

After visiting the older couple, Efrian brought us down a steep path to this site, behind us in the rock is the formation known as "Cara Del Inca", Inca's Face.   Very cool.

Cara del Inca

After we toured the site, it was time for lunch.  We had spotted the sign for the restaurant and we all laughed, please look closely at the second picture, the arrow on the sign originally pointed in one direction, and was then covered over with tape, and a new arrow was painted, pointing in the opposite direction.  Ecuadorian directions, LOL.

Our Destination for Lunch

Sign pointing the direction to Posada Ingapirca, or not, LOL.

Posada Ingaprica Restaurant.

So up the road, the way the NEW arrow pointed,  we went.  The restaurant was  LITERALLY two minutes up a gravel road from the Ruins site, but our guide Efrian had never been there, so this would be a treat for all of us.  The Hotel/Restaurant were in a beautiful little setting with lovely trees, flowers and plants.  The restaurant was seperate from the building housing the hotel rooms.  When we got there, we all thought the place must be closed, there wasn't a SINGLE car in the parking lot, but very quickly people started scurrying around.   A young man, in formal clothing, escorted us to our table, it was a very formal setting, so much for the $7.00 lunch came to mind! There were no menus, the young waiter explained what was available for lunch, which included fresh trout, so we ordered lunch  and enjoyed the view of the ruins from our table. 

 Lunch was great, it included a local Ecuadorian drink, a great soup, the main course, desert and coffee.  After we were all finished eating, I decided to walk around the grounds a bit and take a few pics, ( I could kick myself for not taking pics of the dining room).  As I was strolling around, I noticed the waiter was watching me, so I asked if I could take his picture, and the huge smile on his face assured me it would be OK, so I did.

Our waiter at Posada Ingapirca

Then he got another HUGE smile on his face and gestured that he would like to take my picture,  I thought that would be great so I said, "Si, Mucho Gracias".  He gestured me back into the building where he proceeded to place the traditional garb of Canari women on me!! The fancy skirt and sweater, then he very gently draped the shawl over me, and proceeded to grab a typical Canari hat for me to wear.  HOW COOL WAS THAT.  He took the pic and smiled and laughed with me the whole time.  The clothing is beautiful, we see the skirts and shawls here frequently in Cuenca, but the hat is from the area around Ingapirca, we don't  see women wearing them too often around the city.  Here is the pic:

The waiter and I then went into the dining room as a surprise, and Michael, Dan and our guide Efrian went crazy taking pictures.   I felt kinda goofy, but realized it would be one of those days that you would tell your friends about.

Canari Woman's Hats that were on the wall of the restaurant.

A few pictures of traditional Hats that were hanging in the dining room.

These women wear these hats while working the fields.

Ecuadorian Tribal Masks excavated around Quito

Our guide Efrian was pleased to learn about this little gem of a restaurant, the food was wonderful, the company was better.  It was so special for us to be  with my cousin Dan, having family here was very special.

OK, so, we have NO idea what the lunch cost, because my cousin Dan insisted on paying. 

Thanks Dan, it was a really fun, great day.

One last pic, ladies on our way out of the  town of Ingapirca.

  They are truly remarkable to see.

Two women having a chat on our way out of Ingapirca

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