La Mejor Comida Del Mundo!!!!

Other than my family the thing I have always missed the most from Ecuador is the food. Ecuador is known for it's soups and juices. To me the best in the world. Most people agree. 

Here's a sampling of just about everything I had the privilege of eating mostly at family's homes.

Les voy hacer tener ganas!!! 

Sopa de Arroz de Cebada

Chochos

Chulpi

Chulpi en Supermaxi

Cerveza Pilsener

Habas

Timbushka

Patacones

Naranjilla

Maracuya

Platanos

Habas crudas

Kimbolito

Jugo de Pina

Jugo de Guanabana

Filete de Pollo

Pinchos

Fritada con mote y llapingacho

Empanada de Viento

Empanadas de Morocho

Jugo de Mora

Camarones

Lomo Apanado

Canelazo

Encebollado

Helados de Paila (Mora con Naranjilla)

Barquillos

Biscochos con Queso de Hoja

Motecillo con chicharron

Dulce de Tomate de Arbol

Mani Cris

Chitos

Cueritos

Chocolates

Queso de Hoja

Chicle Kataboom

Locro de Papa

Choclo

Chuleta con Arroz

Tostado

Fritada con Llapingachos

Fioravanti

Biscochos

Sopa de Lenteja

Llapingachos con huevo frito

Jugo de Naranjilla

Otavalo, Ecuador.....

One of the traditions for everyone who comes to Quito for the first time or after being away for a while is to go to Otavalo. This small city is full of incredibly talented entrepreneurs.  Los Otavalenios as they are called set up this Market in the city Square and sell all sorts of beautifully crafted memoirs from Ecuador. Things from sweaters, bags, necklaces, paintings, carvings, etc. The detail in each one is amazing and the colors are so intense. 

Here's a few pictures from the drive out to Otavalo from Quito and the city of Otavalo itself. 

Once you leave Quito you start to really see the beauty of Ecuador. The mountains are simply majestic!
This image is one of my favorites from my trip. I can't even imagine how old this door and wall are. 
These are necklaces from this seed called 'Tagua'. You take the seeds out and carve them into different shapes and color them to make jewelry.
The people in Otavalo amaze me. They are so talented and deserve so much more than what they charge.
She was so cute when she saw my camera. 
This old man is tiny. He could not have been more than 4 feet. 
So everyone knows Liga is Champion of the Libertadores, but as much as I have respect for them I LOVE EMELEC!!!! :) 
hard working hands
This lady has been here for years and every time I go to the market she happens to find me. I oblige and take a couple pictures of her and give her some money.  There is beggars all over and when you give them something they always say 'Dios Le Pague' (May God repay you). 

Click the slideshow below to see many more pictures from my visit to Otavalo. 

Trip to Ecuador....

So I'm back in NY after having a life changing week back in my home country of Ecuador.  

What a beautiful country! I know I am probably very biased since I am from there but I have not lived there permanently for years and they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder and every time I go back (which is every two years) I fall in love with the place so much more!

I LOOOOOVE Ecuador!  For a third world country of a mere 14 million people this place is absolutely overflowing with life and beauty. 

And the food....oh my God the food!!!!!  Other then my family it's what I miss the most! 

The amazing thing is that in the last week I was only able to visit Quito, make a trip to Otavalo (about 2 hours outside of Quito) and see an amazing landscape from the air flying out. I didn't get to visit the beach, jungle, galapagos or many of the amazing snow capped mountains and country side that this country has. I swore on my next trip that I would make a trip to Galapagos and visit the jungle. I intend on making good on my promise. 

I have compiled several photos and slideshows of my visit here and will also post some on my Facebook. 

click on the slideshows at the bottom to see more to see more....

This is Quito and it's outskirts through my eyes.......

A minute after take off you leave Quito with this breathtaking view of the city and the mountains that embrace the city all around. I don't think I will ever forget this view!

Quito sits at the skirts of the lindo Pichincha!
Quito is a huge city and skyscrapers can be found in several parts of the city.
One of my favorite places in Quito. El Estadio Atahualpa is where Ecuador plays their world cup qualifiers. This stadium is over 45 years old and has seen Ecuador qualify to two world cups! ARRIBA ECUADOR!!!
I was so excited to see Quito now has a Mac store!! YES!!
If this is the view God has of Ecuador I want to sit next to him!
Every day life.....
This is 'Quito Viejo' (old Quito). This restaurant sits on top of one of the old houses in this part of Quito. The view is unbelievable and as you sit there you feel like the city embraces you all around. 

No that's not $14.80 a gallon. It's $1.48 a gallon...I was tempted to take a few gallons back...

Love these guys that sell DVD's and CD's on the street. I was able to get the latest Batman for $1.50! Shhh don't tell! 

This the very historic 'Calle La Ronda' a historical landmark in Old Quito. 

Love the Graffiti all over certain parts of the city. Always very patriotic.

Click Below for many more pictures of Quito.....

Quito Day 1

I made it to Quito. After a delay in Houston I got in the following day. It's so good to be here. I was greeted by my 'tia dianita' who is like a second mom to me and one of my favorite people in the world, my 'primo juanfer'. It's so refreshing to be with family who love you and are so excited to see you.

My first impressions of Quito after being gone for several years is that everything is so small, quiet and things seem to move so much slower. I'm coming from New York and the pace that things move at there is lighting fast compared to the way things are here.

It didn't take more than a few minutes to get used to it and I just get acclimated to it and move at that pace. Down the road a little ways at our first stop light we got greeted by the guy who sells the days papers, a 7 year old kid selling gum and another young boy juggling some old tennis balls in front of our car asking for some money. The drastic difference between the Us and here hit me fast.

What a different world this is, yet there are also many similarities. I had to stop by the mall cause my cousin had to go to an ATM to grab some cash. walking through the mall I felt like I was transported back into the Palisades Mall in Nyack. All the name brand stores are there and the mall itself puts the Palisades mall to shame for its architecture and perfectly clean and manicured hallways. Third world countries are always places of such high contrasts. Expensive stores and street kids selling trinkets in the street, wealthy businessmen and street vendors looking to earn a few dollars to feed themselves and their families, rich and poor all in the same place. I wish I could say they live in harmony but it's just not the case.

I'm fascinated by this and absolutely love being here. so good for my soul.

Quito is a beautiful city and I hope to get some pictures to showcase this later on this trip. For now here's the view from my tia's apartment. This is what I woke up to this morning!

Want to be a photographer????

I know I just posted about this a couple days ago but after reading from a fellow attendee how the first seminar of DJ and Jasmine*'s free to succeed your went I had to let you all know just how much you need to sing up for this thing!

I know firsthand just how willing to share DJ and his crew are not just about becoming a wedding photographer but also about business, networking, and just becoming who you were meant to be. I can only imagine how much fun and also how inspiring this workshop will be!

You can also follow their progress at DJ and Jasmine*'s blogs and also on my good friend Kenny Kim's blog (he's documenting the first part of the tour).

So if you want to join me go to the NYC one Aug 25. But also check out the site for other dates and places. coming to a city near you!

Regreso a mi tierra.....

It has been almost 3 years since I was last in my home country of Ecuador. I'm so excited to be able to get back and visit family, friends and experience the third world again.

It's so refreshing to me every time I travel anywhere, but specially when I get to go to a third world country where coming into contact with the poor is not hard. I feel my heart get tugged every which way but also I feel myself coming alive every time I am faced with this reality.

I'm already anticipating a great trip and of course I will have my camera with me all the time so expect photos, lots of em in the next week! I may not be able to update as often as I would like but I will do my best. I do have to enjoy my time there!

Marisa and Keith...a taste of the day...

What a day! got up at 6am to document Marisa and Keith's wedding. The early rise was well worth it as we were able to have a fun photo session after the reception and a much more relaxed and excited bride and groom! 

I gota go to bed in a few but here's one of my favorite pics from the day. More to come soon.....