Friday morning William still is not feeling well. We leave him at the Roka Plaza and Burt, Evelyn and I take off to explore Ambato. We start at Parque Montalvo which is the city center.
There is a celebration underway to kick off Carnavale, and specifically Fiesta de la Frutas y de las Flores (Festival of the Fruits and Flowers). Groups representing different Latin countries are singing and dancing, and the various beauty pageant winners are milling through the crowd. Great fun (and photo opportunities).
There is a celebration underway to kick off Carnavale, and specifically Fiesta de la Frutas y de las Flores (Festival of the Fruits and Flowers). Groups representing different Latin countries are singing and dancing, and the various beauty pageant winners are milling through the crowd. Great fun (and photo opportunities).
After a little while of people watching we catch a taxi for Parque Provincial de la Familia. The taxi ride takes 15-20 minutes climbing approximately 1,000 feet to the park which is located on a high ridge overlooking the city. The park is divided into an active side (ball fields, moto-cross, etc.) and a passive side. We decide to check out the passive side. It has an orchard, gardens, a small zoo and an overlook of the city which includes a giant flag of Ecuador. After a couple of hours of walking around the park we catch a bus back down to the city. The bus lets us off approximately 6 blocks from Parque Montalvo. On our walk we stumble across an art museum and decide to explore the small museum and have lunch at the attached restaurant.
After lunch we explore the area around Parque Montalvo. On the north side of the park is Inglesia La Catedral, a modern style cathedral constructed after an earthquake destroyed the main church of Ambato in 1949. A huge mosaic comprised of flowers and fruits is being constructed in front of the Catedral, and there will be a benediction on Sunday morning. Edificio Municipal de Ambato (City Hall) sits on western side of the park. Evelyn and I explore the interior and are awarded with an opportunity to see the stained glass windows in the Council Chamber as well as views of the park. Museo Casa Del Portal is on the eastern side of the park. In addition to their normal exhibits they have an exhibit of flowers for the Fiesta.
After a little rest our destination is Museo Luis Edmundo Martinez Mera. They are scheduled to have music and an exhibit opening this evening. We arrive around 6 pm, look around a couple of galleries and learn from the museo director, Francisco, that the remaining rooms will open around 7 or 7:30pm. He recommends Hotel Ambato around the corner for an early dinner.
We arrive back at the Museo in time for the last couple of songs of a 12 piece classical group. Then we move into the galleries with the rest of the audience. There is a very good selection of modern art, certainly better than anything we have seen at the Cuenca Modern Art Museum. It is extra fun because a few of the artists are standing beside their paintings talking with the attendees.
We arrive back at the Museo in time for the last couple of songs of a 12 piece classical group. Then we move into the galleries with the rest of the audience. There is a very good selection of modern art, certainly better than anything we have seen at the Cuenca Modern Art Museum. It is extra fun because a few of the artists are standing beside their paintings talking with the attendees.
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