[Editor’s note: Peekskill Herald Publisher Regina Clarkin is on a two-month assignment in Cuenca, Ecuador.]
A weekend trip to the town of Girón, about 30 miles south of Cuenca, yielded a rich tapestry of modern life, a spectacular waterfall and a celebration of a 196-year-old military victory over Peru.
Girón is 6,800 feet above sea level, nestled in the Yunguilla Valley; it is considerably warmer and sunnier than Cuenca, which sits at 8,400 feet above sea level.
Every Sunday the marketplace in the center of the city of Girón becomes a mélange of fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats that are brought in from the surrounding countryside by indigenous farmers and vendors.
On the Sunday I was there, a military ceremony was held at Girón’s museum to commemorate the victory of Gran Colombia over Peru in 1829. From 1819 to 1831, Gran Colombia encompassed parts of present day Colombia, mainland Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela, along with parts of northern Peru and northwestern Brazil.
The Battle of Tarqui, near the city of Girón, stopped the land grab Peru was undertaking. The armistice between the two sides was signed on February 27, 1829, in what is now the building housing the museum. Taking a tour through the two story building, I was struck by the oil portraits of the men who participated in the battle and the names that I was familiar with from riding the Tranvia (electric train) every day to language school. The streets of Cuenca are named after many of the key players in the battle and in Ecuador’s liberation from Spain in 1820. I was surprised to see the portraits of two Irishmen who joined the battle against Peru.
The anniversary of the battle is commemorated as Army Day by the Ecuadorian Army and members of the military were out in force on Sunday afternoon. They were riding horses into town, dressed in full military regalia and stopping at the museum for ceremonies. There was a festive air about town, a prelude to the annual carnival celebrations that begin on Feb. 27.
About 3 miles outside of Girón is El Chorro, a waterfall that drops approximately 230 feet. It is spectacular and is surrounded by magnificent hills. We climbed by car up the road with many hairpin turns and stopped at the parking area for the climb up steps to the waterfall. There weren’t many people climbing to the natural wonder when we were there. Getting to where the waterfall formed a pool was exhilarating and an occasion to marvel at the wonders of this South American country that so many in Peekskill call ‘home’.
-
A sampling of some of the fresh fruits and vegetables available at the Girón market. Photo credit: Regina Clarkin.
'
-
These are the mountains surrounding the town of Girón. Photo credit: Regina Clarkin.
'
-
Ceremonial dress and regular army outfits were seen on participants of the ceremony. Photo credit: Regina Clarkin.
'
-
Members of the Ecuadorian army came to Girón on Sunday morning on horseback for the ceremony commemorating the victory over Peru in 1829. Photo credit: Regina Clarkin.
'
-
The two story building, typical architecture of the area, is where the peace treaty was signed to end the battle of Tarqui. Photo credit: Regina Clarkin.
'
