Cayambe: The great little paradise.

Source: Cayambe Ecuador (goraymi.com)

Cayambe is the city of the sun in the center of the world, a thousand-year-old land of great characters who have marked transcendence in history. This city gets its name because it is close to an ice giant called the Cayambe volcano. But do not be alarmed; it is a dead volcano that has not erupted for thousands of years. Due to its great different nationalities and ethnic diversity, its name has various meanings such as "ice," "high and cold place," or "source of life"; it depends on the different languages ​​spoken in this place. The green color will predominate in most of this city since you will always be surrounded by immense mountains, plains, and mountain ranges. Being here, you will feel like a fairy tale full of fantastic animals and exotic plants. It is an experience that everyone should have.

Its streets are full of stories. The ancient buildings and heritage houses found in the city's heart are proof of this. In central park, you can soak up knowledge in its immense library. You will know you get this place when seeing the giant images of Dolores Cacuango. While you walk through the streets, you can always listen to music. This is different from what we all know because it is produced by birds chirping. At night you will feel that you are flourishing in the universe since the sky is apparent due to the low pollution emissions. You can go through the entire urban part in a couple of hours but still find thousands of different places. Here you can also feel like an actual princess or prince in one of the most incredible castles in the whole country. Definitely, in this place, you will always want to take your camera to be able to take many photos. In this case, the snowy one takes the first place. No matter the day or time, the Cayambe volcano will always be looking its best so that you can capture it in photographs and memories.

In recent years, Cayambe has come to perish as a city in the coastal region. It is a climate that would surprise anyone; very variable and unpredictable. Sometimes you stop to think if you are in the mountains or on the coast. However, you will soon notice that you are in the hills because usually, in the morning, it is very sunny, but in the afternoon, it rains, or it gets freezing. Therefore, the best thing to do when going out is always wear clothes according to the two types of weather. It is windy at other times; this happens in June and July. This can be annoying, but do not worry; this only lasts for a few months. If you are a person who likes to walk in the rain or drink a cup of coffee or hot chocolate when it is cold, Cayambe is your place.

Although thousands of animal species live on the hills, such as vultures, hawks, bandurrias, torrent ducks, owls, hummingbirds, wolves, skunks, pumas, and bats, among others, you don't need to go to the mountains to see these animals because a few kilometers from the city center you can admire, and interact with many deer, ducks, guinea pigs, rabbits, peacocks, alpacas, vicuñas, among others. There is a place where you can see them all called "La casa del Venado." This is a beautiful place to disconnect from the noise and stress of the city. You can get to this place by car or walking, since, in the second case, you can appreciate the landscapes more and talk with the people you visit. You can go with friends or your family, and you will enjoy it. The cost will never be an impediment, but you must go early to feed the animals with many carrots.

There is also an incredible flora, such as pines, eucalyptus, ferns, rubber, chilca, mortiño, valerian, and many thousands of plant species that I could not list. You could say this is a privileged land because you can grow all kinds of vegetables and greens essential for daily nutrition. In other words, everyone can produce their own food, but this does not stop there. Being on the equatorial line, Cayambe perpendicularly receives the sun's rays. It causes the best roses and flowers in the country to bloom, which are even commercialized worldwide. In this way, the houses of its inhabitants and the city are painted with the colors of all these flowers you will see.

Also, a few years will be enough for you to recognize many people from Cayambe because it has a relatively small population. The Cayambeño is full of values ​​such as respect, unity, empathy, dedication, and, recently. They are recovering their cultural matters ​​related to indigenous spirituality, which refers to collective rights, ceremonies, and rites. The importance of hard work and knowledge in agriculture has been passed down from generation to generation. The greeting is a fundamental part of the presentation or speech of all Cayambeño, such is the case that there is a monument that pays tribute to this vital gesture for this town. In addition, the cayambeño carries the party in his veins.

For this reason, their festivals are nationally recognized. The funny thing is that their parties used to last around three months between programs, events, and meetings of all kinds. However, the primary cultural expressions such as "la toma de la plaza," "las octavas," and "los toros de pueblo," and the parades are still preserved.

 As we mentioned before, Cayambe is also picturesque for the characteristic clothing of the people at their parties. You will practically feel submerged in a sea of ​​colors. Among these garments are the embroidered shirt, decorated "centros" on its edges, "fachalinas," and surprising "zamarros" (pants made of lamb or goatskin). You will easily recognize the latter because they often have small bells in their lower part. It makes you draw attention from everyone around you when you walk. As in any party, food cannot be omitted. Not only at festivities, but you can also find dishes such as bizcochos with leaf cheese and coffee, potatoes with the guinea pig, "chicha," and "yaguar locro." You can practically see them, even "bizcochos" (biscuits), in every corner. All this, in combination, will make you live one of the best experiences of your life.

Cayambe is a dream come true, surrounded by sleeping giants, flooded with culture and history, sheltered by a bipolar climate, inhabited by wonderful human beings, visited by picturesque animals, adorned with thousands of petals, flavored by its typical dishes, and with much to offer you. It is one of the best places to break the routine and let yourself be carried away by its beautiful attractions. Everything is better if you live it in your own experience; that is why I invite you to visit Cayambe and live one of the best experiences of your life.