Chapter 6: South American Pottery Class

Today after class we visited a potter. To get to the potter's workshop we took cabs, which was slightly exciting since that was our first time taking taxis while in Cuenca. When we arrived the potter gave us a quick tour which consisted of the shop in front, the kiln, the pit where they mix earth into workable clay and also a small room filled with dozens of fired, but unpainted works.

Potter demonstrating, me in the foreground

  Throughout this tour it was quite evident that the potter was very skilled at his job.  This was even more clear when he demonstrated how to make a vase from a lump of clay on the wheel. The wheel was manual, one foot rested on a bar while the other kicked the wheel into motion. As the foot created the motion, the potter then used his hands to deftly mold and shape the clay into beautiful figures.  As he worked he explained the process to us in Spanish. He made it look so easy.

Ross and Mary trying their hand at ceramics

Look! Here it seems as if I know what I"m doing! what an illusion!

   But he wasn't just explaining the method to us for explanation's sake. Once he finished with his lump it was our turn to take to the wheel. One by one we sat down at one of the two manual clay-working wheels. We made semi-beautiful things and made fools of ourselves, and had an awesome time. Did I mention that while all of this was happening there was a motley crue of animals running around? Well, there was. As I counted there were two to three dogs, one cat and one friendly parrot. There might have also been some chickens in the back, because someone was shouting about the dogs attacking them at one point, but I didn't see them. The parrot was definitely my favourite. He didn't fly much, I think because one of his wings was broken, but he hopped and sucttered about nudging our shoes exploratorily and bending his head asking to have it scratched. He was great.

Ross acting like a pirate with the parrot, Isaac caught off guard

  Once we had all at least attempted to create something (mine came out looking like a toothpick holder) we returned to the university where we acquired our cell phones for Ecuador. Now we would finally have the ability to contact each other when needed. The phones were mostly of the old durable Nokia model, so we wouldn't really have to worry about breaking them, only losing them. Before going home for the day a group of us went to a comfortable cafe around the corner from our university called La Cigale. We had a snack of chips and guacamole and a beverage of our choice. I had mint tea, others had coffee, and two had beer. It was a good way to wind down after a fun day.