Stairway to Turi

Counting down from 440 can be demotivating when the counting down involves climbing up; in the mid-day sun at altitude. Especially when I'd already climbed 175 stairs prior to the numbering system kicking in! Of course I could have taken the bus up to the "best views" of Cuenca, but where the hell is the fun in that?

While the views were rather pleasant, I found the shrine with bundles of horsehair and the cemetery more intriguing. I'm not sure where this odd obsession with old cemeteries stems from, but I'm sure it's related to my fascination with ancient churches; despite the fact that I don't really feel a connection to religion. My curiosity takes over and I want to understand why.

Why do they dress up their Saints in really horrible quinceañera dresses? Why is there a procession nearly every Sunday with young children wearing tacky adult wigs? What is this shrine with globs of horsehair, sheep wool and ribbons? Why is the cemetery fenced off from visitors yet piled with discarded diapers and food containers?

Alas, all questions that may never be answered. The good news is I got in one heck of a workout and plan to make the trek again one of these days to explore the villages on the backside of Turi. Who knows what hidden treasures await!