Archaeology, Art and Llamas

The museum of Modern Art in Cuenca, Ecuador is full of ethnography and each cultures artifacts- common hunting tools, instruments, ceramics, clothing... The late and famous Guayasamín´s paintings were represented in an exhibition where one could visually share in his interpretation of life and suffering (wikipedia- oswaldo guayasamín). I couldn´t help but think that the museum guard that was cleaning the glass on the displays probably has more knowledge and appreciation for what hangs on the walls and sits in glass cases, because he reads and sees and spends more time there-

I visited Inga Pirca which are Ecuador´s Inca ruins which hold a massive amount of history while the folks who walk the trails and read the signs that indicate the ´big kitchen´ or ´ritual bathing area´, only have the privelege to try to imagine what stories unfolded there. The llamas that roam the grass have no idea the archaeological significance of their home but are just as historically important themselves as are the ruins-

I also went on a hike in Cajas National Park, thanks to Santiago and the Quam family. We encountered some journeying llamas next to a lake- These animals are quite fascinating. They have the other llamas to interact with, a warm coat to survive the cold spells and patches of grass to digest in the vast mountain range they journey- they adapt.

I tend to be quite philosophical when I´m in places such as these- so I began wondering about this history we- you and i are living. What will be our stories, what ruins will be looked at in 500 years about our current lives, or will they exist? Nonetheless, I am re-inspired to live my story well, through the suffering and beauty; like the llamas.