Day 13 – Tai Chi and Ceramics

October 19, 2025

Topics:

Ecuador 2025, Part 3

<– Back to Ecuador 2025 | Jump to the song

Morning Tai Chi

Today I headed out for the Tai Chi class at 8:30 AM in the park. Ruhi stayed behind to do some work so it was my solo outing this time.

There were four of us, plus the Maestro, Patricio. We went through some basics and bit of the 18 Chen form. Of course, I was sitting on the bench doing it, but I’m finding that I’m still able to get in a good practice even if I can’t walk around. Just trying to remember the form is mentally taxing.

3 people practicing tai chi in the park — Going through some basics and warm ups before Patricio arrives at the park

people practicing tai chi in the park — Patricio leading the class through some cloud hands practice

group of people in the park — Chatting after Tai Chi practice

Lunch with Maestro

After the class we all walked over to the AMAR Cafe for some breakfast/brunch. We had a nice chat and relaxed among the blue sky and puffy clouds.

four people sitting outside at a table — Hanging out after Tai Chi class at AMAR Cafe

Two men sitting at a table — Relaxing after Tai Chi practice

tigrillo con carne — Tigrillo with an egg and a side of meat. An Ecuadorian classic.

Afterwards I headed over to run an errand at the bank and then relaxed on a bench in the park watching dogs, kids, and families enjoying the day. It was very relaxing.

A dog in a park — A happy dog in the park

pigeons on a bench — These birds are definitely not going hungry

After a while I headed back to the apartment because Ruhi had arranged a special workshop with Patricio. As you may or may not know, he is also a master ceramicist and was going to teach us a few things.

Learning Ceramics

He came over around 2:30 PM and we set up at a table in the courtyard of the apartment. It was my first time doing ceramics so it took me a while to figure out which way was up.

a ceramics figurine — My warm up attempt at a person sitting down with headphones

man making a ceramics bowl — Deep in focus making a bowl

First we made some small figurines as a warm up. Then I worked most of the time on a bowl while Ruhi was making some birds. Then I made a small turtle.

a small ceramic turtle — The small turtle I made

A man looking at ceramics — Patricio contemplates ceramics while one of the Turtles (human, not clay) stops by

two ceramic bowls — Patricio’s cup on the left, my bowl on the right.

Patricio meanwhile also made a little cup and a couple more turtles. Three hours went by in a flash and pretty soon it was time to wrap up.

He gave Ruhi some more red terracotta to work with and told us that the next day we could refine our sculptures a bit more after the clay had settled a bit.

two men practicing ceramics — Showing off the ceramics tool at the table

Later in the week we could take what we had to get fired and polished. Ruhi was also going to do another session to paint some of her items.

Overall it was a lot of fun. And I forget how immersive focusing on art can be. I should really do more art when I get back home to the U.S.

Speaking of art, Ruhi is opening up some spots for her Art Therapy practice, so if you (one of the five people I’m related to who are reading this, I mean) are interested you can check her post on Facebook or Instagram.

Dinner at Fabiano’s

Originally we were going to take Patricio to the Fratella vegan restaurant next door, but it closed at 6:00 PM. So instead we arranged to meet him over at Fabiano’s Italian restaurant in the central historical district.

The two of us had eaten there back in 2023. It is a popular spot for pizza and pasta. Patricio’s dropped off his ceramics supplies at his father’s home, which was just two blocks from the restaurant. (Ruhi and I took a taxi.)

Two people at a restaurant looking at menus — Ruhi and Patricio contemplate their orders

I got a chicken Caesar salad and vegetarian calzone. Ruhi got an eggplant parmesan sandwich, and Patricio got a pasta dish. We all got drinks as well. The total for 4 dishes and 3 drinks? $25.20.

I don’t need to tell you that back in the U.S. that would be the price for just one dish. I’m really going to miss these prices when we head back.

During dinner Patricio and I took some “artistic” photos of his red mug on a white plate. I think I preferred his photos, but its fun to explore our creative sides.

two men showing pictures on their phones — Patricio and I showing our artistic photos of the red mug

a red mug with dark liquid — My artistic rendition of the red mug

After dinner we said farewell (until Tai Chi on Tuesday, that is). Ruhi and I grabbed a taxi back to the apartment. And now we get to bask in the glow of our newly minted terracotta sculptures as I write this blog.

Cuenca's famous domes — Cuenca’s famous domes on the drive home

works of ceramics — Our drying works of art

And, of course, here is a little song to commemorate and summarize the day:

Today’s Song: It’s Time for Art

Lyrics:

Chorus:
It’s time for art (it’s time for art!)
Sunday Morning. Tai Chi in the Park.
It’s time for art
Ceramics later on with Ruhi and Mark

8:30 AM Tai Chi starts
Went solo, taxi to the park
Practicing the Chen eighteen form.
Moving on the bench, waving arms.

After practice to the cafe.
Tigrillo for brunch. This is the way.
Beautiful weather, not even rain.
Then back to the park to rest my brain.

Chorus x2

Back to home, Ruhi is working
Art therapy, she’s pursuing.
Rest a bit, no need to panic.
2:30, time for ceramics.

Maestro teaches while we learn
Working with clay. Try to discern.
A figurine, a bowl … it’s a lotta
Trying to work with the terracotta.

After we manipulate the clay
We pack things up for the day
Head to eat at Fabiano’s
Wonderful times in Latin Americano

Chorus x 2

Hey! It’s time for art.
We got some Tai Chi in the Park.
Yeah, I said it’s time for art. Oh!

Chorus x 2

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