Monday March 19, 2012

Monday Mar 19/12 update

We had a noon appointment at a restaurant in San Joaquin for a lunch discussion about the Cuenca Referral Network and the Coopera Credit Union.  We took our #15  to transfer to the #19 at Feria Libre market but never quite made it.  There was some kind of odd demonstration on the road so the bus pulled a U-turn and everybody got off.  We waited a while at a bus stop but figured at 11:55 we had better grab a cab.  He found the Autopista quickly and we were there by 12:06.  And, surprise, we were the first persons to arrive,… because the luncheon was actually at 1:00. 

We enjoyed the new Fonda (restaurant) which is a series of delightful thatched-roof structures set over a large pond full of ducks.  Then we ordered our lunches. The meeting eventually got going, on Ecuador time, at 2:15.  Juan, our Coopera Credit Union manager had invited us and he made a short speech and introduced the President of Coopera who started it all 8 years ago with $50.  Two other nice fellows named Brian and Aaron spoke briefly as well, although their contribution was unclear to us.  Then those two handed out brochures for places they are trying to build outside of Cuenca.   They had no microphones for the meeting so we really struggled to hear what they were trying to say. and it really wasn’t very informative at all.   

We did get to meet a nice couple from Wisconsin who have lived in Belize for the last 13 years.  They were tired of the increasing costs and the crime so they are likely moving to Cuenca soon.  They are going to scout it for a bit.  Greg and Leona came back to our house where we told them about our experiences and then we all launched into the many delicious leftovers from last night.   

While we were talking Bella’s phone rang and Garth and Orilla informed us the good news that their passports had been found and that their residency application could proceed.  They are headed to meet 2 of Grace and Nelson’s assistants in Quito to get their residency stamp and hopefully their Cedula.  They have been forced to buy local furniture because they couldn’t bring their container until all this gets resolved.  They are breathing a huge sigh of relief.

We had a really lovely evening with Greg and Leona, truly kindred spirits.

That was today’s excitement.  Enjoy the pics.    Hugs to all.

120319  Brian, Aaron & Juan

120319  Coopera founder & Juan

120319  The new Coopera Fonda

120319  New Coopera Fonda 2

120319 Coopera Fonda 3

120319  Lovely Mallard

120319 Starting line for the one-legged race

120319 Nearby San Joaquin farmers