Cuenca Updates: Tuesday-Wednesday March 20-21, 2012

Tuesday Mar 20/12 update

Bella went to the book exchange this morning and saw Greg and Leona again. They are probably headed to Vilcabamba to visit friends that live there, then they will return and probably start their residence application.

Bella traded five of our junky movies for five new ones and she appears to have made some good choices.

We spent most of the afternoon trying to control a site that would give us a rerun of last night’s Dancing With The Stars. Who would have thought that Urkel would have kicked the butt of that Cuban Brad Pitt!! And that English Marilyn Monroe opera singer was breathtaking to watch. Melissa Gilbert made me think I was watching Jennifer Grey all over again. Wow, this is a talented group and that was definitely the best season opener ever.

It is not easy to try to get North American programming down here. The major networks won’t let you onto their feed if you are not in Canada or the US because of some international agreements. We think that really sucks. We will have to try to find a way to get a live feed somehow. If anybody has any ideas, let us know.

We heard some really good news that they were to start work tomorrow on our roof in Okotoks.

Our stepdad Lucien is doing remarkably well. He is affectionately known as the Energizer Bunny by our family, and for good reason.

That was today’s excitement. Hugs to all.

Wednesday Mar 21/12 update

Happy first day of spring.

Bella went on a Market tour today with an Ecuadorian guide to learn more about the different fresh foods available in the mercados. They discussed uses, cooking, bargaining, pricing, and even which are the best booths. Apparently the best Mercado in town is right behind our old place, and the best pricing is in the tents outdoors because they pay less rent. Bella bought Filet Mignon for $2.80 a pound!

I was supposed to go do some banking today but the money never got transferred from Banco Territorial in Quito to the Banco Pichincha in Cuenca. They wanted a more detailed, signed letter so we re-did our letter, signed in blue ink and scanned and emailed it. The transfer should be completed overnight.

About 1pm I went walkabout with the camera along the path east on the other side of the Rio Tomebamba. I was hoping to get some hummingbird shots, and I did spot one, but there were not many flowers along there. The weather was gorgeous and mostly sunny so the big camera got a workout.

Across the river were some indigenous folks tending the big black lawnmowers. I continued almost to the Hospital del Rio then turned left along a little, but picturesque feeder creek, up to Avenida Gonzalez Suarez, Then I hooked left again back towards Mall de Monay. Along the way I spotted different workers, mechanics, ceiling tile makers, and cabinet makers. They all delighted in having their picture taken.

I got another shot of our home from the backside (see the black arrow top left) and you can see the glass roofed terrace. Near our bridge there were 4 sheep also doing lawnmowing chores.

A sunny day is such a pleasure to enjoy.

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