Cuenca Updates: Monday June 18. 2012

Monday June 18/12 update

Tom Thumb actually visited me this morning but I still hope for better shots.

Spanish class was this morning and I sure wish my brain would retain much more than it does. I feel like I am so far behind all of the others, except in pronunciation.

As I was walking out, the German lady, Barbara, asked me if I was going to the Cuenca Referral Network luncheon at DiBacco’s? I said I hadn’t heard about it but I was willing to walk with her there and I might decide to stay, which I did.

On the way we ran into Garth and Orilla at a streetside bank machine. Orilla was at the machine and Garth was behind her but they didn’t see us coming so I stuck my hand in Garth’s back pocket. Well! Did he jump a mile into the air and swing around ready to strike… but the flood of relief on his face was priceless when he saw who the joker was. We told them about the CRN luncheon and they considered coming but had too many other things on their agenda for the day.

I did a double-take as I passed one door and we stopped in to watch this artist doing a painting of a horse, then we saw some of his amazing work on the walls. His name is Kleber Moscoso and the realism in his work was breathtaking. See the photos below.

I had met most of the folks at the luncheon previously. An Austrian lady named Margett joined Barbara and then Michael Berger came in the door to make it a foursome. The meals were absolutely delicious, (I had the tilapia). Around 2pm they started the meeting.

The CRN is the brainchild of two realtors, Brian and Aaron, from Ecuador Green Real Estate. Usually the other major player, Juan from the Coopera Credit Union is involved but he was a no-show today.

The speakers today were the two partners of JD’s Private Transportation & Custom Outings. James Drummondo is a former firefighter and outdoorsman. John Davila is a retied US military man with many tours to the world’s hotspots. They each have many unique skills they bring to the table including secure transportation. The security aspect is what really piqued my interest. John’s father owns a large security firm in Cuenca and they have many valuable contacts, including the richest man in the country (a transplanted Arab). Short of hiring an armored car, I would feel very secure in their care.

I have emailed them about setting up a photography tour, or two, so we will see what happens.

When I returned home I slipped over to Raoul’s sister’s place to recharge my bus card for another 40 trips. Then I stopped at Raoul’s new building next door. The window guys were finishing the second floor and the fence guys were there, which made Raoul happy. However, they had made the swinging gates too short so he wasn’t too pleased. I also pointed out to him that they had missed a few of the spikes on the top of one gate (they had run out of them). Ecuadorian construction is such a comedy at times that we just shake our head. In the end things do get done, at the expense of a few grey hairs. We were so fortunate to find our home which has construction integrity in the top 1%.

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