Cuenca Updates: Wednesday June 20, 2012

Wednesday June 20/12 update

Bella had two appointments cancelled for today. She was to visit Bettye who has been recovering slowly from a respiratory ailment and then go play bridge. Bettye cancelled as she is suffering from a stomach disruption probably due to the antibiotics reacting with her weakened system. Then Joseph cancelled the bridge until Thursday as they were asked to host a dinner for Ana Lucia of the External Affairs dept. Then Joseph called again and cancelled bridge until Sunday.

I was awake at 3am and my mind got rolling on options for this photography tour until I finally gave in and got up at 5. I went back to bed around 8 then up again at 9. I got so involved in things I had to rush my shower at 10 to make Spanish class at 11.

Christine mentioned there is a Quito symphony concert next Thursday at the beautiful hall at the University, and it is put on by the French Alliance whose office was only 3 blocks away. After class I went over to get the brochure and poster with the details.

Then I went up the stairs from Solano and found a nice watch shop who replaced my battery for $3. Next door was a Claro cel phone shop and one gal spoke some English and was able to confirm that there is no time limit, just a dollar limit, left for use on the phone. I have $3.44 left which is probably good for another month yet.

Next I had to check at the Immaculate Conception cathedral because I had forgotten what hours they allow viewing of the basement crypts and I would like to see that some day. They just started that this week and there was a notice on GringoTree about it. Of course I showed up at 1:15 and the afternoon tour is from 2:30 until 4. I wasn’t about to wait.

I decided to head towards San Blas since I hadn’t been in that area for a while. I spotted this hole-in-the-wall restaurant advertising a burger and fries for $1. See the photos. The burgers weren’t thick but they were big so I had trouble polishing off 2 orders.

Because I was now a bad boy I figured I had to walk it off a little, and I had just missed the #15, so I started walking. I just kept telling myself it is not far, and I just kept on going. I picked up a really nice mechanical pencil and leads in a stationery store for $1.75 then got 3 big-base chandelier bulbs for the kitchen fixture at Ferreteria Martin. And I kept walking. I kept on going in spite of dragging feet because the day was picture-perfect and I wanted to enjoy the sunshine.

Near the Cemetario there are many monument shops, most having granite covers for mausoleum spaces. The photo of Jesus crying is one of these carved stones. Incredible work!

As I crossed the Tomebamba my measuring stone confirmed the results of the lack of rain for the last two weeks. Soon we could have the River Of Rocks again. It had sprinkled slightly at midnight last night but it evaporated quickly so there was no evidence of the occurrence in the morning.

I have heard from the tour people that we probably can't schedule this until July, no big deal, and we will get together to hammer out the details before I advertise it.

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