Sunday December 16, 2012

Sunday December 16/12  update #315

I can’t believe I stayed in bed until 11am this morning but I feel much better for it.

My sweetheart heard that I am hankering for a new camera with a push-pull zoom and a crank focus just like my old Canon T70 film job.   Now she tells me I should buy a new one instead of a used one.   What a gal!

I spent most of the early afternoon looking on the Internet for camera ideas but so much of the information was so outdated that I am probably no further ahead today than I was yesterday.

Bella was off to do bridge instruction again today while I was waiting for my little language buddy Juan to go to the Banos hot springs.  

Juan and I left about 4pm, took the autopista and were in Banos in no time at all.   $4.20 later and we were sitting in this brown water with no visibility beyond one inch down.  It wasn’t as warm as I expected but relaxing nonetheless.  We then went up some stairs to the steam room and then I was in heaven.  That was the hottest steam room I have ever been in and after huffing up the stairs it was too much right away.    I stepped outside the door for one minute to stabilize then came back in and didn’t move for a ½ hour, sitting in the hottest area.  Juan had to step out a few times.  Then it was back to sitting in the muddy water for a while then Juan wanted to go back up to the steam so I told him to go ahead, that I would probably be exiting soon, which I did.

After showering and changing I sat on the deck and snapped a couple of shots before Juan came down.   By the time he changed clothes they were already draining the pool.

Bella was expecting a call from our Ecuadorian friend Paola around 4:30 since Paola had been anxious to take Bella to their bedding store in the Industrial district but that call never came.

Last night Manon had wandered over to Joe’s and invited friends to her place for deep fried onion rings at 6pm today.  So Bella went over there after the bridge school and helped Manon set up.   I convinced Juan to join us and we arrived around 6:30.  Many friends and acquaintances were there and the table had some scrumptious accompaniments for the fabulous onion rings.   Chris and Bettye even brought delicious chicken salad sandwiches made with the sourdough bread that Bella had baked for them.    Boy, I have to stop eating like this or I am going to have to pay for 2 seats on the plane when I go back to Canada.

We met another nice couple, the Selleck’s from the US, who were investigating Cuenca with the intention of moving here in 2-3 months.  They were quite impressed with the wealth of knowledge of the persons around the table and they were making copious notes.   They even like to dance.   

Then we went over to see Chris and Bettye’s apartment and I am kicking myself that I did not take any photographs there, or at Manon’s.  Bettye has done a superlative job decorating their place and it is almost complete.

We have caught a cab home and are again sitting here in delightful pain from a fabulous evening of food and friendship.

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.   Please see all photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/