Friday October 12, 2012

Friday October 12/12 update #252

Boy, I had a good sleep for a change and wanted more, more……. But the Boys were hungry and the chores had to get done.

I checked on the new plants on the terrace and they seem to be surviving my transplantation, etc.  The last Limon plant we bought has easily overtaken the other two so we should have good sized lemons or limes by the time Bella returns.

I left early because I got an email from Etapa that they have a communication for me.  Since they haven’t credited our credit card for the $44.80 installation/cancellation fee I was not holding my breath.   Then I get there and they are closed.   Darn, I forgot it was a national holiday for Guayaquil Independence Day.  So I continued on to AAC and got there very early.  Almost all the volunteers showed up and Richard gave them some fun English instruction before we let them have a coloring activity.   The plan had been to go to the park if there was some male support from the community but that has definitely been lacking of late, even Miguel isn’t showing up.  We discussed closing down until we regained some of this promised support.

Linda and Tom brought bags of plain popcorn for everyone.  Towards the end, the community president pulled up with a carful, and his 12-year-old niece, Adriana, at the wheel!  Anyway there were many discussions and then Adriana’s Mother said she wanted to host an all-day party on Sunday the 21^st starting at 11am.  That made us all feel like we haven’t lost the community support.

Next I was rushing to the Moca Café to join the Deportiva Cuenca Soccer Fan Club and watch the World Cup elimination match between Ecuador and Chile.  When I got there wearing my #16 shirt, the score was already 1-0 for Chile.  But, once I started watching, Chile never got another sniff at our goal, and our #16 scored 2 of the 3 goals we put behind their keeper!  Take that you Chile peppers!!!

I munched on a really nice ham & cheese Panini and had a slice of orange cake for dessert.  Then I started to eat the popcorn I had dragged from AAC but it was pretty bland with no oil, butter or salt.  A lady from another table came to ask the owners, (Courtney Clark, one of those photogs from the last night tour) if she could have some popcorn too.  I had to explain that I had brought it with me and that she was welcome to have it all but I warned her it wasn’t very tasty.  She borrowed some salt and said thank you.   As she and her husband were leaving she said she was going to be singing Jazz at 8pm at the Nectar Café.  Since I had never been to the Nectar Café I thought I would give her a listen.

I got there early and was soon joined by a new couple, Paul and Kate, from Vancouver so we had a good chat.  Two other musicians, who seem to be the nucleus of the Jazz Society Of Cuenca, Jim Galla (USA) and Jorge Triana (Cuba) started to play at 7:30 but it was not the nice smooth jazz of Diana Krall that I like, but more the disjointed notes all over the place.  One tune they were supposedly playing was “These Boots Were Made For Walking” and I did not recognize a single note belonging to that particular tune.

When 8:15 rolled around I was preparing to leave, but then the singer, Vivian Slade, and hubby, Todd Burr, showed up.  It wasn’t long before she was up singing and I decided to video her performance.  This was much more interesting than the other form of Jazz.   You may have to turn your sound down a little:

http://youtu.be/nTAh9TzDT5g

I returned home to receive a lovely long note from Bella who now has only 12 working days left and is anxious to be “home” in Cuenca.  We are certainly looking forward to that!

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

Thursday October 11, 2012

Thursday October 11/12 - update #251

This morning I joined Emilie McBride of the Hearts Of Gold Foundation for a meeting with the Director of the El Arenal Foundation, Betty.  El Arenal is located a block behind AAC  and provides schooling and activities for the kids whose parents work in El Arenal / Feria Libre.  We found out they rent the premises for $1,000 a month but are supported in large part by a German Foundation that send them cash and workers.  Hearts Of Gold want me to help with photography projects as needed, and it sounds like I will be taking more shots here in December.

As we left by the Coopera along the river Emilie stopped in as they had live crabs on display.  Being an east-coast Canadian gal she was quite at home handling these creatures while I recoiled with my camera.  She bought a row of at least 6 crabs for $10.   Bon appétit Emilie.

It was still early on a beautiful sunny day so I decided to head downtown and grab a few shots.  There were hundreds of people about but I ended up taking my usual landscapes mostly.  I did get a 50c shoe shine, but gave him $1 because I took his picture.

There is no place I would rather be on a sunny day than hanging around Parque Calderon.  I stopped into the iTur office to ask about new new bus schedules and maps.   I managed to get 2 booklets but was disappointed to see they don’t have route maps like the old ones so I don’t know how much use they are going to be now…

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

Wednesday October 10, 2012

Wednesday October 10/12 update

I didn’t get to bed until almost 1am after watching two very good movies, Hunger Games and Get The Gringo.  Why I was up at 2am already is anybody’s guess.  I think I got another 3 hours rest between 6:30 and 9:30 but I really need a catch-up day somewhere.

Today I was off to AAC again and everyone pitched in to help Linda teach the kids to make neat Christmas decorations for the tree using the bottoms of plastic pop bottles.  The kids really got into it, especially when the paint and paint brushes came out.  I think my fingers will be blue for a week, so I can claim royal blood for a while.

We again had visitors from Hearts Of Gold, Emilie, the new chairperson, and Mark, a new volunteer who came with his two children, Finn and Tali.  Everyone got into the spirit of it all and had a good time.  Our resident bad boy, Juan, had to go one step further and make binoculars out of the rest of 2 water bottles.  We have to give him an A for inventiveness.

Emilie and I wandered over to Feria Libre where she was somewhat unfamiliar, even though she only lives a few blocks away.  She bought fruits and veggies and eggs and buns.   She insisted I try the buns so I bought a bag of these delicious baby buns, 26 of them in a bag for $1.  My waistline is going to hate her later since I can just see myself scarfing them down with peanut butter and jam…..

The #15 bus made the weirdest detour to avoid the stadium, due to a soccer match tonight.  He went west from Solano doubling back east by going up the hill to El Centro and then going down the entire length of Calle Larga.  I had thought of going to Big Kabudas for a burger but changed my mind when he bypassed it.

Instead I got off at Monay Mall and had KFC for supper.  I sat right near the 3 storey Christmas tree and then was treated to a comedy as a mall worker drafted the multiple security guards to crawl inside the tree to rotate it and position it better.  I swear that thing went around 720 degrees before they settled it.  Anyway, it was free entertainment…..

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

Tuesday October 9, 2012

Tuesday October 9/12 update

I slept on the couch for 3 hours because the boys had occupied my bed, but they found me so I headed upstairs but the followed me, so not much sleep was had after that.

I ended up downtown and was crossing the river to notice the rickety, rudimentary scaffolding being used to work on two adjacent bridges.   There is no Occupational Health and Safety issues in this country… whatever gets the job done….  I then took a few shots while sitting at Parque Calderon of the buildings, the shoe-shiners and the hustle and bustle.

I had managed to easily find the shop that sells these solar-powered dancing flowers.   We already have one in our front window and Jorge Beltran liked it so much that I decided to grab one for him, and another for us.  Two for $5 wasn’t bad.   I called Jorge and he popped over to pick it up at lunchtime.

I took the #50 down to our old neighborhood to see if the electrician was done repairing our house fan.  He said the brushes in the motor had broken down and he plugged it in to show me that it now runs as good as new.  The repair cost was another $5 from my pocket.  I managed to get it home using the bus.

There was a disturbing message on GringoTree about two missing American missionary women that had very little information.  I emailed them to find out where they have proper information posted.  Please see

https://www.facebook.com/WhereIsBre    There are very large hints of religious cult involvement, etc that just boggle the mind of any rational person.  I guess Ecuador is not immune from nutjobs either.  We hope these poor women are found safe and sound.

Man, I spent all afternoon working on uploading photos and preparing others, then had to get busy on this blog…

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

Monday October 8, 2012

Monday October 8/12 update

Up at 3am again, this is getting monotonous!   Work until 6 and then toss and turn until 9:30.  I half-wanted to skip doing groceries today but got off my keester  and at least went to Coral.

I ran into Jesus and his wife from Big Kabuda’s at Coral and chatted for a bit.   I was mainly after meat today and got a nice Lomo Fino (Filet Mignon) for $8.62 that I cut up into 4 hearty meals for later.   I was shocked that the pork tenderloin was 50% more expensive and totalled $16.80 but that made into 5 more delicious meals for later.   I cooked one small medallion to have with my salad for lunch and it was superb!

I then wandered off to AAC, not knowing what to expect and who would show up.  Richard and Cathy were off to Quito and Heidi said she was ready with some home-made play-dough for the kids.  We usually reserve Mondays as a day Christine will show up to do art with the kids but we never heard a peep and she didn’t show up.  Tom and Linda had some Christmas craft stuff but that will be held off until Wednesday.  Myself, Chris, Phil, Ron, Jolene, and Mariuxi rounded out the crew.  Heidi and her kids, Keefe and Aidan, led the kids in learning the hokey-pokey.   The kids were given the play-dough and we asked them to make an animal or two.  A couple of the kids were really good at it but the rest mostly did everything but.  The good thing is the kids were quite well-behaved today and things went well.

Miguel was to show up later but that didn’t happen either.

I had a meeting scheduled to help the Hearts Of Gold Foundation but that has now been delayed until Thursday, and even possibly next week now....

I was so bagged when I got home I only had hotdogs because I didn’t want to spend the time cooking anything fancier.

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

Sunday October 7, 2012

Sunday October 7/12 update

Not to blow my own horn or anything, but I really did upload 3 new outstanding photographic artworks yesterday that I feel are definitely worth a look:

http://al-bourassa.fineartamerica.com/

http://www.redbubble.com/people/alabca

I finished repairing the photos taken at Joe’s and started the upload at 6:30 then napped again until 9:30 before uploading the blogs.

It is with sadness that we report that our Uncle Henri Bourassa, brother of our mother, Yvonne Bourassa Hebert, passed away 4 hours short of his 99th Birthday last night at 8pm in Radville.
Henri was born October 7, 1913 to Charles Bourassa and Marie Fradette.
Here is my favorite photo of Henri (right) and my Dad, Horace, in better times.  Our sincere condolences to Adrienne, Rita and Jeanne and families.

Horace Bourassa and brother-in-law Henri Bourassa

I slipped out to Coopera for the banking and continued on to the traffic circle near the Electrica Empresa building to watch the Beltran family and friends play volleyball at 3pm.   I did not spot anyone I recognized so I called Jorge.   I guess I got my wires crossed, they play Saturdays at 3pm he said so I’ll have to watch them on my way to Joe’s some day.

Since my plans were now shot down I stopped at this fancy video store where the fellow makes his own copies, confirms by viewing that they are all in English, so I got 9 movies for $11, including some of those on my wish list.

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

Saturday October 6, 2012

Saturday October 6/12 update

I was in the shower around 9am and heard the doorbell ring.  It was a short ring so I was hoping it wasn’t Jorge.  I continued my shower as it did not ring again.  Although I had barely toweled off and I stuck my head out the window and, sure enough, there was Jorge’s red Mazda pickup.  I was surprised that he had waited, although not much time had elapsed.  I hollered down that I would be two minutes and hurriedly threw on my awful “home” clothes.

Jorge apologized profusely and said he had rang before hearing the noise from the water heater by the door which told him I was in the shower, so he waited.  Very intelligent man!  I gave him the DVD of Gabriela’s graduation and again he was very effusive in his thanks.   

I then asked Jorge if he would do me a favor and drive me to Paseo De Los Caneris so I could bring in that huge fan for repair.  He readily agreed.  On the drive there he told me about the projects he had under way, one of them 15 minutes out of town, and he also practiced some of his English.   For a fellow that hardly ever uses English, his pronunciation is darn good.    He showed me where his family plays volleyball every Sunday at 3pm near the Electrica Impresa traffic circle, a stone’s throw from their house.    He also told me of a celebration tonight with singing and dancing, etc about 3 blocks south of our police station.

He also said the family liked the Gringo who could dance so well at the graduation.  I was a little surprised at that because I think I only dance 2 long songs with the one relative that asked me to dance.  I am glad he wasn’t upset that I slipped out early because I couldn’t sit there any longer watching everyone else have all the fun.  I am really glad that he has become such a good friend.

We dropped off the fan and the electrician said it could possibly be done by Monday.   I think I will give him a week, Ecuador time.    I then went 2 doors over to Segundo’s place which was closed, but one of the rollshutters was open, so I shouted.   One of the daughters, Carmen, came out to tell me that he would be away until tomorrow.  Then Jorge drove me back home so I could finish my toilette and my chores.

I had a short nap before getting dressed to go to Joe’s.  The day had been threatening rain all day but I never did see any at all.

Joseph said they had booked in 67 people for their BBQ so they were going at their limit for giving proper service.   It was nice to see some folks like Lenny and Marcia that we had not seen in a while and feared the worst, but Lenny said they had been away for 5 weeks, that was all.   There were two more new French-Canadian gals that had come with Deborah March too but we didn’t get much chance to talk.

I was seated with my friends Chris and Bettye, and Brad and Cindy, in the wine room, along with John and Cathy and Robert.  This is a great group of people with differing, but awesome, senses of humour.  Everyone brought their appetites too and the food just kept coming, and coming, and coming.   And we kept eating, and eating, and eating.  I think I kept up to Chris this night in shoveling back the grub, but it was impossible not to enjoy the Beef Tenderloin, and the BBQ’d Pork, and the Beans, and the cubed potatoes, topped off by Banana Pudding (2 of those).  I am writing these words at 3:15am and I am still a hurting unit, definitely not helped by the over-consumption of beans.

I got home and changed jackets and went in search of a fiesta that Jorge said would be happening about 3 blocks south of the police station.  At intervals it seemed like I could hear people on a microphone and some loud music, but as soon as I would head in that direction the sound would go away.  I criss-crossed the whole neighborhood many times, to no avail, before heading back.  I stopped to watch a local feisty soccer match and the neighboring volleyball game before calling it a night.   I didn’t even bother to download any photos, we just piled into the sack at 11:30 but didn’t get much sleep with our protesting tummy tooting.

Checking my photos has been a nightmare.   I used my small camera for people shots and had left the flash operational even for the outside shots because it was so grey.  Big mistake.  The shots are all washed out and I have to do major corrections.  I can see I am working for about 50c an hour now.

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