Friday October 19, 2012

Friday October 19/12 update #259

I spent all morning trying to put together a group of videos and powerpoint shows for AAC so we would have something to try on our new projector.   I confirmed with Chris first that he was not already preparing something.  I knew there was a great Travel Alberta commercial called “Remember to Breathe” that I could not find in any format except YouTube so I contacted them and they finally responded with an MP4 version for me.  I tried to find good Canadian videos as well and thought I had found a Government site with lots of videos but it turns out they are short, and huge….  And you have to apply for permission to download them.   Typical Canadian Government waste of time.

My satellite installer says my loss of many more channels is the result of the migrating Amazonas satellite and that he hopes to have a solution shortly.  Last night I was quite upset when ½ of my chosen few stations from Saturday now read “Scrambled” as well, and I now have no English news station at all! 

I made it over to AAC and started to set up for the projector, etc.   Surprise, surprise, Miguel popped in for 20 seconds to say Hello and was gone again.   Chris came with the projector and laptop and I supplied the internet stick with the content along with the speakers.

I warned the kids that we not tolerate anyone interfering with the projector.  Two brand new smart-ass boys decided to challenge us so they were summarily ejected.  That sure opened the eyes of the others that we were not prepared to put up with any nonsense during the show.  Oddly, Tom and Linda did not warn us they were not showing up but most of the rest came.  Someone decided to pass out milk and cookies during the show and I was not pleased with the constant interruptions and the inevitable spills everywhere.  Usually we save any food to the end, as a reward for good behaviour.

Needless to say, I am again reconsidering my involvement with AAC.  Miguel is never around and the male presence from the community has been lost somewhere.  Almost all the other volunteers have all missed a day this week without notifying anyone.   We almost never know who is going to show up and who is prepared to do what on any given day, even though it has always seemed to work itself out thus far, mostly because Richard is so keen to teach.  What will happen when he and Cathy leave the country in 2 weeks??    I keep hoping to get this organized somehow but we need direction from Miguel, funding, and more volunteers willing to lead activities.  I am going to sleep on this over the weekend again but when it ceases to be fun, and you begin to lose your cool, I think it is time to walk away.

I went next door for he chicken supper and ordered 2 pieces of chicken, firstly because I was hungry, and secondly to see what she would charge.  The supper was wonderful but I wasn’t too thrilled that she wanted $3 this time.   A day full of frustrations, what can I say….. 

That was today’s excitement.   .  Hugs to all.

Wednesday-Thursday October 17-18, 2012

Wednesday October 17/12 update #257

It was a threatening day but I was awake at 6:30 so I did a lot of photo work before heading over to AAC.  The heavens opened again right after the start of class so I was glad that I had retrieved my umbrella form Joe’s on Monday.

Class was brisk with Richard teaching some English for a bit then Linda had a cut and paste, then coloring activity so that kept the kids busy.  I find myself getting very short with the older boys who seem to have ADD and are disruptive to the class with their wanderings and constant demands.   We are going to have to figure out a way to keep them involved.

I wandered through Feria Libre trying to find the lady that sells the baby buns so I could buy a supply for an upcoming event but I couldn’t find her, and it was raining, so I just caught the bus home.

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

Thursday October 18/12 update #258

I had trouble getting motivated today but did manage to get over to Christine & Noel Magee’s to join Nancee Petersen for a Spanish conversation meeting.   When they get to talking about subjective verbs, preterites, future perfect and all that jazz, then my mind just shuts off and I go watch the hummingbirds…..

We went for lunch to Kadaffa on Solano again.  The owner is very nice and today’s almuerzo was lentil soup and pork chops and rice, with juice and dessert for $2.50.  I asked for a second pork chop and my bill was $3.00!   Where can you buy a pork chop for 50c??

The sky was threatening all around but I could see lightning to the north as we left so I didn’t want to dally too long before catching the bus.   I did stop at the two churches at the corner of Remigio Crespo which also has bonus views of Turi and the main cathedral.

I made it home before the rain really started and watched the swallows dancing in the sky.  The rain is sorely needed and it has really refreshed the river levels.   As the rain tapered off we got low cloud/fog on the tops of our mountains to the south which makes the view so pretty here.

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

Tuesday October 16, 2012

Tuesday October 16/12 update #256

I was up early as I had a few items on my agenda today.   First was a stop at Etapa to receive the latest communication from the Commercial manager regarding my request for a refund of the $40.80 charge to cancel their crappy service.   Naturally he just repeated that they fixed my service several times so there should have been no problem….  Duh….  So, again I reiterate to everyone, STAY AWAY FROM ETAPA.   If even one person signs up somewhere else I will cost them more than the lousy $40.80.  Consider that done.

From there I walked to the Windhorse Café Book/Movie Exchange and didn’t think I would find 8 movies to exchange for my batch but I actually found about a dozen so I had to make some choices.

During my walks today there were some pretty sights and dramatic skies to behold so the camera got a workout.   I even made a quick run-through of the CIDAP Museum.  We get a view of Parque De La Madre over the fence there and it appears things are moving along rapidly with the exception of the parkade.

There is a Tuesday 2 for 1 sale at Papa John’s Pizza so I went to see if I could get that promotion on their $4 personal size pizza…  No soap!  He said it started with the $12 medium sizes.   Bummer.

I stopped in the Fuji store for a second and saw that they can do a 12” x 20” photo on canvas for $20.70.  Such a deal!!

I got off the bus near the Monay Mall and walked down the hill because I was determined to scratch the last item off our renovation/construction list.  That is, namely, the ledge/shelf for the boys to sit on in the terrace window.  Bella has already woven them a nice 8” x 9’ rug to sit on, but when we installed the windows they needed to be set in much closer than expected so we were only left with a 4” ledge. 

So today I stopped in to see the woodworkers on the corner below the Mall.  I told them what I wanted but they couldn’t give me any ideas or straight answers so I went across the road to the metal workers.  There was a couple in the office yakking at the boss so I just wandered in the yard and got some ideas of options.  When the boss came free I showed him my ideas with the stock he had in the yard.  Then we jumped in his truck and he came over to view the ledge for himself and take some measurements.  I stressed the importance of it being non-rusting since it is exposed to the sun and rain.  We agreed on a 8” wide, 2cm high, and 9’ long stainless steel shelf , installed next Tuesday at 2pm, for $80.  Could you imagine what that would cost in Canada??  I had $45 left over from our construction budget so we are good to go.

I got home in time to make lunch just before Rosa came to do the housecleaning.   She was on time today.   Her work was interrupted by a broken hose on the vacuum so out came the snips, silicone sealant and finally duct tape….. 

I spent most of the afternoon going through all the channels on the Satellite TV.   I had received a cryptic email from our installer about some problem due to a migration of a satellite.  Maybe the problem was with folks who had to aim at a satellite to the west but, reception-wise, I was having no problem with my eastern satellite.   What I am having trouble with is that many of my favourite channels are now scrambled…. CNN, BBC, all the HBO, Max Prime, etc.   I have responded by email to Jorge Vidal for an explanation if possible.

I knew my bag of potatoes was getting on its last legs so I put on some rubber gloves and grabbed the peeler and went to work.  I never knew what a difference the rubber gloves would make.  Before I knew it I had peeled over 30 potatoes.  I boiled them up and made a lot of mashed potatoes, enough for 5 meals, and froze 4 servings.

As I was doing this the heavens opened and we are getting a very nice and welcome rain.

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

Monday October 15, 2012

Monday October 15/12 update #255

Chores and naps before heading to AAC.  We got a late notice that Linda was sick today so we were unsure what to expect.  We found out that Miguel is in the USA until Thursday.

Christine was here today with paper and paint supplies so the kids got right into it.   A couple of the girls, Tatiana and Natalie, definitely show some artistic talent! 

When we ran out of paper then Cathy got the kids again making the skipping ropes and the kids had a ball skipping outside, even the boys.  Everything was a bit hectic today but everyone had a good time.

As I was walking to the bus I heard from Chris that the new projector has arrived, yippee!!  He will check it out thoroughly before we decide to unveil it, possibly Friday…… 

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

Sunday October 14, 2012

Sunday October 14/12 update #254

I caught up on my rest today.  Got up for a short while, did the house chores then just went back to bed until about 1:30, and I’m still feeling tired.

I went out to do the banking and went by Raoul’s place which I see has not been made habitable by September like he had hoped.   Right now it looks like even the end of October could be a long shot.  He should have no trouble renting his apartments which are very small, but good enough for a single person.

Then I went to Coral and got very few groceries, mostly sundries.  I found some nice glass shelves for the bathrooms for only $7.33 each.   They most certainly would be at least a $30 item at home.  After supper I decided to tackle the installations even though neither box had any instructions.  It didn’t look like rocket science, as long as a person has the tools.  Anyway, they are a valuable addition to the bathrooms for those items that are too tall or awkward for the medicine cabinets.

Then, even though I have many other movies to watch, I decided on Hidalgo for some reason and thoroughly enjoyed viewing that again.

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

Raoul's house

New shelf for Bella's bathroom

New shelf for my bathroom

Saturday October 13, 2012

Saturday October 13/12 update #253

As I was on the bus to Joe’s today I remembered about Jorge Beltran’s volleyball group so I disembarked and went to watch for 15 minutes.  Yes, Jorge himself was playing in the white shirt with blue trim and doing very well too.  Generally he was the setter for the young fellow in the yellow Ecuador soccer shirt.  It is too bad they play so late or I would be happy to join in.

Our proposed menu at Joe’s today involved a distinct departure from the usual fare.

See the details of this cult movie here    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0204640/

They had the main room set up for the movie and everyone was to arrive by 5:45 for the start of the movie.   I had never heard of this movie before but it was a load of laughs from beginning to end.    I will definitely be picking up this movie if I ever see it for sale.

There was a poster in the bar room that looked strikingly similar so I just had to check and, sure enough, Joe had promoted a show using the star of the movie, Leslie Jordan, in a similar role.

We met another couple from Saskatoon today as the Canadian contingent continues to grow here in Cuenca.  John and Barbie were conspicuously absent today and then I found out that Barbie had been sick and hospitalized.  We hope things are better soon for them.

The snacks prior to the movie were excellent, then the meal and desserts were polished off in no time. 

I was so bloated that I had to leave early and get home and into some comfortable clothes.   I was in such a hurry to leave that I forgot my umbrella there (it was raining when we arrived).

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