Saturday February 9, 2013

Saturday February 9/13  update #363

Well I finally got around to packing.  Bella, like usual, has been packed and ready for days.  We are going with one suitcase and one backpack only for the two of us. 

We are basically packing for comfort in the heat although the bug situation will dictate whether we can get away with shorts or not.   I have rolled up my cloth backpack for touring around the islands rather than use the heavy laptop backpack.   

I have checked the long-term forecast for the Galapagos and the temperature is to be around 84F in the day and 74F at night with the biggest chance for rain on Tuesday.   We are not accustomed to such sustained heat so I expect we will be quite uncomfortable most of the time.  Apparently our bedroom has air-conditioning so we should survive OK at night.

We have made our return to Joe’s to take their photographs after a 3-week absence.  I note they did not replace me while I was gone as they have not posted any photos in that period.   Tonight was the first night to use the new Canon T3i for the people photos.  I brought along the Sony HX1 to take the food photos since that saves me from forgetting to change settings, which I am apt to do several times a night.

It was very gratifying to see the reception I got from all the regulars at Joe’s tonight.  They said it wasn’t the same when I wasn’t there to take their pictures.  I am happy to report that the new camera performed very well.  It was also nice to meet another 4 new couples from Canada.

We are happy to see that competition has sprung up for GringoTree in the form of GringoPost.  I have groused about the outrageous ad costs now being charged by GringoTree just because they have created such a captive audience.  Thank you to the brave soul who has done this.

Some folks tonight who reside in tall buildings claim that they felt a 7.1 magnitude earthquake from Columbia at 9:20 this morning.  I am sure I was in bed at that time and never felt a thing.

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

Friday February 8, 2013

Friday February 8/13  update #362

Well my flights are now booked for May 21 to June 19 for Canada prior to doing a show in Reno.  I am looking forward to having more time to spend with family and friends than I did last time.

Bella was off to do her charity work at the Weaving Store this morning so I had to hang around for Rosa’s arrival to do the housecleaning.   That gave me some time to work on a few more Pase Del Nino photos.

I am procrastinating on packing for the Galapagos.  I guess I’ll have to do that this evening and tomorrow after I check the extended forecast etc. 

Everybody says it will be warm there and to bring bug spray and our own snacks.   I am not sure which I hate worst, bugs or bug spray…  We are spoiled in Cuenca with virtually no bugs.  Our only experiences on the coast beach is not very positive regarding bugs, we got eaten alive in Salinas so I even hesitate to wear shorts or short-sleeved shirts but I guess we have to bite the bullet and hope the beaches we will frequent will be tolerable.

By the time Bella got home the weather was changing to thunderstorms so any idea I had of getting out today went by the wayside.   I picked up 8 more movies yesterday and we watched “Lincoln” with Daniel Day-Lewis last night.  That is a “must-see” movie for sure.

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

Thursday February 7, 2013

Thursday February 7/13  update #361

Bella is having a rest day after her many weeks of company and travel.

Jay called so I met him downtown at Parque Calderon.   We tried to see the crypt at the main cathedral but our timing was bad so that will have to wait for another day.  We wandered over to the jewelry market and I asked around to find someone to string together my good magnetic bracelet that has been broken for 2 years.  After checking with 3 vendors they finally took me to this woman who had 25 lb test fishing line, the same as was used previously for this bracelet.  She said it would cost $1 and I smiled and said I would be back in an hour. 

We went across the street to Chicago Pizza for a much needed pit stop and for Jay to have lunch.   I am trying to be a good boy and just stick to my veggies at noon but Jay ordered a pizza large enough for two, so naturally I had to be a good Samaritan and eat my share.   Thanks again Jay.

We stopped in at the Santo Domingo church which was also open and got a few nice shots.   There was a very impressive statue of an angel at the door.    Inside they had a statue of Christ with a broken arm in a glass case, so that was indeed unusual.

When we returned to the jewelry market I saw that the lady had a friend helping her and they were still not finished.  I did not say a word, I just sat and waited 15 minutes until she handed me her finished product.  It is a little on the loose side but it is holding together well.  I knew it would be a much larger task than she had anticipated so I gave her $2 and she was most appreciative.

On our way back through Parque Calderon I asked all the shoeshine men if they could do white runners and the fifth one finally said that he could.  He was handicapped and did a sloppy job and then wanted $2.50 because it was a specialty colour….  There never ceases to be surprises in Ecuador.

The lawnmower guys with the whipper-snippers were hard at work along the Yanuncay this afternoon.

We have confirmed that it is necessary for us to vote now that we are official residents.  The vote is Feb 17, the Sunday that we get back from the Galapagos at a voting station at a school about 10 blocks from here.  We find it odd to have elections on a Sunday in a Catholic country.

Bella is booking my flights to Canada and Reno along with the Reno hotel.  It is expensive because it falls in the tourist season, darn it.

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

Wednesday February 6, 2013

Wednesday February 6/13  update #360

Bella was off early this morning to do some needed banking and grocery shopping.

I got caught up on many electronic items, uploaded some photos, etc.  I also ordered a fancy remote for the new camera with all kinds of neat functions.

I set up the heavy tripod that I dragged all the way from Canada to try to get better shots of Tom Thumb.   He visited yesterday at least once but I never heard him at all today.

I called Mom to let her know I will be back in Canada in May-June so I will be at her 97^th birthday.  I also did my RSVP for my niece Bryna’s wedding on May 25.

I admitted to Bella that I am feeling totally anemic and lethargic for a couple of months now and that I need to get some multivitamins again.  She dipped into her drugstore and gave me enough to tide me over until I get back to Canada.

In spite of dragging my butt, I forced myself to get outside, along the Yanuncay, with the new camera and to put it through its paces a bit.  Once I got going and took a few shots I definitely felt better mentally, if not physically.  I was dazzled by some of the shots in the viewfinder because this camera is great for close-ups and macros, but its zoom range is really bad.  I hope you all enjoy the many nature shots from today.    The lens I want is on the back burner for now, as are many things I did not purchase in Canada due to luggage weight issues.

Now that I know the camera can do great photos I’ll have to test it on a couple of movies too.  I also have to try to nail Tom Thumb but he is being elusive.

It sure is nice to back to home cooking!

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

Tuesday February 5, 2013

Tuesday February 5/13  update #359

I managed to reach Oswaldo this morning and made an appointment to meet him at the OperAzuay offices to resolve the missing ride issue from Sunday night.  I would never have attempted to do this discussion on my own and Oswaldo was brilliant cutting through their BS.   Their driver tried to claim that he waited for an hour which is absurd.  Our plane landed at 11:23pm.   I told them to pick me up at 11:59pm.  I cleared customs and was outside with my bags at 12:20am.  There was nobody holding a card with either my name or the name of the Tour company.  They will have a record of my phone message to their office at 12:30 and I have my bus receipt at 12:47am to catch the 1am bus.     They finally admitted fault and were going to refund my money.  Instead I chose to use them again to pick us up at 5:30am on Sunday, right from our home, and take us to the airport in Guayaquil, just the two of us, in comfort and in style. 

Our plans for the Galapagos are taking shape and we are soliciting advice from prior visitors so we know what to bring (other than pocketfuls of cash), what to see, etc. 

Bella also got busy and found a show in Reno for me to do in mid-June and we are hunting for another one if possible.   This means I will be able to return to Canada in May to see my new great-grand-daughter, attend my niece Bryna’s wedding, and attend my Mom’s 97^th birthday!  I am a happy camper again!

I walked from Feria Libre over to Avenida Solano (part of my new get slim program) and ran into my buddy Dallas whom I haven’t seen in many months.   He sure was looking great.

I stopped at the hotdog kiosk outside the Ital Deli and ordered a large hotdog, see the photo.  It came with coconut juice for $1.50.  I don’t know why they added the chopped up chorizo sausage, but it was tasty anyway, and it was great to get back to the land of inexpensive food.

I continued on to the Hearts Of Gold office for a meeting to set the framework for a spring fundraiser.  We are hoping for an early April date at a local eatery with some participation from some of the people HOG have supported.   More to follow on this at a later date.

We have had to renew our subscriptions to Fine Art America for our photos, and to NetTalk for our international phone.  Our NetTalk number is 587-887-4821 and it is just like calling Calgary.   We can call anywhere in the USA and Canada for free (except the Yukon, oddly enough).

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.   

$1.50 hotdog with cocnut juice

Monday February 4, 2013

Monday February 4/13  update #358

We actually flew over New Orleans yesterday prior to the Super Bowl getting underway.   I don’t follow American football but the last we heard was that the score was about 3 points apart, very late in the game.   I haven’t even bothered to see who eventually won because it just doesn’t interest me.   The sun came up this morning, and I was still on this side of the grass, that’s all that matters these days.

OK.  DO NOT USE OPERAZUAY for bus service anywhere.  The @#$%^^& left me stranded in Guayaquil and that left me only a ½ hour to scramble to catch the last regular bus out of there.  A taxi ride to go 2 blocks was $5 and a bus ride to go all the way to Cuenca was $8.50, go figure….   At midnight it was still 80F and muggy so I was just soaked after dragging 4 pieces of luggage by myself through an unfamiliar terminal.   Another piece of advice… never have a piece of luggage weighing 48 lbs with no wheels…  I started off seated all alone at the front, soaking wet with perspiration, no AC or air flow, so I finally took off my shirt.   I had to put it back on about an hour later when we picked up additional passengers on the roadway.   It rained almost the whole way home so it not a very comfortable journey.

Anyway I got home at 5:10am and took 2 hours to unpack.   Pancho has been sticking to me like glue since I got home so I can tell he missed me.   Bella didn’t even get out of bed, or acknowledge I was home, until noon. 

Bella has checked online for some knitting and crochet shows that may fit with a trip back north in May for me, and they look really promising.   Let’s hope that gets put together so I can see my new great-grandchild and attend a niece’s wedding.  

We also discussed getting to the Galapagos since we need to be on a plane in Guayaquil around 9am on Sunday.  She leans to staying overnight in Guayaquil on Saturday but I want to cut expenses, because we are told the Galapagos prices are horrendous.  I will see if I can get Oswaldo to interpret for me tomorrow at OperAzuay and maybe we can make a deal for a new run to Guayaquil.

I have updated our Eleggant Hooks website, elegganthooks.com  to include newer photos and testimonials.

I have lots of catching up to do with photos, etc.

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

Sunday February 3, 2013

Sunday February 3/13  Update #357
I may update this in Miami if they have free wi-fi as well.
It is Super Bowl Sunday.    Does anybody care?    I will be spending almost 24 hours getting home, mostly sitting in the Phoenix and Miami airports.  My only hope is that my ride shows up in Guayaquil at midnight or it will be a very, very long day.   My hope is to be in my bed in Cuenca by tomorrow at 4am.
I was awake at 4am this morning so I got all packed without rushing and had a couple of cups of coffee in the room.  I slipped down to get a luggage cart and loaded my 4 bags onto it then called my cab ride at 5:15.  He said he was already downstairs waiting!!  I am surprised he remembered to come by 5:30 because I didn't think he started that early and that I would be getting one of his other drivers.  This guy must work 18 hours a day because he says he gets 3-4 hours sleep per night.
He took a short cut to the airport so the cost was minimal.   I did not use the self-service kiosk because I had lots of trouble controlling the 4 bags and still got through really quickly even though the airport was really busy, which was surprising considering the early hour.  The checkout gal was fabulous, checking to see that my LAN connection allows two bags so I did not get charged any baggage fees!!  The day had started off exceedingly well as everything fell into place
I know it is an illusion but, the red suitcase without wheels that Bella had packed feels like 100 lbs compared to mine, and yet both weighed in at exactly 48 lbs and are routed right through to Guayaquil which makes me very happy.   Now I don't have to gather them and lug them around the Miami airport.   Having containers of salt and pepper in my backpack has caused curious looks and re-checks at security in Calgary and here, but no big deal.   I was shocked when I looked at my watch and saw that I had all cleared the airport procedures by 6:15.   So now I only had 3 hours to kill before my flight!
The smell coming from this breakfast shop Roadhouse Deli beckoned and this was the first reasonably priced meal I have ever had in an airport. The route to the gate has been very short too, not the usual trek to the farthest corner of the universe.  While Phoenix itself has been frustrating, the airport gets top marks for friendliness, good prices and layout.  
Update 5pm from Miami airport.    I seem to have temporary wi-fi so I am making use of it.  The flight from Phoenix was mostly uneventful.  I had the 17A window seat and luckily had nobody in the middle seat.  The guy in the aisle seat was sniffling and sneezing the whole way, into his hand, so I was careful to turn away at every outburst and avoided touching anything near him on the way out.
I had to check one of my carry-ons as well so I kept my backpack with the laptop and the new camera.  The Miami airport has a sign that says the outside temp is 72F but they sure keep the inside quite cold. I am almost sorry that I packed my jacket in the other carry-on.
Over 2 hours yet before we head off on another 4.5 hour flight to Guayaquil.   Then, if my ride shows up, I have another 3.5 hours or so to get driven home.
See you in Cuenca...........
That was today's excitement.   Hugs to all.