Sunday August 26, 2012

Sunday August 26/12 update

Late nights and early mornings take their toll, especially when you don’t lock the Boys out.

I polished up a discussion paper for the Amigos School meeting on Friday as I nervously watched my email to see if we would have any more takers to go to the volcanoes.  Sadly nothing happened today on that front so I emailed the other couple to say I was still willing to go if they were agreeable in splitting the cost only 3 ways, about $35 more each.  Elation occurred when they responded that they were still agreeable so onward and upward in the face of adversity.

I contacted Linda & Tom to drop off my portion of the presentation and they said to come over, so I hopped the #3 at Monay Mall which takes me within a block of their amazing 3,000 sq ft apartment in Otorogo, overlooking the park and the large hummingbird display. 

They are such big-hearted people and an immense asset to the Amigos school.  We discussed many issues and topics before I caught the #3 home.

I wasn’t sure where the #3 would travel because the eastbound lanes on Suarez were closed for repaving.   The detour was ridiculously far but returned a couple of blocks from our bridge so I was OK with that.

I have mellowed over the last few years and learned to exercise more patience with most things.   But when folks are waiting on me to provide information that I must obtain from an unreliable third party, I begin a slow boil.  I have just fired off an angry email to the driver for the volcano excusion (Miguel, the founder of the Amigos School) who has been promising information for over a week now.  Here we are, with less than 36 hours to go, and about all we know is that we are going east.  I am not a happy camper and I let him know it.   That was today’s excitement.   Please see all photos at souvenircuenca.blogspot.com.  Hugs to all.

Saturday August 25, 2012

Saturday August 25/12 update

To bed at 1am after watching a movie with the Boys.   Unfortunately, I was awake at 4am so I just got up and got to work.  I was tasked to make a photo collage as part of a Friday presentation to Municipal officials when we have another meeting scheduled to plan the future of the Amigos English School.  I finally completed the collage about 6 hours later.

The next task was to try to bring up topics for discussion at the above-mentioned meeting.  There is so much we can do but it is vital that we get some outside funding.   It is not fair that Tom and Linda carry the brunt of the expenses.  Most of us have time to volunteer but money is scarce.

I then got the most disappointing email from a Canadian couple that they have Visa problems that must be dealt with on Monday and Tuesday, so they are cancelling out on our volcano excursion.   Bummer.  I hate to give up on this trip so I put an ad in GringoTree to replace them.

I had a quick nap and cleaned up to go do my chores at Joe’s Secret Garden.  Supper tonight was Coq Au Vin (read Chicken stew in wine sauce) and it was really tasty, but the apple tart caramel dessert was the clincher.  There were supposed to be 3 Birthday girls tonight but two of those did not show up, however we found another gal whose Birthday is on Tuesday.  Joe wanted to be sure I got photos of them, so I complied.  The two gals both happened to be eastern Canadians as there was a huge contingent of Canadians on this evening.

I finally met Richard and Sheryle (from Calgary) who live in my dream house on the hill.   Sheryle does cooking classes with her Ecuadorian friend Carmita and Bella has attended their classes.  I have been invited to come and actually see my dream home anytime.

I was discussing the Amigos School with Sheryle who introduced me to Emilie and Melinda who run the Hearts Of Gold foundation.  Apparently they are looking for non-profit charitable organizations to donate to, and apparently they already know Linda Atkisson of our group.  Maybe this could be a good fit??
I had one lady approach me about doing another night photography tour so I guess I will have to do that sometime soon.  

I was sought out by a lady named Regina and her son Barry.   Barry lives not far away and is a computer guru.  Regina is actually going to be moving across the river from us in October in the new houses there and is looking for someone to join her on the bus to Joe’s and to share the taxi back.  No problem.   She also is a bridge player so I set her up with Joe so they can have two tables going tomorrow.   We all had a very pleasant supper together.

GringoTree posted my ad tonight already so I had one bite from a professional photographer from Ona, south of here.   I really don’t want to give up on this trip.

After reviewing my photos tonight, I can’t say that I very happy with them today.   I’ll have to keep an eye on this camera to see if the focus problems continue or if it was just a bad night.

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

Friday Aug 24, 2012

Friday August 24/12 update

Where does the time go?  I get on the computer at 9, and before I know it it is already 12:30 and I have to panic shower and shave to catch the bus to our meeting at Amigos School at 2.   I needn’t have hurried, Chris#2 and Pamela showed up but nobody else did until 2:15.    We all came, except Victoria who begged off sick.

We gathered up tables and chairs and stools, plus the small BBQ grill and the kids all came early, and started piling themselves in orderly fashion in the box of the truck as well.  We were only going about 3 blocks away, as the crow flies, to a park on the Tomebamba for a picnic.   The kids were having a blast.

http://youtu.be/NHJ21g_7oVY

Tom and Linda had made some scoops out of 2-litre bottles and added some tennis balls for the kids to toss and catch with.   They were a hit!   Chris and Bettye supplied snacks to accompany the hotdogs and juice.  Balloons helped occupy the younger ones for a bit too.  We had a 3-legged race that many kids participated in.  The park itself had the usual swings and slides and climbing apparatus so the kids always had something to do.   A couple of the older kids were enjoying the features of my Ectaco translator.

Tom led the hotdog cooking while everyone pitched in for distribution and cleanup.  Several parents and some older teens joined in to help.  It really was a satisfying cooperative effort.   The community people were all in attendance and even one city official stopped by for a while.

Linda found two tomatoes somewhere and stuffed them in the pockets of my hoodie.  Of Course I forgot about them until I stuck my hand in there later and mush…  It colored my sweat pants and everything, and I couldn’t do anything until I got home.

I keep asking myself why I keep doing this, but all it takes is the one smile or hug from that once shy youngster to make it all worthwhile.

When we got the whole crew back to the school, the community President, Patricio, explained to all the kids about the two weeks off while they start regular school again.  The kids seemed disappointed at that but gave us a huge applause of Thank You.  In turn, we thanked the kids for being so well behaved and helpful.

Leaving by Feria Libre again I noted all the child shoeshine boys hanging around today.  Some of them didn’t even look school age yet.

The bus ride home was an adventure.  The bus took all manner of crazy detours to avoid a soccer game happening tonight.  Our fan club failed to notify us so now we have missed yet another one.

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

Thursday August 23, 2012

Thursday August 23/12 update

Today is a day of rest, so I didn’t rest of course.   I caught the #15 to the end of the route in El Valle, south of here, over the mountain.    El Valle is aptly named because it has tremendous views of two valleys and it is so quiet, I just love it up there.

There are many indigenous people in the area and there are many homes without fences, gates or grates.  They feel very safe and secure up there.

I met with a fellow named Mike Pena who has a small house at the top.  He speaks good English and he hires himself out as a cabbie.   He also has a buddy with a pickup if necessary.

I walked all the way home, about 5 miles, and I was glad to reach there.  My legs felt like rubber.

Part of the reason I went up there was to see if the two homes I like up there are still for sale.  The other part was to try to do my videos in HD to see how they would work.   I think that succeeded.

http://youtu.be/-bTvK_A6osU

The furthest home is just a block above the Los Olivas Garden convention center.  While it only has a view of one valley, I like the yard and the quiet of this property.  Its only drawback is the neighbors are a little close in the rear, but I have yet to see them.  Of course I would have to buy an Ecuadorian lawnmower that Bella would have to learn to milk.

The second house is not much farther down the hill and it needs a lot of work yet.  I had a closer look after I took the video and it is much larger than it appears.  Its main drawback is the sports field to the rear.  I have no idea who would use this, but it would be cause for concern. 

Both places have bus stops right near the properties so basic daytime travel would be very easy.   I love our present house, but I could sure use the quiet of El Valle.

I was actually surprised to see a tractor tilling a large garden.  Farm machinery is such a rarity in this country. 

There are a few industries on the lower part of the hill, a couple of concrete block makers, a paving company, some ferreterias, bus repair, a lumber yard, internet cafes, and lots of little tiendas, to name a few.

That huge townhouse complex in lower El Valle appears to be gaining a rec plex of sorts, with lots of steelwork in progress.  It is funny that the #15 bus goes by the lower entrance while the #14, I think it is, ends up at the top side.

I was nearly home when this funeral procession crawled by me with lots of pickups packed with mourners.   That was totally unexpected as I didn’t see any services anywhere on my long walk.

The house on the corner across our street is finally progressing on the interior.  It appeared that an electrician was adding some conduit to the ceilings while other workmen were completing some interior walls..

The boys are really enjoying the returning heat in the lavanderia and the rooftop terrace.  There has been a definite warming trend with the return of steady sunshine, which is most welcome.  In about 5 weeks we wuill have the sun directly overhead.  http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/sunearth.html

I am really impressed with the progress of our lemon and lime trees.  We really have fruit growing, so soon we can make our own juice.

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

Wednesday August 22, 2012

Wednesday August 22/12 update

Good news!   We have 5 of us committed to go see the Tungurahua volcano on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Now I just need Miguel to give us more ideas of itinerary, etc, and we will be sailing.   Miguel’s van will hold 5 passengers very comfortably and 10 uncomfortably.  If someone begs to join us I am sure we can accommodate them.

Where does the time go?    Between feeding cats, cleaning litter, doing laundry, having lunch, checking 5 emails, uploading photos to 3 sites, etc, it is 1:30 before I know it and I have to shower to get to the Amigos English School.   But this wasn’t before I was mopping up a load of water seeping from the water bottle container, on the island top, down the side and all over the floor.  I wasn’t sure if it was cracked or what but I gambled…  I knew there was a fair amount of water in the crock when I tipped in the new bottle so this may have been simple overfilling giving way.    I filled a jug with water and put that in the fridge.   I hoped reducing the amount of water would help, and it must have, because it did not bubble at all as I was draining water.  I then gingerly put a cloth underneath the crock to see if it needed to soak up any more overflows.  Six hours later it seems I was correct and we have no problems.

At the school we were really hoping to build on the tremendous success of Monday but things went south in a hurry.   Chris was away at an appointment, and Chris #2 was too sick to stay today so he and Pamela went back home.   The new bilingual teacher, Victoria, never called or showed up and Miguel stopped by with the news that we were going to be visited by City officials today, then he disappeared too.  Panic stations!!

So Tom, Linda and I, along with a few parents, tried to salvage the day, especially when the city officials came calling.   We were thankful they did not stay long, and thank God for the coloring pages which kept the kids occupied during that time.  The officials left us with 38 notebooks which we will use later.   We can’t let the kids take them home or we will never see the books again.

Plans were made for a trip to a nearby riverside park on Friday.  We will have games and food for the kids.  We can bring friends so we expect about 50 people to be there.

Then the school will take a two-week hiatus while the kids adjust to returning to regular school and we get a needed break to sit back and assess how we will reopen the school.  Honestly, without a proper teacher in attendance it is really tough on the rest of us.   We really like Chris and Victoria so we hope they will stick around.  We also have four others coming from the US over the next few months so hopefully things will work their way out.

The kids smiles, handshakes and hugs make it all worth it.  When the teeniest shy ones flash you a satisfied smile it really makes your day.

Returning home via Feria Libre again I was struck by how the outside parking lot was completely jammed with booths, on a Wednesday, rivaling the space in the huge building.   I took a panorama shot so you can get an idea of the size, and it goes way-y-y-y-y-y back!

From the moving bus I saw that this beautiful house one block south of the Banco Pichincha that had been under renovation is to become a Chinese Restaurant!   That will be very welcomed here because there are only a handful of those and gringos like a little variety.

At a bus stop by the Inca ruins, I saw these two gals laughing at me for taking a photo through the bus window so I took their picture and showed it to them through the glass.   They just laughed some more.

I then stopped at the seamstress’ place to get a connecting strap added to my backpack to stop it from sliding off my shoulders all the time.  She had gotten the exact length of similar strapping and I supplied the clasp.  10 minutes and the job was done.

I had defrosted some tilapia fillets and within 15 minutes I was enjoying a delicious fish supper.

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

Tuesday August 21, 2012

Tuesday August 21/12 update

In one month we will be starting our second summer season.   Bring it on!!!!

Bella sent me a note that CIBC had not cancelled a credit card as requested when I had called in May and now they were trying to charge us the fee again.   It did not take long for me to straighten that mess out.

I slipped downtown to the Book/Movie Exchange at the Windhorse Café.   I saw Garth and Orilla there but they didn’t see me and then they slipped away before we could chat.

On the Escalinata, and on the riverbank, there were so many beautiful artworks on display.  The wire motorcycle was about 9” long and the artist wanted $40 for it.   The artist by the tree, Freddy Peralta, was selling the painting of the blue woman for only $30.

This lady and her daughter were posing for her husband taking shots with his cel phone so I asked if I could take a picture and they easily agreed.  Isn’t that shot just the greatest statement about Ecuadorians and how they love their children??!!

The rivers are exceedingly low so we wouldn’t mind a good rain to replenish them.   We are getting dangerously close to seeing a "River of Rocks" again.

On my way home I stopped at the local video store and picked up 8 more movies.   My time was limited and I tried to keep an eye out for our maid, Rosa, but somehow she got by me and was waiting at the door, early, and ready to start work.

Later I decided to slip out and get some shelving at Rotary Market for our DVD’s  so I promised Rosa I would be back in time.   I couldn’t immediately find what I wanted, but did finally locate a unit somewhat close and usable for our collection of almost 150 in stock now..   I haggled the price down to $40 and was on my way back home.

I made a mess of the newly cleaned floors when I had to make holes in the hardboard backing to allow cords to be run through.  My initial thought was just to use the unit for the DVD’s and put the plant on top but it was way too high for that so I had to move all the electronics into this new unit.   The DVD’s are now housed in the old TV unit which is the right height to support the large plant.   I am glad it worked out.  The stack of DVD’s you see in the big unit are those we have yet to watch.

I got an email from Martha Mays asking if I would consider continuing with the Spanish classes.  Unfortunately I had to respond that I couldn’t.  I am just too darn busy and I have oodles of Spanish material on hand that I need to absorb.

I was watching AlJazeera news while suffering through some filet mignon and they had a brief clip about the Tungurahua eruptions which has been quite active these last 4 days.  Many people had to be evacuated from the vicinity.   I don’t wish anyone any harm but I sure hope there is still activity by the time we get our tour organized, which won’t be before next Tuesday for sure.

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

Monday August 20, 2012

Monday August 20/12 update

I had a good sleep but only the clock was forcing me to rise and shower and do chores, like laundry and the dreaded cat litter.

When I flicked on my computer I was flabbergasted to see 71 Undeliverable Mail emails for something I did not send about 2 hours earlier, something about properties for sale.  I hurriedly sent an email to my whole address book warning folks not to open that particular email (and not one of those came back…).  I am in a quandary how some AOL account in the US (received this info from Gmail later) hacked into my email???   I NEVER give out my password to ANYBODY so this came as quite a shock.   On the advice of two good friends I have now changed my password to something completely new so we should be safe again.

My dear wife bravely visited my Mom yesterday with my sister Leonie and most of the day went well although Mom apparently wanted them to stay much longer which caused a bit of a scene.   Mom wants everything her way and her schedule uninterrupted but has no patience for the schedules of others for others and their families.  It is truly sad and this causes a lot of heartache for Leonie who really busts her hump for Mom in our absence.  We love you Leonie and truly appreciate your efforts.

I am trying to set up a Photography Club here, beginning with some of the fine folks we have already met.   We will have to see how that will unfold as the response so far has been light.

We have an erupting volcano to the North, many miles away and it has always been on my Bucket List to watch one in action.  So I have discussed with Miguel setting up a trip for about 5 of us for 1.5 days with a few side trips in the bargain.   Miguel says he knows a local guide and a hotel for $15 a night.   The following report is only a few hours old.   

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/20/life-idUSRTR36ZNI

Then I got an email enquiry from an overqualified Ecuadorian teacher named Victoria who speaks great English about our Amigos School so I called her right away.   We arranged to meet in an hour near the school, which just gave me time to bus there, drop off my photos to Joseph at Joe’s Secret Garden, and get to the meeting corner.  She drove up in a little white car and, just as I climbed in, Chris came up behind us, so he got in too.

We had a full complement of kids, teachers and parents and community help today.   Chris #2 did a fabulous job with the kids with some practice introductions and replies, even drawing out some of the shiest youngsters.  Chris and I and Victoria busied ourselves preparing foam letters and sorting them so the kids could come up and grab letters for their names and paste them on the wall.  It was so much fun watching them place their letters themselves, especially Santiago who had to bend his name around the pole.   Linda again kept them occupied fully during the second part of class with the coloring pages which the kids dearly love.  Even the mischievous boys were behaving today and the class easily ran over an extra ½ hour but nobody minded because they were all having fun.  This is the way we envisioned the classes would go and today was just ideal.   I just wanted to kiss and hug every kid there.

Chris #2 and Pamela were very comfortable in front of the class and Victoria was an incredible asset because of her fluency in both languages.  I believe she was a hit with everyone, even offering to Miguel that she would like to work with teenagers at a later point if our little schoolhouse ever evolves in that direction.  Finally we feel that everything is falling into place.   The Community President, Patricio, says we can expect to see some donated desks on Wednesday.   I mentioned to Miguel that we need to seek donations of computers and free Internet to really make our jobs easier as there are so many visual resources on the Net.  He said the Kookaburra Café is looking to donate us one or more computers!   I suggested that maybe he talk to the Judge Juanito to see if he can get Etapa to donate some free high speed Internet….  Then we would really be cooking!!

As usual I walk by the edge of the Feria Libre market to catch a bus home and past the live animals for sale.  How these animals don’t just take off is beyond me, since most are not tethered in any way.

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

Sunday August 19, 2012

Sunday August 19/12 update

I let the boys in the room last night and that was a mistake of course, so I was up early and did the chores and washed my bedding before heading out.

Then I caught the #16 over to Parque Paraiso for a children’s festival centered around kite flying.   There were many kids helped by parents trying their hand at it with plastic kites or homemade kites from newspapers.  At times it was quite windy which created havoc with large signs and even an air-filled amusement slide overturned.   Luckily it did not appear that any children were hurt.  They just deflated it quickly and set it up again later.

Almost immediately I came upon some new white faces from Wisonsin/Arizona that have only been here for four days.   They said they have so far been rescued by Canadians at every turn and are very grateful.   We spent quite a bit of time together as I explained many things and gave them my card with my cuencaresidency blog on it.  They are pretty adventurous so I helped them catch the #16 back to Solano.   They only live a few blocks west in the Otorongo area but they also wanted to go to the big Mercado on Calle Larga.   I am pretty sure his name was Walt.   They will probably do 6 months here and 6 months in Arizona each year.

I was also hoping either my language buddy Juan (Gilligan) or some of my photographer friends would join me at 1pm but nobody showed.   While waiting near the bridge I met 4 more gringos from Hawaii and Colorado.

I had a large piece of fried chicken with a few fries for $1.50 then started to head home following the Yanuncay and Tomebamba rivers.  Since this is Sunday there are always families out playing sports or having picnics.  At this one futbol game this family had a baby Chihuahua that was so darn cute, and it didn’t yap at all!!  I wanted to grab it and hide it in my backpack.

I broke down and stopped at a video store that I had seen on my nightly walks and bought 4 more videos for $5.  I am sure the boys will enjoy Forrest Gump.

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

Saturday August 18, 2012

Saturday August 18/12 update

Last night I took another walk and ended up watching some local soccer and volleyball.  Then the boys and I watched The Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes with James Franco which was amazingly good.  I don’t know why they put such a tacky title on such a fine movie because it was not at all like the old Ape movies.  Then I had the best sleep in months!

I slept in and did my chores today and then had a nice nap in Bella’s recliner.   It makes me realize how much I miss my old recliner that was donated to me by Tom and Betty.

I fed the boys then caught the #50 to the Rotary Market area.   I wanted to pick up 3 more folding hair brushes for $1 each and I picked up a cheap but complete manicure set for another 50c.

Then I hopped the next #50 over to Joe’s Secret Garden for their Shrimp Scampi supper which was absolutely delicious!   There were many nice people there including 3 more Canadian couples.

One of the patrons asked if she could follow me around and pass out postcards of an apartment they have for rent on the coast.  I saw no harm in that so I said OK.  I didn’t realize she was doing a major sales pitch that apparently some folks didn’t appreciate with their leisurely supper.   When I found out that complaints had been made to Joseph I had to apologize to both Joseph and the lady for my error in judgment. 

Other than that the evening was awesome and Joe regaled us with some more tunes on his Baby Grand.

I caught a cab home and this cabbie had spent 10 years as a cook in the Hamptons in New York so he spoke pretty good English.

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

Friday August 17, 2012

Friday August 17/12 update

To bed at 2am, awake at 5, and up by 6 as the mind is just whirling with ideas.

I managed to finish a small name sign for the new Amigos English School and proceeded to check out more children’s songs.  I did not download any more as I emailed Chris about the many free ones apparently available on iTunes, of which I know nothing.  He at least has an iPod.

As a hedge, I did save my kids tunes to a memory stick and fired up our old laptop.  Unfortunately the sound on my laptop is really awful, even full blast, so I hooked it up to my computer speakers for a drastic improvement.   Then I had to slip out to Coral to pick up another set of these small speakers for $6.62.

One really good thing this morning was that I finally got a response to our GringoTree ad from a visiting US couple who are willing to come out today to see the kids.   Welcome Chris (#2) and Pamela!    I filled up my laptop backpack and headed out to meet them a few blocks from the school.  They are really a nice couple.

We had a full complement of people today, including Miguel.   Linda had made lovely nametags for everyone and then she started the afternoon off with an alphabet race game.  The original idea was to suck on a straw to pick up a piece of paper with a letter on it, then transfer that to a table across the room to spell a person’s name.   The straws were too long so Miguel came up with a participation scheme where they had to hold the paper letter between their foreheads and bring it across the room.   We pitted the boys against the girls and the girls came from behind to win 14-12.  They were really enjoying this!

Then it was my turn to find a working power outlet to power the new speakers hooked up to the old laptop.  We ended up using Chris’ speakers as they seemed to put out more sound.   We played the ABC song, Row Row Row your boat, Day-O, Michael Row your boat ashore, Mary had a little lamb, etc.  On the rowing songs I was making the rowing motions, but we don’t think the kids knew that.   We are pretty sure they just thought I was a nerd dancing and they were just howling.   Then when we got the Chicken Dance running they joined in enthusiastically.   I was leading that one and ugh, I just hate that song.

The good thing is that we did not scare off the new couple, as the new Chris has been teaching in California.and he is willing to help us plan our way forward.    Onward and upward….

Feria Libre was quite busy again today.   While waiting for the bus a couple of policemen started giving heck to two buses that didn’t pull into the bus drop-off lane.  It’s about time they start helping out with the bad traffic manners in this town.

When I finally got home by bus I was amazed at the number of people on the walkways and soon discovered the reason.   It appears the police and military took down 3 miscreants across the road and the crooks were huddled in the box of a pickup, trying to hide their identities.   We watched as a policeman crawled under 2 vehicles in the alley to check their undercarriages.  The drama is still ongoing 4 hours later..

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

Tuesday-Wednesday August 14-15, 2012

Tuesday August 14/12 update

I repeated my successful night tricks with locking the cats out and having the humidifier run continuously and was rewarded with another decent sleep.  This is a catch-up day for a few things so I was forced to get up much earlier than my body wanted.   I really could have slept in another couple of hours.

First I bused downtown to Parque De La Madre and ran up the escalinata to the Windhorse Café.  Today is book and movie exchange day and I had 3 movies to exchange.   I found this brand new art store that seemed to have a flamingo theme with some beautiful sculptures.  This place is right next to the Sabor Latino.

Then I caught the #3 back to Coral at Monay Mall and did my grocery shopping for the week.  I had gotten mostly meat last week so today I was trying to get veggies, juice, and peripherals for around $40 but ended up spending $50.   At least I know I won’t starve for about 3 weeks.

I ended up going out for a short walk tonight and I hope to make that a habit.   There was a volleyball game and a dancercise class going on next to Raoul’s place.  There sure was lots happening in the area for 9:30 on a Tuesday night.

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

  

Wednesday August 15/12 update

I didn’t lock the boys out last night and paid the price so I spent most of the morning trying to catch up on sleep. 

I made it over to Bettye and Chris’ apartment  and saw the beautiful job they did on their living room wall with the mirror boxes.   I am envious of all the room they have.

Then we headed over to our newly dubbed “Amigos English School” and were soon joined by Linda and Tom.  This time there was nobody from Miguel’s family in evidence all day.  Chris did a great job explaining “time” using the white board.  Then Linda kept them occupied with more alphabetical coloring pages which they really seem to enjoy.  The kids were then treated to ice cream bars by Tom as part of their weekly treat program.

Upon leaving, we discussed the possibility of posting an ad for a volunteer teacher(s) and see what happens.   We certainly could use some professional guidance as the kids are getting accustomed to us and are getting bored more easily.   I just posted it a few moments ago to GringoTree so we will see what results we can get.  

There was a police band playing at the front of the Feria Libre market and the people seemed really amused by that, I have no idea why…  maybe it was the drunk dancer…   It was really bust today so it must be fresh meat and fish day.  I bought a pailful of baby potatoes for $1 which should last me for several meals.

I tried to get a shot through a tiny window on the moving bus of the construction progress at the Parque de La Madre which has been closed off for months now.  It appears they have a sizeable hole dug for the proposed underground parking garage.  

I stopped at Coral in Monay Mall on the way home to grab a few blank CD’s and DVD’s, along with a large CD holder.  Since I have been downloading music for people, and doing photo gifts, my stock had run very low.

That meant I got home late but I still did not feel like eating out.  I have so much good food at home, and yes, I really can cook!  You can see my tasty chicken breast supper with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables (McCain’s from Canada no less) in a photo on the following blog.

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

Sunday-Monday August 12-13, 2012

Sunday August 12/12 update

I was up very early again, and got to work on saving the photos and movie of Gabriela’s Grad Party onto a DVD which I will deliver later, maybe Monday.     Next I tackled the photos of the night before for Joe’s which were posted on yesterday’s blogs.   I keep operating in these 2 to 4 hour increments of sleep, work, sleep, work.   I am going to miss being able to doze to the sounds of the Olympics.

Then I tackled downloading many Motown songs for a friend and ended up with 145 of them. 

I seem to be making any excuse to stay housebound and I must break out of the doldrums.   A good sunny day would help.   I do have a few things to attend to tomorrow so I am hoping for a good night’s sleep.  

The humidifier we bought doesn’t seem to be much help at all.  It reaches the maximum humidity very quickly and shuts off the fan, and I seem just as stuffed up as before….

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.

Monday August 13/12 update

I think I have figured out the humidifier…  If I only touch the fan button, and not the humidity setting, then it seems to keep running…   So I actually got 4 ½ hours of straight sleep after I locked the cats out of the room.  Then I was up at 5am and got some more work done.  I laid down again with the boys from 9:30 to 11:30 before I headed out.

First stop was to get my phone recharged and also my bus pass, the two essentials to operating in this city.  Raoul was having lunch in his truck outside so we chatted briefly.

Next I stopped at Coopera Credit Union to do the week’s banking before heading over to Jorge Beltran’s.  Only the maid was home so I left my gift of the DVD with the photos and the movie of Gabriela’s Grad celebration.

From there I caught the #16 to the west end and stopped in at Joe’s Secret Garden.  Joseph was apparently in the shower so I left the memory stick with Saturday’s photos with Joe.

Next I stopped in at Chris and Bettye’s lovely apartment.  Last week they installed this lovely metal+wood iguana on their kitchen wall and it is really impressive.  Today Bettye was having some workers install some lovely wooden boxes with inlaid mirrors in the living room.  Once the measurements were agreed upon they were very good at lining them up.  I was very surprised they were only using concrete nails to support these 19” boxes instead of screws and anchors but the first two rows of 3 were put up very quickly.   As I watched the one fellow put in one of the top row nails I mentioned to Chris that he didn’t seem to pound it in very far.  Unfortunately my perception was accurate as the upper box bent the nail down upon installation, crashing down on the lower two, knocking them off as well.  I just wish I hadn’t been right but luckily nothing was broken and they continued to reset everything as Chris and I left.

Upon arrival at our English School today we noted Miguel was not around and Linda wasn’t there either but she came in later.  It was nice to see tables and chairs for the kids provided by the neighborhood folks.  The kids started coming in and grabbing their name tags and settling in.  Chris is becoming a good schoolteacher and is very proficient at drawing things on the whiteboard.   We had the kids learn some of the items in a home then Linda had arranged some alphabetized coloring materials for the kids which help keep their concentration.   It is really very effective.

Linda says she has heard from some of her affluent friends, former teachers, who are offering to send money and supplies.  So far we are doing not too bad though with everyone’s help.

During our first class a week ago I was helping the kids with the pronunciation of the letter H, which is silent in the Spanish language.  I was really overemphasizing the H in the word “Hello” so they would catch on.   Well they have caught on too well because it is now a running joke whenever I am around with the kids saying it strongly so I will respond.  You can hear them doing this in the middle of the video:

http://youtu.be/LFi2cSXlzyM

The kids are really well behaved and their personalities are starting to emerge, especially the shy girls.  We are really amazed how well they pronounce things.  Kids are such sponges for knowledge.  Also heartwarming is to watch the older siblings freely helping their younger brothers and sisters.  Who can refuse those little dark eyes?   Gotta love the Cuancanos.

I headed over to Feria Libre to catch the bus but stopped in this clothing store on a whim.  I really love the two pairs of track pants that I have, mainly because they don’t attract the cat hair, so I was looking to get a few more.  This lady had 3 nice pairs which I negotiated for $20 total.  They are as good as anything I would get at home, even if they are knockoffs.

The street life is always interesting, like the lady asleep in front a shop, to the group of guys playing cards.

It was too early to go to Big Kabuda’s for a great burger so I opted for 2 cheap neighborhood burgers, fries and a Sprite for $2.50.   There is a dance studio upstairs that Bella and I will have to check out some day.

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

Saturday August 11, 2012

Saturday August 11/12 update

I was up very early again, and got to work on the videos and photos of the night before which were posted on yesterday’s blogs.   It seems I living in 2 to 4 hour increments of sleep, work, sleep, work.   There is certainly no point in tossing and turning when there are productive things to be done.

I also printed a couple of photographs from our Yunguilla trip last weekend that Chris wanted,

A decent and filling lunch was required today because we know supper is always late at Joe’s Secret Garden where I am photographing the patrons again tonight.

I don’t know where the day went as I kept dozing off trying to rid myself of a nagging headache. 

In the late afternoon I got cleaned up and then slipped up to Chris & Bettye’s apartment to deliver the pictures I had printed and also to drop off the “Spanish Now” manual for Chris.   I wanted him to see if there is anything productive in there that we could use for the children’s school English classes because I am skeptical.

Brad and Cindy came by and we all made our way over to Joe’s for their wonderful Southern Fried Chicken dinner, followed by a delicious apple-peach cobbler.

It is so nice that everyone cooperates so well for the photographs.  I got buttonholed by a couple of people over the “domestic help” benefits and tax issues.  I passed out a few cards so they would have the cuencaresidency.blogspot.com address where all the details are in writing.

Joe and Joseph had lots of new workers today and it was impressive that they were lined up to greet all the patrons as they arrived.  Then they were very efficient with the service, correcting a lot of past mistakes by making sure that all the dinner items arrived at the same time.   All in all, it was again a very good night with great food and interesting company.  Joe played a few tunes on the baby grand and a couple entertained us with their dancing.

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

Thursday-Friday August 9-10, 2012

Thursday August 9/12 update

No news.  Hung around today and prepared for the graduation ceremony for tomorrow.  I admit to being nervous about going.   I may be the only white face in the crowd.

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.

Friday August 10/12 update

Today is a national holiday in Ecuador so most things are closed.  I have been trying to find out about any celebrations today but so far have been unsuccessful.

I spent all day finishing preparations for the grad ceremony and watching the Olympics. 

I called Jorge Beltran (the fellow that built our home) to ask if I could stop by to drop off the gift for his daughter around 8pm and he said to come sooner than that.  Their home is only about a mile away so I decided to walk.   I arrived there about 7:40 and they were still doing their final preparations so I waited.   I was going to continue to walk to the hall, about another mile, but they insisted that I wait and go with them.

Jorge and son Matteo were loading up the SUV and pickup with all sorts of supplies and many cases of liquor.  That was when I found out that this celebration wasn’t for a bunch of graduates, but that it was just a private party for Gabriela alone.

Jorge and Matteo went off in the pickup to buy more snacks while I went with Martha and Gabriela in the SUV.  The hall was beautifully decorated in white and pink and the caterers and DJ were all in place.  I was immediately taken to Table #1 to be seated with the family, specifically Martha’s brother that has just come from the USA and speaks good English.  That was a good surprise. 

I managed to get individual shots of their family before guests began arriving but never managed to get shots all of them as a group except at the beginning of the following video of the evening,

http://youtu.be/7WjYGIbS_-k

I finally got to meet Jorge’s eldest son and family, including the two grandsons.  Jorge and Martha were just so proud and happy to have everyone here.   They were so nervous and worried that the crowd was late in arriving but Martha’s brother reminded them that “Ecuador time” dictates a fashionably late arrival.  There were folks coming in as late as 10:30, well after the speeches and lunch were done.   I noted nobody was bringing gifts and wondered if I had missed a donation drop-off for the tiny envelope that was included in the invitation.

As suspected, I was the only white face in this crowd and was suitably proud that I had been considered enough of a friend to have been included, and to be seated prominently with the family.

The family speeches were emotional and heartfelt with the pride of Jorge and Martha clearly showing, and the humbleness and gratitude of Gabriela pouring forth as she struggled not to cry.

I was thoroughly impressed with the DJ once the music started as he had a ton of lovely instrumental music.  Martha’s brother’s oldest son was reluctant to dance at first, but when he got up he sure put on a hip-shaking show.  The music was mostly in the form of long 15-minute tracks of frenetic music and yet the tables were virtually empty and the dance floor was packed.   It was a good thing that they had anticipated this and allowed for a huge dance floor.  The Latinos love to party, and party they did!!   I am certain they would be continuing until daylight.

I quietly slipped out about 12:45 and collapsed in bed upon arrival.   I awoke about 3 hours later and began downloading the videos and photos, then catnapped another two hours while that process unfolded.  Then I began the YouTube upload and catnapped another two hours for that long process.

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

Wednesday August 8, 2012

Wednesday August 8/12 update

I have been so busy with photos, English school, and trying to organize a midnight tour to see the Perseid Meteor shower that I hope I don't forget about the Graduation Friday.   I finally found a lint roller at Coral because my pants were so disgusting with cat hair and lint.

I haven't heard from JD's in over 2 weeks and they have not responded to emails about the Perseid night excursion so I will be going with Miguel's brother as driver along with 3 other photogs.  I am just awaiting firm details from Miguel.    I can’t figure out how JD’s expects to gain a good reputation when they ignore good customers…  It just boggles my mind.

I took pictures at Joe's Secret Garden today in the sunshine and they are all portrait quality, they are that good!   There weren't very many people for burgers, maybe 20, but that made it even more relaxed and cozy.   

Linda Peddecord, Tom's wife, who helps us with the English class sent me a few photos from Monday and today.   See the attached.   I love the one where I am trying to look shocked at the kids to get a laugh.    It worked.

We presented the collage of the kids who attended the very first class and that will be installed on the wall of the “school”, hopefully before Friday’s class.

The boys are coping well with Bella’s absence so far as I am the only one they can cling to, so they spend most of their time on my bed now.

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

Would you learn anything from this man?

Chris, Al & Miguel leading the class on Monday

Presenting the Collage of the first class ever

Tuesday August 7, 2012

Tuesday August 7/12 update

The boys woke me up this morning so I decided I had better get cracking.   Yesterday Miguel had said he wanted a collage of all the kids at the first day, with their names, so they could put it on a wall in the classroom.  I hurriedly made up a center “banner” to go with 30 photos of the opening day of English school and saved it all to a memory stick.  With this in my pocket I headed downtown to arrive shortly after 9am at the Fuji store that did my last enlargement so well and reasonably.  I was sent upstairs to see this tiny gal who took only ½ hour to whip a collage that looks great, 40cm by 50cm.  This gal sure knew her way around PhotoShop!!   I then got it framed right there for $20.50 total.

I then dragged that with me to Kiwi, by the airport, to see if that salesman truly did get me a new humidifier for the same price or not.   I figured I had about a 10% shot of coming home with a new one, but surprise, surprise, they had it there for me!!!   And, it works really well!!!   Hey, I was two for two on the day already.

I managed to get home an hour before Rosa showed up to clean house.   Rosa had no idea that she had a namesake running the marathon for Ecuador in the Olympics….   How could she not know??   I showed her the information on the computer.   Her namesake, Rosa Chacha came in 83^rd,.and she is from Ambato, Ecuador.    She couldn’t believe it that nobody had mentioned it to her.

I left Rosa to work while I dug up my November receipt for the cheap office chair that broke on me last week.  It snapped a leg off so I had to shoot it.   I hauled its carcass to Gran Aki to see if there was any warranty on it.  My day had been going pretty good so far so I was hopeful, but no soap this time.   I had to cough up another $42 for another chair, which when discounted was still more than I paid for the original.  I thought of upgrading for ½ second until I saw that the other chair had exactly the same undercarriage.

So I hauled both chairs home (I’ll find a use for the old one), dumped them off and continued to Coopera to do some grocery shopping.   I loaded up Bella’s rolling basket to the brim with beans and veggies, filet mignon, pork tenderloin and sausages.  The total there was $38.19.  Now I am almost broke again.

I have heard from my honey again that she has made it safe, but tired, to her mother’s place in Victoria.

Tonight I try cooking Ecuadorian sausage.   Bella doesn’t care for sausages so it will be an adventure for me.

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

Collage for the new school celebrating the opening day

Monday August 6, 2012

Monday August 6/12 update

If you will recall, in my blog of August 3, I mentioned that Miguel Arias was wanting to set up an English class for the neighborhood kids.  Today was the “grand opening” and I was so afraid I was going to miss it with my queasiness, but by noon it had subsided so I thought I would take the chance.

I had to go by Coopera for some cash and their systems were down so I waited over ½ an hour to make a small withdrawal.  I honestly think the loans officer OK’d it under his signature because the systems were not running but they gave me my allowance anyway.

I caught the #16 to near Feria Libre and walked to Joe’s Secret Garden to drop off my memory stick with Saturday’s photos.  Then I went one more block over to Chris and Bettye’s where I chanced having some peanut butter and crackers, with no ill effects.   Bettye even made me a few to take with me (that was my supper too).   They are such good friends.

So Chris and I wandered across the river to Miguel’s parents’ place to see what progress was being made with the “classroom”.   Initially there were only about 5 plastic chairs but, as Miguel left to get Linda and Tom, other neighborhood fellows began arriving with a whiteboard, more chairs, and a couple of tables.    I kept the kids occupied by taking their individual photos.  Linda and Tom were supplying hot dogs and treats for this inaugural class so we didn’t know what to expect.  The wieners were uncooked so again the neighborhood brigade sprang into action, getting a small tabletop BBQ and running to get some coal.  It did not take long to get that heated up.   The whiteboard was hung on the wall and we were ready for business!   Miguel took Tom off to a dentist appointment so he was missing the inaugural event.

We ended up with 20 kids attending, so everyone had a hotdog or two, some pop and a treat.  Linda did a great job doing this for the kids, and with the help of the local ladies, it really went off without a hitch.

We had decided earlier that our approach for the first class would be just the simple introductory sentences.  Chris took the initiative and started with phrases like, Good morning, Hello, My name is, What is your name, How old are you, I am __ years old, etc.   We were blown away with how quick these kids caught these and how well they pronounced things.  You have to understand that their alphabet pronunciations are way different than English, like the H is silent, and a G is pronounced like an H.  They also have no grounding for things like a TH sound either, so teaching English is a challenge.   Then we started with the numbers 1 to 5, and the little buggers pulled a fast one and kept counting to 10!!  Gotta love the Cuencanos!   Even the adults, even as old as Miguel’s Dad, were participating and learning.

I had tried to get my Spanish teacher to help but she was leaving town, etc so Chris will try to contact his Spanish teacher for ideas, or referrals.  While we are all well-meaning, and this is a new experience, none of us are teachers, nor do we have any curriculum or any idea where to go with this.   With a varied age group of about 3 to 11 so far, it is like having the little red schoolhouse and trying to cope with several grade levels.  This made me think of the “To Sir With Love” line about “taking us from crayons to perfume”.  I just know we need some good direction to follow up on our good first day.

Miguel has indicated he now wants to run it Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Chris and Linda felt that a one hour class is long enough to keep their attention.   I am going to defer to them on most issues because I am uncertain how much time I am able to devote.   As it is I have to miss Wednesday because of my commitment to Joe’s Secret Garden who has an afternoon BBQ.   Bear with me a while to get the photos up on the other blog.

One of the other pictures is a group washing clothes in the Tomebamba.   Note that the person in the lower center, with the pink shirt and hat, is really Michael Jackson, alive and well in Cuenca.

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

Saturday-Sunday August 4-5, 2012

Saturday August 4/12 update

We were up very early to catch a bus to join Chris, Bettye, Tom and Miguel for an excursion to the Yunguilla Valley.   Miguel and Chris had been invited to bring guests out to visit Judge Juan Gonzales and his lovely wife Nora for a tour of their farm and an almuerzo (lunch).  This valley is about 2,000 feet lower than Cuenca and very warm.  The farm is also in the shadow of an area of legend, where a meteorite has buried itself in a mountaintop.  We originally thought that a pointy peak was the meteorite itself, but it wasn’t until we were leaving, and could see the whole mountaintop, that it appeared the meteorite is really the whole center of the mountaintop, with two small mirror-image peaks at either end.  Now it makes more sense to us.

The Judge, affectionately called Juanito everywhere in Cuenca, is 77 years old and still working as the head judge in Cuenca, and this family farm is their weekend refuge.

With Miguel doing a lot of interpreting we had some great discussions about families and the local history, on which the Judge is an authority.  We quickly fell in love with this couple for their self-deprecating humor and easy style.   I told Juanito as we were leaving how much he reminded me of my wonderful father.

Their land is part of a family heritage of 360 acres nested high in the valley with rivers on either side.  They have ingenious irrigation systems, and even a fountain, fed by gravity alone.  They have multiple fruit trees, chickens, ducks, geese, cattle horses, and even peacocks.   Juan enjoyed taking a few photographs with my camera, that is why you will see some rare shots of myself.

We had an awesome day there with these wonderful people and they put out this huge lunch and the plates of food just kept on coming.  Comments were reinforced many times by Miguel that emptying your plate is considered good form.  As a result, I overate, got too much sun, so I have been queasy since leaving there.   Somehow Bella was the only one to suffer multiple insect bites.

The ride back was uncomfortable as Chris and I napped in the back.   I was just praying that I wasn’t going to upchuck all over Miguel’s van because he only had pop-out windows in the rear of his Hyundai van.  BTW, can you tell that I took the shot of me napping??

We made it back to Chis and Bettye’s where everyone freshened up to attend a lamb or beef rib supper at Joe’s Secret Garden.  If I hadn’t been contracted to take their photos this night I would have just gone home.  I felt so bloated and uncomfortable the whole time that all I could eat were some raw veggies and dip, and I shouldn’t have eaten even that.  Everyone else enjoyed their meals but I was so happy to get home and get comfortable in my own bed.

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

Sunday August 5/12 update

Today is a day I have not being looking forward to as my honey heads home to Canada for a whole 3 months.  I know I can look after myself and the boys but I do admit to feelings of panic, especially today.   I took her to the corner to catch a cab to the airport and barely made it home in time as my sickness manifested itself quickly and with little warning.

I was supposed to join Toronto photographer Glenn Specht on a walking tour of the city this morning to photograph old buildings but my overnight rumblings made me realize that that would have been a disaster unless there was a bathroom within 10 yards at all times.  I emailed him to cancel at 7:30 am and he was most gracious about my late cancellation having “been there, done that”.  The morning has since proven that my decision was the right one.

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.

Friday August 3, 2012

Friday August 3/12 update

Bella was off to try to meet with Juan at the Coopera Credit Union but he was off today so she missed him.  We had found out they will be at the Monay Mall  tomorrow and it became our plan to meet with him then.   Then Bella was off to play bridge in the west end in a gorgeous penthouse condo that faces northwest towards the Cajas.

It was such a beautiful sunny day I opted for shorts and a light top and headed downtown to meet Chris.  While waiting I got quite a few shots in the area of Parque Calderon.  There is a Provincial Azuay Government office on the corner of the Parque and I had read they were showing an exhibition of some artist’s “Anonymous” works.  From the second floor balcony I took a few more shots.

Then we wandered around and I showed Chris the new location for the California Kitchen.   George and Carol say they are completely booked for their Grand Opening tonight.   The new premises is stunning.

We had a quick lunch then slid down the hill to catch the #16 to check out a large hardware store near the Totems.  I did not find my humidifier but Chris did find the type of surge-protected power bars he was after.  We then had a quick thundershower which cooled things off quite a bit.

We caught a cab to near Chris’ apartment where we walked through the new underpass on Avenida Las Americas which should be opened in a couple of weeks.  It has some very impressive murals hand painted at the entrance and exits.  Once we got to Chris’ apartment he was kind enough to loan me a warm vest and some track pants.  I offered to buy them but he won’t sell them to me.   Maybe I will just keep forgetting to return them??

The purpose of our meeting today was to meet Chris’ usual Ecuadorian driver, Miguel, and another couple, and go to Miguel’s parent’s home near Feria Libre.  Miguel and his folks are looking to set up a classroom for neighborhood children and poor kids of parents working at Feria Libre.  They have a large empty room that they intend to furnish as needed and our involvement is to do the English interaction and instruction.  I have volunteered to bring in copies of the first chapter of our “Spanish Now” book as a starting point.  Miguel can seer that we will probably have to have 3 different age groups.   We set a time of 3pm on Monday for our first “class”.  When I asked him how many children to expect, he just said “30”.  I must admit this is much more daunting a task than I had envisioned.  It is daring and ambitious and I honestly don’t think I am going to be much use except as support staff.  I tend to look for any negative aspects so we can counteract them.  It will be interesting to see who takes charge on Monday but I think I have a pretty good idea already.

The kids loved to be on camera, and here is a video of the group we met today: http://youtu.be/N2D2LXUrYRA

From there we went back to pick of Bella and Bettye and Miguel drove us the Mangiore Restaurant near San Sebastian.  We all had a very delicious meal while we discussed the events for tomorrow.  Chris and Bettye and the other couple are joining Miguel for a trip to “The Judge’s” hacienda in the Jubones Desert area for lunch tomorrow, departing at 9am.  Bettye begged us to come along and I deferred to Bella for that decision because it is her last full day here, and we are booked for Joe’s Secret Garden for tomorrow night.  She agreed to go, deciding she would have to do her packing tonight instead of Saturday. 

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

Thursday August 2, 2012

Thursday August 2/12 update

We went to Joe’s Secret Garden for supper last night, where I am working for my supper by taking their photos for them.   The menu included Piri-Piri Chicken which everyone was enjoying immensely.  We met with Chris and Bettye and had a very enjoyable evening.  Maybe it was the rum punch I had, but I am certain I heard Bettye offer to feed me 6 days a week while Bella is away.  Oh and I think Chris was going to look after the cats too.  I’ll have it “made in the shade”.  After the meal, Bella was treated to Joe on the piano, with the entire crowd joining in to sing a belated Happy Birthday.   Joe had to tack on a little of “The Old Grey Mare Ain’t What She Used To Be” on the end.

And what a glorious sunny day we have today, made for walking….

Today Bella is off to the weaving store to knit and crochet for charity, and then she is back at Joe’s to play bridge.  All the people in Cuenca are sure going to miss Bella’s presence here as she has already made so many contributions to their well-being.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to grandson TYSON, who is 10 today!  We wish you many more, young man!

I went off this morning east of here, and passed this huge construction project beyong the townhouses behind our nearest Hospital IESS.  It appears to be 3 huge apartment complexes going up so that means a lot more people to tax our bus service.   I was headed to the Hospital Del Rio, to visit one of my Spanish class compatriots, Ray Holt, who had his 4^th hernia operation yesterday.  The doctor was just checking on him again when I arrived and Ray looked, and felt, fantastic.   Ray joked that maybe the pain medication was doing such a great job but he seemed totally normal to me.   He raved about the medical and dental service he has received in this country, everything absolutely first rate, including this new hospital he was in.   He was very interested to hear about the Assisted-Living place I had visited yesterday so he will review my blog when he gets out.

Following that I headed to El Centro to retrieve our gift for Gabriela Beltran’s graduation from medical school.  They were in the process of finishing it up and I was positively thrilled with the result.   That gringo that I met there yesterday said the mirror he had bought was too big to fit in the taxi, so the owner took it in his own vehicle, came in, and installed the mirror and refused to take any cash for the effort!   I will definitely be recommending this no-name place.   They are on Juan Jamarillo, just west of Borrero.

Bella had given me permission to buy a humidifier so I bused over to Kiwi again, grabbed a salesman and showed him the two identical units on display.  I told him to find me a new one in a box, because these two specimens look like they have been on that shelf for at least two years, completely dusty and grimy, simply gross.  Of course it took him 20 minutes to come back to tell me these were the only two in stock.  So I asked him to check with management to allow about a 15% discount.  After 10 minutes he came back and said they were already discounted…  But then he said they would get me a new one by Monday at the same price.   I can see this as becoming an ongoing saga.

I saw a Papeleria so I went in and got some more glue, mounting tape and crepe paper for $3.73.

Then I cabbed home with a fellow who had spent five years in New Jersey as a jeweler so he understood English pretty well and we tried a new route home via the autopista which had little traffic, no stops, and was very fast.

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

Wednesday August 1, 2012 Anos Dorados

Wednesday August 1/12 update

Catherine and Dwayne were selling their place next door in Okotoks.  Apparently they are going into an Okotoks condo.  I finally found it on MLS at

http://www.realtor.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?&PropertyId=12021937&PidKey=1069414688

They are selling for $489,900.   That could be good for us if they sell it for close to that!

Today was the last Spanish class but I had to skip it.   Bella was occupied at Coopera Credit Union at Feria Libre this morning so I took it upon myself to check out a new assisted-living facility in northwest El Centro.  It is called Anos Dorados, (the Golden Years) and the Administrator is a Spanish lady named James Larrea.  I really wanted to check out this place because I had met a lady who lives in the neighbourhood next to ours and whose husband is a resident here.  He has been here for 2 months now and they are very pleased with everything.  Basically you can get rooms, all with private baths, from a single @ $879/mo, up to sharing a large suite @ $1000 each, including the tax.  This includes all meals, laundry, outings, and basic medical supervision.  The only odd room was the exercise room which looked more like a ballet studio with bars along 3 walls and mirrors on the fourth.   For the money, it was quite a neat place.

Near there was a church I don’t recall photographing directly before.  I had seen the spire from different vantage points previously but had never pinpointed the location.  There was a service going on inside.

I decided to walk by the framing shop on the off chance that my gift would be ready, but no, it will be ready tomorrow.

Then I walked by a couple of flower shops to get some prices on wrist flowers and continued on to San Blas.  I stopped in at the cheap eatery and had a hamburger deluxe with ham and a huge slab of cheese, and fries for the princely sum of $1.50.

I have to work on all 3 blogs quickly and try to catch a nap before we head to Joe’s Secret Garden for supper tonight, where I am working for my supper by taking their photos for them.   I'm not bragging but I can see why Joseph loves my photos compared to those he gets from elsewhere which are all fuzzy and dark.

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

Tuesday July 31, 2012

Tuesday July 31/12 update

This is the anniversary of the Black Friday tornado in Edmonton.  One of my Edmonton contacts says the weather is almost a repeat this morning, so let's hope nothing comes of it.   Unless I am mistaken, this should be the 25th anniversary, and yet I can remember the events of that whole weekend so very clearly.
I am updating this with a photo just received from cousin Hector in Lloydminster that he says was taken about 9:30 last night.

July 30/12 9:30pm Lloydminster, AB

Bella is off to the Book Exchange then she is playing bridge this afternoon.

I went off by bus to Juan ElJuri, Kiwi and Mega Hierro near the airport to check out if anybody had wickless humidifiers.  Kiwi was the only one with humidifiers, with wicks, for $44.  The problem is getting proper replacement wicks later.  I think we may have to settle for those and make our own wicks out of sponge or something later.

Then I caught the bus back downtown and went into Papeleria Monsalves to get some cardstock heavy paper and to get some ink for that glutton HP printer.  At least she gave me a very good discount without too much prompting on my part.

I was walking past the new location for the California Kitchen (5-65 Luis Cordero) and I could see some workmen so I stopped in.  The new place is on the second floor and it is just gorgeous with the wood floors and all, plus they have a lot more room.  They have nice new bathrooms, but I thought the kitchen was awfully tiny and pretty warm even though there was no cooking happening!  

Next I stopped in to Sabor Latino for lunch.   I was all alone in there until I was joined at another table by an Ecuadorian Spanish teacher named Mariana and her Colombian girlfriend.  Then two Americans and a Brit came in too, so we had a real United Nations going on there.

When I got to the corner near the Windhorse Café I ran into James from JD’s with his whole family.  He says they have been super busy and John is finally back, so we will get together soon to plan another photo excursion.

Next stop was at Coral to get a large gift bag for Gabriela’s grad present and I also found some generic business card stock too.

It is really an exercise in frustration to print things here because the HP printers are just not cut out to do the size A4 paper they use here.  It sure creates a lot of wasted ink and paper just to line things up.

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

Sunday-Monday July 29-30, 2012

Sun July 29/12 update

Bella went to play bridge.  It was a dreary rainy day so I just stayed in watched whatever Olympics I could find.  I found a channel with a lot of different feeds, and no commentary other that the in-arena announcers.

Bella returned with the news that I have my first real paying gig for my photography!  Joseph at Joe’s Secret Garden is so enamored with my work shooting the patrons at every event we attend that he wants me there every time, with a free meal!!   My first paying gig, as Bella calls it!

WooHoo!!  I won’t starve while Bella is away, lol.  The truth is I actually can be pretty self-sufficient and am a pretty good cook, but Bella has to have food her way, so she cooks and I clean.  It is surprising that Bella is really learning to spice her food as that would have been unheard of before we came here.  Last night’s stew was four rings of fire out of five.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151100784486355&set=a.10150220507151355.350287.692591354&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf  shows my grandson Dawson (lower left) with his team getting Gold medals for roller hockey at the Alberta Summer games.   We are so proud of all our grandkids!!

Only one week before Bella leaves back for Canada.

That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.

Monday July 30/12 update

Today is Bella’s grocery day so she was making sure I had enough supplies of paper products and cat food for while she is away.   She looks after me so well.

I went to Spanish class then had a few errands to run.  First I checked out a picture framing shop on the way for an estimate ($19).  

Then I checked several jewelry stores, then the jewelry Mercado, for heavy link copper bracelets.  No luck.   My buddy Kevon from Edmonton was hoping they would be much cheaper here.  One of the merchants spoke a little English and he said copper isn’t used much for jewelry here and such a bracelet would be hard to find.   He didn’t seem to think that copper was expensive here?

Then I took my computer stick to the Fuji store to get my photo of the lion cub enlarged to 12”x16” for a whole $4.50.   I checked more jewelry stores on the way back to the framing place where I picked out a beautiful gold frame, blue mat and non-reflective glass and paid the actual $15 cost.  It will be ready Thursday.

Today was a typical Cuenca day weather-wise, with early fog, sun, then cloud and sun, threatening cloud and more sun, etc.  I can’t think of too many places I’d rather be in the sunshine.  We are truly fortunate to have landed here.

I know you may get tired of many shots of places like the main cathedral, but every day is different, including the skies, etc.   And I will never tire of shots of the people and the children here.  Bear with me please.

Yesterday we spotted another Sparkling Violetear hummer in front of our place but we are 99% sure it is not Tom.  This one is giving us a wide berth even though we have tried leaving the nectar, with the huge bait flower, on the windowsill unattended.  Maybe this one was just passing by on his migration as well as we haven’t heard nor seen him either today at all.

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