Cuenca Updates: Tuesday June 26, 2012

Tuesday June 26/12 update

Bella made me do the Book/Movie exchange trip this morning on another dreary day. I ran into the husband of my Spanish teacher, Noel, there and had a chat. I was surprised there were so few movies this time and I never though I would find 10 movies to swap, but I did, exactly….

To get there I caught the #16 to Parque De La Madre and then I cross the river and go up the escalinata. I was totally mesmerized by the power of Mother nature as the swollen Tomebamba was sweeping by. I took a photo and a video to give you an idea of the torrential strength of this single river which joins with 3 others before it gets to our area. http://youtu.be/kz0wOYZZACM

Then I headed to El Centro and found a rubber case for my specific phone for $4. I had been looking for that for ages because my old case isn’t strong enough to stop from accidentally turning it on and even dialing.

I quickly noticed a strong military and police presence around Parque Calderon and spoke to a trio of soldiers to see what was happening (Que Pasa?). Every time there has been a serious incident downtown the police and military swoop down to try to catch some thieves and put a little fear in the miscreants and give a feeling of security to the peons. In some other Latin American cities you see this police presence every day so I am glad we only see this once a month or so.

I later got a shot of a police supervisor and two patrolmen, then the supervisor took one of me with my two new amigos.

I was also trying to hit a one-hour window to view the crypt below Immaculate Conception from !0:30 to 11:30 so I got there at 11. I ran into a lady from North Carolina and her two children who were scouting Ecuador. I told them about the crypt viewing so they spent the 50c a person as well. The crypts are very similar to those at the Cemeterio except they are VIP’s, priests, etc, and it is obviously indoors. It runs the length of the cathedral so it is long and narrow. There is a Statue of Jesus on the cross at the west end with a statue of Joseph and Baby Jesus close by. One section is dominated by four identical white angels. But the east end was the piece-de-resistance with a huge statue of a seated angel with fresh lilacs. The light and shadows were spectacular so I hope my photos will do it justice.

I have two bus stop shots, one downtown with 3 more soldiers and their weapons that don’t look real at all. Then I got one of these adorable girls at our bus stop near home.

I actually had gotten of the bus one stop early so I could walk down the hill and cross the river to see the height today. The photo of my measuring rock tells the story as it is almost completely buried. Remember my photos of a few days earlier with my River Of Rocks comment? Today, this tiny bit of rock is all I can see in both directions.

I had several visits from Tom this morning and afternoon so there are a couple more shots, even one where he is sticking his tongue out at me, the little shit!.

Don’t forget, we will be without Internet all day tomorrow until about noon Thursday.

I apologize that the pics aren't in order. This site is not user friendly.

Enjoy the pics and video. That was today’s excitement. Hugs to all.