Saturday, May 04, 2013

Saturday May 4, 2013


Saturday May 4, 2013  update #442
I spent most of the day getting some electronic work done, synchronizing my desktop computer with my old laptop so they can access each other.   It was kinda neat to be able to move files so easily from one to the other.
It was Kentucky Derby Day at Joe’s Secret Garden so the emphasis was on hats, big and wild hats, so many of the women were indeed adorned accordingly.   We had a contest for the best hat and Joyce came out in front with her feathery creation.   Everyone was in such a good mood and there were again many newbies in the crowd as well as a lot of old and new friends.
The meal included beef tenderloin and a pie that had some Kentucky bourbon in the recipe.   That is probably the reason my eyes won’t stay open as I am typing.
That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.  Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Friday, May 03, 2013

Friday May 3, 2013


Friday May 3, 2013  update #441
Bella was off early to her Friday charity work at the Weaving Store, then she expected to spend all afternoon at the Immigration Office to finalize her own 9-1 Residency Permit.
I was also up early because I wanted to get a haircut around 9am before the gal got busy.   It seems the whole neighborhood had the same idea because there was one lady in the chair and 2 more ahead of me, and then very quickly 2 more behind me.   It is a good thing everyone seemed to be just getting a trim because this gal only takes 10 minutes, tops to do a good job.  At $1.50 a haircut and $1.75 for a quick style, she runs them through pretty quickly.
I had to be home for Rosa’s arrival and she was late again today.  I gave her some extra duties to try to make up the time we are paying her for.
We had quite a thunderstorm mid-afternoon and it was pounding on my window so the glide tracks were quite full of water.   As I was cleaning them out, Tom Thumb was impatiently waiting, while chasing of two interlopers, so I held out the feeder and he eventually came and ate from my hand.   I had not done this for a while so it felt good to regain the trust of our little friend.
Rosa was leaving early again and then asked for a raise, claiming that others are now paying her more.  I reminded her that we had just given her a raise and that she has been leaving early for months now.   I told her I would check with Bella.   I don’t mind paying her what she asks, as long as she actually works the hours.
That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.  Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Thursday, May 02, 2013

Thursday May 2, 2013


Thursday May 2, 2013  update #440
Not much being done by me today except household chores and usual internet chores.  Bella was off to do banking, pay for the new couches, get some forms notarized and then some grocery shopping.
I fixed my leaky shower head and made arrangements to do the sofa swap next week.   Hearts Of Gold is happy to receive our existing couches, which are still like new, although I don’t know if they will use them for their new offices (they are moving today) or if some needy family or two will get them.
It was a blustery day today with a couple of rainshowers for the last day in Cuenca for Ed & Lynne who have vowed they are commencing the process to move here post-haste.
I never even heard Tom Thumb at all today…. and never had the camera out at all either.
Now we have just been notified, after fighting for months, that we now have been unilaterally given a new NetTalk phone number, and the old number does not work at all.   Please make a note that our new contact number is (Calgary number) 1-587-800-0259.   Now I have to re-do all our business cards, etc.   Grrrrrrrr
That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all. 

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Wednesday May 1, 2013


Wednesday May 1, 2013  update #439
I had my first good night’s sleep in weeks and wanted to stay in bed but I had so much to get done today.  Bella was even up early because we had a 10 o’clock appointment with Seguralmeida to research their health insurance offerings.  Cristina had emailed us setting the appointment for today so imagine our surprise when we arrived to find the office closed.   We called her and barely got an “I’m sorry”, just a request if we wanted to reschedule because today is a holiday.  Ecuadorians don’t seem to think that missing appointments is a big deal at all, and they don’t know our idea of proper etiquette or Gringo values at all.   I just told her that I would be in contact later after I had cooled down.
Bella had seen an ad for loveseat recliners and a sofa recliner on sale in GringoTree.   Both of us are not really happy with the 2 sofas we had purchased in haste on arrival so we went over to see them.  They were located in a fourth floor west end apartment with killer views but sadly lacking a terrace.  These folks are moving and this furniture won’t fit, except he was keeping the matching chair..   The fellow showed us his original receipts and they were letting the furniture go for less than ½ price.   They were the right colour and very cushy so we made a deal to take them.   I have missed my recliner since we left Canada, especially when I have a cold and need to rest slightly upright.   It is a lot more money than we would normally spend but the sofa and loveseat will complement our living room nicely and last for many years.   Bella has had the luxury of a recliner in her room for months and is now spoiled too.  Nothing beats a comfy recliner.
We then worked on striking a deal with Hearts Of Gold to donate our old set in exchange for help with transporting the new set.  Since Hearts of Gold is physically moving locations tomorrow we will have to try to arrange something next week.
Bella and I tried to get money out of a Banco Pichincha machine because all the banks are closed today and it wouldn’t accept my PIN number.   We ended up scraping nickels and dimes together to get a cheap lunch at Pizza Hut.   The taco salad was actually excellent!
Bella slipped off to her Bridge game while I came home and carefully drafted a strong note to Seguralmeida recounting our unsatisfactory experiences with their office and how my Blogs are now reflecting that.  I pointed out that service is the number one issue with Gringos and that if they don’t know this, and act on it, they should not solicit Gringo business because they are only fostering a bad reputation with their indifferent service. 
I had planned to do many other things today but those plans got waylaid by this nasty experience. 
Tom Thumb and an interloper were seriously sparring outside my window today so I took a lot of shots and have very little to show for my effort, but better than nothing I suppose.
I heard from Ed and Lynne that the Montezuma’s Revenge has subsided and that they are truly sorry to be leaving tomorrow.  They will be a good addition to Cuenca when they return as they are fun people and will catch on to the language quickly.   Come back soon.
That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.  Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Tuesday April 30, 2013


Tuesday April 30, 2013  update #438
I would kill for a good night’s sleep already.   In spite of taking two Melatonin tablets I was still watching the clock all night.   I couldn’t let that stop me because I had a really busy day planned.
I was downtown to pick up Ed & Lynne at 9:30 and we headed to the Rotary Market where they picked up some gifts for at home.  They were fascinated with the selection of wooden, leather, plaster, and metal articles available.  
We went back through the Civic Plaza and watched a youngster feeding the pigeons before heading to City Hall, then the Provincial Azuay building.  We went up to the second floor and got some shots of Parque Calderon before heading over to the Justice building.
Next I showed Lynne where I bought my solar powered dancing flowers and she fell in love with a BumbleBee one, and even bought one for me.  I showed them several stores including the big software store on the way to the Coffee Tree.  They actually found an iPad case for a real reasonable price so they grabbed one.
Then we went to the Book/Movie Exchange at the Windhorse Cafe where I exchanged one book and 2 movies.  Since it was noontime we decided to have lunch there, my first time too.  There were many new folks asking questions of everyone and all the folks were being real helpful.  
I got buttonholed by our friend Greg who wanted to talk to me privately.   He didn’t know how to ask what was on his mind so he just blurted it out.  “Someone told us to pray for Bella because she has cancer.  Does she really have cancer?”  I assured him that she was having a bout with the flu but she definitely did not have cancer.   However, once that bug got in my ear it did begin to bother me.   After having two previous bouts of wives with cancer, it didn’t take much to get that snakebit feeling.
Anyway, off we went again to the Carolina Bookstore for a moment where Lynne began to have a few stomach somersaults.   Time was running short on me so instead of going to the Banco Central Museum they decided we should head in the direction I needed to head, so down the Escalinata we went.   The CIDAP Museum was the next stop with all the devil masks and all the crucifixes on display.   Again Lynne spent a few moments in the washroom.
We took the short stroll along the Tomebamba towards Solano where a rest stop was needed.   Lynne was trying to be a trooper but common sense prevailed and they decided to grab a cab to their hotel.
That left me a few moments so I popped in to the Alianza Francesa (French Alliance) where they were having a photography display.  What a great display of action art so I took shots of most of it for you.
Next was a stop at Hearts Of Gold for a meeting to discuss the structure for the non-profit organization.  Since I was an hour early I took advantage of the couch to get a real needed rest.   The meeting generated a few surprises, like their move next week to another house behind the Monte Sinai Hospital.  We got some papers with an organizational chart and some openings for different Coordinator positions.   There are 3 positions open for Donations, PR/Marketing and Events.   I suppose I was the last Event Coordinator but I have hesitated to stick my name anywhere.   I think I will just wait and see where they need me.
Then I stopped at Papeleria Monsalves to grab a ream of blank paper because we have almost run out.
I caught the bus home hoping to have supper with Bella but she was not home.  That little cancer thingy was still burning at the back of my brain.  I made myself a quick cabbage salad (the last of the batch of 13 helpings from that huge head she got 2 weeks ago) and changed clothes to again head downtown.
The destination this time was.to a fundraiser to help them raise funds to build a 1000 foot mural to benefit the sick children at Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso.  It was a $20 entrance fee at an artist’s studio and you got a glass of wine and some hors d’oeuvres.  They were selling more wine, food, raffle tickets and art.  I knew most of the folks in attendance and we got to see a preview of part of the mural too.
I stayed an hour then headed back to parquet Calderon where it was International Jazz Day with a small concert in the park’s gazebo by the Jazz Society folks, Jim Gala, Vivian Slade and others.   I stayed only long enough to grab a couple of shots before catching a cab home.
Bella was home this time so I was really watching for her reaction when I recounted to her the cancer story.  When she burst out laughing I breathed a very large sigh of relief.  I really didn’t think she would have kept something like that from me.   Anyway, I guess she got dragged off to help at what she thought was a “tea”, but turned out to be a Bingo with about 250 Ecuadorians, and she was the only white face.   She even managed to come home with a soup pot and soup bowl set when she won the final Bingo game.
That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.  Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Monday, April 29, 2013

Monday April 29, 2013


Monday April 29, 2013  update #437
I was working on the photos last night until past 1am and sleep was fitful as usual.
Bella was off to do chores this morning, grocery shopping, etc, but is still sick and hacking away, now trying Vicks to calm her illness.  She claims all the medicines on offer contain aspirin and exactly the same antihistamine that only make her more sick, so there is no end in sight for her.
I didn’t want to get up but knew I had chores to do and lots of laundry so I just got at it.
Now it is 4 pm and I can’t keep my eyes open.    I just finished processing 30 more Pase Del Nino photos as that is a never-ending process.
That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.  Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Sunday April 28, 2013


Sunday April 28, 2013  update #436
Bella was heading for her Sunday bridge so I made arrangements to tour around with Ed and Lynne again.
We agreed to meet at Parque De La Madre which was officially opened on Friday.  There were many people wandering the park, clowns from Etapa and an open exercise class in full swing, enjoying another gorgeous, virtually cloudless, sunny day.   Near the river I encountered a lady in a heavy wool coat and looked over on the banks of the river to see what had to be 2 Canadian couples in shorts and bikinis!  
The city had closed off nearby roads for what looked like a bicycle race about to happen.
From there we wandered over to the small ruins at the bottom of the Todos Santos hill before walking over towards the Inca ruins at Pumapungo.   We were surprised to see a gate open at the bottom near the aviary so we went in to enjoy the birds, llamas and fish.   Ducks and a hummingbird kept us entertained but we were sorry that the peacock was moulting and barely had two tail feathers left.
Then we went by the statue of Huayna Capac before wandering around El Vergel then up the metalworkers street to the statue I call Maxwell’s Silver Hammer.   I took a little artistic licence with those shots.
We were just getting started…   Then we went to Parque Paraiso to enjoy the family fun and to have an ice cream.   It is so darn refreshing to see a park full of children with no screaming, they are so well behaved here.
Then we caught a bus to our place and we gave them the quick tour and Lynne quickly fell in love with the screened terrace and our two Boys.
Next we caught a bus up to El Valle and we went to see the house that Greg likes and confirmed that the floors are mirror images so there are only 2 bathrooms at most.    That home has so many possibilities and that view will never go away.
We caught the bus back to town and got off at the huge municipal cemetery and Lynne thought it was the highlight of the day, with all the magnificent statues, antique hearse, and amazing mausoleums.
We passed by San Blas with the 2 lovely churches and the gorgeous park being lit up by the setting sun.
We finished just in time to make it to meet Bella at Don Colon’s for a filet mignon supper which lasted almost 3 hours with lots of conversation about the fun involved in getting a residency application submitted and approved.    Bella will be sending them her treatise on her very recent experience which she had made up for the immigration department.
It was a full day and I am looking forward to doing absolutely nothing tomorrow, except laundry, so don’t expect much tomorrow.
That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.  Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Saturday April 27, 2013


Saturday April 27, 2013  update #435
No actual sleep for 3 days gets a little taxing but all I can do is rest as much as possible to make up for it.  The cold is almost gone but so are the pills.   I suspect I’ll be getting some more tomorrow.
Bella wanted me to take photos of the house her son Greg found up in El Valle when he was here in January so we grabbed the bus up there and walked in.  I have been up there many times and not given this house a second glance because it is off the main roads a ways but that was my mistake.   The house has a perch on the mountain with one of the most spectacular views of the area.  The house itself is under construction and  I found it quite odd that they only had timber separating the two floors because the floors are usually cement here, and completed as they put up each storey.  Other than that, the home seems to have mirrored the room sizes on both floors so I am not sure what it has for bathrooms upstairs, we didn’t climb up.  There was thunder coming from some very dark clouds moving our way so I didn’t want to get caught in a downpour.   
The house certainly has possibilities though, if a person could get it at this stage and complete the rest a little differently, like add a huge porch with deck above so a person can sit outside in comfort and enjoy that magnificent view.   None of the neighbors could tell us much about the house.
We continued on to Joe’s Secret Garden to enjoy the chicken and shrimp fricassee and the company of some lovely people.
That was today’s excitement.   Hugs to all.  Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/