Tuesday September 3, 2013 Moving to souvenircuenca.blogspot.com

Tuesday September 3, 2013  update #561

This is the last Blog under this title.  I will continue under the souvenircuenca.blogspot.com Blog from now on.

Cheers, Al

Monday September 2, 2013

Monday September 2, 2013  update #560

Today was banking day now that our new Bank Manager at the Banco Del Austro on Gonzales Suarez is back from holidays.  We got there about 10am and luckily it was relatively slow at that time.   The Manager, Diana, was able to get our new Bank Debit cards and get them linked to internet banking, then she showed us how to use the bank machine.   However it would take them over an hour to get our accounts set up for a second signature, in case of whatever, so we decided to come back after she, and her second-in-command, were back from lunch at 3.

Bella went grocery shopping while I completed my chores and uploaded 3 more works for sale.  Before we knew it, it was time to go again and we got the rest of the documentation completed at the Bank.

It is a bright sunny day today and lots of beautiful sights in the neighborhood…   I came across a neighbourhood Don Juan, flowers in hand, so cute.

That was the day’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

We hope you enjoy all the new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Sunday September 1, 2013

Sunday September 1, 2013  update #559
Happy Birthday Joseph, and also our son-in-law Ash.
I was awake again at 3am and had a tough time getting back to sleep.  When I decided again to look at the clock I fully expected it to say about 6:30 but it was almost 9am, and time to get up so I was thankful for the extra sleep.  I managed a half pot of coffee before Bella and I went out to catch the #15 to head west.  Like usual, waiting for Bella to get going meant we missed the bus by 15 seconds so had to stand around for the next one which put us 10 minutes late.

We arrived at Jim & Cindy’s new house just off Avenida Loja and were impressed with the great deal they got.  The house is very large and needs mostly cosmetic work only and has tons of possibilities which shouldn’t cost a whole lot of money.   The kitchen is small and closed off but will look great with a clever pass-through to the front dining room.  

The major work will be in the lavanderia off the kitchen which is ½ open to the elements in a wide shaft at the back of the home.  We were discussing how they could easily install a lovely terrace on the 3^rd floor, or better yet, the flat roof at the back, which would afford them a dynamite view north to downtown and the Cajas.  I am so excited about those possibilities that I want to do the work myself.

Bella had to head off to play Bridge so I walked with her down Avenida Loja, which is part of the Inca Trail and points right at the Immaculate Conception cathedral.  Most of this one street has the underground electrical, surprise, surprise, so it affords a nice, clean, spectacular view.

I caught the #16 east, while Bella caught one west, to go our respective directions.  I got off at the Coopera just to check out what kind of food, etc they have these days and I was pleasantly surprised to see that they have lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and meat for sale.  We will continue to support them as best we can.    Our nemesis, SEPS, fired 386 employees 2 days ago to streamline operations and make them more attractive for sale.  That was part of the dirty work they attempted to pass off to the remaining unpaid investors, the bastards!

I also have not received any further communications from anyone regarding our proposed unity meeting for Wednesday so I am not hopeful that we will have any influence on future events.

I then wandered over to one of my favourite video stores and easily picked out 4 movies so I hunted until I found 8 movies.  One was not in English so I filled that slot with a movie I had seen and enjoyed previously.   Then while I sat and waited while he put together my movies, cases, fillers, DVD’s, and made sure they played well, I spotted another one called Goon that looked a lot like the famous Slapshot movie, so I laughingly asked him for a “yappa” or gift of that movie, and he didn’t bat an eye, he said “Sure” and added it to the pile.  That meant I got 9 movies for $10.   Such a deal… and only one duplicate….  Spanish titles and different covers still fool me once in a while.    My collection is now up to 333 movies.

On the last trek home I took a shot of one of the families on the riverbank just enjoying a simple romp with the kids on the grass.  No toys, no video games, no balls, just the family enjoying each others company.  This is a most common sight here on Sundays and it is one of the things that continues to endear us to the Ecuadorians.  It is such a throwback to the simpler days of our childhood and it is something that we would never want to change with all out technology and materialism.

That was the day’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

We hope you enjoy all the new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Saturday August 31, 2013

Saturday August 31, 2013 update #558

Drat!  I woke at 4am and the mind started working overtime.  Finally I quit fighting it and just got up at 6am.  It was a blustery day today, and really chilly, so we bundled up and got some work done.

First I worked on an ambitious agenda for a possible meeting to unite all the Coopera groups.  Frankly I think it is an exercise in futility because the 2 Ecuadorian groups have already shown they desire their independence and don’t seek much input from us expats.  We will see if Trish is capable of luring both groups to a common table to plan some strategy.

Next I had to work on ideas for the Hearts Of Gold Gala in December.  We are having a test meal on Thursday so we hope that flies well because I sure don’t want to start from scratch again.

We both got ready and headed over to Joe’s Secret Garden.   Bella retrieved her umbrella from Wednesday’s birthday party (she loses an umbrella per month I think) while I was busy doing my usual photography business.  I even got paid for a couple of portraits I did for one couple 2 weeks ago.

Before we left, I hauled Joe out of the kitchen and turned him around and the whole room sang him Happy Birthday.   He mentioned that tomorrow is Joseph’s birthday, and I would have started a song for Joseph too but we had our cab waiting to go home.   Maybe someone else did, I don’t know.

That was the day’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Friday August 30, 2013

Friday August 30, 2013  update #557

I got up early and did my chores while Bella headed off to her charity crocheting and knitting group.  

Then I proceeded to carefully draft an email to all the major players in the 2 Coopera groups outlining many of the problems and asking that we amalgamate and organize properly.  There are too many things kept secret from us, especially the expats.  Everyone keeps talking about organizing but nobody is acting so I took the initiative to get something moving.  So far the only responses are from the very few people that are doing most of the work on the sidelines, those who are up on events and firmly realize the need for organization.  The apathy is truly disheartening.   This situation weighs heavily on my brain and is dragging me down daily.   Waking up angry every day is not the kind of retirement we had hoped for.

The morning was truly spectacular with fabulous cloudless blue skies.  It is days like this that make us thankful to be in Cuenca.  The blah days of July and August seem to be past us and we can feel alive again.

Jim & Cindy Wilkins came over for burgers tonight and we have made plans to go see their new house on Sunday morning.

That was the day’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Thursday August 29, 2013

Thursday August 29, 2013  update #556

Bella was off to teach Bridge today and is impressed with her crop of students, not one has dropped out yet…  One of her students at the party last night also commented on how good she is at teaching.  Way to go Bella!

I did my usual thing and tried to figure out some local news, some from Twitter.  Google Translate is pretty bad for translating anything from Spanish so a person has to guess a lot.   Apparently Coopera employees are striking because they have lost jobs????  And the Police in Quito are posting about violence in futbol stadiums and how they won’t use tear gas or rubber bullets….  I could find nothing about a recent incident that would have caused those remarks….

Then I again got ready and hobbled my way downtown for yet another Coopera meeting.  Typically the crowd kept filtering in until it was SRO.  We ended with a roomful of Ecuadorians and regrettably only 3 of us Expats.  Luckily I had a young man raised in Toronto next to me so he gave me some play by play.  When the lawyer and the VP of the group started calling each other liars, then most of the crowd was appealing for calm and unity.    There is just so much misinformation and paranoia now that it is a real chore to sit and listen to the repetitive rhetoric.  I left early, my back had had enough, and I asked the young fellow to send me a quick synopsis after the meeting.    I hope he does.

Our proposed venue for the Hearts Of Gold Xmas Gala is not being very cooperative and my patience is getting really short with them.  It doesn’t help that I am angry upon awakening these days.  The Coopera fiasco is wearing me down and is ruining my enjoyment of this lovely country.

That was the day’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Wednesday August 28, 2013

Wednesday August 28, 2013  update #555

Bella was off to play Bridge again today while I got many chores done before I departed for the west end to meet her.

Richard and Joyce Bungay had the honour of hosting a surprise 65^th Birthday party for Joe Spotts, just up the street from Joe’s Secret Garden.   There were about 24 people waiting to holler “Surprise” when Joe and Joseph came in at the appointed time.  We’re not quite sure if the party was a total surprise but Joe was a good sport about it.

There was lots of food and drink and good conversation.  Joe was genuinely touched at the Birthday card with about 100 signatures on it, secretly collected by me the last 2 weeks at Joe’s Secret Garden.  Then he was gushing over the collage of photos I had printed and mounted on canvas for him,   I can’t take all the credit, Frank & Marge Grillo contributed the idea of doing something, and some of the cost.  All in all, it was a lovely evening with a lot of our new friends.

Cindy and Jim have also bought a new house close to Avenida Loja so we are anxious to see that.

That was the day’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Tuesday August 27, 2013

Tuesday August 27, 2013  update #554

I woke up early and felt a little queasy so I went downstairs to the recliner for a while.   Then I transferred to the couch and actually stayed there until almost 10am.

Bella went off to teach Bridge while got myself prepared for yet another protest with the Coopera investors against SEPS.   I even made, and laminated, a small sign that said “SEPS = Extortion and Discrimination”.  I made the sign so I could use a lanyard and clip and then I tucked it inside my hoodie and off I went.

I am avoiding carrying the backpack for a while in an effort to give my back a rest.

When I arrived at the gathering place at San Blas park, I did receive many thumbs-up for my sign.  When 4pm rolled around I was worried that I would be the only person with a sign but gradually the other banners appeared magically.

Led by the lawyer Gustavo Quito and investor Marco Encalada the procession took to the streets and tied up Bolivar.  I am amazed at the patience of drivers for such interruptions.   Maybe they don’t dare toot the horn for fear that the crowd will turn on them?  Anyway, the tame demonstration/protest made it up the street to the Mayor’s office first but didn’t lag there very long.  Then they went to the Provincial Governor’s office.

I was walking ahead of the group to get photos, with this big yellow sign on my chest.   When I got to the Provincial Building I just flipped it over to show the blank side and just walked past the police cordon, into the building, up to the second floor balcony for a birds-eye view.   Those who knew me in the crowd were laughing and pointing at me, all alone on the balcony like some potentate or Pope.  I turned the sign back around and the Ecuadorians were now giving me the thumbs-up too.   Nobody inside the building was very concerned, there was a large police presence outside.

The crowd then continued to circle Parque Calderon, and past Immaculate Conception, where I managed to accidentally catch the results of an inattentive cyclist ramming into a streetlight, lol.   Even though he went flying onto the pavement, he bounced back up, more embarrassed than anything, and continued on his way.

Then we continued past the Justice Building, then the Old Cathedral, before returning in front of the Provincial Building.   I again repeated my trick of just walking in the front door and heading up to the balcony for more exposure and photographs.  Rob promised to send me a couple of shots he took but they didn’t arrive before I posted this Blog.

We still have not heard any response to our court challenge of yesterday, although we did hear that more of Coopera’s business managers had been arrested and jailed.   Fun, fun, fun.

That was the day’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Sunday-Monday August 25-26, 2013

Sunday-Monday August 25-26, 2013  update #553

Sunday

Bella played Bridge and I took a day off to rest my back.   Sitting on a regular-backed chair instead of the secretarial chair certainly helped.

I tried half-heartedly to locate sites where we could use our VPN to access proper television and movies but I think I need to do a lot more research.  I did find a couple of movie sites that are promising but I can’t see myself watching too many movies on the computer.

Monday

Hopefully the dreary days are at an end as we have had 2 sunny days in a row now, hooray!!!

Today is always a grocery day for Bella, while I was out the door early to see how we would fare in court today against SEPS.  The court was being asked to rule on the legality of the assemblies that SEPS had called last week.   Since we headed off those assemblies in a different fashion already, this court case is more to slap their face and get some brownie points.  I waited outside Carlos Heredia’s office for a bit, took a few flower photos then decided I had better head to the courthouse.   He came late, took a shortcut, and we met there anyway.

The court was held in a large “office”, or tiny courtroom, if you want to call it that.   There was barely seating for 15 people in there.  I grabbed a chair quickly because I had not taken any drugs and there was no way I was going to stand through the 100 minutes.  Our group started with 2 lawyers and ended with 3, although only the first two got maybe 20 minutes to talk.  The 3 SEPS lawyers dominated proceeding with lengthy discourses on why they were not in contravention of the Constitution in discriminating against us.  The female judge then decided she would issue a ruling in 3 days.  We doubt that very much will come from this, maybe a wrist slapped, and some moral victories that we can build on. 

After the hearing, the press was very active in getting our story, for which we are thankful.  Why we are not asking for criminal proceedings against the blatant extortion by SEPS is beyond me.

Another big demonstration is scheduled tomorrow to begin at San Blas park and continue up to the Governor’s building.  They want us to bring as many people as possible with lots of noisemakers.  Oh joy.

On the way home I stopped at Coral and bought a new office chair with proper lumbar support, etc.   Naturally it did not want to assemble properly as the back does not want to line up with the seat and screw on properly.   I did the best I could after stripping three bolts.   I can certainly feel the difference already.

That was the day’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Saturday August 24, 2013

Saturday August 24, 2013  update #552

Today we signed up for a VPN service so we can hopefully hook up with some programming from North America.   The VPN will fool the computer into thinking we are in either Miami, Toronto, or Montreal.  There are a couple of sites we know of that will work so Bella can watch Dancing With The Stars, and maybe I can catch the odd hockey game…   I may need some expert advice on how to take advantage of this.

I made my way over to Joe’s Secret Garden, even though I was debating all day whether my back would take the strain.  I gambled and went anyway.   Once the backpack was put away, I actually managed quite well and felt better coming home than when I went!!  And that was without any booze or drugs…

The chicken fried steak was superb and peppery, and the grasshopper pie was perfect for dessert.  I was really glad that I went, although I really ate way too much.

That was today’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Friday August 23, 2013

Friday August 23, 2013  update #551

I was awake early enough and got to work on my chores.   This little secretarial chair I use is not conducive to a back injury recovery so basically I aggravated my condition today.

Bella was off to her charity crochet and knit group this morning.

The drugs were barely sufficient for me to get ready and go to yet another Coopera meeting at the Prefect’s office.  Surprise, surprise, they had lots of press there so they actually started only 10 minutes late with Jose Montesinos giving a long monologue  the whole time.   There were only 4 of us Expats there and the only possible interpreter, Elisa, was stuck in the bunch of locals so 2 of us made our exit within 15 minutes to allow some ladies to have a seat.

We did find out today that our protest was successful.   Nobody from our group volunteered to be duped into being a delegate for the SEPS deception team.  This means they now have to allow at least 30 elected delegates, but this is contingent on the court case on Monday.  With any luck, we will be able show all the illegalities in their process and force them to refund all our money.   We are crossing our fingers.

As I was walking out, one of our lawyers, Dr. Quito was giving an interview in the hallway so I stopped for a moment.   It was then that I met the father of our Coopera Branch Manager Juan.   Senor Palacios has been at many of our meetings and it seems that we are all in agreement as to the skullduggery that has occurred.   I sent a text message to Elisa to try to supply me with a summary of the meeting.

On my way to the bus stop I saw some kids enjoying the fountain in the San Blas Square.   Kids and water… what can you say….

I tried to get some business card stock at the small Papeleria Monsalves on Guapondelig and was shocked that they had no prepared paper stock at all, no business cards, no invitations, etc.   Next door I purchased a keychain fob (like Bella has) which stores money to pay for the bus rides.  My transit card is still good but I am always self-conscious about pulling out my wallet every time I get on a bus.   I will keep the card for visitors to use.

I then decided to check at Coral for the business card stock and they did have some, so I bought 2 packets.

That was today’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Wednesday-Thursday August 21-22, 2013

Wednesday-Thursday August 21-22, 2013  update #550

Wednesday, we protested again near the Coliseo Jefferson Perez and found out more bad news.   The liquidator SEPS is saying his mandate was to pay off the small investors 100% then leave the decimated scraps to the large investors.  

I won’t get into all the illegal actions they have taken, but they were having 4 separate Assemblies to divide and conquer, 2 with Creditors on Wednesday, and 2 with Depositors on Thursday.  Each Assembly was to elect a delegate to help oversee the finalization of the liquidation so SEPS can wash their hands of the corrupt mess.   In the beginning, the head honcho of SEPS was going to only provide screen presentations and not be around for the inevitable flak he was going to receive.  We did our best to get our message to the Creditors that we must refuse to participate in this action or we will just inherit the blame, the lawsuits, the closure of the stores and restaurants, and be the scapegoats for the firing of the present employees.  Mr Aguilar will soon find out that acting like Pontius Pilate will not absolve him of his wrondoings.  Out of over 800 creditors, approximately 55 actually went in and participated in the sessions.  Presumably 2 delegates have been elected.

I spent the whole day there, helping block the 2 assemblies in a peaceful fashion.  The afternoon session was moved to a more secure location for the police to protect the SEPS employees behind a wire fence.  I cannot blame them because emotions ran very high during the mornings’ confrontations.  That was why I asked Bella not to join us because I feared things could easily escalate to violence.  The police were bolstering their forces all morning.   The head SEPS honcho showed his face for the afternoon session, behind the wall of police.

After 4pm I gave up and caught a bus to Millenium Mall.   On the way there we saw a pedestrian that may have been hit by a bus, lying in an intersection with a huge pool of blood below his skull.   It was truly a grisly scene.  

At the Sports Planet Cafe we enjoyed a lovely supper with Bella, Jim and Cindy.    Bella was coming from her usual Bridge Club.  We then cabbed over to the cavernous apartment that Jim and Cindy are renting near mall Del Rio.   That place could house a small army.

By the time we arrived home I could barely move and I went straight to bed as soon as I could.   That is why there was no blog last night.

Thursday morning I just slept in but then struggled to the bathroom to get some pain-killers for my aching back.   Bella sent me a translation from The SEPS website where they are attempting to whitewash their actions.  I sent text messages to my fellow Depositors that I would not be in any shape to join them today unfortunately.  The plan is to ignore any calls for Delegates from our group.  We have an open court action into the illegality of the SEPS actions and they are being called on the carpet on Monday, hallelujah!!  We just have to delay any more crooked BS from these people until we can challenge them in court.   Finally we are hopeful of some success.

We have the Twitter accounts of the Ecuadorian President, Vice-President, and Justice Minister so I sent several Tweets to all of them begging for their intervention.  The extortion and discrimination exhibited by SEPS is apparent to any sane person so we need to keep up the pressure.

That was today’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Tuesday August 20, 2013

Tuesday August 20, 2013  update #549

Bella started her Bridge lessons today and was very pleased that everyone showed up.

I had already been up and out the door before 8am to take the hour-long bus trip to San Joaquin for our latest demonstration where we were to gather by 9pm.

Of course, we never want to be late but Ecuador time runs the clocks in this country.  The brass doesn’t show up until 9:30 and then about 9:45am  four of them get invited into the SEPS office to palaver.  Some police come over to try to tell us that we can’t take pictures.  I didn’t have to say anything because the Ecuadorians jumped all over him saying “This is our building and we’ll take pictures if we want”.  Those cops went back to the gate with their tails between their legs…

We waited and waited and waited.   By 11:15 my legs and kidneys are telling me to skedaddle so I hurried home.   I expected the group would immediately put out a bulletin of the results but, here it is, 8:30pm and still no word…   And they expect us to create another confrontation at 10am tomorrow??  

This is getting so frustrating that I put together my meager angry thoughts over the past two days and just submitted them to the brass hats.   It will be interesting to hear the reactions.  I am not reinventing the wheel nor even saying much different than anyone else, I am just trying to put things in a cohesive order so we can get a proper course of action in play.

That was today’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Monday August 19, 2013

Monday August 19, 2013  update #548

Bella was looking after groceries today and resting before she begins another round of Bridge lessons.   

I, on the other hand, spent almost my whole day sorting out thoughts on the Coopera liquidation issue before attending yet another meeting at the Prefect's office.

Ecuador time,.... that time-honored tradition of showing up late for everything.....   They call the meeting for 4pm so it can begin at 4:45.   

Then we listened to a solid 1.5 hours of wrangling, all in Spanish, as the two lawyers, Quito and Heredia, try to woo the crowd to their points of view. Then we got less than one minute of English explanation before we all just got up and walked out.   Every Expat I spoke to was feeling exactly the same.  If that ever happened again, this group would lose them all.

I am not a happy camper this evening over that shabby treatment.  They requested our help and visibility, which we have been giving them in much higher proportions than the Ecuadorians, but we are seemingly invisible when they want any decisions.  Grrrrrrrrrr.

They want us to attend another demonstration early in the morning in San Joaquin, and I will go, just because I feel it is my duty.

That will determine whether I support them for other meetings Wednesday and Thursday where things could get real interesting...

No photos today.

That was today’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Sunday August 18, 2013

Sunday August 18, 2013  update #547

It was such a dull day today but I was determined to get out regardless.  Bella was heading out for Bridge anyway so I went a little earlier on the #16 to the Feria Libre/El Arenal Market area.  The bus wasn’t allowed past Clinica Santa Ana so it seemed like the bus driver was trying to make his own route past all the crazy detours.

I honestly had no urge to dig out my camera on such a dull day so I just went into the market and shopped for 3 hours.  I was trying to find a hooded, waterproof light spring/fall jacket but finding something suitable was almost impossible.  They had a few parka-style jackets but they were too heavy and too tight, and I sure didn’t want any zip-off hoods, they look so tacky.   So, I came home tired and empty-handed.

I have therefore worked on some more Pase Del Nino photos for you to enjoy.

That was today’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Saturday August 17, 2013

Saturday August 17, 2013  update #546

Good grief!   I did my chores and then I crashed again for another 2 hours so that was my whole day gone until we had to get ready to head over to Joe’s Secret Garden.

We did hear some sad news that our oldest sister, Jeanne Delanoy, is not well so we wish her a quick recovery from whatever is ailing her.  We heard later this evening that she is showing small signs of a rebound so we will keep her in our prayers for that to continue.

Our old friends Jim & Cindy Wilkins from Atlanta are back here for 3 weeks so we had a nice visit with them while enjoying Joe’s famous fried chicken.   I quietly circulated Joe’s birthday card for signature through the crowd of over 100 so we will have a nice surprise for Joe on his actual birthday on the 28^th.  

Joe and Joseph have expanded their cooking facilities out back to be able to handle more food so they can handle bigger crowds.   They have bought more tables and chairs to accommodate the folks inside and they seemed to handle the larger crowd very easily tonight.

That was today’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Friday August 16, 2013

Friday August 16, 2013  update #545

I was determined to get out and do some good today, starting with shopping, etc.   Bella was heading off to her charity knitting and crocheting at the Weaving Store, and we had reasonable weather, so why not?

My first stop was to the store where I bought a mouse for the computer last week and it was defective, not able to scroll properly.  The guy dug out a replacement and I continued to see if he had 2 other electronics cords I wanted, but he didn’t.  I was packing up to leave when he started demanding $7 for the new mouse…  I said this should be a straight exchange because the other is defective.  He said No, pay me another $7.   So I gave him back the new one, flipped the old one behind him and walked out.    So, even though it was a nice day, my mood was soured and, as a result, the camera never budged again today, sorry.   However I did find time to process a few more pase Del Nino photos for you this evening.

I continued my quest, checking every shop that handled any electronics, and I probably hit a dozen of them at least before I found one that had the proper 3V adapter for my wireless headphones.   I bought a new mouse at another shop too. 

I tried several movie shops after the one I wanted was closed for their late lunch.  I picked up eight movies at one shop and another 4 at another.   I had been directed by several folks to the Sony store on Sangurima for a patch cord for my camera remote but they were closed too.

After being on my feet for 4 hours I was happy to catch the #50 towards home.  At the last second I decided to get off at the Monay Mall and go get the patch cord there.  I found one for 68c that I thought would work but I found it was too big when I got it home.

I was really pleased that I was getting good sound out of the wireless headphones after attaching the new 3V AC adapter.

I guess we are watching a movie tonight.   Bella said there were 7 or 8 she would watch.   I nearly fell off my chair because they are 90% action…

That was today’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Thursday August 15, 2013

Thursday August 15, 2013  update #544

Today was another frustrating day overall.  So many balls in the air, and with no indications as to where they would land.

I had received an email wanting me to send my photos from yesterday to one of the Ecuadorian brass of our Coopera protest group so I complied.   Part of the email also asked if myself or Rob would agree to be interviewed on the radio at 6:30.   I replied that I would agree if Rob was not available.   I asked them to phone me if they needed me.

I tried to go for a haircut and the place was closed.  So I came back and did all my chores and went back about 11:45.  I got a quick short haircut and now I definitely look like an eccentric retiree with an unruly grey wig.

We were also trying to arrange a meeting with Villa San Carlos about the Christmas Gala and to coordinate this with everyone’s schedules.  It seemed this afternoon was the only time that would work for everyone so I went ahead and booked the appointment for 3pm.  Luckily everyone was able to show up, on Ecuador time, and we had a very productive meeting indeed.  More on that at a later date.

There was another meeting of the Coopera group at the Prefect’s office at 4pm which I had to pass on and frankly, I needed a short break from that issue.   However the Coopera situation is always on our mind, especially when I wanted to be mentally prepared if I got suddenly called to show up for the radio interview.

Well, I am listening to that interview online as I type this now, and am happily surprised that one of the speakers was Trish LaPlaca who speaks good Spanish, and the other was lawyer Carlos Heredia who is fixated on revitalizing Coopera.  Since everyone is talking in Spanish I can only pick up the gist of what is being said, but at least our message is getting out there.   I also read the reports in two newspapers online about our protest yesterday.   There is talk of a hunger strike Saturday and a trip to Quito Sunday night to try to get the ear of President Correa.   Saturday is Fried Chicken at Joe’s Secret Garden so a hunger strike is not in the cards for me very likely.

Well this twit is now on Twitter just so he can barrage President Correa with Tweets to intervene in the Coopera mess.  I am feeling more like a looney bird every day.

The camera never left its bag today…

That was today’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Wednesday August 14, 2013

Wednesday August 14, 2013  update #543

Frustration is the name of the game lately in Ecuador.  Today we started off with another protest rally at the MIESS, the Government department that oversaw the Cooperatives prior to SEPS jumping in and liquidating ours.   The lawyers and the Prefect again went in and came out almost an hour later with nothing more concrete to add.

We were then told that we were heading to the most popular radio station in Cuenca “Voice of the Tomebamba” because the SEPS rep was going to be interviewed.   We hitched a ride with and Ecuadorian named Fernando and he apologized to us for being in this mess.  It was none of his doing yet he was apologizing to us on behalf of his countrymen.   We thought that was pretty special.  At the radio station on Vegas Monoz we waited around the corner until the SEPS rep entered and then we demonstrated while he was being interviewed.  We were listening on car radios and one of the Cuencanos said to me that everything was negative.   Somehow our lawyer and prefect got invited inside and also got on the radio.  Nothing uplifting arose from that but the SEPS fellow agreed to a meeting with our groups back at MIESS with 10 representatives, in return for safe passage away from our demonstration.

So, back to the MIESS office we went.  The white faces were dwindling so I offered to be one of the 10 representatives, to represent the gringo views.   But, we were then informed that the meeting was now moved to the SEPS office itself, way further east.  Our new ride, an English-speaking spokeswoman named Elise had to drop off her friend first, further west, so by the time we arrived at the SEPS office, the meeting had begun with only the usual suspects and the results just as predictable.  The SEPS dude has absolutely no concrete numbers to work with so we are still completely in the dark,  He claims sympathy with us but………..   This is the man holding our money and he can't tell us anything we don't already know.  Ugh..

There is another meeting tomorrow at the Prefect’s office and the plan is for as large a group as possible to take private buses (about $25) Sunday night to Quito, a good 7-8 hour drive, and to camp in front of the Presidential palace/parliament because the President is known to be at the changing of the guards every Monday morning.  I suppose the hope is to try to wangle a meeting with President Correa, however farfetched that will be.   We still have not heard any results of the meeting that was supposed to have taken place on Monday.     And so, as the stomach turns…..

Bella was off to Bridge Club.

That was today’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/

Tuesday August 13, 2013

Tuesday August 13, 2013  update #542

I was up until midnight preparing my photo gifts and then hurriedly making a sign to bring to a demonstration planned at City hall by our combined force of Ecuadorians and Expats.  

I left home earlier to make it to my usual Fuji store to get my canvas printing accomplished.   I paid my $22.98 and was told to return at 2pm.

I walked to City Hall and met with our group and we all entered at 11am and then our “Brass” went up to try to talk to the Mayor.   The main group stayed in the lobby chanting slogans and the security guards were looking pretty nervous, keeping their hands on their pistols.  An hour later the Prefect and the lawyer came down and we marched around a couple of blocks to the Justice building before dispersing.  The Mayor had ducked us again.   I don’t think that man will ever get another expat vote.  They ended up presenting their letter to a “Commission” and got written acknowledgement of receipt, which was their goal today. 

Video of our demonstration today at City Hall  http://youtu.be/cz1DYeDdFWg  

We were then told that the Provincial Governor (surprise, surprise) did have an audience with President Correa who claimed no knowledge of our plight but promised to help.  Maybe things are looking up…

One of the head honchos, Peter, got talking to me and it turns out his folks are from Two Hills, Alberta… 

I was busy taking photographs and somehow got drafted to supply photos for uploading to Twitter and to the foreign press, like the Miami Herald.  

I had an hour or more to kill before picking up my photo so I went to san Francisco Market and picked myself up a gorgeous alpaca hoodie that is so nice and warm for $20.  Then I went to the cashmere store and picked up a cashmere pullover for another $20.   I was just heading into Chicago Pizza as the heavens opened for about 20 minutes.  It was already drying up as I exited and went back to the Fuji store.   Even though I was early, my projects were completed, and properly, so I then hopped the #50 home.

I have supplied the required photographs to our Coopera group so we hope they will help the cause.

I hooked up with my old buddy from Montreal, Jay Shink, on Skype tonight and we had a crystal-clear connection.   It sure is an awesome way to communicate.

That was today’s excitement.  Cheers, Al   

Please see all new photos at http://souvenircuenca.blogspot.com/