Who knew I'd need a social calendar in Ecuador?

I realized soon after I "retired" that life was going to change. My dreams of lazy days of doing nothing but sipping tea and reading disappeared into a haze of activity. I often wondered how I managed to get it all done when I worked full-time and had several small children?

Fast forward to life here in Ecuador and we are discovering that you can be as busy as you'd like or not at all. There is always something to do, someone to meet, lots of places to go and people to see!

In the last week we have gone to a wonderful one year anniversary in Cuenca party where we enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new; I have had a pastry treat with a new friend while we discussed writing and life; I've had breakfast with a large number of women now living in Cuenca,; I've gone to a creative writing seminar that was amazing; I've shopped for groceries and collected laundry for Mr. Wash to do (yeah!); we've gone out to a delicious dinner where we enjoyed watching the Argentine Tango (and met more new friends); and tomorrow we are meeting good friends for lunch!

Phew! Wonder what next week will bring? Oh, and just so you won't think we're among the missing, I plan to post a random photo taken in Ecuador every week...what day? Hmmm, how about Sunday? We'll call it Sunday Sundries!

Ciao!

Hardship? Round 2 - Sojo Spa

Ask any woman what the toughest thing to do while traveling or after moving and she will tell you it's finding a new hairdresser. Even worse than a gynecologist! I've moved a LOT over the years and having spent over six years as a full-time RVer (living by traveling year round), I can truly attest to that.

So when it was time to get a haircut and a pedicure (my last ones were on our cruise in the middle of December), I asked for recommendations from the local expats. One name came up consistently, over and over again. Sojo Spa.

I booked an appointment on their Facebook page and today was my appointment day. I arrived maybe ten minutes early but they were ready for me. Diego got me seated, feet in the warm bubbling water and massage turned on in the chair, while Jessica got me a glass of cool water.

An hour later my feet were soft and colorful and I moved over to get my haircut. First step was Jessica, who does the manicures I believe, and she efficiently washed my hair. Side note, having arthritis in my neck, I greatly appreciated the chairs with the high sinks...much more comfortable.

Then Armando, the owner who spent over 22 years in Chicago and his English was excellent (much better than my Spanish, but I kept practicing) asked me what I needed in a cut.. He quickly understood what I wanted, did an excellent cut, dried it, trimmed it and then sent me off to Jessica to rinse out all the tiny little hairs that always remain when short hair is cut. Then he dried it again!

It's short but that's a good thing - less bed head in the mornings. LOL!

So once again, no hardships here! Oh, and the cost for my over an hour of pampering? $20 - and that would have included a free manicure if I had wanted one (special going on right now).

For any Cuenca folks reading our blog - please stop in to say hello and book an appointment at Sojo Spa.

Diego, Jessica & Armando

You won't be disappointed!

Anti-theft Purses for traveling

I love purses...all kinds, shapes, materials, colors and sizes. I've had many over the years, very large when the kids were young, smaller and leather for professional use, colorful and funky more recently. But with our move here to Ecuador I knew I needed to make a slight change.

Crime here isn't rampant, in fact we feel safer than we do in any large US city. But crime of opportunity is more common than we'd like. We've read all the warnings, we take all the precautions: carry a cheap phone or a throw-away phone, no more then $20 (if more, then split it up into several pockets), use Velcro or difficult to zip pockets, etc.

Stu has to be vigilant about pick-pockets, I have to worry about my purse strap being slashed and stolen. We both know to never leave them where we don't have a hold on them. He keeps his money and ID in secure pockets and I now carry an anti-theft purse.

I was recently browsing Amazon and saw an ad for a purse similar to mine, from the same company. The prices have dropped and if you ever considered getting one, I'd jump before they go back up again. Slash proof with RFID pockets in many, these are wonderful no matter where you live!

Here are some examples:

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