Rambling around Cuenca

I thought I'd share some photos that we've recently taken as we go about our daily lives here in Ecuador. Hope you enjoy!

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New Zahir 360 hotel in Cuenca, we watched this being built. Gorgeous building!


Mama and baby, seen walking home from my mani-pedi appointment



Local pup doing watchdog duty. We see him as we walk to our usual bus stop.


Donna and friends at a birthday lunch at Popacuchu.


The boys enjoying a poker night at our new apartment.

Ciao for now!

Next Door Day Care - Celebration!

We've mentioned before that we have a day care center beside our building. We love hearing the little ones outside playing, usually between 10am and noon.

From time to time they have a celebration activity and we get to enjoy it. The last one was at Christmas and while we watched them set things up and practice, we missed the actual event.

A week ago, we watched the workers carrying in the parts of the stage and get things set up. So we knew something was going to be happening on Friday.

We were right! By noon the chairs were filled and it was standing room only as the show began. The started with the littlest, some not even walking yet. Each group progressed in age as did their participation level. We also notice that each group was representing a specific color. At the very end they all came out and sang together. Quite a spectacle!

Here are two short videos I snagged...



and

Ciao for now!

Two Year Anniversary

Two years ago today we arrived in Cuenca for our month long exploratory visit. What an adventure that was...you can read some of our early posts listed below.

• We're in Cuenca, Ecuador!!!
• Sleep is good!
• Has it been four days?
• Meeting new friends....
• In honor of Earth Day - the gardens at Otorongo Ap...
• One week gone, three left to enjoy!
• Meeting & Greeting plus initial discoveries
• Adventures of the day....
• Four days of sunshine - the river is running low
• What day is it?
• Interim Lists
• A few links of interest and where our plans are he...
• Oh no! It can't be time to leave already....
• Feliz día de la madre
• Cuenca, Ecuador: Preconceptions, Misconceptions an...

Ciao for now!

Sunday in El Centro

Yesterday was the official day of celebration for Cuenca's 458th anniversary but we didn't expect much when we ventured into downtown (El Centro). But Surprisingly the craft tents and artists displays were packed and there were a lot of people in the downtown area, attending church, eating lunch and enjoying ice cream.

Rather than my chatter on, here are some photos I took today. You can see the rest in our SmugMug album.

When we visited on Friday, I saw a necklace that I really liked but wasn't willing to spend quite as much as the artist's wife wanted. Today the artist was back and the first price he quoted me was less than her discounted price and what I had determined I was willing to spend. It's a two-sided necklace with various stones and sterling silver. He sat down with his daughter and asked me to take their photo.

Ciao for now!

Walking in Cuenca

I know we've mentioned how careful you have to be when walking anywhere here in Cuenca. The sidewalks leave much to be desired, as you can see by the photos below.

Expats wear good walking shoes - sneakers, hiking shoes or sturdy sandals with straps (flip-flops are really dangerous here). But the local women seem to have no problem tottering around in stiletto heels. We've yet to figure out how they manage and never seem to lose their balance.

But even then, imagine our surprise when we saw these in a store window today. I can't seriously believe anyone would wear these - maybe a new kind of art?

Here are some photos I've taken over time showing the state of Cuenca's sidewalks - and some are worse than this!

Many of our friends have joined the "Cuenca Clutz Club", you can see why!

Ciao for now!