OUR HOME IN CUENCA

We found a house to enjoy  in  Cuenca. HURRAH HURRAH. We did our best to look all around Cuenca and cover as much of the area as we could. We wanted to see as many houses as possible. To do so we had to have transportation.We engaged German Zhina, a young man who spoke English as well. He is actually a taxi driver we met while in Cuenca in April.  He was very helpful  in selecting our house. It belonged to his cousin. It was the very first house we saw, but we felt it was dark and cold. We did want to see other places and areas anyway before we actually rented anything. He would tell us if a house was too far out, too expensive, not in a convenient area. He was also very accommodating and took us to see a house, even if he felt it was not the right place. We covered several areas and were able to see that this house suited us the best. Not the home of our dreams, but a good size house with plenty of room. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms an office space, large living room, dinning room, large kitchen and a nice outside area we can have plants and flowers which will be viewed from the living room and add a pleasant touch.
Now the details. The cost of our new place was advertised as $500/ month. We met the owner and discussed replacing some of the covering over the outside patio to allow more light to filter in and brighten the living room. He was ok with that improvement. He was ok with our painting some rooms. In fact he was ok with anything we wanted to do AFTER we signed a lease. We again asked the price and were told $450. I said I did not want to pay over $400. Nope $450.
Ok we had othe places to see so off we went. We called other rentals, and drove by some. However, as we were doing our drive around, he called and said $400 would be fine. So we have our home.
Now we need to furnish it. Homes in Ecuador unfurnished do not even have a stove or refrigerator.

                                                       Bedroom #1

                                                       Bedroom #2

     Master Bedroom

                                                     Type of closet

                                                       Neighborhood

                                                  Across the street

                                                         Bedroom #3

                                                          Livingroom

                                                       Kitchen

                                                       Dinning room

Office

Just a funny story

It was Sabbath so off to Church we went. After the service, we decided to walk around the area to get some idea about it as the house we are considering was located somewhere nearby. As no restaurant was located, we boarded a bus and returned to the old town and found a wonderful  Italian Restaurant called "Salumeria Veccllia Modena" run by Massimo Palazzi, a delightful, genuine Italian. The food was superb.
After the wonderful meal, we decided to stroll to the main square, Parque Calderon and perhaps enjoy an ice cream. We sat down in this cute little ice cream shop and ordered our dessert.. I felt qualified enough to order, in Spanish, what we wanted, a hot chocolate sundae. I thought I said vanilla  ice cream with hot chocolate and whipped cream. What arrived at the table was a cup of hot chocolate. OK, a miss communication. Although we were disappointed, drinking the hot chocolate would have to satisfy our graving for ice cream. As we began to consume our hot chocolate, the waiter brought to the table, a cup of vanilla ice cream with whipped cream on top. Ok so now I had what I ordered, just not in the manner in which I had expected it and wished to have my hot chocolate sundae.We both got however, a very good chuckle.The waiter wondered why, and again I explained our wishes. OK he said and soon returned with  a cream pitcher filled with melted  chocolate, not  fudge, to pour on our ice cream.
Just another joy  of living in an other land and another language.

Oh My ----CUENCA

Went to the symphony last evening What a joyous experience, and it was FREE. I can hardly believe that this concert put on by the Cuenca Symphony consisting last night of over 50 members was FREE. There was a clarinet soloist who was terrific and we heard Beethoven's 5th. I have been in Cuenca a total of two weeks and have been to two ,just outstanding free concerts already..
Taking the local buses is another special experience. I purchased an " Old Mans Card", put $20 on it, wave it in front of a special box on the bus and it pays the fare of $.12,and tells me how much remains on my card. I have taken several buses to the end of the line and returned. What a cheap way to see the city.
I am having another time of my life , experiencing another culture first hand, and the best part, there is no deadline-no " I only have x days left and must return home" feeling.
Sharyl still having difficulty with the altitude. Tires easily and is not able to join me all the time. This is sad for both of us, but more so for her as she wants to enjoy being here and does make a valiant effort to do so.
Looking for a permanent home has been trying, as we must keep at it until we do. Several times the homes are rented before we get to see them. We are negotiating for a home right now that may work out. It is a large house, but very dark inside. It has 4 bedrooms, three bathrooms, plain un-attractive kitchen, large living and dinning rooms and an  office space , The darkness is created by corrugated panels running from the roof line to a patio wall . We are hoping to replace a few of these panels with a clear material to allow more light to shine in.
A house will be found in time and we will be able to " nest" and find more time to explore and experience this beautiful city of  CUENCA

WE MADE IT

We did it . We arrived in Cuenca Ecuador on my birthday. I have to say we had a lot of help along the way. First, I must thank Sabrina with out whose help we would not have been able to accomplish this move and begin our adventure. We tried to pack and store and eliminate during the heat of the summer. It just was not possible to make much headway with temperatures running over 100 degrees and our home did not have any air conditioning.As the departure date moved closer, Sabrina stepped right in as it was very clear there was just too much left to do.She stayed with Sharyl and oranized the packing until it was done.

                                                           This

                                                      Became This

                                                           This

                                                     Became This

                             I was really afraid that we would not make it
                                                    BUT WE DID

We then began to pack the items we wanted to take with us. The airline will allow 5 pieces of luggage each. The boxes must be a certain size and weight. We packed to the max. Our two cats counted a a piece of luggage each so Sharyl and I were now limited to only 4 each. We would pack, weigh, unpack substitute weigh again until we felt we had what we wanted and really needed  and headed for the airport in Phoenix. We left from Phoenix as the airline had another restriction we had to consider. They will only allow animals to fly a total of 12 hours. The only flight permitting that time frame was from Phoenix to Guayaquil 11.5 hours. So off we went. The next hurdle was to be customs in Ecuador. Much to my surprise and great relief, they did not look in ANY box. We sailed right thru to meet our driver Patricio,who was to take us to Cuenca 3 hours away.

                                              Arriving in Ecuador
                                                          with
                                                Our worldly goods

                                          And our two precious kitties
                             They were not happy cooped up for 15 hours

We are now ensconced in our temporary apartment while we look for more permanent accommodations.