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Day 40 – Our Last Day in Cuenca

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Sunday, August 19, 2012 – Cuenca, Ecuador

Bridge Over Tomebamba

Today is our last full-day in Cuenca, before heading up to our new home in Cotacachi.  We are a little excited to say the least.  After breakfast this morning we packed everything except for what we’ll be needing in the morning.  Three suitcases, a duffle bag, a backpack, and a brief case.  I had to dive back in a couple of times to retrieve some items that were packed in haste.  That’s just part of the drill.  Packing early allows us to open cupboards and closets a dozen times to make sure nothing gets left behind.  We check, double check, and then check again.  At least we know we’re anal.

After we were finished packing we decided it was way too nice a day not to go outside for a walk.  We usually just stay in on Sundays because the city, for the most part, shuts down.  We headed up the stairs to the historic district.  There were people in the parks, it was a beautiful day, but in the center of town the streets were quiet, very little foot traffic, and even fewer cars.

Catedral Nueva

There is a lot we’ll miss about Cuenca.  The Tomebamba River runs behind our apartment complex – we enjoy walking near it’s banks as we head about town.  The majestic cathedrals – it seems like there is one every couple of blocks.  The ice cream shops and pastry shops – we’ve enjoyed the treats.  The friends we’ve made here -  Ecuador is a small country, I’m sure we’ll see each other again.

We did find an ice cream store open, La Fornace, one of our favorites.  We stopped in to have a farewell cone.  The lady must have known.  She seemed to pile more ice cream on than normal.  We strolled slowly as we enjoyed the treat.  Then headed back to the apartment.

Ice Cream

Here we sit, waiting for our plane to leave.  Our flight is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:30 PM.  We joked about heading to the airport tonight.  We’ve gotten there ridiculously early in the past, but that would even be extreme for us.

I don’t ever remember being this excited about a home purchase before.  There may be several factors playing into my emotions.  Is it the short time period between decision and actual purchase?  Or maybe the cramped quarters we are currently in has something to do it.  I’m sure they both play a role, but more so, I feel this is truly where God wants me and I have never felt that way about a move before.  I haven’t slept much all week.  Not in a bad way.  More like a child on Christmas Eve, ripe with anticipation.  I can’t wait to see what God has planned for our lives in Cotacachi.

LESSON LEARNED:  God knows the plans He has for us.
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Day 39 – A Walk Around Town

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Saturday, August 18, 2012 – Cuenca, Ecuador

We played tourist again today.  We headed out to Amaru Zoo.  On the tourist map it’s located on Calle Benigno Malo and Avenida Tres de Noviembre.  We headed that direction.  We made a pit stop at the 10 de Agosto Mercado (market) on Calle Larga.  The place is huge.  Fruits and vegetables, meats, dry goods – there was a ton of stuff and a ton of people.  It was definitely Saturday at the market.  Bruce and I both wished we had found this market sooner.  Since we’re heading out on Monday, perishables are just not on the list.

After kicking ourselves, we headed down the road to find the zoo.  We walked up, down, and all around.  We could not find the zoo.  There is a lot of construction going on right now in that area, maybe it was temporarily closed – we just don’t know.

San Alfonso Catedral

We decided to head to Parque Calderon (park).  The traffic is usually bad through town, but today it was almost dead stopped.  When we got to the Park, we saw several streets had been blocked off.  There was a fire in two restaurants (Raymipampa and Tutto Freddo) a few days before, set off by fireworks that went astray.  There were firetrucks and police posted outside the restaurants.  Apparently the investigation was still ongoing.  We saw the horse and buggy, that usually takes tourists through town, parked.  I asked Bruce if he wanted to go for a ride.  He said not today – we’d just be sitting in traffic.  Good point.

So we decided to head to the park next to San Blas Catedral.  There is a great ice cream store there, Mixx.  It’s been days since we’ve had ice cream, and Cotacachi does not have an ice cream store on every corner, like Cuenca.  We figured treat ourselves.  I had a small Kahlua cone.  Bruce had a large cone, dipped in white chocolate with dark chocolate sprinkles with two scoops of Brownie Fudge Ice Cream.  He liked it so much he wore it home.

On the way home it started to rain.  The sun continued to shine.  I have always thought there was something magical about sun-showers:  the air smells fresh, everything glistens.  People scurried to catch cabs.  Bruce and I stopped under an awning during a brief period of heavy rain, and then continued on. The streets were empty and quiet.

LESSON LEARNED:  31-years, and it’s still magical.

Santorio Home Interior Store

Corazon de Jesus 1

Corazon de Jesus 2

Day 33 – I Heard the Bells

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Sunday, August 12, 2012 – Cotacachi, Ecuador

The sun was pouring through the windows of the aptly named sun room this morning.  I opened the windows to enjoy the cool morning breeze as I sipped my coffee.  Suddenly I could hear the church bells ringing in the distance, followed by a chorus of dogs.  ”Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (Psalms 98:4) is the scripture that came to mind.  I smiled and looked up at the sky.  I knew the Lord was enjoying the music as much as I was.  What a beautiful way to start the day.

Matriz Church

After a hearty breakfast, we headed out the door to just experience Cotacachi.  We walked aimlessly, no real goal except to absorb.  The air was perfect.  We first headed to the town square.  Like most towns we have visited, the square had a lovely park at its center with a church on one side.  Jesus waved to us from atop the dome. We stopped for lunch and then headed back to the Condo. On our way there we ran into a fellow expat we had met the day before.  She asked how the house-hunt went.  Very fruitful!  We bought a house!  She was with another lady, also an expat, who excitedly ran across the street to hear the news.  Bruce and I chatted with Cynthia and Debbie for a few minutes.  Debbie offered to help in any way and told me that her husband Jack helped many of the expats with their questions on moving to Ecuador, and gave me his email: intheandes@gmail.com   Jack also sends out emails of any events that may be of interest.  What a great resource.  I emailed Jack as soon as we got back to the Condo and asked to be added to his list.

Mural at Central Plaza

As I was checking emails, Bruce turned on the television to find a small slice of home.  He is a NASCAR fan and the Speed Channel in Ecuador carries the races.  They are announced in Spanish – maybe that will help Bruce learn the language.

I spent most of the afternoon and early evening pouring over the pictures I have of the new house.  Where will I hang this?  What will I do with that?  The sketches and doodles started pouring out.  I couldn’t help myself.  Bruce and I chit chatted about the what-ifs.  It was fun to just talk and dream.

As the night grew quiet, I again heard the bells.  But this time they were ringing in my heart.  I thank the Lord for the many blessings He has given us.  Most of all for a strong marriage and loving children.  We are truly blessed.

LESSON LEARNED:  Never forget to count your blessings, and give thanks.

View Down Street 1

View Down Street 2

View Down Street 3

Statue of Simon Bolivar

Statue of Modesto A Penaherrera

Statue of Patron Santa Ana

Tree in Central Plaza

Marianna picking a peach

Bruce on condo grounds

Building in town 1

Building in town 2

Day 25 – Playing Tourist

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Saturday, August 4, 2012 – Cuenca, Ecuador

Today we planned to visit The Skelton Museum.  It sounded unusual, so why not.  We headed into Historic Cuenca, map in pocket, and found the general area, but could not find the actual museum.  All we were going by was a tourist map.  No actual address.  We thought maybe the map was a little off, so we walked around several of the adjacent blocks – nothing.  Bruce suggested we ask someone.  I was the one determined to find it on my own.  I can be such a guy sometimes.

I’ve been that way all my life.  I am number seven of eight girls.  So when I developed Tom-Boy tendencies growing up, my Dad didn’t object.  I guess he figured he’d take what he could get.  My first bike was a boy’s bike.  I loved watching baseball with my Dad. And when I got my first car, I insisted he show me how to maintain it – you know change the oil, and tires, basic stuff.  Sorry, I digress.

Anyway, I finally found the Skeleton Museum.  We must have walked past it at least 3 times.  It wasn’t until we were on the other side of the street that I noticed the sign; small brown sign with gold lettering.  However, even though the tourist map said it should be open, it was not.

Catedral Viejo – Sanctuary

Disappointed we continued on towards Calderon Plaza.  We came across the Catedral Viejo (Old Cathedral), which no longer holds services, but now functions as a museum of religious art.  We decided to visit ($2 each).  We headed inside.  The cathedral was started in 1567.  Along with religious art it houses a carved wooden model of the Nuevo Catedral (New Cathedral) on the other side of the plaza.

Catedral Viejo – Pipe Organ

The walls and ceilings are hand painted, some dating back to the 1500′s. A large pipe organ, added to the cathedral in 1739 sits at the rear of the sanctuary above the main entrance.  One can only imagine the majestic sounds that used to fill the space.

After touring the museum we headed across the plaza to Tutto Freddo for cake and coffee.  I had the walnut coffee cake and a cappuccino, Bruce had a cafe tinto (black coffee) and an apple walnut pie ($5.90).

Flowers from Market – $3

On our way to the apartment we stopped at the flower market and bought a mixed flower bouquet ($3) that was too big for the vase I have so I ended up with two arrangements:  one for the breakfast table and a small one for our nightstand.

Our day didn’t go quite the way we planned, but it was a good  day!

LESSON LEARNED:  ”But I found out that bones with flesh are more interesting than bones without.”   - James McArthur