BREAKING NEWS…….
“NOTHING MUCH HAPPENED…
THESE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS”
Well…I might be stretching the truth a bit…maybe a little!
Basically I guess I’m experiencing what one might call…
the everyday “ins ‘n outs” of well…just living a retired
lifestyle here in Cuenca.
I know that sounds boring to some of you but in reality...
it’s how can I explain this to you…”just nice” J
This is not to say that I’m vegetating…’cause I’m not
(not too much anyway). In fact this past week I’ve been
busy with…better sit down for this…nightlife!
Last Saturday evening I went to a “reservations only”
dinner/show at California Kitchen. The evening consisted
of a "price fixed" dinner along with…what was billed as
a “Belly Dance” show.
In reality the show was performed by an Ecuadorian
Dance Troupe and included…yes…the advertised Belly
Dance along with a variety of Spanish Dancing.
The troupe consisted of three and a half couples
(remember the Belly Dancer). Also as an “umplanned”
happening the show included…a “wardrobe malfunction”
and “NO” it wasn’t part of the show.
It was…how shall I say this…quickly “covered up” J.
As always California Kitchens' food was very good and
along with a packed house...everyone (including yours truly)
had a great night…which “by the way” cost a whopping
Fifteen Bucks!
The other happening…was a 60th Birthday Party this
past Tuesday.
Now before I go on you need to understand that a fair
amount of the older (retired) population in Cuenca…
”start” the end of the day somewhat early. That said…
the Birthday Party wasn’t even starting until the
"ungodly hour" of 8pm (YIKES).
OK…enough of the silly (if not reality) stuff!
The “Fiesta de Cumpleanos” (birthday party) was for
George and took place in George and Tom’s “temporary”
apartemento . I say temporary because they are
awaiting the completion of their new apartment which
probably won’t be ready for another year.
Anyway the present apartment is HUGE!...and with this
being the case…there was a “full house” of guests.
So…with wine and drink flowing…and along with really
tasty finger snacks…the night was off to a good start.
Beside the foodstuffs I… like everyone else in attendance…
were meeting and yakking with new and not so new faces.
I have to say the party seemed to have been a success.
Anyway…guess who didn’t walk into his apartemento
until about 11 p.m. OMG J
OK…enough of the parties etc. and moving on to the
other stuff!
The other stuff as I alluded to…was basically my normal
comings and goings…with una anomalia (one exception).
This being my “almost” completing the needed flight
reservations for my upcoming trip to the states
(in about a week from now).
Thankfully…and as most are very aware…almost all
flight reservations were completed “on-line”. This leaves
just two items…
(1) booking my round-trip (in Ecuador) flight reservations
and
(2) making arrangements for my trip from NYC to upstate
NY…which incidentally will most likely be a "bus trip"…
”long story” and one that will be told at a later date
(post U.S. trip).
By manana…the first will hopefully be done i.e...
"in-country" flight booking!
FYI…there are a couple of reasons for a “non-internet”
booking in Ecuador.
First and foremost is that in most cases…it is "not" easy
to do this…as most Ecuadorians buy goods and
services for cash vs Credit Cards…so the system isn’t
really set-up for this. In plain language…it can become
quite expensive to charge “anything” considering the
hefty surcharges involved!
Encompassing this is…[and to me a very important item]
is the "Senior Discount"... which by the way...is in the
neighborhood of 40%...and from what I can see is not
available in “on-line’ bookings!
The second item that I’m presently concerned with is
(as I mentioned before) the “bus trip” from N.Y.C. to
upstate N.Y. (brother and sister-in-law). This can only be
completed in person just prior to the bus trip.
So obviuosely this has to wait.
Otherwise…I AM NOW (almost) READY!!
So mi amigos…I would venture a "guesstimate" that my
next report will be after my return from the states...
(1st week October)…that is unless I feel the urge to report
from someplace in the states J
Ciao for Now...me amigos y amigas J
"It was…how shall I say this…quickly “covered up”..." Now Barry, I really get on my students when they substitute nouns with personal pronouns. You need to be very clear, precise, and specific when you write. Exactly what "wardrobe malfunction" was quickly covered up? What descriptive adjectives can you use to conjure up a vivid picture for the reader of exactly what was covered up? Go for it, Barry! I'm sure you can pass this test with flying colors. Also, have a safe trip back to the states.
ReplyDeleteHello again, Barry.
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best of luck with reservations and a very nice trip to the states.
I do not know whether you noticed my previous message. So, I am posting it again. Would be truly wonderful if you did answer, as I will be in Cuenca exactly when you will be in the states :) Coming 21-st, and leaving October 3-rd. So, her is that message.
BTW do you not have the "contact me" button on purpose?
Hello Barry,
Congratulations on your cedula!
And thanks for the blog, which, as a single person, I found particularly helpful :-)
Have not read all of your blog yet, but did read of your move to the center of town and of your present playground :-)
The proximity to the park and center sounds wonderful. Would love to see the pictures of your apartment and to know prices, etc.
I will be in Cuenca September 21, 2010. Will need a place to stay for 10-11 days then. And then, hopefully shortly thereafter,upon my move to Cuenca, will need a place to live.
Also, if you or any other reader, know a hotel in GYE to stay for a night, would be grateful for the recommendation.
Please answer either here or to ideamerchant at gmail dot com