8 & 9 de Julio de 2010

8 de Julio de 2010

Hoy (today)…turned out to be a milestone of sorts.

After a quick phone call from my Abogado (attorney) last 

night…I proceeded to grab a taxi to the Aeropuerto. 

The reason for my seemingly irrational trip to the 

"jet-ways" this morning…was not what one might think 

were the actions of a normal person.

Caught ye’ J 

You’ve gotta’ keep in mind that...

we’re “not in Kansas anymore” ;)

I...as most of you are aware…am now residing in 

Ecuador…where they do things just a little differently 

than first world countries. What I’m referring to…

is the way priority mail is handled. Yes…there is 

FeEx. etc. However…those “in the know” use a 

domestic airline (in this case TACA Airlines) for a very 

reliable…very inexpensive and very fast delivery service.

To give you an idea…the very ordinary envelope 

containing my passport and the attorneys check for her 

final fee cost all of $1.30. This envelope by the way…

would be delivered to Quito Aeropurto by 5 p.m. today. 

The envelope will then be picked up by my attorney’s 

office. 

Incidentally you may be wondering why I mailed my 

passport. Simple…it needs to be “officially stamped” 

showing that I am now a legal resident of Ecuador.

Once this is accomplished the passport will be returned 

(reverse process) to me via TACA Airlines. 

This hopefully will occur manana (tomorrow). 

My attorney has explained to me that if for some reason 

the process is delayed a bit (poco)…then the passport 

will be returned on Monday instead. This…

by the way is fine by me as long at it gets here!

I know this may sound sort of weird to anyone outside 

of Ecuador's' borders but apparently…this is the norm! 

In either case…you can be rest assured that I will 

“keep you in the loop” so to speak.

Other than the above and the fact…that I treated myself 

to a nice lunch at Kookabura Café and followed by some 

quality time enjoying El Parke Calderone denizens along 

with…la sol de los dias (the days sunshine).

Well that me amigos basically filled my day.

I will however continue this rant…in all likelihood 

manana.  So until then…I wish you all a good night 

(yo deseo todo el una noche de dios) J

Hola again :)

As promised it is now Friday (9 de Julio de 2010)…

It's late afternoon and...

No…I have not heard from mi abogado (my attorney)…

which by the way is not a big surprise. 

Remember…this is Ecuador! J

So my day was basically filled with mundane chores 

as in food shopping…taking clothes to the laundry and 

just basically chillin’ and playing around on the 

‘ol computer. I did however…have plans to go to 

Zoe’s Friday nights’ Expat’s get together but…

belive it or not…yes this IS hard to believe...

El Weatherman’s forcast actually came true…

not to mention also that it was on time…YIKES!!! 

As I’m sure you already guessed…

IT IS RAINING…AND RAINING HARD!!!!

Anyway it’s now almost 4:30pm…Zoe’s expats 

gathering starts getting up to speed about 5 pm 

(actually about 5:30).  So…as of this moment I 

have absolutely no idea if I’ll be getting out this evening. 

Yes…it’s nice seeing people and possibly "new" 

acquaintances. However…If this rain keeps up…

well I guess all will wait until next weeks gathering :(

Guess what…my phone just rang and it was my 

abogado (attorney). She did indeed get my passport :)  :)

but the “official” who needs to sign & stamp the 

“residencia” doo-hickeys on my passport is...

nowhere to be found.

Hmmmm…let’s see! 

It’s late Friday afternoon and the “oficial” isn’t around. 

I am shocked !!!!!! J

Anyway, she told me the passport etc. will be done 

and “flown” back to me on Monday 

(actually for Tuesday pick-up).

By the way…yes...it's still raining and the prospect of me 

going to Zoe’s …or anywhere for that matter…is looking 

very very dim indeed L

Soooo…as always there is a bright side. This being that I 

won’t be spending any more money today.

However…manana I am meeting a guy (who was in my 

Espanol class) for lunch at a nearby restaurant. 

However…this is one place I’ve never been too…

nor have I heard anything about it. All I can tell you is 

that it’s also across from El Parke Calderone 

(Cuenca Centro) and that I’ve spied people inside who 

looked very content.

Incidently…just realized…but the rain has gotten quite 

a bit lighter. I guess time…and how high my desire for 

companionship will be and along with the rain actually 

stopping will determine...

whether it’s a “go..no go” decision.

I know...I know...

this is “earth-shaking” news for you JJ

OK...I take it all back as the rain has increased…

again ARGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway…to end this ridiculous diatribe…

I no doubt will be scribing more of my exciting 

happenings in the very near future.

Until then Senor’s…Senoras y Senoritas

I bid you sunshine…happiness and of course 

good health. J J

(La hice una oferta sol, los happines y por supuesto 

Buena salud) J J

Move Complete!

3 de Julio de 2010 (July)

Hola mi amigos y amigas

Yes it’s been a bit of time (like 2+ weeks) since I last put any words on these 

pages but… I’ve been busy with the move to my new apartemento. In fact…

today is day three of living in my new abode and I’m just about settled. 

My only problematic item was the Internet connection which was on and off 

for a while. I actually sort of expected the Internet situation to rear its ugly head. 

That said and with the help of a Cuencano…who happens to solve computer 

problems and who (thank goodness) is well acquainted with “Macs” got things 

up and running this morning. It turns out it wasn’t my computer but the fault of 

the landlady’s router. Anyway…thankfully (and hopefully) that is now in the past.

I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is…”not” to have to contend with “The Hill” 

anymore. I still however am getting my daily walking exercises around town and 

I do try to walk the six “split” staircases at least once a day (that’s up and down).

Note: on the fifth floor landing...there is a locked gate of which I have a key. 

The gate is usually unlocked so…no big deal. That said I just found out the hard 

way that the gate is “chain-locked” on week-ends. So…it’s elevator time. 

Believe me I wish the stairway was opened as I’m not a fan of elevators at all. 

I guess...I’ll just have to get used to the situation! L

Speaking of walking…I filled my quota “2 times” today. You see in my new 

apartemento...I do not have a washer and/or dryer. So [yes I know this is rough]…

but I need to take my laundry to  what Norte Americano’s would call a laundrymat. 

As far as I know there are two of these establishments in town. 

There are probably more...but I’m going by “the Gringo word of mouth” info-net. 

Anyway…the laundry place that I decided on using is directly across the street from 

where I used to take Espanol Lessons (more on the lesson situation later).

Why the two trips you may ask…well I was told that the wash process takes about 

an hour. My fault …cause I’m still thinking like a “New Gringo”. You see…

yours truly forgot that the Ecuadorian hour well… can be an hour (highly unlikely) or…

well you pick a segment of the day! LOL!!!

OK...getting back on track…I dropped off my dirty clothes package about 11 a.m. 

(this is Saturday) and was told to come back at 2 p.m….WHAT????

Here I planned on killing an hour at Carolinas Bookshop…then picking up said [now] 

clean clothes and heading back to my place. So…Reality Check...HELLLOOO!!!

Off I went and (this was actually nice) decided on chillin’ in Parke Calderone for 

a while…and then on to a leisurely exploration of parts never really explored 

before my move. This was made even more enjoyable do to the fact...

that I was experiencing the beautiful spring weather we’ve been having of late…

like in REALLY SUNNY and just a tad under 70F J

Incidentally...This is Winter in Ecuador :)

As always…time does move on and so did my afternoon. It was now time for trip

“numero dos” and back to get my laundry! Guess what!!! Not ready( big surprise) yet 

and...then told to come back in "veinty minutos" (20 minutes).

BTW you need to remember…at best…my conversing is done through "very broken" 

Spanish along with even more broken English (if that much) on the part of 

many Cuencanos!

Anyway and finally...after having a short but pleasant visit at Carolinas I “finally” 

retrieved my said (clean) laundry. HOORRAY J J

OK…now getting back to my now defunct Espanol Lessons!

Just a little over a week ago our class’ teacher (Nancy) informed us that...

do to a prior obligation she would need to suspend classes until she could restart 

the class this coming September. That said…she continued to explain that Lee 

(Carolinas’ owner)…was trying to find an alternate class for us. Unfortunately that 

doesn’t seemed to have materialized as Lee is leaving this week to the U.S. for 

about three weeks. Upon his return (if all goes according to plan) I will then 

be making a similar trip to the U.S.

So…my best “guess-timate” would be expecting to wait until the Septiembre re-start L

Hopefully this week-end or the start of next week…I plan on taking some pics of 

my new apartemento and will either publish some (or all) in my next "rant"…or…

I will send them via personalized e-mails...as this being quite a bit easier than 

posting "many" pics here!

And now me amigos y amigas I shall go and prepare myself for a real...

Norte Americano Dinner at "California Kitchen. I know I haven’t talked about food…

so here it goes LOL...

Tonights Menu...Meat Loaf, Mashed Potatoes, Veggies, Desert and Drink $9.99 

(I know...not cheap by Ecuadorian standards) but if past dinners be the judge…

well worth it in my book. 

Hey…it’s always nice to treat oneself…Si:? J

Hasta Luego me Senors y Senoras y Senoritas J J

P.S. Happy Independence Day to All

14 de JUNIO de 2010

Hi…it’s me again J

OK...if you recall…in my last entry I alluded to my “planned” dia toristo
(tourist day).

Notice I said “planned”…and that I had "every intention" of doing a little
exploration via the sight-seeing tour outside of the confines of old Cuenca.

So what happened you may ask…J

Well…I tried to go to sleep the night before but subconsciously…I guess my mind was working overtime and well…sleep was just not in the cards that night. Truthfully I did manage a few catnaps but…that proved to be 

insufficient as yours truly overslept and missed the proverbial boat. 

So…I guess the trip will be forth coming hopefully in the not to distant future.

I say “not too distant near future” because of a big change coming
to this theatre LOL...starting the beginning of next month.

What happened you ask…well remember in my last rant I mentioned that
I decided to eventually move out of my apartmento. Well this morning...
I made a call to an English speaking Cuencano whom I was recently introduced to.

He…who besides being a computer-tech repairman…also does apartment finding and real estate on the side.

To make a long story short…I will be moving to my new digs as of 1 Julio (July).

OK…where to begin!

The El Apartemento is right in Centro Cuenca…i.e. “heart of Cuenca” and
very close to El Parque Calderone (my new backyard)...
as in one block from my new digs J.

The building itself is tall for the area…as in 6 stories high...in of which
I will be on the 5^th Fl. and… with a really cool view. The apartemento is nowhere
as large as my current place and is sort of an efficiency...
which by the way is fine by me.

As for furnishing(s)…no complaints there! Rent “includes” all furniture and appliances…wifi…t.v…water..gas & electric plus phone (good throughout Ecuador only) and…the rent (all inclusive) is the same as what I’m paying now.

I’ve also been told that across the hall from me is a woman (from U.S.) in one apartemento…as is also a man (from U.S.) in another apartemento and two others that I didn’t catch from where they hail.

What I am losing…is my “hike” and “climbing” up (and down) the hill and of course the “walk into town”. This does not mean however that I won’t be getting any exercise as…I will still be walking in and around town. Also…since I’m not exactly
a person who likes elevators…
I’m already planning my exercise re: climbing the 5 flights of stairs. Time will tell and I shall see how that goes…but I feel that the stairs should not present a problem for me.

The owner by the way…is a woman who speaks very little English but apparently there is help via the other tenants in the building re: interpretation etc.
In addition...my Espanol lessons will help too...and might just possibly encourage my learning at a faster rate.J

And now if you’ll excuse me…I need to go and tell my present landlord the news of my upcoming move!

Hasta Luego J

My Rant's of the 9th & 12th of June

9 de Junio de 2010

I don’t recall if I mentioned this in one of my earlier rants but…

I had decided (mainly do to a non-belief in my own abilities but…also because of “laziness”) to forgo my Espaniol Lecciones (Spanish Lessons).

Well after a very inspiring and…might I say “putting me in my place” type of e-mail from 

my very close amiga “S”…I returned to mi Espanol Lecciones yesterday (Tuesday i.e. Martes). 

To tell you the truth…I’m glad I did!

Upon my return to class I found that it was actually easier than my personal apprehension led me to believe. In fact I was welcomed with opened arms (well almost) by my classmates…i.e. all 3 of them…and Nancy [my teacher]. FYI…I even went so far as to complete my much-dreaded homework on my return to my humble abode.

Now…you may have guessed what I planned on doing after my class. J

As it was…surprise…well past lunchtime I went on the prowl for a place to satisfy the “appetite beast” within me. Now I really was not planning this...REALLY J…

but ended up at Café Austria (once again).

It would help to understand something at this point!

In Ecuador...lunch or Almuerzo is “The Main Meal” of the day. That being said the restaurants…all present a “special” to the public. Café Austria is by no means an exception to this accepted and expected way of doing business.

If you’ll recall from my past writings regarding Café Austria…you might recall that they’re prices are somewhat higher than the expected cost of restaurant food in general. However this being Almuerzo…and in that and usually as a rule [lower] prices are a fixed event…this restaurant did not buck the trend.

I have to say however…that thier Almuerzo cost is higher than the normal very low pricing found in other restaurants. That being said…Café Austris’ price is offset by what they’re fixed meal consists of….which is quite a bit more than other establishments.

I won’t bore you with the menu as in keeping with my earlier promises…

but I will say that the restaurant did come through…once again!

To get away from the food etc…I now invite you to join me in today’s comings and goings…

This being mid-week Wednesday (Miercoles)...I really had nothing planned. That is with one “importante” exception.

This exception had to do with my pending Residencia Application. 

So…off I went with my previously obtained notarized passport copy. That along with a partial payment to my Abogado and after preparing the mailing…I finally was off...and out of my apartemento.

My objective was of course to mail the envelope. Now you need to understand…this is “not” a normal mailing situation.

Following my Abogado’s instructions I needed to get to El Aeropuerto (The Airport)… and then locate the TACA Airlines Cargo office. This should prove to be FUN!!!

Now remember I am still language impaired! Thankfully after a few hits and misses I found someone who spoke English and physically led me to the proper area.

Note: - Personally…in general I find Ecuadorian people will go "out of their" way to help!

            Especially a Gringo from Estados Unidos (United States).

After a short walk outside the main terminal…I actually located the proper area. 

On my own once again…I had know idea what to expect but like almost everyone 

I meet in Ecuador the Senior at TACA was extremely helpful and patient. Literally...

I was finished with this whole mailing process in a matter of minutes and…

at a cost of only "Un Dolar Treinta" ($1.30). 

Incidentally…the package will be in my Attorney’s office in Quito before 5 p.m. today J.

It is now almost 1 p.m. and being that I decided too maybe chill a bit today…

well who knows what if anything might get me to venture outdoors. 

So far…and as of now and most of the morning…clouds have been in strong evidence with rain in the forecast. However…sighting the weatherman’s past history (LOL) … we’ll have to see what actually transpires.

With that me amigo’s…I may continue with this exciting tale of my intriguing activities... or not…depending on what if any worthy events surface. If not then …well it’ll be another day or so.

Ciao for now…

12 DE JUNIO DE 2010

Nothing of any consequence happened during the last few days So…obviously nothing to really scribe…other than the normal happenings of every day living. However…that wasn’t the case today (Saturday). 

Now don’t get too excited because even though it is something to write about…

well it was sort of mundane. The upside of my day was that I actually got out of the apartment. 

By the way…I have an update of sorts for you concerning my apartemento…

but more on that in a little bit.

Back to my days report OK?

This being the start of the weekend…which usually keeps me away from “any mall”

(and I don’t care where in the world that mall may be) and as I needed a few odds

 and ends…well I broke my own rule on shopping on week-ends and off yours truly went! 

The place once again…yep!…”Mall Del Rio”. 

Now considering that this is the start of a weekend I had expected more of a congested atmosphere which…well it wasn’t. I don’t know...maybe it was the time (mid-morning) but whatever the reason…

I was just as glad that the crowds were not in evidence (I’m not exactly fond of crowded malls…

or for that matter shopping in general - can you tell?).

So anyway the “mall thing” is now a happy memory…and once again I’m back in my abode. 

Now "this" I might add...is where the “mental” stuff started...

You see …every week I get an e-mail from the California Kitchen (I mentioned them previously) 

which includes “mouth-watering” specials. Now you need to understand something about California Kitchen... and that something is this:

Eating in George, Carol, Jim & Susan’s restaurant is like eating at your Mom’s home. Yes...

it’s a family affair. Not only that but they make you feel as though you’re part of their family…

and yes “It Is Nice”! Better still...all the food is fresh and delicioso!

OK...getting on with my rant which allows me to segway into my being a Gemini...which in turn 

allows me the excuse of my mind tending to swing...from one end of the pendulum to the other. 

So please bare with me a bit...OK? 

I don’t know…maybe it’s the living alone situation and / or maybe it’s also the location of my apartemento. However...this (location) more than likely is "the" cause of my consternation. 

What I’m trying to explain to you in a jumbled sort of way...is the fact that even though I may be planning on doing something on a particular day…it is in fact…very very easy to just say…

"nahhhh...maybe another time". By the way...a lot of this "mind-sway" has to do with the fact that...

by looking outside from inside my front door well...nothing. I mean literally...nothing to look at or for that mater too interact with!

Well anyway getting a little back on track...today wasn’t much different from others…with the exception that I new that I needed to “get the hell out of the apaartemento”! Also add in the fact that the planned menu at California Kitchen sounded Soooo Soooo Gooood ;)

Well to make this story somewhat shorter…I did in fact “get out”…and made it to El Restaurante.

Now their hours for dinner…are from 6pm – 10pm. 

Of course “you know who” got there at 5:45pm. No Problemo...except I was the sole diner. 

This really didn’t bother me much…but it would have been just a wee bit nicer if there were 

other patrons there. Actually this did change about half way through my meal. 

Speaking of which (the meal)…I opted (actually planned on ordering this) for was the “Special” 

which consisted of Asian Style fried shrimp (can you say “very large”)...rice…a teriyaki based salad and a very different (I’m guessing here) pineapple chutney. Too say that it was delicious would be a gross understatement. BTW…it also came with a drink (I had a pot of tea) and desert. 

ehhemm…Barry had (you know I had to be bad) mixed-berry cobbler…and yes…

with home-made ice cream. Incidentally…

this whole little meal (and the restaurant is not cheap) cost me 11 bucks…including tax and tip!

And that my friends…was my day.

Oh…almost forgot. The “promised” update on my apartemento. (and this ties in with my earlier ranting)

Well…not really a true update…more of a decision. You see…and I may have hinted at this in prior rants…but I’ve been dealing with some highly mixed emotions…not about my apartment…

not about the owners of the apartment…but of...yes...the location.

If you were to look at a map of Cuenca you would see four boundaries…

which BTW are natural rivers. The “Old Town” is just north of the northern-most river named     

“Rio Tomebomba”. I…and my aprtemento are located in “El Nether-netherlands”…

which just happens to be situated still further [way] north and way across “old-town”. 

In other words…somewhat removed from…well everything!

Anyway…over the last few days I’ve made a decision! [drum roll please] 

Believe me this was not easy…as I really like my apartmento and the owners. 

What I do not like is the location (bet you couldn’t guess that…right?) and also the fact that 

I have no place to well…sit in the sun in front of...or near my front door. 

I know that sounds a bit silly…but I happen to like the idea of being able to get a little sun...

once in awhile.

In either case I have let the word out to various Cuencano apartemento finders…

that I am ready to move if the right place (and cost) match what I am looking for. Incidentally…

there is no lease on my current apartemento! J

So that me amigos is about it for now.

Manana I am finally (planning anyway) getting “outta dodge” and will be doing the tourist bit for the whole day. So…my next rant will “finally” have some different and hopefully uplifting comments about my day-trip…maybe even some pics J

Hasta Luego Senor’s...Senora’s y Senorita’s :) 

6 de Junio 2010

Yes…yes…I know it’s been a week since I wrote anything. 

Well there’s a good reason. 

And when I think of it…rest assured you’ll be the first to know J

Seriously though…there wasn’t much to elaborate about. 

That’s not to say that I haven’t been doing anything…

just not too much of anything worthwhile. Hey…I’m allowed J

Just to backup a wee bit…

Yesterday I originally planned on being “out-of-town” 

and being part of a tour group doing some exploring of 

neighboring “hamlets” (for lack of a better word). 

This tour was to encompass the whole day. 

However what I didn’t want...was to be the “sole” tourist. 

Unfortunately…this is exactly what the outcome was promising to be.

So with this in mind I scrubbed the tour plans and went ahead 

with accepting an invitation to meet a group of Expats at the 

Inca Lounge & Restaurant for a mid-afternoon Comedy Show. 

OK…now I’m all set!

Surprise…as luck would have it I received an e-mail from the tour 

company stating they now had three other people for the tour. 

However…by this time I had made up my mind to opt for the comedy 

and camaraderie of other Expats. Anyway... I told the tour people to 

keep me in mind for next week-end…we’ll see!

That said and done…we now magically skip to today…

Domingo (Sunday). 

As I had the morning to kill…I did the “head of the house” chore thing

of re-supplying the food-stock(s)...i.e. shopping.  

With the shopping chore completed and supplies stored...

it was now time to get ready for my afternoon out…re: comedy time. 

So...yours truly…got ready and out I went to grab the first cab I could find.

Remember It’s S-U-N-D-A-Y!

Too prove this point the taxi’s that are usually in high evidence…

well weren’t! In fact the (finally) first cab indicated that he didn’t know...

where I wanted to go...hmmmm L

Luckily I didn’t need to wait too long for the next beauty of a cab driver. 

When I told him where I wanted to go 

(I made sure to print translated directions)...he had the audacity 

to tell me Tres Dolars (Three Dollars). Now normally 

this is a $1.50 cab ride. So…my comeback to him was Dos Dolars. 

Bottom line…it was getting late and no other cabs in sight…

we settled on Two and a half bucks.

Now...that wouldn’t have been bad if “he new” where I wanted to go 

(remember he had instructions in Spanish). Long story short…

he dropped me off…for the equivalent of about 3 long blocks 

from where I needed to be. Actually more...as I had to hike up the hill 

to the main street and then down and back to the river …

as that is where the Inca Bar is located. By the way…by this time it was 

past showtime [3pm] and I was not a happy camper to say the least!

Anyway…once down the very long and deep staircase…I turned right and…

OMG…there right in front of me was the Inca Bar. Even more amazing...

there were Norte Americanos eating at outdoor tables. But...

there was a reason for them being outside…the reason…

I was all too soon to find out was that the Comedy Show was canceled 

do to a misunderstanding between management and...who-knows-who-else!

With this information and along with not actually knowing anyone…

and being the only “single” there… I decided to "exit stage right" back 

(actually hike “up” the stairs) into town and treat myself to a...
very early dinner at the Austria Inn. 
Now I could have eaten at the Inca (haven't tried it yet)…

as I've heard they serve an amazing burger etc. However… 

I am very comfortable at Cafe Austria and also had previously planned...

on "one day" having the restaurant's Weinerschnitzle. 

Incidentally…the reviews for this dish well…are “RAVES”.

Anyway after surviving the climb  “up the long flight of many many steps”…

and trudging through town again…I arrived at Café Austria J

Well the “raves” were "well deserved". 

Not only was the Weinerschnitzel done too perfection…

but the portion was ...HUGE!

Of course…I don’t know if any of you have ever tried Weinerschnitzle but...

usually it is “butterfly’d before it is deep-fried. 

My dish...not butterfly'd and was presented on a large plate which
consisted of three huge pieces of Weinerschnitzel. This was accompanied by
French Fries and fresh sliced tomatoes…along with a side of a few pieces of
Garlic Bread...Salsa and of course Un Beer…heaven J

Yes…I know…not a healthy dish…but just at that time I needed “comfort food “.

Oh...incidently all of the above...Diez Dolars (Ten Bucks including Tip!)

So my friends…that was my day (week-end?).

Hopefully tomorrow I will hear from my Abugado (attorney)...that she has
indeed received my papers from the Ecuadorian Embassy in D.C. 

At that point my “residencia” process can actually start. Also in that vein…

I need to get a notorece (notarized) copy of my passport...
which then has to be mailed (overnight) to my Abugado in Quito
for the real processing!

Fun..fun fun and more fun. 

Anyway…I know this news is keeping you on the edge of your seat J. 

I will no doubt keep you in the loop about all this exciting stuff.

Till then…I wish you well (Le deseo lo major) 

SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT

29 de Mayo

OK so it’s been what...five days since my last Blog? 

Well the reason for that was because …nothing of any reportable consequence had happened.

OK...almost as the other day yours truly “finally” purchased the “three-in-one” printer that I was planning on buying for sooo long. This by the way…was due to Gustavo (landlord) driving me to his friends store and getting me a very good price. To give you an idea…I probably saved ”minimum” twenty bucks” and probably less than buying in the states. This by the way is highly unusual as... electronics and other such items tend to cost more here in Ecuador do to shipping and importation taxes.

Then came the start of the weekend…as in last night…Friday.

Now...”NO”…I don’t want to send any false images. It was nothing earth shaking…but I did get out for awhile.

Once again…I ended up going to Zoe’s Bar for the Expat “gathering”. At least I had another chance of interacting with mostly Americano Norte’s along with a few Cuencanos. It was nothing special but…hey I was inter-mingling with like-minded people and got a chance to be out of the house…even if it was for just a few hours.

Of course…once I left Zoe’s it was…”hello”…once again “raining”!

It seems that it never rains except when I go to Zoe’s and then I need to find a taxi home.

Cuenca…like any other city when it rains…becomes an adventure unto itself when it means finding a cab. The “flip-side” of this…is when one “does indeed” find a cab it  usually includes “inflated prices” [because of the weather]. Anyway...after about five or so minutes luckily I found “El Taxi” and…yes...once again I got lucky as the fare was the same as usual…Un  Dolar Cincuenta ($1.50).

So...that was my Friday night (exciting yes?). However…the other day Gustavo [my landlord and fast become a true friend] asked me if I wanted to join him and…go with him to his Tennis practice.

Now for those of you who know me…you know how big a sports fan I truly am (LOL).

Anyway I decided to take Gustavo up on his offer (as in…it’s better than having “nothing” to do). Come today (Saturday) and at 9:30 am …we were on our way to “who knows where”!  

Well…”who knows where” turned out to be a Real First Class Sports center someplace (but still considered the city) west of Cuenca City proper and…took us about 20 minutes by car to get there. The unexpected residual of this trip was that I was able to experience some beautiful mountainous scenery along with crisp fresh air. J 

OK…back to the “sports and/or escapade” report…

Now originally Gustavo said we would most likely be back at 1 pm.

However...I sort of forgot about the typical Ecuadorian sense of time…

as like it’s a “very vague kind of suggestion”. J

Now please be aware of the time frame here! It’s morning!

With this in mind…like many sports type camaraderie…after the game it’s time for the losers to buy beer. Gustavo and his partner were “not” the losers. So off we all went to “collect”! Now this wasn’t bad as it was (I’m guessing here) sort of near or around noontime. Anyway… after a suitable time Gustavo was off to yet another game…this time with a paraplegic. FYI…I later found out this gentleman is considered a Professional Handicapped Tennis Star.

As this whole mornings’ events were new too me…it was to say the least…entertaining and enjoyable. But…guess what…it wasn’t over just yet. You guessed it…time for more beer! Anyway...I’m making it sound worse than it was. It was just unexpected. Actually I had a really nice time and got to meet many of Gustavos’ friends…along with one…Javier…who as it turned out spoke English very well. Apparently… Javier lived in and around Miami for twenty years. And get this…in the town he lives in (about a half hours drive from Cuenca)…the town’s folk call him “Gringo” J

So… now I’m back home and doing laundry. 

Can you stand the excitement? J

Now I had planned on going out later this afternoon (like for dinner) to the new previously mentioned restaurant "California Kitchen"…as they are having a Memorial Day Dinner special.

However…as of now that plan is entangled in a mental “quagmire”…

that is all mine. 

This is do to the fact that at this point in time (it’s just about 4:45pm) and…

[a] I have ZERO appetite….[b] don’t know if I want to make the trek into town plus… 

I’m being lazy in general (perhaps it’s all the beers I forced to drink ) ;)

What happens next? 

Time will tell and I will keep you all abreast of this headline breaking news :)

So for now Me Amigo's...Hasta Luego ;)

May 22, 2010

See…this is what happens when one listens to the “expert” weather reports!

And yes...I did it “again”…I listened to the “experts”! I am really mad…and you better believe it !!!

So what am I upset about…well in short the “very pleasant weather” that we were “not” going to have! What the geniuses that report our weather forecasts said was that…

Cuenca has a 90 percent probability of rain all day. 

So Senor Barry…like a fool listened to “El Hombre Tiempo” (the weather man) and planned to stay indoors for what turned out to be…you guessed it…no reason what-so-ever! As in…no rain!

OK…now that’s off my chest! At least I feel a bit better in sharing that tid-bit of information.

So…this being Saturday and as I had no plans anyway (see above)…at least I did some computer stuff that needed tending too. Being indoors also gave me the opportunity to…well…just doing stuff like housework (yuck) and a bit of reading. Anyway at this hour (it’s about 3 pm) and it is cloudy so…

maybe it will rain after all (sort of cheer me up).J

I guess I will just chill once again. I know…not exciting or for that matter not even worth mentioning. However…life isn’t always that exciting…wherever one may call home.

Tomorrow…even though it’ll be Sunday (as in Cuenca being a “ghost” town day)…I will make my almost daily sojourn into town for a nice desayuno sabroso (tasty breakfast).

Manana Me Amigos…

May 23, 2010

I’m ba-ack J …and after Saturday’s debacle re: listening to “The Weatherman” it is now Sunday (imagine that).

Anyway…once again our illustrious weather forecasters are…you guessed it…

calling for another day of heavy rain (you know the kind we had yesterday LOL). 

This time however…I did what the weather forecasters deem as” unacceptable behavior” and actually looked out yon’ window. You’ll never in a million years guess what I saw. 

Yep…Can you say “SUNSHINE” J J

Now…with this knowledge and the steadfast decision of not spending another day cooped up in my apartment I got ready to venture outdoors. There was only one tiny…tiny problem. That being this is Sunday…as in Cuenca’s…yeah you kmow J… Ghost-town!

BUT!!! Ye’ know what? I could care less!

One thing I had loosely planned on was another trip by taxi to Mall de Rio.

Why…you may ask? Well…first of all it gave me an opportunity to be around people and also being around people…well it lends an opportunity to meet someone. Maybe someone of the opposite sex.

As luck would have it…eh eh…no such luck! L

Anyway the other reason for my shopping jaunt was to procure an electric griddle…as in making pancakes etc…and also to pick up a toaster-oven. These are two sorely needed items in my kitchen. Well I did get the griddle but decided to wait on the toaster-oven… as what I liked was “wayyy over the top” cost-wise. Sometime this week Gustavo (my landlord) is taking me to look and hopefully by a ”three-in-one printer”. While at that store maybe I can find…my illusive toaster-oven. Now isn’t this “hold on to your seat” news-worthiness? J  J

Upon returning to my abode…I got myself ready for a stroll into town. And being that it was already after 1 pm I decided on having a coffee and oh…I don’t know…maybe with something that I really shouldn’t have…on the side. 

Ahhh…but first I had to figure out where I might brighten J someone’s restaurante!

Keeping in mind my “limited” choices (it’s SUNDAY)…and also wanting to feel a bit of “Ameriacana”…I chose The Kookaburra Café. Yeah I know they’re from “down under” but hey…almost like the U.S.of A.

Anyway after trekking from the northern end of town all the way to the southern end...I finally arrived. In perusing the menu and not really being hungry…I decided to stick with my original plan on getting a large cuppa java and…yep now the hard part.

Kookaburra has some really good things on their menu and then they “unveiled” the “specials of the day” board. Sure…make it a “harder choice” J

To make this a shorter story…I chose the Chicken Tamale. Now I’ve been in Cuenca a bit over a month and have not had a Tamale…so I wasn’t quite sure as to what to expect. But having no fear J…I was pleasantly surprised when the Tamale was presented to me.

El Tamale…was made up of small pieces of chicken over mashed potatoes and a few other items (veggies?) and all wrapped-up in a leaf. On the side of course was a spice mixture. A very simple…yet very nice presentation…and all for a buck and half…plus the coffee of course! All-in-all…a very nice afternoon snack and well worth the “hike”!

This…topped of with my walk (both ways of about 4 miles) and being home once again…I will continue my Ecuadorian adventure very soon.

Hasta Luego me amigos (see you soon my friends) ..ciao J

24 de Mayo, 2010

PREFACE: 

Originally…I was not going to commit the following to my blog as it was meant more of a “personal diary input” exercise. However after reading it many times I decided to share what I am presently mentally and physically experiencing.

FYI…We have had beautiful weather despite what the weatherman had forecast.

Even with that…I really haven’t done much the last coupler of days…but I did do some walking into town, Just the normal everyday kind of stuff.

Life howver…does get boring…especially around week-ends.

Even though my apartment is comfortable and a good size with good amenities all for an affordable monthly cost…and the landlords are really nice and friendly…in the back of my mind (well not really that far back) is the question...what if. Like “what if”… I lived closer and or nearer to the heart of Cuenca.????? Would it make that much of a difference in my everyday coming and goings, Would I interact more with locals and or expats? And of course the possibility of meeting more people than I do now…as I would be in town and just maybe do more things in the evening. Gotta wonder?

Considering that I arrived in Ecuador (Quito) on 19 Abril (April) 2010…well that makes it just about 5 weeks that I’m in country  Maybe I’m reading too much into what I’m guessing is somewhat of a slight depression period. Maybe this is normal. I don’t really know. On the other hand I’m not letting it get to me…just putting my inner feeling into written form!

Realizing that when you really look at ones own life…and let’s not forget being retired…well there’s a lot of time on ones hands. Yes…I go to Spanish language school two times per week…each time for 1 hour. That helps a lot…as I’m out and doing things even if it’s just walking around and exploring a bit. Unfortunately even that tends to get stale.

If only I could share at least some of my time with someone of the opposite sex! See I’m the type of guy that needs a woman to share and enjoy life with. I don’t know how much sense that makes…but that’s me !  However...meeting someone here in Ecuador of any consequence is appearing to be a real problem. I keep saying time will tell…maybe it will…’cause I’m at a loss as of this moment!

Also in the back of my mind is maybe…returning to Thailand??? 

But then on the other hand I think back to why I left Thailand in the first place. My divorce from Aor was the  catalyst that pushed me to decide to leave LOS (Land of Smiles)...while telling myself the change would be a good thing. Maybe it still is. Again...I don’t know! I do realize that if I returned to Thailand that the cost involved would be a major problem…as would the ability to show the required funds enabling me to stay in country. So I guess the overall saying “that you can’t go home again” is true after all!

The fact of the matter is that…I like Cuanca and it’s people. I just wish there were more single people who are more receptive to doing things in a group…as I have already suggested via The Expat-Forum on-line…with by the way…no response what-so-ever!

So…I’m glad I got all this off my chest. It didn’t solve anything but hopefully it’ll help my outlook in general.

…and manana is another day…and I get to interact with people at Carolinas Bookstore and my Espanol Class J

25 de Mayo,  2010

Up and out a bit earlier than the usual time…and also with a better outlook! This enabled me to not rush…but to enjoy my walk to Espanol Class.

After arriving at Carolinas Bookstore (Espanol lessons)…I was pleased to find out that my class had expanded to 3 personas. This happens to be a good thing as my class cost has now dropped to $2.66 per hora (much better than my original $8 per hora). Also a hird person ads to the overall enjoyment…not to mention “input”. All of this…of course… helps in the learning process.

Anyway...as I mentioned in one of my earlier rants…I affectionately call the bookshop “Information Central” for obvious reasons. This morning however…while talking with Lee (owner) …well I put “Information Central” name to a test.

If you read yesterdays “RANT” (notice that was capitalized)…you probably realize as I do…that I need some stimulation and/or change. This brings me back to talking with Lee. I figure one way to ease my  dilemma is to take at the very least…what is commonly called a “Day Tour”…as in leaving Cuenca and absorbing some of the country-side.

Being the co-captain of the good ship Carolina Bookstore…Lee came to my rescue. Without even thinking…he came up with not only the name of a Tour Agency in Cuenca…but also the name of a woman in the agencies employ that speaks English very well.

Now being armed with the name and location of the agency...off I went!

Un (one) problemo. It was now about 12:45 and Lee had warned me that they close for lunch until about 3 pm (remember…South America). With this in mind I decided to kill “two birds with one stone” and headed towards the same restaurant as last week (the Almuerzo (lunch) for $1.75).  Of course they had a different menu for today…but the quality…taste and service was just as good. 

This…me amigo’s can become a habit J

Now…please understand I’ve never been one to dawdle when it comes to eating. Oh…I’ve tried and tried…many many times in my life…to take my time and enjoy the moment and the food. However…some unknown force takes over and before I know it…I’ve finished the meal. Now please don’t get the wrong impression. No…I don’t “wolf down” the food…but nor do I take the time that I should to enjoy the food.

Anyway…got of the track a bit. Sorry about that.

After that satisfying Almuerzo…I was off to El Parque Calderone to enjoy the beautiful day…do some people watching and then finally to go talk with the tour people. Now by this time it was all of a little past one o’clock. Still way to early to even think about going to the “Tour Agency. At this point…and looking at sitting around for two more hours…I decided yon’ tour agency could wait another day. Next time…probably Thursday (my next class day)…I will attempt to meet the tour person prior to going to class. In other words… in the morning. J

Anyway after this astonishing decision…I decided that being tn town was lending nothing more to my day…and as the afternoon clouds were doing a bit of threatening…it was once again time to head on home. As had happened in the recent past…again (and I have to reign these temptations) I was lulled into a Panaderia (bakery)…where I obtained two small rolls (OK…OK…average size rolls…I swear) J

So me amigo’s that…by the way…was my day.  Incidentally it is now late afternoon.

So…what to do now? 

I know…time for me to do a bit of proof reading of these last few pages and then commit them to my Blog…for your perusing and hopefully....

your enjoyment!

Cioa for Now J