21 Decimbre, 2010
OK...I’m back.
This…being an absence of about one month.
I guess one can say I got lazy and they’d probably be right.
In either case...are you ready to absorb my observations
once again?
Here it goes…..
Ecuador can be strange at times!
The reason I just made that statement is...do to the
language situation. It is well known that most
Ecuadorians (and South Americans in general)“do not”
speak English…and if they do…they are usually quite
shy about it and would rather…once quarried…just shake
their head “no”.
The reason I pointed out this apparent shyness is not
because they…as a people are inherently shy. Just the
opposite as…they are not! What they are fearful of...is
that (and I’m considering many can speak and
understand the English language) they may make a
mistake! In doing so and…in their mind this would make
him/her look and feel uneducated. So…when asked if
they Hablar English?…they’re reply is usually No…
lo siento (I’m sorry)…No Hablar English!
So…[where was I going with this]…oh yes…
I picked myself this morning to get out and go have
breakfast instead of me cooking for “me” once again!
Now…just because it’s close and easy to get to and…
the food is always good and the price very reasonable…
I found myself at Raymipampa’s Restaurante.
While I was sitting there reading my Kindle and having
breakfast…my hearing “finally” deduced…that something
wasn’t quite right in “Kansas” (Cuenca).
HARK!!!!!! What pray tell is that sound?
Why…it’s Christmas Music playing over the sound system
but…IT’S IN… YES…IT’S IN ENGLISH!!!! ...
and I’m in Ecuador. Will wonders never cease?
OK...OK…I know…it was a looong way of getting to the
point of “making my point”…but I had fun getting there.
And the ‘Beat Goes On”
(now what’s he talking about?)…
OK…most…if not all of you know…I recently (like
almost 2 months ago) moved to another (my present)
location. Welllll…….
Call me crazy but…the race is “on again”!
I’m talking about looking once again for new digs…as in
apartment! Again…most of you know that my so-called
Internet has been well…like a thorn in my side. This along
with my “RIDICULOUSLY” Tiny Kitchen…well…
I feel the need for change…”for a change”! (hey…it’s been
two (2) months ye know.)
So…anyway within the next half hour I should get a call
from my ''dapartemente" finder (Martha… about a place
(in town) to look at. This time however…I am “not”
giving her an answer re: talking the apartment (or not) so fast..
as I want to be as sure as possible…and also to compare
other offerings. That said…one needs to understand that
one can “never” be sure until one lives in the “new” dwelling.
The reason for this is the “noise level” and “times” of these
possible …loud noises (fireworks “the BOOM kind”…
car alarms [a BIGGY] etc etc). Now one can NEVER be
sure but...this is where Due Diligence can pay off!
Guess what…I met Martha at the corner of the “possible”
new digs. Yes…it had a balcony (narrow but…still a
balcony) and yes it is situated above a farmacia (pharmacy)…
and yes…it’s all of 2 blocks from Parke Calderone.
So you ask…what’s the problem?
Well to tell you the truth we never even made into the
apartment. It seems that since the last time Martha was
there…the owner rented out the…better sit down for this one…
entryway/foyer area to a "CD Shop". Yes...one needs to go
through the “business” in order to get to the main locked
doorway…which…I suppose gets one into the apartment(?).
I never found out…as the furthest I got was the sidewalk in
front of the CD shop and...“not a step further”!
So…I’m still entrenched in my current apartment and happy
to be here!
BTW…while talking with Martha (after the aborted
apartment appointment)…I mentioned that I might be open
to looking at either furnished or unfurnished in what is
considered “New Town” and which is on the south side of
the Rio Tomebamba (Tomebamba River).
Anyway she mentioned a nice furnished apartment is
available and…by the way she described it…is in a stand
alone small house with 2 levels in a secured area.
To tell you the truth I am torn between El Centro and
the possibility of being near but...outside of Old Town.
Here’s the kicker…the rent ($250.00) includes utilities
(not sure of the internet yet). Sounds like I’m interested hmmm?
Truthfully I’m not sure yet but I may just call and set an
appointment with Martha real soon.
Anyway…enough of the apartment stuff for now.
Right around the corner as most of you are aware…
are the Christmas and New Year holidays.
For all my Jewish friends I wish you all a post
Happy Hanaukah! To “all”...
I wish you have a Very Happy Holiday Season!!
Myself ?...Monday (12/27) yours truly is off to an
“All Holiday” party at a Gringo couples home in town.
So mi amigo’s y me amiga’s …
Feliz Navidad…Chanukah Feliz y
Feliz Ano Neuvo
(Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and
Happy New Year) :) :) :)