We have been here one week today.
For the first time ever, I have left the North American continent and not had a bout of the old "Montezumas revenge". The water in Cuenca is as safe as at home. We drink the tap water and use ice. Of all things I experience when traveling, the clean water has always been one of my major concerns. I love this place!
What a change came over the city when the voting was over and the booze ban was lifted and people who had gone back to thier hometowns to vote had returned to the city.In Ecuador, when there is a vote, it is mandatory that every one 18 to 65 must vote. If you don't you get fined. Over 65 it is optional. You also must return to the city you are registered to vote It is a very big deal!
Monday when we stepped outside our courtyard onto the street it was a whole different world.
Businesses that we thought were out of business were all opened and the sidewalks were huming with activity.
We left our apartment about 9 a.m. and walked the city streets all day. There is so much to see. We are going to have to start a list of the things we really want to see and the places we want to visit. So far we just walk and gawk.
We went farther afield and explored a bit of "new town" which is just across the river. It is more of a residential area with the kind of shopping we have in our neighbor hoods at home.
Tuesday night we went o a "gringo" gathering place. We walked in and found a table with two empty seats and were invited to have a sit by a guy with a heavy Canadian accent. Amazingly, he and his wife used to live in Abbotsford and still have grown kids there! Is this a small world or what!??! After meeting more Gringos, (gringo is not considred a rude word here), we went to a local bar with the Canadian couple and a couple from Georgia we had met earlier ,and played "Trivial Pursuit". good time.
It is very easy to meet other non-Ecuadorians here.
Wednesday we met up with Jim, a man from Chicago, who I had been in contact thru the internet. He is in the process of establishing residency here. He was a wealth of information, and took us to an excellent local restaraunt.
After lunch we rode the city bus just to get a grip on the system. There are litteraly 100's of buses running on 25 lines and you never wait more then 10 minutes to get the one you need. you can go anywhere for 25 cents.
We got off the bus at the SuperMaxi...the Safeway of Ecuador....and explored the store to see what was available.Looked jut like our stores only in Spanish............
Thursday we hopped the bus and went up the mountain to the local Hot Mineral Springs. I could do that eveyday! We are going back on Monday, and I am having a massage. A one hour, full body massage is 30.00. It only costs 2.75 to spend the whole day at the baths. If I lived here I would go twice a week.
My back and leg have not bothered me since I got here.
Today we rode an open double decker bus on a 2 hour tour of the city.You will see from the pictures how awesome that was.
That brings us up todate for the week.
I am going to try to take the time to blog more more often.
For sure, I am going to devote one blog to the food here! AMAZING!
catch up later...........D&D
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