Our dream home may be in site!

Just as I was starting to think our wish list for our dream home may have been to lofty, out of the blue.....or, actually, out of the grey misty rain.........it appeared before our eyes!
We have been taking to the streets on a daily bases looking for windows with " for rent" ("se arreinda") signs. Seems everytime we called, we got a lead on another place. After veiwing many, many apartments, we took to knocking on doors of buildings that looked like somewhere we might want to live. It is amazing how much information you can get from the doorman or security person of a building.
Yesterday we took a bus to a differnt side of town and walked back to the neighborhood we are staying in. After a good 3 hour walk, about 8 or so blocks from our apartment hotel, we were ducking down side streets trying to avoid the thunder showers. We suddenly found our selves looking at a house that was being built and realized that it was a 3 floor home that appeared to have apartments on each floor. The building was very nice. Even though it was a new building, it was in keeping with the style of the rest of the street. I was tired and wanted to get back to the apartment before the rain really started, but my sweet, curious husband talked me into having a closer look. Thank goodness he did!
We rattled the gate and a member of the construction crew came out and in our tiny bit of Spanish, which, by the way is growing daily, we were able to find out that, yes, they were apartments and they were for rent. He invited us in for a look, and it was like walking thru the magic mirror in wonderland!
Even though the place was still under construction, we knew it was the place we wanted to live.
The 2nd floor and third floor apartments are stunning. The views of the city from the balconys were breath taking.
As we went from room to room we realized more and more that this was exactly what we were in search of.
A woman appeared and  we managed to piece together enough conversation to know that she lived in the house behind the one being built and that it was being built as a rental by her family members that were living in New York. We left our number and she said she would pass it on to the owner.
Neither one of us slept much last night. We talked a great deal about the apartment and tried not to get our hopes. But, our hearts were singing at the thought.
This morning the owner called us from New York and we made arrangements to go back to the place with a translator at 2:30.
We had lunch with our friends from Vancouver and then went bcak to the Apartment house with a translater.
I was beginning to think that I had blown things up in my mind and that a second look would bring me back to reality, but I was wrong. The place really is perfect for us! This time we took Pete with us and found out that the lady that lives behind the house has a little dog and he and Pete played chase for the hour or so that we were there.
We found out that it would be 60 to 90 days before completion, but, if we were willing to sign a contract and put down a deposit, we could have the place. Tomorrow we will talk with the owner, in New York, again, and get the plan firmed up. They will get a lawyer to write up the contract and we will get a lawyer to go over it with us and make sure everything is on the up and up.
Here are pictures of the outside of the place:

The pictures don't really do justice. The walls are gourgeous stone work.

If this works out for us, I will start taking pictures as the construction progresses.

Tonight we went out to a local place called the Inca Lounge ( best chicken tacos I have ever had)  with Kris and Dave, new friends we have made since we arrived here.

Tomorrow Doug starts a Spanish class called "Survival Spanish". I am waiting till we get settled a bit before I start classes, but I am working with my online programs and feel more comfortable each day.

It was a bit overwhelming trying to accomplish simple tasks at first, but every day we learn something new that helps us. Today we went into one of the local corner stores and bought bus passes! We were quite pleased with ourselves...............no more fumbling for quarters.

Once again, I just have to say it....................

                   LIFE IS GOOD!

Bye the way family and friends, our internet connection has not been very good so we haven't been able to make the Magic Jack connection to call you. I promise that we will go somewhere tomorrow and call all of you.