AROUND TOWN

Hi Folks,
Haven't posted in a few days in part due to just walking (and riding) around the town and learning the bus routes, and in part due to slow internet.

We collected some more pictures to share with you.

Lanner Diaz (Cuban artist) acrylic painting of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1880, and is referred to as the 'new' cathedral,

Snapshot John took today on our walk.

John in the courtyard of our apartment.  Looking good, huh?  The bottlebrush is 10' tall.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, we are trying to learn our way around via bus.  We said "hey, what do we have to lose?"  With our SENIOR bus cards, each ride is 12 cents each, we're not concerned about getting lost.  Blue buses are in-town routes and well-marked - sure they are!  We are not pressed for time - so off we go with much confidence and expectation.

We took the bus suggested by a young woman at the stop (we now know - don't ever get on #6)!  We started out in the bustling city with lots of riders, went ALL AROUND TOWN through many, many little neighborhoods and very, very narrow streets  How does a very large bus make a sharp turn onto a street about the width of a narrow driveway with high fences on both sides?  We don't know, we couldn't look  Our trip continued all around, and we said "hey, this is the way to see things".  Our enthusiasm and confidence and comfort level began to diminish when we went to a very high point above the city - and away from civilization.  By this time there were only 3 of us left on the bus.  Well, it's gotta turn around and go down - right?  The driver pulled up to a dead end, backed into an open parking area, turned off the motor, got out his clipboard and said "finished".  We asked if we could just stay on and ride back down?  No, you have to get off the bus and wait.  (It's 3:30 and when is the next bus?)  We weren't too thrilled about sharing a bench with the folks there and for who knows how long.  There were lots of loose dogs, a tethered goat, chickens, roosters and shantys.  However, the good news is that the panoramic view of the city was beautiful and one we might not have had otherwise.   And we waited only 10-15 minutes for the bus down.  As I said, stay off bus #6.

We found out that blue buses take the out-of-the-way routes and stop a lot.  The red buses stay on the main roads.  When the makes it stop, you have to quickly jump on at the front door, quickly hang on and sit down, and when you get to your stop, quickly jump off at the back door.

 Our "lucky" shots of this lovely city, even though it was a rather overcast day.

After all of that, we walked along Avenida Las Americas to "Gringo Land" and found the high rise condo where our friends from Nacogdoches, Texas live.  The Palermo.

This is the tallest condo in Cuenca.  After this was built, there were no more permits issued for buildings this high (17 floors w/penthouses).

We found the new location of the church where we will be attending.  The name of the church is Cuenca Christian Church.  The first service will be this Sunday.  The pastor and his wife (the Gaithers) are from North Carolina.  I'll send a picture later with another post.

A little Ecuadorian News----
"At the Bolivar Alliance for the Americas, President Rafael Correa spoke in opposition to some indigenous groups that 'puts the needs of people below those of nature'.  He has long argued that Ecuador must use its natural resources, especially oil, natural gas, gold and copper to improve the lives of its citizens and to strengthen the country's infrastructure."

Of the three major cities in Ecuador  (Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca), Cuenca is the most prosperous.

Not too many pics out lately the skies have been mostly overcast and some on and off drizzle.

We are still enjoying Cuenca in spite of this being winter, some days slow internet, and water off a couple of times for 2-3 hours each time and the "finicky" hot/cold water mix.  The culture, beauty of the mountains, friendliness of the people, and uniqueness of the city still outweigh the inconveniences (for now anyway).

Will post again real soon, but for now------

Hasta La Vista Nuestros Amigos,
J&J

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens. ..................O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"
Ps. 8:1.....9

ART AROUND CUENCA - Part 1

Buenos Noches Everybody,
The art around Cuenca is lovely, unique, weird, and in abundance.  We did attend an opening last night.  The artist is Lanner Diaz and works mainly in inks (drawings) and acrylics on canvas and board.  He is married to an Ecuadorian woman and lives here, but he is Cuban.  Will have a shot or two of his work later.

The first picture is a mural on the wall across from our apartment.  It depicts the culture of Ecuador.

This morning we just happened in a gallery that was closed, but they were setting up outside under the bridge for a commercial shoot.  We were allowed to go in (two floors).   Art is all over.  Just thought you guys might like to see some of it.

 

The first 6 are of the mural.  The hummingbird at the rock wall is where it begins.

 

 

This is painted on a large gate at the entrance of a School of Religious Education.

 

The remaining 5 were in the gallery we visited this morning.

 

Well you all, that's all for now.  Will post again after the weekend.  Enjoy!

 

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (sound mind)."

2 Timothy 1:7

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS PICTURES

We are still getting familiar with the city.  Taking is slower right now, we both are battling a cold.

Will post again in a few days.  We have some week-end dinner plans and art happenings we are checking out.

Chao,

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
Proverbs 17:22

CAJAS BIRD PICTURES

OK - here are the promised pictures of a few of the birds and flowers.

Hope you can see the beauty of this area.  As we trekked through we were so aware of the beautiful sky. 

The last bird picture is a hummingbird that is over 6" tall.  One of 26 species here.  They were so enjoyable to watch.  We saw many more birds than this and have them on file to share later.

Will post again after we "explore and experience" more of Ecuador.

J&J

"His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet."
Nahum 1:3

CAJAS NATIONAL PARK

We began our Saturday walking up the "911" stairs at 5:30 a.m. to meet our Cajas National Park bird-watching tour group.  We met at 6:00.  There were 6 (including our guide Carlos).  We were driven to the entrance of the park and began our hike at 9,500 ' around a beautiful lake and meadow.  We saw many beautiful birds and flowers.  Our guide had downloaded software on his phone of the 'songs' of hundreds of birds in the area.  He would "call" a bird and it would call back and come.  Some of the trail was out in the open in the meadow and part of the trail was under a canopy of overlapping trees. We came upon a German Brewery.  It had been shut down during WWII and the people made to leave Ecuador.  Llamas and Alpacas were grazing in the meadow and along the mountainside.  We hiked (sometimes slowly and breathing heavily or barely) from 7:00 until noon.  By this time we had liked up to about 10,000' and back down (circling around the lake) to 9,500'. We had a lunch that had been prepared by the touring office.  We drove to another mountain-winding entrance at 12,000' and walked a short distance.  There was this incredible view and more birds of different species.  We had gone prepared with umbrella and rain poncho.  The sky was beautiful and the weather was dry and perfect.  We had only walked about 30 steps and I bent down to get a better look at this beautiful flower, and boy did my head spin.  I said "that's it for me" - no higher.  I was so proud of John, he was really a "trekker", however, we may not do this again - but we were really glad we went.  Carlos was hoping we would see at least 40 species - we saw 34.  We had also hoped to see the Condors flying.  There is a nest on a ledge on the side of the mountain.

Well, I could go on and on about the beautiful view, the fresh air and the healthy (though tired) bodies.

The folks we have talked to around here say the locals are pleased with what the President is doing for the country.  He is strengthening the infrastructure.  We are seeing a lot of new construction.

We are well and learning more of the customs and Spanish each day.  We still have not left the city proper (except the Cajas Mountains), but plan to take the bus out and around.  Hard to pace yourself when you want to see lots and experience much.

We hope all of you are doing well - we do miss you all and are so blessed by your friendships.

Let us hear from you.

Will send pictures of some of the birds and plants in next post.

Hasta la vista,
J & J

The Greatest Commandment--
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this, love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no commandment greater than these."  Mark 12:30-31

CASA DULCE CASA

Nosotros gusta Cuenca muy mucho.  (We like Cuenca very much)

Locals ask how we like Cuenca and we have decided this is the appropriate response.  And it is also true.

The weather is ever-changing (overcast in parts of the city, and sunshine in another part) and you can see where it changes.  We had a few sprinkles several days ago.  This morning we walked to the pharmacy (John has a little head cold) and then to the SuperMaxi for items to make chicken soup for lunch.  Was sprinkling when we left (about a 5 block walk) thankfully we had the umbrella.  Then it really poured down while we were shopping.  When we came out - the sun was out and it was very pleasant - in fact we were rather warm.

Attaching pictures of our apartment (100 year old building with "modernized" units) and some of our meals:  John sitting down to our first prepared full meal - 'whole' chicken purchased at grocery - pork buffet (just kidding about that one).

Attended a 'Meet & Greet' for newcomers on Tues. night and have plans for double-decker tour bus ride and meeting friends Fri. night for dinner.

We had our first bus adventure (with senior discount cards) - each ride is 12 cents.  Round about way, but we had the time, knew we could get back to El Centro, and saw a lot of the city.  Folks are very
helpful and are also very forgiving of our espanol.

Next post will send pictures of sites in the park and around town.

Will post again soon.  Take care.  We love y'all.

"God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne." Ps 47:8

SETTLING IN - PART 2

First trip to the Mercado.  It really is a "trip" - we had lots of fun - beautiful fruit and veggies.

Walking around Cuenca near our apartment.