The days rush by as time flies here in Cuenca -- lovely days full of good friends, good food, and new little adventures...
So what's been going on? Went to a "new" Chinese restaurant with Susana ..... food was good and pretty authentic -- these people speak CHINESE.... only a few words of Spanish, and no English... amazing how they can have a successful business, but they are succeeding....
The restaurant is named CHIFA YOU MI QI on Av. El Oro 3-34 y Remigio Crespo....they're open every day -- tel 288 0631, cell 098 180 4848....daughter speaks Spanish but she wasn't there.....
Good friend LINDY M. came over and worked on my computer - downloaded MAGIC JACK to our cell phones (it was only on Rick's old computer and reception was bad) Now it works great and we are using it much more... # 402 915 9208 ....Lindy is very knowledgeable about computers and electronics - she'll be able to do some good business here when she gets all moved because there are a lot of "chronologically advanced" people who need someone to help them USE their computers....Lindy spent the night....So good to have a nice Guest Room for last minute stays...and so nice to have a "girlfriend" stay all night!!!
We celebrated THANKSGIVING with Lindy at Don Colon -- he did a delicious turkey dinner - his stuffing was excellent and the price was right....$13 per person including a glass of Sangria!
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Juan Gabriel (Yolanda's son) came home with excellent grades, 9.8 out of a possible 10, so on Saturday night we took them to Tacanijo to celebrate....(Huacas 1 54 y Las Americas)
Juan Gabriel loves the Sopa de Tortilla (as do I ) --- Yolanda had the Volcanes and liked them as much as Bertha & Geovani did.... Our meal for 4 people consisted of 2 orders of guacamole/beans & chips, 5 main dishes, 4 flan desserts, 1 beer (Yolanda & I split ) and 2 soft drinks...the bill? $41.20 ..... And it was all soooo good!!
The crucifixes around the door to the restrooms are another thing you would never see in the U.S. --- someone might be "offended"!!
Just love being in a country where it's natural to show one's love and respect for the Lord....
Sunday after Mass we ate at Don Colon and ran into Bertha and Geovani with her father "The Chief" Rogelio.... after lunch we went to Bertha's house to see Geovani's new truck....
He is very proud and happy (and he should be).....vehicles here cost about double what they cost in the U.S. so this was a BIG INVESTMENT,
and there is little financing....this truck has air conditioning, auto windows, and drives like a dream he says.....AND it holds LOTS of rice!!
That evening we took a little stroll in "our park".... such a nice thing, the houses all surround a little park filled with lovely roses and plants, a Gazebo and park benches, and a swing set/slide for the kids.
Yesterday Yolanda and I went to the fabric store so she could pick out some fabric for a blouse....we are going to have Fanny Dominguez make it the way Yolanda wants and this will be her Christmas present ....we go for fittings on Monday, Dec. 8.....
Then we went to Coral looking for a small rolling cart to fill with presents for the poor old ladies who beg at the Cathedral....and we found this for $13.05 ....
Will fill this with groceries, dishes, soaps, etc. to make nice usable Christmas gifts, and with the wheels make a good shopping cart .... trying to think of things that will make their lives a little easier....
We stopped by Patricio (our taxi driver friend) and Ana's tienda....what a nice little convenient mart!! Got some potatoes, melon, apples and tomatoes and it was all excellent quality....They have a little of everything including whiskey and gin....
Today we went to El Centro to get more of my blood pressure medicine and had lunch at a cute restaurant Bella Cuba and had some terrific Ropa Vieja!
First a delicious vegetable soup, then the main plate of ropa vieja meat, rice with black beans, yucca, and a little salad....and of course fruit juice to wash it all down......$2.50 for the meal.... We ran into the Antiques Dealer I had talked to a few weeks ago and he was so nice -- talked about taking us some weekend to the country for an outing with lunch!
Tonight Susana came over and we discussed the plans for a big GARAGE SALE here on Saturday, December 13th, from 10 to 4pm.... I'm hoping to sell a lot so that I can really fill the carts for the Cathedral ladies and give them a very good Christmas.....Sometimes it's better to give the poor things they can eat and use as it is difficult for them to go shopping - they all are disabled and it's hard for them to walk....shopping for them is better than giving them the money.....
We both have so many nice things from the states as Susana also goes to the U.S. and buys good clothes to sell here....and lots of gift items & jewelry that will be priced to sell!!
Tomorrow morning the landlord is coming to talk with our neighbors about putting an electric wire around the fence....some thieves have been seen in the neighborhood so it's best to put up more defenses....must get up early and make some coffee for everyone....so,
BUENAS NOCHES!!
