This weekend is the "Fiestas de Cuenca" -- I think it's their Independence Day celebration so there are tons of people everywhere, art displays and booths selling everything imaginable....
El Cantaro Restaurant (where we ate after Mass) was packed which made Tony very nervous....he didn't have enough help but the food was delicious even tho there was a bit of a wait...
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Have been working on the yard and the park garden -- put in a few more roses but there is a lot more to do...perhaps later this week Yolanda and I will go for more plants.....
This is my favorite rose....
The weather here is warmer -- it's summer now which means more rain and much prettier vegetation....the growing season is year round, but the flowers flower more in the "summer".......Have had some thunder which in Nebraska would mean a big storm...here it barely rained, BUT, we did have an earth quake...5.3 they said. Rick didn't even wake up, but I did -- there was a loud boom and then the bed started shaking and the windows rattling....I got up and looked out but it seemed no one else was bothered (it was 5 am) so I went back to sleep. They said it was felt much more in el centro.
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The new restaurant I mentioned last time turned out to be VERY good...A delightful young couple from Venezuela have opened MASTRANTO on Juan Jaramillo 8-21 y Luis Cordero.....He is Marco Acosta and his wife is the chef, Eros.....
Venezuela is a place no one wants to live, so they leave if they possibly can...
The food here at MASTRANTO is rather European/Venezuelan presented in an elegant manner...it's a cute fresh place and they are doing well.....we plan to go back tomorrow night....
Friday night we took Yolanda and Juan Gabriel to Tacanijo...
Juan Gabriel is really growing... we don't get to see him very often because his school hours have changed from mornings to 1 pm - 6:30 pm...they have to do morning and afternoon sessions because there aren't enough schools and the afternoon classes are for the upper grades....
Juan and Yolanda now love Mexican food, AND the hot sauces....it's fun to take them there because you can see how much they enjoy it...
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Had my nails and hair done on Saturday...
Valeria came and cut my hair and curled it and gave me this amazing manicure, all for $15.... I was in a hurry as Geovanny had invited us to almuerzo at their house -- it was his birthday....
Geovanny always invites me to have a drink of his special whiskeys or wines...he has a nice collection, and tho I have never been a big fan of whiskey..it's really quite nice when it's a GOOD whiskey!
Geovanny and family --- with Bertha, and Paul and Dominica Cristina (Titi)
Geovanny serving wine to his mother and sister...
This is the Ecuadorian tamale we had as appetizer....REALLY GOOD!
The main course was chicken in mushroom sauce, chancho hornado (baked pork roast) rice, and pea salad..... and then there was CAKE!
Similar to a carrot cake, this had lots of nuts and a burnt sugar type frosting -- very moist and delicious!
We have invited Bertha and Geovanny out to dinner tomorrow night to celebrate .....
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Susana went to New York on October 22 to visit relatives and shop....going in October enables her to do her Christmas shopping, and she has a ball there with all the family members, aunts & uncles, and cousins.....Miss her....She'll be back on the 5th....
We went to San Francisco market before she left so that she could shop for gifts .... I just love this market area...
This photo is taken in the parking lot of the market place.....look at the scenery!!!
We saw Guido Marquez, my favorite artist - she got a couple of hand painted glasses from him, and I got the tiny stool he painted for me..
Isn't this the cutest thing?
Most of the festivities end tonight, but there will still be some vendors around for another day or two....lots of traffic, but fun....
Those who live in El Centro definitely see more of the goings on than we do, but it's nice to live away from the throngs and just go when we want....
WISH EVERYONE COULD EXPERIENCE OUR LOVELY CUENCA!!
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