BEAUTY SURROUNDS, BEAUTY ABOUNDS.....

It's impossible to ignore the beauty of life in Cuenca...it's all around!!!  It's a big city,  modern in so many ways,  but it has a charming romance that is lovely....in a valley surrounded by gorgeous mountains with old colonial buildings and some funny customs......example...we walked out of our house on Sunday to catch a taxi to go to the Cathedral for Mass,   and there on the street,  a small herd of goats!

Not sure where they were going, but it's just one of the little surprises you see....

Our Sunday tradition is Mass, lunch,  and then the Mercado de Flores...but the Mercado is in front of a very old Church dating I think from the early 1600's.....I had never been inside since we always go to the Cathedral and this Church is right beside the Cathedral, across the street.....one Saturday I decided to go inside.....what a fabulous discovery!!

 The main center altar is very beautiful,  but so are the side altars with lovely realistic statues of the saints....
The choir loft is on the side of the church because the back center upstairs is the place for the cloistered nuns to attend Mass....

 Below the painting is the screened Mass viewing for the nuns who never leave the convent,  spending all their days praying...they are never seen.....

All I could really do was marvel at the beauty all dedicated to the glory of God!!
                                                              
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Outside in front of the Church is the Mercado de Flores....The gorgeous Calla Lillies always remind me of my sister Linda -  they're her favorite flower.....Roses abound .... they're a huge export for Ecuador -- normally buy 2 dozen  (25) for $5 and a lovely rose bush for $2......I'm in heaven!

I usually find some gorgeous cut flowers to bring home...

Sundays are lovely in Cuenca....

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Poor Teresa is always cold so I gave her my mother's mink stole....

Rick fixes lunch for her and the mute lady (sitting beside Teresa) so at least they have one good meal....he puts in all kinds of goodies which will last for more than just one day -- packages of coffee,  dried soup mixes, cookies, pastas, etc.

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And then there are lunches with good friends....

John and Joyula are close to getting their citizenship....

 We always enjoy Tacanijo ....here with Mosquita & Paulo enjoying margaritas and great Mexican food.  Their new place,  Tacanijo #2 at President Cordero 1-77 is only  about 1 block from Mosquita's so it's very easy to meet her there...

 Mosquitas birthday was this week so we're going to celebrate on Thursday....She wants to meet us at Fabiano's....

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The other night Bertha went out with girlfriends so Titi came over to do her homework....
She's such a sweet girl.....

Yolanda, our employee,  just called to say Juan Gabriel's school has something going on so she won't be coming to work today,  BUT she has the utility bills which she will pay and then Ricardo can reimburse her tomorrow!   She is so responsible and takes very good care of us!!   God really blessed us when he sent her to us.....

It's time to change for dinner -- Rick wants to take me out so we will try a new restaurant.....I'll report next time on how and where it is.....


                                                              HASTA PRONTO!!!