The weather has become very pleasant. Rain is infrequent, and occurs during the evening while we are sleeping. Temperatures are 22-24 C (72-74 F) in the afternoons. I enjoy going on late morning walks around El Centro, along the Tomebamba river and to the El Vergel area. Besides enjoying the beauty and the neighborhoods I add some purpose for my treks. This week I search out food products of interest - specifically Italian sausage and wine. Bocatti is a local cafe and deli started by Italian immigrant over 30 years ago. It’s just a 30 minute walk away - perfect! Unfortunately I find that they do not sell Italian sausage and that their small assortment of wines are not inspiring and are $30+ per bottle. Another day I walk to Laguarda for their liquor / wine selections and then to Salumeria Vecchia Modena to see if they have Italian sausage. I buy a bottle of wine and try out 3 Italian sausages. Both are better than what I have found in other stores, but still leave me wanting and thinking about our travels to Italy last fall. Oh the fooood!
On my walks I enjoy the bustle of the city, the street art and the interesting foliage.
We continue the process of becoming “legal” for an extended stay in Cuenca. On Wednesday Maria Elaina drives William to the Immigration office in Azogues for his appointment at the Immigration Office. While I waited 45 minutes to be called to a desk, William waits over two hours. Even Maria Elaina becomes impatient and begins questioning officials as they walk past the waiting room. Finally William is called to a desk, provides his signature on the paperwork and is told to watch his email for the visa approval and appointment to receive his visa. Alas, by the end of the week he still has not received an email.
On Friday I meet Evan, an assistant to our Attorney, at the Registro Civil Agencia in Cuenca at 8 am. This is the agency which processes cedula’s , the Ecuadorian identification cards (similar to US social security cards). The attorney warns that it may take two to three hours to complete the process. I meet up with Evan and another expat a few minutes before 8 am. I chat with the expat who is doing a renewal and by 8:30 she has her renewed cedula in hand. I am processed a little later, but by 8:50 am I also have my cedula in hand. Yay!! Evan declares that this is record time - last week he was at Registro Civil Agencia for over three hours with two other clients. Evan walks us next door and helps the two of us to obtain laminated copies of our cedula’s , which he advises us to carry and use for everyday transactions. Seems like a good investment - especially at a cost of $3 each. 😊
We continue the process of becoming “legal” for an extended stay in Cuenca. On Wednesday Maria Elaina drives William to the Immigration office in Azogues for his appointment at the Immigration Office. While I waited 45 minutes to be called to a desk, William waits over two hours. Even Maria Elaina becomes impatient and begins questioning officials as they walk past the waiting room. Finally William is called to a desk, provides his signature on the paperwork and is told to watch his email for the visa approval and appointment to receive his visa. Alas, by the end of the week he still has not received an email.
On Friday I meet Evan, an assistant to our Attorney, at the Registro Civil Agencia in Cuenca at 8 am. This is the agency which processes cedula’s , the Ecuadorian identification cards (similar to US social security cards). The attorney warns that it may take two to three hours to complete the process. I meet up with Evan and another expat a few minutes before 8 am. I chat with the expat who is doing a renewal and by 8:30 she has her renewed cedula in hand. I am processed a little later, but by 8:50 am I also have my cedula in hand. Yay!! Evan declares that this is record time - last week he was at Registro Civil Agencia for over three hours with two other clients. Evan walks us next door and helps the two of us to obtain laminated copies of our cedula’s , which he advises us to carry and use for everyday transactions. Seems like a good investment - especially at a cost of $3 each. 😊
Old Photo's and Symphony
On Friday we meet with friends for wine and appetizers at their condo before going to the Symphony. We enjoy meeting new friends as well as old and then walk to Teatro Pumapungo for the music. Tonight the Symphony has a guest conductor from Puerto Rico and a flutist from the U.S. Very enjoyable! On Saturday William and and I walk to a photo exhibit at Museo de la Cuidad. It has photographs from the late 1800’s through the 1960’s. It’s fun to see the old photographs from Cuenca.
Sunday is another great weather day with warmer temperatures and blue skies. After watching some of the Green Bay Packers game on YouTube TV we go for a late lunch at Cafe del Museo, dining al fresco.
Sunday is another great weather day with warmer temperatures and blue skies. After watching some of the Green Bay Packers game on YouTube TV we go for a late lunch at Cafe del Museo, dining al fresco.
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