Announcing Great Leads for Services and BREAD!

ANNOUNCING...

SOURDOUGH BREAD

      ….for all you bread lovers!

Sue has been used to making sourdough bread back in the United States for a number of years.  So we made a mad dash to purchase some of this bread, when we found out who made it and where you could get it.

Branden and Sandra Lenz, owners and operators of a catering center, Villa San Carlos, located
at Remigio Tamariz y Ave Solano (1-85) right across the street from the gas station and next door to the church (in between the construction with huge parking lot)
Phone nos. are:  281 1903       09 847 7668

branden.lenz@gmail.com

They make the bread each week.  You can order the bread by email on Tuesdays and pick it up there at the center on Thursdays after 12:30 p.m.  

Be sure to try this delicious bread.  Oh, they have other wonderful items such as vinegar, sea salt, strawberries, lettuces, all of which you will want to try.

Mejores Servicios Médicos

We have had several massages since we have been here but one we feel is unforgettable was with Thom Golden, a registered nurse who performs "foot massages," or better known as reflexology.  We both made an appointment and found it very relaxing, informative, and helpful.  You might want to give Thom a call and ask him about this.    His cellular is:  09 664 9970

We delighted (is this possible?) to experience an incredible trip to the dentist.  If you haven't found a dentist and are a little concerned about getting a good one, we feel we have a "top notch" gal.  She was referred to us by Thom Golden, who kept saying she was just a delight and a "painless dentist!"

Her name is Paula Dominguer and she is located off Solano on Daniel Cordova Toral 1-115 - not hard to find.  We had an appointment last week and found her not only to be of the highest quality professionally, but absolute fun to be with as she worked on our mouths! Gary was in the chair for a comprehensive cleaning and it was only $25.00!   So…if you want a superior and AFFORDABLE dental cleaning and check-up, see Dr. Paula.      09 786 8908

Amazing Crazy Day

Amazing Crazy Day

Time flies when you are having fun - even when you're not always having fun.  Since our last posting, activities have been flurrying with us of every sort.

“Hang on" if you haven't received your stamped passports from Quito.  Overjoyed, we  received  the long-awaited phone call last week declaring our passports had arrived and were in hand at our attorney’s office.  On Friday, we were escorted by Nelson to the Cuenca Censo office.

Surprise! A truck hit a pole earlier that morning and knocked out internet connections in the vicinity.  A small crowd of curious Censo seekers nervously watched computers go up and down while waiting.  Midway in our turn, the computers went down again with half our process completed. So, “ya’ll come back now,” in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, you would have thought going to the Censo office was "old home week."  We actually saw several people we knew.  So while visiting, Gary left his bag unattended in a chair (okay now, everyone in unison “Shame on you, Gary!”).  What happened?  Well, while at the "policia," it was "lifted" into thin air.  Sue's main bag was and is always GLUED TO HER, but we lost our camera, Sue's daytimer, DVD’s and other things.  Fortunately, no money or detrimental information was in the bag.  Good news:  Sue gets a new camera!

Moral of the story: No matter where you are, do not leave anything unattended, even at the Police Station!

Amazingly, we not only obtained our Censos that afternoon, but our lengthy negotiations on the purchase of an apartment were completed.  Then, the cozy casa we have been renting the past 4 months was rented to another Carolina couple.  We had just met Bobby and Terri, before leaving that morning.  They wanted a quick occupancy…so we will be roommates for a few days.

Now…to fly home to Atlanta, Fyffe, and Asheville in a week. Yes, a month with family, friends and the IRS.               Oh, the Joy.

Cuenca Suite

Cuenca Suite

For years, Sue has experienced recording studios in the US, yet never expected to enjoy her first recording session in Cuenca, Ecuador.  Young Pablo Lorenzo, an intimate, powerful musician and composer, also leads worship for Bill McDonald's new “unchurch” called "6:08". It meets Saturday evenings at Mall de Rio, convention room Yanacuay I.  Bill McDonald is Unsion Television’s CEO and Cuenca’s longtime missionary and friend.

We met Pablo after one of their first services. With our common interest in music, and his excellent English, we began a friendship.

One Friday evening, after dinner in our “casa,” Sue & Pablo enjoyed some music as he played the guitar and Sue was on the flute and keyboard.  Recently, Sue and Gary visited his recording studio where she recorded her first Ecuador composition, an instrumental entitled, "Cuenca Suite."

Sue has also "cooked up" a surprise song for Mother's Day in hopes to have it completed upon their return from the States. It may air on Unsion Television, as a gift for mothers in Cuenca.

Pablo has all the "state of the art" equipment for recording, even though he is stationed in a modest studio which he calls "BIG CROWD MUSIC."   He certainly has a wonderful talent for guitar, writing, singing and as a studio engineer.  It's his love!  You cannot help but love Pablo!

If you would like more information on Pablo, you can find him on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pablolozano.music

Routine Legal Drama

                                                       

Routine  Legal  Drama

After looking at 50+ homes and apartments we are having real drama attempting to purchase a condo/appt (3rd floor with great views and a quiet neighborhood).  Things like unpaid SS taxes on staff for many years, fumes from gas heaters, recent burglary, and undisclosed issues are part of the culture. No wonder it took us six requests to obtain the annual condo meeting minutes!   We modified our offer to immediate all cash in order to gain a simultaneous closing to 1. pay off existing mortgage, 2. obtain clear title and 3. pay realtor. Closings in stages are common here.  Otherwise, we might have had to wait weeks after paying mortgage to obtain clear title.   Price negotiation requires patience and the help of an unhurried realtor – a rare item here and in the states!    Due diligence is very important.   Things like title insurance and home inspectors are rare items. There is no MLS and anyone can be a ‘realtor’. 

It's an adventure learning business here.   Law is not like US Common Law, but European - statutory only, no court rulings, legal precedents, etc.  Traffic laws and driving culture is like maritime law - the small must give way to larger difficult-to-steer craft, and pedestrians are very small craft. We have learned not to rely on green lights or ‘walk' signals.  City traffic moves quickly, sometimes ignoring things like red lights, especially the famed taxis (and buses!)

  I was impressed when the government caught the Director of Immigration falsifying documents …and immediately fired him and his entire staff.  After two months they recently resumed the process of issuing residency cards or Cedulas (think US green card). Of course our 90 day tourist card has expired. We are still in limbo over residency issues, but yesterday we met with local Director of Foreign Affairs and Immigration. She is going to try to expedite us. Another helpful Cuencana.                                                       

Our Dog, Stover Speaks! Rrrrrrrruff!

Hi Everyone,

So many of my Masters' friends have asked how I am doing!  Thank you! (Please send me dog treats! My Masters are coming home in March).

Yes, I can roll my "r's" now.  I use to bark, "Ruff."  Now I bark, "Rrrrrrrrruff!"  Pretty cool, huh? I will tell you about my travels and adventure getting to Ecuador.  First, I have now been labeled "Equa-Dog" and a/k/a "Jet Dog!"

It all started with my Masters' decision to sell their home (my comfy dog house) and move to Ecuador. I was overhearing the whole time they didn't know exactly the plan, but had to at least take this step.

So...they made their plans and I just went with the flow.  I knew a lot of "commotion" was being made over me - something about USDA papers, Consolate of Ecuador, shots, vet certification...BUT I just let them handle it all.

However, a week before we were to fly out for Guayquil, I got the bright idea to go after a dog on the other side of the street.  Bang!  I hit by a car!  The noise was so loud, I could almost hear my Doggie Mommy & Daddy’s heart sink.  Down to the ground I went.  To their amazement and even mine,  I bounced right back up. 

Trembling, I ran away in fear - back to the apartment where they were staying.  They could not figure out how in the world I could have been hit by a car, then run to our home.  I heard my Doggie Mommy say she thought I was dead, when I first got hit!

They immediately took me to the vet.  I was supposed to go the next morning anyway for my "official visit" for papers to fly out for Ecuador.

I like our vet.  She is very pretty and sweet.  She checked me out and by then, my back hind legs were vibrating.  She says I was in shock.  Yet she did not find anything broken or fractures.

All I kept hearing was how that it was a miracle I was not hurt badly, or even killed.  Oh, but I was SO sore and shaken up that first night.  Boy, was I ever treated so well.  I am treated well anyway, but that night I got extra special attention!  By the way, reckon there are “Doggie Angels?”

Within a few days I was walking pretty normal on my leg - no limping.  Then the day came.  We left for Atlanta, Georgia to stay with my Masters' friends, Pat & Teresa.  We spent the night with them.  Now they have a cat - and she doesn't like dogs very well.  However, I think she tolerated me quite nicely.

The next day, Mr. Pat took us to the airport.  I was "crowded" into this airline carrier - not quite like my dog crate at home.  I didn't like it very well at first.  My Masters' spent two weeks or more getting me used to it.  They even taught me how to drink out of a bottle instead of a bowl.  Well, it might possibly be because I’m pretty smart and like to obey them!

But that airline carrier - well...not my favorite.  However, I let them put me in it.  I was able to be with them until one hour or so before the JUMBO JET flew.  By this time, I had to go down to security.  Guess where they put me?

I was taken into the bottom of the plane!  Of all things! Fortunately, there were some other animals there or I would have really freaked!  Next thing I know this huge "whatchamacallit" was going up.  Talk about barking!  I couldn't stop.  I didn't know what was happening!  I finally settled down and got use to the roaring noise of the plane, hoping I'd see my Masters again.
.
The time finally came...I was taken off the plane and taken inside some airport - didn't know where we were, but I was still in the crate - guess that was a good thing!  And there she was - Doggy Mommy staring at me through the door of the carrier saying, "Hi, Stover - it's okay!"

So why didn't they get me out of this thing?  They were not able to, as I later learned, until we got outside of the airport.  After they went through all their "stuff" of getting through immigrations, checking bags again, etc., I finally, finally, got to get out of the carrier.

As soon as I touched my legs on the ground, I realized I couldn't stand on one of them – the same side where I was hit by a car.  My leg was sore all over again!

Now my Masters were really worried!  Oh no!  Was I injured from the ride?  Come to find out - I was just healing from being hit by a car.  By staying in basically the same position for 12 hours, it made my leg sore again!

Later I learned that where I got hit by the car was in the buttocks.  My muscles evidently were very strong from all the hiking and walks my Masters have taken me on, all these years!  This is what made me not get hurt.  Wow, I really am a happy dog.

We got in a van and went to a hotel where we spent the night.  Oh boy, I'm with my Masters again and things are starting to seem normal!  Next day we boarded another van and rode for 3 1/2 hours until we arrived in Cuenca.  I got to be at their feet in the van the whole way up the mountain!  What a wonderful ride!

As you probably know from their other blogs, we stayed with friends, Jack & Claudia, when we first got to Cuenca.  We stayed there for 10 nights.  They have a dog named "Iggy."  Iggy and I are good friends (even though Iggy ate my dog treats!)   I also got in Iggy's food whenever it was on the floor - sometimes Iggy's Master forgot to take his dish up off the floor and before my Masters saw me, I would sneak a snack.

Now they call me "Snack Sneaker!"

After we moved into our casa, things really started "feeling" normal again.  I have eaten the same as at home except now, I get more carrot treats than ever.  I always got to eat vegetables at home, but it seems I do get more!  Carrots are the big one for me - I just love them!

I am meeting new people here in Cuenca, through my Masters, which has always been fun for me.  These people here speak with a funny accent though - not like my Masters.  Oh, but I just love people!

I guess I really am an Equa-Dog now.  And guess what?  I am a bilingual!  Don't believe it? 

Watch the video below! 

Gotcha!
Stover

 

Happy New Year

The New Year has begun - it's the 9th day of January and already, the days are filling up!  December's end was delightful - we spent Christmas day at a brunch hosted by Jane & Thom Golden.  We met more American friends and enjoyed the most delicious food! 

Christmas evening was enjoyed with our dear friends, Jack & Claudia Johansen (our neighbors too).   They hosted Christmas dinner inviting a number of American friends as well as our beloved Cuencanan family, the Heredias. 

We had a delicious array of food cooked by Claudia and Sue mostly.  Claudia's famous now for getting a large turkey in her small oven - the bird didn't know it was shoved in that oven but the way it turned out, well it was just like home cookin'!  And Claudia is also famous for making a cheesecake with a vegetable (forgot the name) a lot like squash.  Same for our friend, Rachel Miller, who made pumpkin pie without the pumpkin and with this vegetable!  Was it good?  Absolutely.  It was delicious!  Again, tasted just like home!

Sue's favorite to cook though for the Christmas dinner, was a sweet potato souffle.  The funny part is that the sweet potatoes are purple!  Who's gonna eat that?  Yet it tastes exactly like the sweet potatoes from USA - just purple in color!  So below is a picture - you just have to see it.

Being a part of the Cuenca tradition on New Years Eve was well, "a hoot!"  We were invited to participate in the traditional "doll burning" with Alfredo, Leonor, Sarah, Ruben, and Mateo as well as our neighbor friends, Jack & Claudia! 

Below are pictures to substantiate we did indeed, burn the old year!  Of course no one volunteered to represent the doll!  BUT there was a contest held at the end - whoever had the funniest routine of some kind of humor won the mask that the doll wore.  We also lit sparklers as our "fireworks" for the evening.  The picture at the end will tell who won that contest!

Very briefly, here's the tradition:  dolls are sold all over the city.  Many purchase a doll and name the doll a particular person as a joke.  Some make statements of things done through the year they want to forget or tease that person about.  Others just get the doll representing the old year - of things they want to forget moving onto the new year.  Nonetheless, the traditional holds that late New Years Eve, people burn their dolls, lots of firecrackers - you name it.  It's not New York Times Square yet it is nonetheless, a big celebration for Cuenca.

As we move onto in the new year, as stated, the days are filling up meeting more people, looking for a more permanent place to live (all last week!), and getting the daily routine down.  Most of all, learning more Spanish! 

We also are starting our Bible Study on Thursday, January 13, 2011, 7:00 p.m. at Unsion Television Station, downtown Cuenca.  Thanks to Bill McDonald, CEO of Unsion, we have this wonderful opportunity.  We hope to have a roomful of Cuencanans and Americans (both have planned to come) and share the excitement of learning more of God's great love and mercies together, as well as demonstrating His great love to one another!

Enjoy the pictures!

WOW! Wonderful Ongoing Weeks!

We've been here almost 4 weeks now.  What can we say but WOW! - Wonderful things are happening each day, each week.  The best part is meeting such wonderful people already, both Cuencanans and Americans.  

Friday was a real treat for us.  Our landlords, Nilo and Ana took us to their farm in Nutli, about 8 minutes from where we currently live in their charming "casa" (house).  What a view.  Here's Ana and Nilo, a picture of their living room taken from the loft, and a marvelous view of Cuenca from their mountaintop.

The day before, (Thursday), was very special.   We visisted a school started by a young pastor. Our friend and CEO of Unsion Television, Bill McDonald took us there to the school - he wanted us to see this very special work which had been started by him.  "Bolley" is his nickname - short for Bolivar!

Bill McDonald has been heading up Unsion for 7 years now.  Unsion is regarded as the number one station in Cuenca.  Through Bill's enablement, we will be starting an English Bible Study in January at the station.  We are hoping not only for English participants, but also for Spanish ones who either know English or are learning English.

Going to this school was a special treat.  The children are what we would call in America "latch key" children, whose parents work and need a place for their kids to come after school.  At this school they receive lunch, further instruction, they can play, and they also hear about the love of Jesus Christ.  WOW!

Couldn't resist taking a picture of some of them! 

On Sunday, we visited a nearby church in the community and made our way through an all Spanish service.  The language was not fully comprehendable, but no problem comprehending the love of Christ.  We followed along nicely in our Spanish/American Bible.  The pastor spoke very clearly and succinctly.  We even recognized a chorus sung in the States which they sang.  The sweetest part was when a widow woman, who spoke nothing but Spanish, invited us to her home for juice.  Although we had to work at communicating with each other, again there was no problem communicating the love of Christ Jesus.  This was so special!

Yesterday was such a marvelous day too.  Sue had lunch with her newfound American friend, Connie.  Connie and her husband, Mark have been in Cuenca for 6 months.  However, Sue introduced her to Yucca Fritas - they both had a plateful for lunch!  Except Sue had a plateful of "broccoli vapor!" (Steamed Broccoli!).  Yucca Frita is grown like a potato except it is very light.  "Frita" means fried however, they are fried very lightly - the oil does not "stick" to the yucca like it does with potatoes, so therefore it's not heavy.
And of course, Sue's favorite these days is "Agua Con Gas!" (Naturally carbonated water!) 

It was wonderful to share and be with Connie.  And how marvelous to have found a kindred spirit so many miles from home.  We'll be together again for sure!

Gary was off with Arturo - a native who specializes in helping Americans when they come to Cuenca!  Arturo helped us with our bank account at Banco Pichincha among other things.  Gary took him to VAZ Corp, a financial institution where we also have met some new friends and have opened an account. 

After Sue was finished with her lunch, she met Gary at VAZ Corp and we chatted with our friend, (amiga) Diana.  Diana is the manager of the department and helped us GREATLY with establishing an account there which was very much needed for our visa.

Diana invited us to go to lunch with her and her fellow employee and friend, Marisela.  So off we went.  Gary had not eaten, so Diana treated Gary to a wonderful lunch at a nearby hotel, where she and Marisela eat everyday for only $2.50.  It was such fun getting to know Diana and Marisela more - such two wonderful ladies and now very special friends.  

Diana's birthday was this past Saturday.  Gary gave her a small book "The Gospel of Juan" written in Spanish.  She was so appreciative and it meant much to her.  As she teared up, her comment is that she is trusting in God.  Nothing could be more dear to us than to have them brought into our lives.  Marisela is left, Diana is to the right.

Part of a day includes riding the bus and/or taxi to town, stopping by the Super Maxi, meeting new people all along the way.  Days are full and each day brings something special. 

Stay tuned as we continue our journey in Cuenca!

Hasta Luego!