Return from Carolina!

                                                                Oh …. Ship!

There’s an old Dionne Warwick song entitled, “What do you get when you fall in love?  You only get lies and pain and sorrow – so for at least until tomorrow, I’ll never fall in love again! ” And don’t forget the chorus:  “Don’t tell me what it’s all about, “cause” I’ve been there and I’m glad I’m out…”

Well now…in a way we felt that way about shipping a container.  What do you get when you ship a container?  You only get … so for at least until tomorrow, we’ll never ship again!   And … don’t tell us what it’s all about, “cause” we’ve been there and we’re glad it’s HERE!?!

We left for the USA towards the end of March after a long season of visa/cedula problems.  For an entire season of expats, we all enjoyed an extended, suspenseful anticipation of censos and cedulas due to administration difficulties in Quito.  However, we are so grateful for the Cuencanos who assisted in the lengthy process.  Our cedula was issued the day we flew out of Quito for NC.

So what about the container?  If it were not for friends in Asheville, we would still be wandering about the warehouse.   Although we had our household items in tubs and boxes stored in two storage units, we still had to open every one and inventory each item.   It required repacking over two hundred boxes and furnishings to be able to make the shipment.

At one dear friend’s insistence, we were able to ship our furniture in boxes made for chairs.  My sister-in-law works for Ethan Allen, so we received many boxes to pack our furniture adequately.

Friends came to the storage unit and helped us pack and repack.  So on the big day for our container to ship, ten of us staged boxes on the dock.  We waited to pack the container.

Finally, our moment for container arrival at 2 pm … 2:30 we started making phone calls to Miami … 3:00 more calls ... then at 3:45 the answer. The truck with the container was not coming for at least a week.  We were all shocked and confused.  So, we had to reload everything back into the storage units.  Our four hour task for friends lasted until 7pm.

Here we go… new decisions to make now.  We already had our tickets to fly back to Cuenca.  Our friend said she’d be happy to be in charge of packing the newly scheduled container.

We finally concluded Gary would return to Cuenca to begin condo remodeling; Sue would stay behind to handle the container dilemma.  As it turned out, she stayed for nine more days, handling all the details of the container.

On the day the truck arrived, we had the same dear friends volunteer to pack the container. Our friend, Diana was in charge of the arranging of the items.  She is an interior decorator, drew a design, and managed the packing.  What a friend!

There were other issues we had to straighten out with the container inventory sheets, but
one by one, they were solved. On April 25^th, the container shipped from Asheville, North
Carolina to Charleston, SC to Guayaquil, for a final truck ride up the Andes to our new “departmento” in Cuenca.

We received news a week after Sue’s arrival in Cuenca that our container was to be in Guayaquil on Sunday, May 8^th – Mother’s Day! Only two weeks in transit. Now after a
couple of days in customs, the container should arrive in Cuenca, safe and sound.

Now it’s Wednesday, May 18^th and no container!  No explanation. No timetable. 

During the time we’ve waited for our container, we’ve been renovating our newly purchased apartment located 10 minutes walking distance from historic downtown “Centro” Cuenca.   The former owners were kind enough to lend us a sleeper sofa with sheets.  However, it was somewhat difficult for us both to sleep on a single bed for 10 days!

From old

                                                                              To new
Another well-timed miracle!  Although we are very sad our friends, Mike and Patty Grimm had to return to Arizona for Mike to have back surgery, they were kind enough to offer for us to stay in their apartment during their absence.  Fortunately, they live about 5 blocks from us – an easy walk.  We did not know what a huge blessing this was going to be until we started spending our nights there.

It has been wonderful to get away from the paint fumes, the empty abode with a small apartment refrigerator (our friends Jack & Claudia also lent us with a table and two chairs).  We’ve been able to get good rest at night and eat well by cooking in Patty’s great kitchen!

Realistically speaking, no move is ever easy – even moving within your home country.  Make it an
international move and you have stresses and decisions beyond the “norm.”

You have to “weigh” the pros and cons of having your own things or buying them here in Cuenca. 
We tallied it up and decided we would come out “cheaper” to ship the container.  The plus of shipping the container is that Sue will have her piano – a  40-year old upright William Knabe special.   It belonged to her mother and Sue acquired it over a decade ago. 

So the end result of our decision had to do with bringing things that were “us” to make our apartment “Home Sweet Home!”

                                   To be continued ………………….

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!