Country Drive (Part 2 -- family visit)

This is part 2 of the fun week with Bob, Rox and Coquita.

One day last week, we took a road trip to some of our favorite towns outside Cuenca:  Gualaceo, Chordeleg and Paute.  We hadn't been there for awhile, sun was shining (just a little chilly), so we hopped in the car and took off...

On the way, we remembered that our computer counter just that morning had said we'd been in Ecuador for 500 days!!  So, our trip was just right...we always say:  Celebrate as you go!  Always something to celebrate...good excuse for lunch at one of our favorite places, too.

Some of the churches have been updated and painted...very nice:

Beautiful windows.

Here's a close-up of the carved wooden door...love the details!

Rich got his shoes shined while the rest of us shopped.  The shoe-shiner did a really good job!

Some street scenes.

A heavy load.

Each town has lovely gardens and flowers in the central plazas.  Lots of flowers in bloom.

The girls have their shopping bags!











Here are the brothers relaxing with Coquita in the sun.

(Artesa/Vega pottery in the background.)

We stopped at our favorite restaurant in Paute for lunch for more outside dining in the back garden. No pics of the food, but we really enjoyed the pastas and grilled shrimp. 

Love the street art in the neighborhood.

For an adorable picture of Coquita flirting with her favorite Uncle Rich, see Bob and Rox's blog:
http://bobnrox.squarespace.com/journal/2010/7/17/zowieee-cuenca-is-way-too-much-fun.html



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On the last day of our visit, we started the morning with delicious rolls and jam and coffee out on the porch.  Here we are talking about the weather...

We were debating the fog over the Cajas Mountains...but we all agreed it'd burn off soon.










And, here's Bob and Rox all set to go...You can't see Bob's shorts or Rox's cropped pants in the next picture, but, believe us, both were dressed for the beach!  (As Bob says...wearing shorts is a state of mind!)

We had a great visit.  The 3 got back home just fine and we're already planning the next visit...  Thanks Guys, for the fun time!  Always fun to have a little 'touch of family'!

See you soon!!







One more cute pic of our 'niece' Coquita...all ready to go home. We're sure she was looking forward to seeing her buddies and playing in the warm sand at the beach, too.