RichAndNancy: Out and About

Good Sunday Morning! An update for family and friends...

We have our first guests arriving at one of our La Fragata rental units in the next couple days. So, we've been busy getting all those last minute tasks done...a little shopping, a little touch-up, a little cleaning....you know how that goes. Always takes longer than you think.
There is always something that makes one 'pause'... like the brand new electric kettle that doesn't work out of the box... But there are those good surprises, too...like the appliances that work just fine, the first time...and the painting crew that does so much more than just painting! Bless those guys.

The flower garden on the terrace is looking good, too. Our Master Gardener friends would be so proud! Geraniums, daisies, citrus trees and bottle brushes...all do well here in Cuenca. We'll share some pics later.

So -- our days lately have been starting really early (nothing new there!). For the last few days, we've walked to town early-early to get our exercise in, stop for a quick breakfast, then head on down Av. Solano to Edificio La Fragata... get some work done, make more lists, then head on out to shop or do some quick errands (or stand in line one-more-time).... but, it's a nice routine that works just fine for us. Today being Sunday, we'll miss walking to town with our friends, Chuck and Nancy, as they are out of town, but we'll be walking... got to get those walks in, no matter!

We also are getting ready for our favorite guests to arrive for a few days! Cuenca is so much better for shopping than some of the coastal regions...Much more on that later, too.

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A few pictures to share of recent walks and rides in Cuenca.

An earlier progress report on the street construction along Av Bolivar...now mostly DONE! The street has started to open up to traffic, and the overall traffic congestion downtown is a little improved... it's a major thoroughfare. Nice to see the construction is coming to an end. A huge project, employing many workers, and will make such a major, positive difference... all good things, and we think all worth the inconvenience...a good, final outcome.

The next big road construction project begins late Sept/early October. This one will be in our own neighborhood. The traffic circle, called Simon Bolivar, is the one we always dread crossing (or we avoid it by walking several blocks to a cross light). This is the circle where Gran Colombia, Ordonez Laso and Av. Americas converge. The circle will be replaced with an overpass. A major project that will be in process for about a year.

We've noticed the increase of traffic in the area since we moved here about 1.5 years ago. Lots of new high rise buildings (and lots of cars) in our neighborhood. We hear that traffic has increased as much as 4 fold in the last 10 years and we've certainly seen an increase since we've been here.

Hopefully, when it's all done, the traffic will flow more smoothly in the west part of town.

We're not complaining, as the end result will be so much better, and many workers will be employed, a good thing! We have no hope that drivers will drive more sane though, even with the overpass! Most drivers here 'drive while crazy'.

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Rich discovered a new-to-us bakery downtown the other day. A wood burning oven and delicious breads.
The bakery is located on Av. Mario Cueva, between H. Varquez and Calle Larga.

Cooking the rolls in the wood oven gives them a different, unique, and very delicious taste. Some of the rolls are filled with cheese, some plain, all really good.

This is a busy Sunday morning near one of the outside markets. Lots of activity at the markets on Sundays. Many families buy food daily. A family affair.

Supermaxi and the Co-op are open on Sunday, too. The Ital-Deli is also open, but just until about 1pm.