What's Behind That Gate?

We love all the creative gates we see as we walk the neighborhoods.  We often wonder what's behind them.

Here are some nice looking solid ones...

This old gate used to hold a secret.  Walking past, you'd never know what was hidden behind this gate and high walls.  We knew, though, as we could see down into the block-size lot from our porch.  A couple llamas and a cow!  Cool! 

But, recently, we saw a backhoe...  and the animals being led out this gate into a truck...Now, it's just an empty lot.  We hope the animals come back...

------------

Pretty flowers nearby.

Fun art outside a couple nursery schools.

Shops with familiar names.

Fun 'do!

Check out the detailed paint job on this building downtown.  Talk about creative street art!

We like this one, too.  Lots of talented artists in this town.





------------
Sunday walking pictures.

At the Square, what a great dog!

 So patient with the people and all the activity.

Exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art.  The museum was closed, so we'll check it out later.

Coming out of the New Cathedral.  (Not sure what the special occasion was.)

At the San Francisco Church.













-----------
Back to weekday walking and window shopping...

Father's Day window.

VERY cute, doggie print sweater!

















Happy Solstice!

Sidewalk Construction on Av Solano Has Begun

Right on schedule, work began yesterday.

A little noisy and the traffic seems to be a little more crazy.  But, the workers are already making real progress!

Isn't it great that so many workers have jobs, as the City is getting updated and beautified.

The first phase of this massive project concentrates on several blocks of sidewalks. 

In just one day (working to about 10pm last night), workers jack-hammered old sidewalks, then the big trucks came in and took most of the old rock and concrete away.

Subsequent phases will include adding a third traffic lane each way, as well as improved underground utilities, renovated monuments, bike lanes and so much more.  The round-abouts will also be repaired and re-landscaped.

 All scheduled for completion by end of year.

We're really looking forward to seeing yet another street improved and updated. 

We'll post progress periodically.

Walking Pictures -- Always something fun

Our regular readers know we try to walk some each day.  Depending on the errands and schedule of the day, we could walk a lot or a little, but we do walk.  We usually remember to take the camera, too.  No telling what we'll see on our adventures.

Here are some walking pictures we've taken in the last couple weeks. You can see we've been walking all over this City!

Along the river on 3 Nov, we admired more fabulous street art. 

 

One day we passed a school in this same neighborhood at Todos Santos.  School kids were all outside learning some traditional Ecuadorian dances. Fun to watch.  Those dance steps aren't all that easy to learn!

Lovely trees at the Square.

Pretty flowers near the stadium.

Close-up.

In El Centro.  We have no idea if this hair salon is ''good'' or not, but we like the name!

International banners at the Square. 

Along the stairs up to Calle Larga.

Along Av Solano.

On the way to a Mexican lunch with friends.

Across the street from the restaurant, school children.

A local deli.

Pretty little straw boxes.

 Mom is selling fresh fruit, baby is eating a pineapple slice.  Yum!

Great old door down an alley near 10 Aug market.  'Wonder what's behind that door....

One more picture of the children eyeing the candy during Corpus Christi.














Happy Weekend!

Corpus Christi Sunday with the Watsons

We are so delighted Nancy and Chuck are back in Cuenca!  So fun to get back to walking with them on Sundays.  We really miss them when they are traveling the world.

The day started early.  After the rains, here is the beautiful sunrise before our early morning chores. 

After breakfast with the Watsons, we walked to the Square...always a Sunday tradition.

We admired all the candy on display for Corpus Christi.  Didn't buy a one...but so fun to watch all the excited children! 

Earlier in the week, we watched the kids through a restaurant window as we enjoyed a coffee.   One Dad seemed to be telling his young son that he could only pick one treat. (holding up 1 finger).   The little boy sure had a hard time choosing! He studied the candy choices for several minutes until he finally settled on a gummy-bear kind of candy.

90 candy booths around the Square this year.

New hats for Nancy W and Rich!  Time to get new ones. 

 

Hats are so important at this altitude.  Many of the schools now teach the kids about the dangers of the intense sun. We see more folks with hats, umbrellas, shawls or just a newspaper shielding themselves from the sun. 

We also wear a lot of sunscreen. 

Walking on the shady side of the street works, too...

Welcome home, Nancy and Chuck!