April 26 I started house-sitting for a wonderful couple while they take a trip to Alaska. Artie, the handsome gray and white cat at the corner of the photo is my primary charge. Through our relationship I realized how much I've been missing cat energy in my life! We've had many cuddle sessions, as he is a very affectionate cat. The only problem is that Artie can be very insistent on early morning (4 am) affection. Am I spoiling him? Probably. I go to bed at 8 pm just to make sure to get enough sleep.
Below I'm seen with my friend Susan, who came over for lunch last weekend.
The photos and art in this condo are beautiful. I've enjoyed the rugs, the wooden floors, and both patios! It's a pleasure to care for the gorgeous plants in this home.
Next is a photo of the salad of snow pea and riddichio (with a tapenade of olives, sun dried tomatoes, walnuts, balsamic vinegar and olive oil) I served the day Susan and Cara came for lunch. I forgot to take photos of the baked bacon wrapped salmon I made that day. I also prepared an exquisite chocolate mousse for dessert. The salad is delicious, and I learned how to make it (and the chocolate mousse) in Susan Schenck's cooking class. Susan's been a great teacher! Below the picture of the salad are several photos of Susan and her cooking class, which meets only a block away.
Next are photos of the wonderful day trip Susan and I took to Baños, a half an hour's bus ride from Cuenca. My only regret is that I did not take account the altitude and the hours we were out in the sun. I came back with an uncomfortable sunburn and I bet Susan did too. Oh, well, it will pass in a day or so. We had a terrific time! The cost to spend the day at the beautiful
Nova Agua Spa is $9.
We stopped by the nearby
Piedra resort, which is more expensive. Someday maybe we'll go back, on a Tuesday, which is half the usual price for anyone who is a senior!
Susan and I stopped at a restaurant in Baños, which had appealing fruits out front. We didn't end up eating there but I took a photo anyway.
Every good time must come to an end, and next is the bus on which we returned to Cuenca. We hopped on and enjoyed an easy and affordable (how does 12 cents sound?) ride back home at the end of the day.
With sadness I realize my house sit in this beautiful condo, and my happy relationship with Artie, is more than half-way over and that in 11 days I'll return to my hostel. So in closing, I'll add 2 photos taken from the hostel on the corner of Begnino Malo and Juan Jaramillo, where I've been staying. It's good to remember that even though the hostel may not be as comfortable as this condo, it affords me an vantage to life in Cuenca that I treasure. The next photo is taken of a protest one day in El Centro. It seemed there were as many police as protestors out that afternoon. Following that photo is one of a bicycle event that took place on a Friday evening in April. Hundreds of bicycles rode past my hostel. Many bicycists saw me taking photos from the balcony and waved. What a thrilling evening!
That's all for now! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and view my photos. I wish you all the best in the coming weeks and you can be assured I'll post another update on life in Ecuador soon.
Oh, I need to add one more photo!
Artie says good-night to everyone (even though it's only 10 am in the
morning). He's enjoying his snooze and wishes you all the best. Isn't he
adorable?
