Su Casa Es Mi Casa

Time to introduce you to “our” new casa, which really belongs to our gracious hosts Ron and Danica, whom we met through our home exchange program.  They have entrusted us with their beautiful Cuenca home while they visit family.  Ever thoughtful. they left us local roses, wine, dinner in the freezer and more, because they knew we would arrive dazed and confused :)

The first wow is the incredible view out all the windows.  Later that night the city lights will sparkle like stars and we will be surprised by fireworks.  We have since been told that Cuecans like any excuse to shoot off fireworks!

Ben has the perfect nap spot and he needs one after walking 8 miles on Day 2.!

The condo is full of art, including Ron’s sculptures.

The kitchen has exactly all we need and want.  The local coffee they left us is terrific brewed in the coffee press.

When our kids come visit in June, then July, they get this lovely room.

We are on the third floor of Edifco San Martin, and we can walk 15 minutes straight down Luis Cordero to the cathedral square and the heart of old Cuenca.  This walk is not without hazards - cars with no respect for pedestrians, sidewalks to trip you if you don’t watch your feet, and billowing diesel smoke from the buses.  But we also can peek in tiny tiendas, kitchens preparing food for the family and to sell, and kids bounding off to school.

The cathedral complex is stunning - the three famous blue domes are not pictured here but we see them from our windows at home.

The Parque Central is as elegant as any New York City square.

Around the corner is a famous flower market.

Ladies are selling special occasion arrangements, boduquets and live plants. 

Back home that evening, incredibly loud salsa music starts up, blasting us and drowning out our thoughts.  It turns out there is a salsa/zumba exercise class in the park across the street - an hour of vigorous and loud dancing.  We may have to join them because we certainly can’t ignore them! 

Today we head downtown again to sign up for Spanish classes.  We meet Cheryl (it turns out she and I share the exact same birthdate) who helps us pick the right classes so we can begin Monday.  She is from Hawaii, volunteering at the language school and deciding whether to relocate to Cuenca long term.  She, like other ex-pats we have met, is a wealth of suggestions.  She tells us about the free symphony concert tonight, and we are definitely going. Day 2 we were feeling disoriented in Cuenca but we end today feeling better - the Spanish school will give us structure and purpose and new people to meet.  We may even see Cheryl and and others we met today at the symphony :)