Monday, October 31, 2011

We're Moving!!!!!!!

Just not to our house, yet.
The guy we are renting from is selling his house so we are out. Moving, or mostly moved to a new temp house until the final move which is weeks away.
We will be offline as well until we are in the house so check back from time to time to see if we made it and are still alive.

until next time..........

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Halo...

Yesterday up at the house I was able to get a photo of a Halo, a rainbow like circle around the sun. This is the third time we have seen one there and the first time I had my snappy. Much better in person.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Sunday, September 18, 2011

congrats......

Congratulations to the new owners of the condo off the park. They have scored a great place in downtown!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Put on a sweater

WEATHERMAN BLAMES ECUADOR'S COOL WEATHER ON PERU

Temperatures four to five degrees below seasonable averages are the result of cold air moving north from Peru, according Ecuador's national weather service. The cool temperatures have delayed air travel in Quito and Cuenca and have caused icing conditions on highways in the Cajas Mountains west of Cuenca. Snow as deep as two feet fell in the Cajas last week.

Weather service spokesman Alejandro Terán says the phenomenon, vaguada de Peru, occurs several times a decade and covers Ecuador with cooler air. Terán says the cool air should move out by the third week of September and temperatures will return to seasonal norms.

In the first two weeks of September, Cuenca has recorded low temperatures of 40 and 41F, while Riobamba and Ambato have seen temperatures of 30 and 32F.

August and early September is the coolest time of the year in the southern Andes, including Cuenca. September usually sees a warm up that lasts until March.

*reposted from Gringro Tree

rough grade

Rough grade means finish grade will be next, yahooooo! Really looking forward to start landscaping.
We are going to need a few loads of loam.
future terrace

cistern. The sinks and shower water as well as the water from one roof will go into this for the plants. Big no-no to use potable water for the yard, fines possible.
septic, how is that for some mineralized earth. This is a pretty deep hole. This tank will have to be pumped out every couple years or so.
I have been saying, "one month" for a couple months now, but I really think, "one more month." We'll see. We are really getting excited.
Oh and mom, don't worry I think it will be done for your visit. Maybe.....

Thursday, September 1, 2011

oops........

For the 3rd time, twice in a month, I today left my keys in the truck and the damn auto locks shut me out. The first time I was able to have ChevyStar save us via a signal shot through space.
The second time with the help of my neighbor got it opened with a trusty old coat hanger after the signal was unable to work that day. Today, ChevyStar sent out a guy to open it. Upon his arrival he used his version of a coat hanger and opened it. After the 2 second job he said the price for a service call was $50 bucks. I just renewed the ChevyStar (more than $50 bucks) and said I was not going to pay that amount. I gave him $10 bucks for his time but that was it. I could have used my hanger again for free, I thought they were going to do some magic ChevyStar thing. A cab is $8 bucks from town so I think $10 was fair. Oh yea I have a new chain around my neck, with a key on it!

Remember to take out the keys!
Until next time.................

The light at the end of the tunnel.......

Wow, things are really coming together. The day they started to install the window frames, the guy came to run our power and landline to the meter box. We still need the power company to do the hook-up but it is all there ready and waiting. We had 220 run to the house and all is underground from the pole. The carpenter is quite a craftsman; we asked for screens on all the opening windows and from the looks of the frames everything is going to be as requested. The glass will be installed after the frames are all in. The exterior is sealed and painted and things are moving along inside. We are very happy and grateful for the way things have gone, someone has to be looking out for us!







Sunday, August 28, 2011

check point charlie

A short while ago I finally had to produce my driving papers at a check point. Thankfully I had just finished all my renewal stuff and was ready as we approached the orange cones.
We have been through others many times but never were stopped, this time we were. A smile, a couple jefes (it means boss/ sign of authority or head person) thrown in and off we went.
I was always anxious in the past at these as my spanish is ok but mostly in situations I know, I struggle a bit when caught cold, but eventually manage ok.
Now while driving I am confident as we approach a checkpoint that we will not have any issues.

until next time........

Friday, August 26, 2011

pickle barrel

My turn. I thought I had them but felt better, ignored it , it came back, bugs.
After a quick trip to see Dr. Toral for a couple scripts I feel much better.
I think it is not if, but when, as to parasite infection. Part of life here in the "3rd world".
until next time..........

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

safer than the markets

Yea a shameless plug.

Get your money out of the place where money goes to die in recent years, the markets.

Great opportunity to own foreign real estate, and all the work is done! Condo totally remodeled to North American standards. Get instant returns as a great rental property in the heart on Cuenca's historical center, 1 block from Park Calderon.

Great Price, email for details.


Saturday, August 13, 2011

Moving along


Here are some recent pics.








So close and yet so far.




Tuesday, July 26, 2011

For Sale

Great investment opportunity.
We are selling our Condo off the Park in El Centro. Check out the link to the side for pictures and details.
This is an easy rental or great city living location.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

and then there were lights



Sky lights that is. Man do we want to move.

Monday, July 18, 2011

alcohol ban

Ecuador bans alcohol after 21 die from bootleg liquor

map

Related Stories

Ecuador has banned the sale and consumption of alcohol for three days after 21 people died as a result of drinking adulterated liquor.

Most of the deaths have been in Los Rios province, where a dry law was imposed over the weekend.

Police seized 28 containers in Los Rios and some contained methanol, a toxic alcohol, officials said.

Officials decided to extend the ban nationwide amid reports of bootleg liquor in other provinces.

Public Health Minister David Chiriboga urged people to seek help if they started feeling nausea or were vomiting.

Other symptoms could include abdominal pain, blurred vision or difficulty in breathing, he said.

Mr Chiriboga said 28 barrels, each with a volume of 55 gallons (208 litres), had been confiscated and some had been found to contain methanol, also known as methyl alcohol.

Police have so far made one arrest, the Spanish news agency Efe reported.

Authorities on Sunday extended the dry law nationally and imposed a state of exception for 72 hours.

The measure was to allow police and the armed forces to mobilise in order to check for and confiscate bootleg alcohol, officials said.

*taken from www.bbc.co.uk without permission