A LOT OF WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE

Hello Everyone,

Well we arrived back in Cuenca last Saturday, we have been in the states for  three weeks.  Went to Colorado to visit the children, then Miami to visit and take care of the Federal Taxes.  Then back home via Bogota.  Our new apartment is supposed to be finished by end of March, we shall see, have to remember that we are in Ecuador on Ecuador time.

We just got our permanant visas so we are on the final lap to finish the paperwork.  When that is complete we can ship the crates.

We are grateful to be back safe at home in Cuenca.  We pray everyday for the people in Japan that are suffering so much.  I hope that they can settle down the reactors and try to start rebuilding there life. 

It seems everytime i go downtown i meet new people that are checking out Cuenca and have a lot of questions about living here and how much it costs.  We all went throught that period and all of you were kind to us to share, so we try to pass it on to the brand new folks.

Well as i can fly better than i can write, i will land this thing and go to the hotel!!!!!!

Silene and Jim

GETTING SETTLED IN NEW APT

We finally got all the suitcases emptied, clothes put away, etc.  The new apt is very nice, lots of room to move around.  The appliances are all new in the rental and work very well. 

I felt a shiver tonight when i looked at the weather in Georgetown, Tx where we used to live, temp was going down to 15 F, sure is nice to be in Cuenca.  Tomorrow i am going to try to move the brain cells and start learning the spanish language, will keep you posted.

On a side note, if anyone knows of a resonable rental in Salinas, somewhere you can cook and close to beach would appreciate a note back.  You can  reach me at skypilot400@gmail.com.

Silene and Jim

FIRST WEEK BACK, WOW!

First week back was busy.  We arrived with the 4 trunks, 5 bags, 4 carry ons to the partamentos torongo.  Next day we checked on the status of our apartment, you guessed it,  Cuenca time, instead of finish date of Jan 30, it is now March 31st.  We were not happy campers, one or two weeks at the apt we had rented was ok, not two months.  Well we found a new penthouse,  3 bedrooms to rent for two to three months.  We moved again but it is far better for long term.  We are now settled in new apartment for a couple of months.
We have discovered a new resturant, fantastic, for seafood, and it is fresh.  Try the La Mar  resto-bar located at Remegio Crespo 15-35 y Unidad Nacional.  ph is 072818217.  Have eaten there twice, food excellent both times.  Hours of operation are Sundays and Monday  11am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday 11am to closing.  You will not be disappointed.
I have a question from anyone that has had the experience.  If you fly into Guayaquil airport and want to get a ride to Salinas, what is best way, cab, van etc.

Silene and Jim

MOTHER SHIP HAS LANDED, WE ARE HOME

We made it but what a trip.  We were able to sell the last vehicle, close on house, pack,  and come back to Cuenca in 14 days.  We left Cuenca on Jan. 6th and arrived back on Jan. 20th.  We are now renting a place until our apt is ready.  Allied Van Lines came and packed two crates, 110 boxes, 3800#, they are keeping in storage until we tell them to ship to Cuenca.

We left Austin with 4 footlockers, 5 suitcases, 4 carry on,  when we arrived at the ticket counter, agent asked if were leaving the country.  I thought she was going to have us escorted out of the terminal because of the amount of luggage, yes we had to pay.  When we arrived in Quito, so did the 9 pieces of luggage, wow, great.  Two of the footlockers had holes punched in them, rough landing i guess.

Spent the nite in quito, decided to hire a van for trip home, thought it would be a lot easier than putting busted footlockers on the plane again.  Nine hours later we arrived at the apt.  If any of you  have not made this trip, i would suggest it, great sights along the road.

Hope to see all of you soon.

Big Day for the Fllight Crew

We have not posted for awhile but have sure been busy.  The Movers came yesterday and packed two crates for shipment.  We had a lot of boxes but somehow they managed to get 108 boxes, 3800 lbs packed, wow!  Today we close on the house, sold the last vehicle.  The buyer is letting us use the truck until we leave on the 19th, a good thing.
We are staying in a hotel in Austin for one week as we had some appointments to finish up, so many things to do.
Funny thing, neighbors that we never see have come around to tell us they are sorry we are leaving, they will miss us, wow, i find that hard to believe.
They tell us our apartment will be ready by the end of January, i have my doubts about that.  We have rented a place for our arrival on the 20th.
We are looking foward to seeing our friends when we arrive.  

Hello to all.

Silene and Jim

Walking around Cuenca

Cuenca changes everyday, something new to see.  Cows grazing along the river, donkeys on the sidewalk, wheelbarrows full of fruit.  I am going to have start carrying a camera which i have never done but will try to start posting pictures.  We have traveled a lot but the sights here take our breath away.

As we walk Silene is always seeing apartments for rent and she is good at picking good ones.  So she is keeping a list in her little books she carries.  If anyone is in need then drop us a note at skypilot400@gmail.com.  Just yesterday she found a couple in new bldg at resonable rent, 3 bedrooms.

Have a great day in this magic land.

Silene and Jim

What a Great Day to Be in Cuenca

Hello Everyone,  Happy New Years Eve Early.  We have had a busy day but fun.  We started early this morning by going to California Kitchen for breakfast.  Carol fed us well,  we then started walking in the rain, lasted two blocks, you know what comes next.  We hailed a cab, went to new apt that is being built to do some design changes.  We got a phone call while there that a couple in Cuenca wanted to see the penthouse above our apt where we are staying.  Would Silene please come and be the go between the landloard and the potential renters.  Silene is fluent in Spanish.  We jumped in a cab and met the new folks from California and in no time, new neighbors.  The rented the penthouse.  It is gone, rented.  The were happy that we were able to help.

We will be going back to Texas on Jan 5 but will return the end or Jan to move into new apt.

Jim and Silene