The New Round About is Finished - Time to Celebrate

Dear Family and Friends,

We read in the newspaper that the new round about was going to be opened today.  A celebration took place this afternoon starting at 6:00pm.  The work is done and it was completed 2 months ahead of schedule!  A tremendous effort with wonderful results!! We are all happy that the traffic will now flow better.

Chuck and I walked down to see what the celebration would be like.

There was music and folklore dancing.  The dancers were televised on a big screen so everyone could see them.

There were a lot of people enjoying the festivities.

There were banners hanging from a nearby building thanking our president for leading Ecuador in the right direction...providing the infrastructure necessary for this wonderful country.

The military band was standing by waiting their turn.

Here are some of the beautiful plants that beautify the new round about.

This round about is just one of many improvements coming to Cuenca.  Things are really looking up regarding traffic control.  The next big project is the light rail which will keep the bus traffic down in the city center.  There was someone handing out these cards to children.  When it is punched out and folded it makes a model of the new light rail cars.

Speaking of traffic control, I thought it was fitting that these bikers came as a group.

I especially like the sign on this bike......"one less automobile."  I understand there will be bike lanes in Cuenca soon.

The last opportunity to walk through the underpass was tonight.  Starting tomorrow it will not be possible because of all the car traffic.  Chuck, and friends decided to stroll the underpass....just to say "I did it."

The arrow is pointing to Bill Keyes, Chuck and our neighbors Bea and Bob.

 Here is a close up of the happy pedestrians.

All in all, it was a fun evening.  We left fairly early.  As I am writing this post, we can hear fireworks going off down at the round about.  Starting tomorrow that intersection will never be the same.

Love,
Nancy