Dear Family and Friends,
I have been packing my suitcase the last couple of days. I am leaving this afternoon to go visit Kylie, our daughter, who lives in California. We are going to spend a wonderful week of "girl time" together. I am so excited.
While I am visiting Kylie, Chuck is heading on an Ecuadorian road trip with our friends, Dave and Myrna. They are going to Zaruma...the gold mining town.
As before, I will be taking the camera and computer and will share with you during this trip.
Sending you all love. Have a wonderful day.
Nancy
Monday, March 10, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
FOTO FRIDAY - 3/07/14
Dear Family and Friends,
This is a picture of the famous Ponte Vecchio walking bridge in Florence, Italy. Ponte Vecchio is, of course, Italian and translates "old bridge." There have been bridges at this spot since 996. Several were built and washed away. This actual bridge has been standing since 1345.
The houses on the bridge were originally used by butchers and tanners. It is said that in 1593, Duke Ferdinand I, decided to replace these businesses with goldsmiths. The reason? because the businesses produced too much garbage and caused a fowl stinch. Today the bridge is lined with jewelers selling moderate priced jewelry to exquisite antiques.
Another tidbit of information is that this bridge is the only bridge in Florence to remain unscathed from WWII. The locals say this was from direct orders of Hitler.
I took this picture many, many years ago when Chuck and I met Audrey and Jim in Florence for a week. What a fun time we had. A go back to place for sure.
Love,
Nancy
This is a picture of the famous Ponte Vecchio walking bridge in Florence, Italy. Ponte Vecchio is, of course, Italian and translates "old bridge." There have been bridges at this spot since 996. Several were built and washed away. This actual bridge has been standing since 1345.
The houses on the bridge were originally used by butchers and tanners. It is said that in 1593, Duke Ferdinand I, decided to replace these businesses with goldsmiths. The reason? because the businesses produced too much garbage and caused a fowl stinch. Today the bridge is lined with jewelers selling moderate priced jewelry to exquisite antiques.
Another tidbit of information is that this bridge is the only bridge in Florence to remain unscathed from WWII. The locals say this was from direct orders of Hitler.
I took this picture many, many years ago when Chuck and I met Audrey and Jim in Florence for a week. What a fun time we had. A go back to place for sure.
Love,
Nancy
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
New Mall is Coming Along
Dear Family and Friends,
On Monday Chuck and I went for a drive to see the progress of the new mall that is being built. It is starting to look like a mall. There is still a lot of work to be done before it is complete. We are having fun trying to guess what stores and restaurants will be in there.
This mall is located west of downtown Cuenca. It will be at 9,000 ft elevation. The views from up there are fabulous.
We took another road back to town. We were treated to a lot of horse back riders....enjoying the countryside and the holiday.
We could look down and see the small community of Sinincay. The church in the center of town had beautiful blue domes.
Chuck drove into the town and we got out and walked around. It is very lovely. We saw bus stops and my friend Bea says you can get there on Bus 27.
Here is the church that looks so beautiful from above.
It is located across the street from a lovely park.
We had a lovely morning ride and it was a nice way to spend one of the holidays. We also walked in downtown Cuenca and it was deserted. Not many cars to dodge when crossing the usually busy streets.
Today is Ash Wednesday and Cuenca should be back to business as usual.
Love,
Nancy
On Monday Chuck and I went for a drive to see the progress of the new mall that is being built. It is starting to look like a mall. There is still a lot of work to be done before it is complete. We are having fun trying to guess what stores and restaurants will be in there.
This mall is located west of downtown Cuenca. It will be at 9,000 ft elevation. The views from up there are fabulous.
We took another road back to town. We were treated to a lot of horse back riders....enjoying the countryside and the holiday.
We could look down and see the small community of Sinincay. The church in the center of town had beautiful blue domes.
Chuck drove into the town and we got out and walked around. It is very lovely. We saw bus stops and my friend Bea says you can get there on Bus 27.
Here is the church that looks so beautiful from above.
It is located across the street from a lovely park.
We had a lovely morning ride and it was a nice way to spend one of the holidays. We also walked in downtown Cuenca and it was deserted. Not many cars to dodge when crossing the usually busy streets.
Today is Ash Wednesday and Cuenca should be back to business as usual.
Love,
Nancy
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Carnaval - Paute Style
Dear Family and Friends,
Chuck and I went to Paute yesterday intending to eat some grilled lamb. However, when we got to the restaurant no one was there, we figured we were a day late.
Even though it was drizzling rain we decided to walk around and see what was happening in Paute.
Evidently there was a great carnaval yesterday....but they were taking down the rides today.
Missed that!
We saw this sign that something would be happening on Sunday, but this was Saturday.
Missed that!
Chuck and I walked to the market....it appeared to be closed. Chuck went around back while I stood under cover from the rain and he came back with some fruit.
We decided to walk back to the car and call the whole adventure off when we heard music.
One block ahead a parade was coming.
There were bands,
and dancing.
There was even a queen and king.
And a princess.
These two guys are dressed as Cholas (indigenous women).
But most of all they had spray foam.
This spectator sprayed the parade folks.
And the parade folks sprayed back.
Even the spectators minding their own business were not spared.
Don't ride is this parade with your window down.
Heck, they were even spraying each other.
No one was exempt, not even this traffic patrolman.
And, yes, we got our fair share.
It turned out to be a fun day after all despite the fact that we were a day late for our barbecue.
Love,
Nancy
Chuck and I went to Paute yesterday intending to eat some grilled lamb. However, when we got to the restaurant no one was there, we figured we were a day late.
Even though it was drizzling rain we decided to walk around and see what was happening in Paute.
Evidently there was a great carnaval yesterday....but they were taking down the rides today.
Missed that!
We saw this sign that something would be happening on Sunday, but this was Saturday.
Missed that!
Chuck and I walked to the market....it appeared to be closed. Chuck went around back while I stood under cover from the rain and he came back with some fruit.
We decided to walk back to the car and call the whole adventure off when we heard music.
One block ahead a parade was coming.
There were bands,
and dancing.
There was even a queen and king.
And a princess.
They even had men dressed as women.
These two guys are dressed as Cholas (indigenous women).
But most of all they had spray foam.
This spectator sprayed the parade folks.
And the parade folks sprayed back.
Even the spectators minding their own business were not spared.
Don't ride is this parade with your window down.
Heck, they were even spraying each other.
No one was exempt, not even this traffic patrolman.
And, yes, we got our fair share.
Love,
Nancy
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Meet my little Friend
Dear Family and Friends,
When Chuck and I walk to the Fieria Libre market, we pass a vacant lot. This lot, like so many in Ecuador, is used for grazing cows, goats, etc. Allowing animals to graze on your vacant land keeps the grass and weeds in check.
The last several trips we have made to the market we have been treated to this sight.
A little calf .... no mom, just the calf.
I bet he is lonely all by himself.
Love,
Nancy
When Chuck and I walk to the Fieria Libre market, we pass a vacant lot. This lot, like so many in Ecuador, is used for grazing cows, goats, etc. Allowing animals to graze on your vacant land keeps the grass and weeds in check.
The last several trips we have made to the market we have been treated to this sight.
A little calf .... no mom, just the calf.
I bet he is lonely all by himself.
Love,
Nancy
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