New Friends, Acquaintances and Encounters

We've been settling into life here in Cuenca.  It has been an amazing week here! 

On Saturday we woke up to another beautiful day and decided to meet our new friends Rich, Jen and their 5 year old daughter Clara.  Rich & Jen are PhD professors in philosophy working for a college in Indiana and are on sabbatical in Cuenca.  They are two VERY interesting people and have been in Cuenca 3 months, with another 3 more months left on their visas.  We had great discussions, enjoyed chatting about philosophy, state of Ecuadorian politics and life in Cuenca.  

They brought along their friends Jessica and her hubby (oops, I forgot his name), their daughter's 3 year old Evangeline and 8 month old, Piper.  They're both veterinarians and also decided to take a "time out" from the crazy life in the states.  Jessica's father is an expat, bought a hobby trout farm outside of Cuenca and has apparently become enthralled with South America, and is purchasing more property.  Their family will be returning to the states in 3 months, something that Jessica is sad about, and yet her hubby is pleased.  He shared that he's had a hard time fitting into the culture here as he doesn't speak Spanish and said they may move to Europe because he's fluent in German.  

Coco was  excited to meet the girls and could barely sleep the night before. She had so much fun and honestly we had a blast meeting up with the other couples.  I'm posting a link that Rich made of his daughter which has our days shared in the park as well.  On a funny note the girls went paddle boating and I didn't realize that our sweet, but ever mischievous Coco was splashing the other kids and had even stuck her toe in the water (while daddy wasn't looking) until Rich caught her antics on film, lol!! I couldn't figure out why here feet were all wet...  Busted! such a little stinker!! :)

Link to Rich's video:  https://vimeo.com/83996381

After the park we all grabbed lunch at Cafe Austria which had great curry and coffees and continued to chat and plan future play dates.  

We went back to our hostel and Jared decided to "run errands", get batteries and get his computer looked at.  Unfortunately, while he was out, it began to rain heavily and he was forced to wait it out standing under a building's overhang.  He was surprised when the owner of a restaurant asked him to come out of the rain and gave him a free cup of coffee, saying sit and relax.  :)  The people here have been sooooooo wonderful... 

We've spent a lot of time recently doing "normal" daily living things like going to the main supermarket called "Super Maxi", it was actually fun, as Jared, Coco and I meandered the isles looking at all the different foods and ingredients.  We couldn't figure out where to find the milk since it wasn't in the cold produce area, instead it was found in a bag on a shelf in the dry goods area.  We're always blessed to have some kind stranger help us out when we least expect it, the marked was no exception, a nice "gringo" lady kindly stepped in and explained many things about the market.  :)

We then spent time trying to find a place to do laundry and were excited to find one a block away called "Gringo Laundry", lol.  It was so relaxing as it had Wifi and TV, in Spanish of course, my friend Paula who I met in the states, and is originally from Columbia, made the suggestion that Spanish TV will help Coco with her Spanish. Coco loves watching any TV as she gets very little these days and is enthralled no matter the language.  It was great spending time as a family doing all our laundry at once and then being forced to fold it, something we didn't have time for before, lol :)

Again, I can't describe how interesting hostel living is.  We get to meet the most unique, interesting and sometimes weird people.  A couple nights ago was no exception, I looked out my window to see this guy playing with swords.  He is a street performer who travels the world juggling swords, balancing them on his tongue and playing guitar.  Hmmmm?  Interesting.  

Yesterday we woke up and went to church at Calvary Chapel and attended their English service.  There were maybe 20 people there and everyone was at least 30 years older than us.  Coco was the only kiddo in the service. :(  It was a great message, but as we were leaving the English service, the Spanish service was starting and there were so many kids and young families, we may be looking for a Spanish service from now on... :)

  

We spent the rest of the day at the park and were again amazed at how beautiful, clean and amazing this city is.  I'm not just saying this because we are here, but it is truly stunning.  We are awakened each morning to beautiful church bells and beautiful birds singing in the garden. We walk the cobblestone streets filled with families and of course parades (see the pictures), there's so much life here.

We come around a corner and... yep another a parade... There is seriously a parade each day and we really have no idea what is being celebrated, but one thing I know is they love to celebrate!! :)  

We strolled along the river and sat along the bank and watched people kayaking down it.  

Coco rode the zip line at the park and had fun swinging with the kids. I am so impressed with how much more confident she is here with trying new things.  I wonder if its that she's spending so much more time with us than she has ever had in the past and that this is bringing out more confidence. 

I think its interesting how the kids face each other when they swing.  :)  

We came home and I did work and enjoyed the beautiful breeze blowing through the hostel.  I enthralled in great conversations with a girl from Australia and another from Peru, hearing about their travels through South America, dreams of their futures, and life in general.  I can't get over how exciting and enriching travel is and how many life altering conversations you can have.... if you allow yourself time. 

We won't be moving into our apartment today, however it will be ready tomorrow... I am actually going to miss our crazy hostel living... :(  The staff are so kind to us and don't charge us for things like most people or even us when we first arrived.  They allow us to store food in the restaurant refrigerator and the cooks are so warm and inviting explaining what each ingredient is and how to prepare the amazing restaurant food.

This past week I can't even begin to share all the people that have entered and exited our lives! Our little journal (thanks Clay & Natalie) that we also use to take notes in and write down contacts is filling faster than any previous journeys we've been on.  Jared and I are continually in awe of this adventure and when Coco was asked tonight by the sweet girl from Australia, if she likes this journey? Coco said "YES!! I don't ever want to leave Ecuador!"

This experience has been increasingly fruitful having Coco with us.  In our twenties Jared and I had traveled a lot, but having Coco creates a different experience entirely....  in a way a more exciting experience.  She has no fear talking to people, smiling and engaging conversation (don't worry parents we are ALWAYS with her)! We were reminiscing today and realized every great interaction or person we've met along our way has been linked to Coco's vivacious personality and willingness to talk to people... Even when Momma or Daddy wouldn't have engaged a conversation. She's our sunshine and as one gentlemen said today at breakfast, you can tell that kid is LOVED by the hostel! :)

I'm going to leave with this quote from a restaurant we visited:

"Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." 
      (Buddha)

FOUND!!! :)

So we spent yesterday searching for apartments.  We had contacted a few more Realtors and had no luck, it started to feel pretty overwhelming as we were told by several people that there are very few short term rentals.  Some people said we should possibly consider living in hostels for the rest of our time.  :(

We decided to just relax, pray and see what the day brought.  As we walked around the city, Jared had decided to contact a site called Gringo Tree and they had a few apartments listed.  He called on one particular rental, directly in the area we wanted and way BELOW the price we had budgeted for, so we didn't have our hopes up that it would be desirable beyond its location.  However, he was pleasantly surprised when the person advertising spoke English and was very eager to meet with us.

Turns out this flat was in an INCREDIBLE part of town and is owned by a family, whose son just returned from New York and has remodeled much of the property.  As soon as we met him and his wife we were instantly excited for the flat.  It has a huge iron gate around the property as he showed us the initial two furnished apartments we weren't too impressed, as they were a bit dark and very small.  He then said "I have one more apartment on the top floor with a rooftop terrace and is currently being remodeled, however I'm not very interested in renting it out at this time."

As we climbed the stairs we couldn't believe how cute the flat was and how much light streamed into it with its sun lights and cute layout.  Granite counter tops and a fresh breeze blowing through the open windows.  A school lies behind the building so you can hear the laughter of children.  The rooftop terrace overlooks the Cajas National Park with a beautiful Cathedral in the distance.  Below was a garden area that was currently being remodeled and had just been cleaned and new grass was being put in.  Then he told us the price they were considering if they were to rent it $250.00/mo and an additional $30.00 for high speed Internet :)

He said he would discuss the option of the apartment with his family and would let us know.  We heard back today that we got it!! :) :) They are furnishing it for us with brand new beds, a new stove, and new refrigerator.  We can't move in until Monday as they are finishing up the remodel for us.  We are so excited to check it out Monday and assure the Wifi is good and that all is completed as said.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers.  :)

We then decided to drive to the top of Cuenca to another cathedral where we could see the city from above.  Helps us to get a visual.

Coco loved the view!

Cuenca

Another beautiful church!

Another telescope (thanks Grandma Nana for the hat, she wears it all the time)

We then strolled around the area and decided to try some of the local foods:  We have yet to be disappointed!! :)

Hence the BIG smile!

We then strolled a local market for some warmer clothes.  Its been rainy the last few days and no places have heaters as they don't normally have this cool of weather so we thought we would buy some warmer sweaters from the Incan market.

Coco and my new sweaters and Coco in her new gloves! 

Last night we finished the night in our hostel room, did homework and work.  Ending the night with Jared and I having a glass of Chilean wine and watching a movie while our baby slept :)  It was so cozy in our little room and one of my happiest moments on this journey!

1/09/2014

Today we woke up with a chill and my joints were aching, looked out the window and it was another rainy day and (no, my family, I don't think its RA, it feels more like a chill from sleeping in a cold room with no heat.)

Jared had heard of a great spa out of the city and had heard if you arrived before 0800 you could get in for $15.00.   He arranged a cab and we drove to Banos, a beautiful city on the mountains just outside of town and we pulled up to a beautiful spa surrounded by mountains and authentic little homes.  

I was shocked at how beautiful it was and how incredible the service was.  We were able to enjoy pools filled with water from volcanic vapors.  Apparently its very good for your body and any ailments.  They have red clay and blue clay baths. 

Beautiful resort on lava rock. 

None of us are in this picture as we had already done the treatments, but the first tub is red mud and the second blue! :)

An an interesting thing called a sweat box.  I didn't last long as it made me feel a bit claustrophobic.  Jared loved it... 

Sweat boxes

Kind of a weird picture, but Jared LOVED it!! 

I loved the hot and cold plunge in the lava caves! :)

Coco had a blast and of course.... Made new friends with a girl her age whose parents (from Toronto) were visiting family in Cuenca.  The sun came out in the middle of our day and we were in heaven.  Except for the fact that we had no idea how easily you BURN here.  I guess you would assume so since we are on the equator and at such a high elevation.  Thank goodness our new acquaintances had sunscreen, but we each are all still a bit toasty!!

Always having fun!!

Such a cutie!! :) Our buddy!! xoxo

Another beautiful church, this one was in Banos...

Beautiful! 

When we got home from the spa we settled in and did work and rested for a bit and decided to walk to the market and were again asking a million questions of the vendors as to what different fruits were.  Poor Coco, she kept saying "I just want something normal."  I have never seen a kid so excited to find bananas and apples, lol!! ;) 

On our walk home we came across a little blond girl and her parents leaving a restaurant.  We instantly had a connection and found out they are professors working here for the past three months and will be here another three.  Their daughter is Cocos age and they are from Washington state and Minnesota originally! :) They were excited to meet us and we were soooo excited to meet them.  We instantly exchanged information and they invited us to join them and another couple to go hiking this weekend in the Cajas National Forest... They also have their daughter in a school here and are so pleased with her adaptability and quickness in picking up the language... 

I am so excited to get into our apartment so we can get a bit more settled and I can start to geting involved in the community here.  I brought my stethoscope and I hope to volunteer at a hospital or organization!! :)  

Thanks again for following our journey and we are so blessed to be able to share this with you!! :) 

Also for those of you who maybe wondering, we are still VERY involved in Haiti, we are currently gearing up to launch my brother's doctoral project in Haiti this spring and through next year. He will be implementing a study in order to gain more knowledge about the educational levels and needs of school age children.  So Haiti is still in our hearts!! :) :)  

Parque Paraiso

Last night we spent time in the cafe of the hostel completing work and school.  We uploaded a curriculum for Coco called ABCmouse.com and she has been in love with it and absolutely enjoys learning. We then went and walked outside our new hostel home for the moment and found a little pizzeria, filled with candles and beautiful ambiance.  We had the BEST pizza we've ever tasted, they use oregano and "sazon" sprinkled on top, like we use parmesan on our pizzas in America, it was amazing!  

Coco is the life again of this hostel and is constantly greeting new arrivals.  As they walk thru the door with their packs she runs up and shows them her latest art work and welcomes them to her "home", lol.  She hasn't once said she misses Florida or wants to go home.  Instead she is constantly commenting about how much she loves it here.  Everyone at this hostel is also talking to her in Spanish so she continues to pick it up. 

She could seriously be in an advertisement for happy kid, happy hostel living!

Today we woke up to a BEAUTIFUL sunny day and had our coffee in the garden!! Still a bit chilly (hence the hat!! but sunny hence the sunglasses)  Again Coco was snapping pictures!

Today we woke up to a BEAUTIFUL sunny day and decided to spend some time at the “Parque Parasio”.  It was absolutely beautiful and we had so much fun strolling by the rivers and spending time “working out” on the outdoor equipment.

She loves the park!

Such a beautiful Park!! :) 

She could swing all day long

Beautiful ponds everywhere

Daddy LOVED the workout equipment!! 

So did Coco!! :)

On top of the world!

Beautiful Rivers flowing through town!!  These make up some of the headwaters of the mighty Amazon!

Chillin

The people here are so warm and friendly.  We had only one instance of someone not being friendly when they jumped in front of us and stole our taxi cab, which Coco had worked hard to hail by jumping up and down and waving her hands :)  She said she likes taxis better than our car...  Other than that people have been so kind.  

Coco became our photographer! 

Didn't realize she was still snapping away! 

"What is she doing?  Still taking pictures of us?"

We saw a braver Coco come out today... She wouldn't  have dared to climb mock rock wall, but today she was inspired to go all the way to the top!! 

Trying to perfect the monkey bars... Loved the little boy who just watched and... 

continued to watch her!! :)  

So did his Momma... She was all smiles... :)

We then strolled the streets and made our way to the legendary cathedral!! It was stunning... :) 

It looked like the cathedrals we saw in Europe!! Absolutely beautiful. 

Loving life

Strolled and bought three pounds of strawberries and cherries!! 

Wheelbarrows full of cherries on each street corner!! :) 

Bought fresh juices and sat in the square!! 

Mora, Pina, and Mango juice!! So healthy and yummy... 

Of course Coco stole the Mora!! :(

Look at these pastries!! Which we did not partake in, trying to be healthy... Though, this place is truly incredible...

Last part of our day was a bowl of cherries, chili con carne and a little reading of our Ecuador book that we found at Caroline's book store!! Which is an American owned English literature book store.  They offer daily Spanish classes and Coco and I are excited to start.

Today's quote comes from our Hostel:  "Never give up the road for the sidewalk, the road can take you farther!"

We are absolutely in awe of this journey and were pinching ourselves that we aren't on vacation that this is our life for the next 4 months.  :)  Its also taught us we don't need much to be happy.  We are enjoying each day together and exploring the culture, nature and this life!!