2012 Cuenca Perspectives Collage

2012 Cuenca Perspectives Collage
VIVA CUENCA

VIVA CUENCA!

My mission in publishing this blog is first to provide a living history of my settlement and life in Cuenca, and to provide myself and the reader with a journal account delineating my reasons for why I have chosen to settle in Cuenca. Second, the posts are my way of staying in contact with family and friends back in the states, and to provide them with an understanding of a country and culture that most North Americans have little knowledge and awareness. Third, the blog is open to one and all who wish to compare and contrast the experiences of expat bloggers living in Cuenca, so that you can determine whether or not from your perspective Cuenca is an appropriate move for you. Fourth, my blog provides another example of how expats view and interpret life in Cuenca. Ecuadorians and Cuencanos who may read this blog are especially invited to post comments that may enhance all expats understanding and appreciation of Cuneca and its people, or to correct any misinterpretations in my assumptions and perceptions of Cuencano culture. Finally, I hope I can convey the feeling of love and appreciation that grows within me each passing day for this heavenly city nestled in the Andes and its very special people.

Sunday, December 22, 2024

NEWS FROM CUENCA, ECUADOR DECEMBER 2024

 

December 21, 2024


Season's Greetings to Family and Friends alike,


Another Christmas Season rows around, and the years seem to go faster than ever. I hope all of you had a good year, or at least overcome your challenges with which we all deal with in life. Nothing terribly exciting took place this year in my life, but I enjoyed it. I was sick for two months from mid-July until almost September after having a fun and active June, which I wrote about in my previous blog post. I had one of those infamous colds or what some people here call the grip, which after days of coughs and endless sneezing that keeps the tissue industry in business, I was sapped of all energy and motivation and just wanted to sleep around the clock. When I did feel cured, and I rested two or three days more to be on the safe side. As soon as I went out into the world, my cold would immediately start all over again just from any physical activity that raised my body temperature. I finally saw a doctor, and on the last day of the ten days of an antibiotic, I returned to a healthy state. Otherwise, I am still walking, not as far as I used to, but I usually get my two to five miles in on most days. Since I am a restless soul, two months almost entirely confined to my apartment would have had me climbing the walls, but when one is sick and lacks energy, it was relaxing.    


Some of you who keep in touch with me on a regular basis are probably wearing me writing about the drought, but it has been our big story for the year. Today is the 21st of December, which makes it the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and its shortest daytime, and the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere and its longest day of daylight. We have opposite climate patterns. You guys in the north have had lots of rain, and depending upon your location hurricanes and major flooding, while we would have appreciated some of that rain.  


The drought has now run well over 130 days, although the last month has finally brought some appreciable rain. However, just when we think the drought may be over, we hit another long stretch of days without rain. Supposedly, the drought is over in Cuenca, but not in all parts of Ecuador. We reached the point of the government initiating blackouts about three months ago. Those of us who live in condo buildings that have generators haven't really been inconvenienced. Many small businesses and restaurants have purchased generators at $500 to $600, which is a great deal of money for many of these businesses. Unfortunately, a number of these businesses have gone under, including those who could not afford a generator. If it were not for the rain this December, the government was ready to initiate water rationing. The generators in these smaller businesses are usually just outside the businesses and are extremely noisy. I understand that the manufacturers will be producing more silent generators for next year, which won't be much help to all the people and businesses who purchased them this year. Hopefully, we won't need them next year. Instead, we will most likely go back into heavy rains and will need an ark.

I very much enjoyed the heat and dry spells the El Nino had brought. I flourish on sunshine, and we have had more than our share this year, and without dealing with excessive heat or humidity. It makes for an ideal climate and was an improvement from last year and going back into 2022 when the LaNina rainfall seemed like it would never end, and highways in the mountains led to landslides that decimated cars and their occupants, and some areas had entire neighborhoods washed out or buried under mounds of mud. However, people do need to eat, and I have no idea how much agriculture has been hurt to the degree that the reservoirs and irrigations are operable. What next year will bring in our weather patterns in Cuenca is anybody's guess. We will just have to take it one day at a time, and to date be thankful we have not had any major earthquakes.

It has been a quiet year. I can't believe it has already been six years since I have done any international traveling, excluding visits to the United States. If I get the chance to visit home this year, I most likely will visit in the summer. My last two visits in October to Chicago and Wisconsin and Iowa were colder than I can handle anymore, especially when those winds whip though the areas.


On a personal level. My two Ecuadorian young men, Mathias, who loves wall-climbing and riding his bike 40 miles most mornings no longer lives with me, but I always enjoy when he stops by to visit. He will be 22 in February. Esteban's birthday was December 6th, and he turned 18. Poor fellow was sicker than a dog on his big day. We took him to the hospital that night and again the next day. He was diagnosed with food poisoning and had no idea what caused it. I hope I never get food poisoning like he had it. He was sick with an intense pain in the middle of his stomach. The medication given the first night didn't seem to improve his condition, so back the family went to the hospital the next day and Esteban was given a larger dose of medication. After which he improved, but it still took a few more days before he was well enough to return to school.

Since my birthday is on the 12th of December, and we had our birthdays the same week, we celebrated both birthdays that weekend.


Speaking of Esteban, in my last post, I mentioned that he wanted to be an airline pilot. That isn't happening at this juncture. However, he miraculously was accepted into a university under unusual circumstances. His mother, Maria Rosa, said she went to church two days before classes started. As she was praying, a priest entered whom she knew. He came over to her while she was in prayer, and asked her how she was doing, and she explained that the one university Estan had applied to did not accept any of the graduates from the private high school from which he graduated. The public university was accepting students from indigenous and low-income backgrounds. Graduating from a private high school was a stigma. It appears the incident was treated as if a student could graduate from a private high school, then he most likely has sources of income to finance his university training despite what the application forms showed. The university, if accepted, offered free tuition to all students.


When Maria Rosa spoke there in the church with the priest, and as the priest knew what an excellent student Esteban was, the priest who was associated as an administrator in a private Catholic university had Esteban immediately enrolled and offered him a 2/3rd paid scholarship . My Ecuadorian son began classes the next day. I could not believe what had transpired at the blink of an eye, so Esteban is majoring in business administration, and still intends to be an airline pilot. Both he and Mathias are straight A students.  


Last year in my Christmas message, I stated that if you thought 2023 was something, wait until you see what 2024 has in store for us. I don't think anyone would disagree with me when I wrote that statement. I give you the same forecast for 2025, which will be even more memorable. The first half of the year will be especially chaotic, but after that I think the rest of the year will begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  


The election results brought a huge smile to my face. God is looking after his David, and as His Trump sounds, he will achieve great results in the name of the Lord. Not since are Founding Fathers has such an incredible group of wisdom, intelligence, experience, common sense, and integrity been brought together in American leadership positions as what is coalescing in the Trump administration. This will be an epoch of cultural, political, social, spiritual, and technological revolution; the likes of which the world has yet to see, which will obviously transcend the Trump administration. As the American people are increasingly awakening, they will realize that freedom is not just doing your own thing, that living narcissistic, debaucherous lives apart from God leaves a soul empty, and that materialism and avariousness, envy and jealously and a world of corruption leaves behind many empty and lost souls. Many people around the world are waking up to the fact that they must move out of their comfort zones and take responsibility for moving the changes in the right direction and fighting the globalist crime cabals and their national government toadies out of all power centers. So, behold the evil doers who will fall throughout the new year, and the increasing numbers of people who will return to a spiritual center in what will be the greatest spiritual revival in history. These are exciting times to be alive in world history.


So Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone, especially family. I hope things will transpire so I can see all of you this summer, especially Aunt Dorothy and Aunt Bonnie. In the lyrics of an old soul song by Sam and Dave, “Hold on I'm Coming!” So, God willing, everybody just hang in there.


Isaiah 9:6 – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 

John 8:12 – “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” 

John 3:16  – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 


Wednesday, August 7, 2024

SUMMER FUN IN CUENCA, JULY 2024

 

ESTEBAN'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, FRIDAY JUNE 29, 2024 



I  INTRODUCE YOU TO ONE OF MY ECUADORIAN SONS, WITH A BRIEF VIDEO MADE OVER HIS YOUNG LIFE;





JIM AND ESTEBAN ON THE DAY ESTEBAN GRADUATED FROM ABORADA, A PRIVATE SCHOOL WITH A BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS LOCATED IN A WOODED AREA THAT FOCUSES ON THE MATH AND SCIENCES, AND IS ONLY TWO MILES 
FROM WHERE WE LIVE IN THE PALERMO.









ESTEBAN, LIKE HIS OLDER BROTHER, MATHIAS, GRADUATED WITH HIGH HONORS OF SCHOLARSHIP IN ALL AREAS OF STUDY, ESPECIALLY OUTSTANDING IN MATH, PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, AND BIOLOGY.  

ESTEBAN WOULD LOVE TO BE A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOT, BUT HE HAS NEITHER RESIDENCY IN THE U.S., NOR RELATIVES WHO RESIDE IN THE U.S.  PRIVATE AIRLINE TRAINING WOULD COST A FORTUNE. ESTEBAN IS ALSO ONLY SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD, WHICH APPEARS TO BE TOO YOUNG FOR SOME COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOT TRAINING PROGRAMS.  HE PLANS TO MAJOR IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CUENCA.  UNLESS HIS PASSION AND PERSISTENCE OPENS UP OTHER DOORS FOR BEING A COMERCIAL PILOT, WHICH IS STILL A VERY REAL POSSIBILITY. 

MATHIAS ATTENDS THE UNIVERSITY OF AZUAY IN CUENCA, AND IS STUDYING INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY AND FINANCE.  HE WILL BEGIN HIS THIRD YEAR IN OCTOBER.



                                                                                                                      

BELOW IS ESTEBAN WITH HIS VERY PROUD MOTHER, MARIA ROSA.



VIDEO OF THE FINALE OF THE GRADUATION CEREMONY:




SENOR CHEVERE (COOL) RIOS RELAXING AFTER THE CEREMONY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILIES OVER LUNCH ON A BEAUTIFUL CUENCA AFTERNOON.








PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE, ALWAYS WITH AN EYE ON THE STARS. ENJOY THE FOLLOWING VIDEO OF ESTEBAN:








SENIOR PROM











In Esteban's prom, which was held at Jardines de San Joaquin, there is no Prom March of the student attendees or a prom king and queen as in U.S schools.  The dinner is attended by the parents of the students and in some cases even siblings and family friends  The affair is very elegant.  The young men in tuxedos and the young ladies in evening gowns.  As people arrive and greet one another, they eventually take their seats for dinner



Esteban and his mother, Maria Rosa as they prepare to leave the Palermo for the big night.



Below is a photo of Esteban's senior class section.





Below is a photo of the entire graduating class of Alborada 2024.








Camilo Avarado, Elian Ramon, Esteban Rios, and Julio Ochoa






Marcelo y Cristina with Esteban


Esteban and Maria Rosa










Mathias Rios and his mother



Couple Piedra, form radio station Animal de Radios with Maria Rosa and Esteban 








Esteban with Sr. Silva




















Elian Ramon and Esteban






Elian Ramon, and Matias Pezantes and Esteban


Esteban and his mother
 




Mathias Rios with his novia (girlfriend) Paula Barros and Maria Rosa.




Mathias and Maria Rosa




Mathias and Paula Barros






 After the dinner and various toasts were offered, the festivities began with dancing. The first dance takes place between the sons and their mothers, and between the daughters and their fathers.  The adults and graduates danced the night away with the evening events ending with fireworks.  By 3:30 a.m. the magical night came to a standstill, but one that would be remembered and cherished for years and decades to come by the graduates

Video of the toast, dancing and fireworks: 










MARIA ROSA'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT THE ELEGANT MANSION MATILDE RESTAURANT, JUNE 19TH, 2024



WE CELEBRATED MARIA ROSA'S BIRTHDAY AT MATILDE THREE YEARS AGO WHEN MATILDE HAD JUST RECENTLY OPENED.



On this particular evening, Maria Rosa would be surrounded by approximately twenty-four guests.

Andres Rios, Maria's Youngest son; Silvia and Lennin Alvarez 








THESE LOVE BIRDS SET THE ROMANTIC TONE FOR THE CELEBRATION.





Antonia Orellana, A GRADUATING CLASSMATE OF ESTEBAN




 Andres Rios, Maria Rosa, Agustin Garcia and his father, Juan Gabriel Garcia, who is also Mathias' God Father.





Johanna Rosa, Catalina Ramon, Viviana Ulloa, Belen Gracia.





Alejandra Garcia, Gabriela Garcia and Mathias Rios





Elian Ramon, Maria Rosa and Esteban Rios
 






Elian Ramon, Maria Rosa, Esteban Rios, Antonia Orellana, Silvia y Lennin Alvarez, Andres Rios, Agustin Garcia and Juan Gabriel Garcia.










Maria Rosa, Johana Rosa, Catalina Ramon, Viviana Ulloa and Belen Garcia. 





Elian Ramon, James Mola and Esteban Rios





Esteban Rios, James Mola and Antonia Orellana



Maria Rosa, queen of the evening







Esteban Rios, Andres Rios, Maria Rosa and Mathias Rios





Marcello and Cristina Jurado were also in attendance.




Elian Ramon and his mother Catalina Ramon




IT WAS A MEMORABLE AND FUN EVENING, AND AS THE SERVICE CLOSED THE DINING ROOM, THOSE WHO REMAINED WENT NEXT DOOR TO THE LOUNGE AREA.  THE LADIES BUSILY CHATTED AND LAUGHTER RANG OUT AS THEY SAT IN ONE CORNER OF THE LOUNGE BY THE FRENCH DOORS OVERLOOKING A SLICE OF EL CENTRO.  MEANWHILE, I TOOK MATHIAS, ESTEBAN, AND HIS GOOD FRIEND, ELIAN TO ANOTHER CORNER OF THE LOUNGE AND INTRODUCED THEM TO THEIR FIRST MOSCOW MULES,  WHICH THEY ALL ENJOYED APPROVINGLY.  BY 11:30, WE WERE ALL HEADING HOME.



Video of the dinner: 




FATHER'S DAY, ON  JUNE 16TH, 2024


Father's Day was very special to me this year.  The Rios's family treated me to dinner as Mathias drove us to Yunguilla about a ninety minute drive from Cuenca, and is fourteen miles (22 kilometers) southwest of Cuenca.  Yunguilla is a lush valley of orchards filled with mangos, oranges, bananas, avocados, and lemons.  As well as breathtaking mountain scenes and valleys. 

We found a restaurant, and it had a back patio with diners enjoying their Father's Day meal.  Maria Rosa spotted a private terrace where people had just departed.  She had the table immediately cleared by a waiter, and we had a place where we could sit as a family and indulge in the scenery while we ate.





Yunguilla is at a lower altitude than Cuenca.  Therefore, being warmer, we had to fight off flies while eating, which just doesn't happen in Cuenca.  It was approaching dusk, so we began to depart before we would have to deal with mosquitos, which are almost nonexistent in Cuenca as well.  However, none of the annoyances took away from a good meal and spectacular scenery,








\






Mathias and Andres enjoying the panoramic scenery.














When Mathias is not studying and taking classes at the university, 
he's endlessly bike riding or wall climbing at the Jefferson Colisio.

Mathias taking part in the bike marathon, round trip from Cuenca to Gualaceo among hundreds of participants.

Mathias and Esteban at the bike and motorcycle fair.




































































All of us had a  very good time together.  While Maria Rosa, shutter bug extraordinaire,  took all the photos.  Now, with our stomachs filled and our brains energized; we had a lively, fun time on our return to Cuenca.

STARTING OFF THE MONTH OF JUNE    

By now if you have actually been following this blog post from the beginning, you may realize that the events are not in chronological order.  I am ending with the first event, when June kicked off with my friend John, who came to visit from London.  John was my first Spanish tutor and we have been friends since 2011.  His grandmother from the coastal area of Machala visited for one night and left the following night.  John's, attractive cousin Crystal also visited, and she and John spent almost a week shopping, site seeing, and hanging out at clubs at night.  Toward the end of their time, I took them to Le Petit Jardin, a very fine French restaurant in a country-setting just on the outskirts of Cuenca proper.




John was my first Spanish teacher, which is the reason why I am so fluent in espanol, and why Cuecanos are always awe-inspired when they hear me speak in Spanish.




The last week of July was John's birthday.  Feliz Cumpleanos John!





Crystal enjoying her meal.








Jon Barrenwar, Jim Mola, and John's cousin, Crystal.







EL  FIN