EL CAJAS NATIONAL PARK IN ECUADOR - Our January 2014!!! HIKING THE CAJAS and Back to the USA.......

 

We hiked the Cajas Friday January 3rd, 
and six days later were on our way to Oregon USA.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014!

Dear Family, Friends, and Faithful Readers,

I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted, but I’m back!  We're back!

Bo and I started our New Year with a fabulous hike in the Cajas, and then two days later “SUDDENLY” we received word from the states that my mom's aged body was failing and in an active dying stage.  Of course, that news devastated us and also financially changed so many of our already made plans to travel often this year and explore Ecuador.  So, on January 9th, we temporarily left our peaceful Cuenca life and headed for cold and rainy Eugene-Springfield, Oregon.

 Prov. 19:21 Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.   

God definitely had another plan and purpose for us.  As much as I desire to walk by faith and not by sight, this was a very difficult and sad journey for me. Yet,

because of so many prayers and thoughtful and encouraging words, I knew that I could get through this time of knowing I would be losing my mom. My prayer was that we would get there while she was still coherent and able to sense our presence by her side.  Living so far away from our loved ones in times of "suddenlies" is stressful and makes for a long and expensive journey.

Bo and I had used up quite a bit of our permitted 90 days out during our Summer trip back to Oregon and our cross-country motorcycle adventure, so we only had about 25 days left.  With the time of year, crazy weather patterns, and the possibility of cancelled flights, we wanted to make sure we knew exactly how many days we could be out without losing our visas.  It was our hope that we could get an extension on our time due to our wanting to stay as long as we could to be there for mom's last breath.

The day before our departure, we went early to immigration.  It triggered some bad tapes for me as I remembered our numerous visits to that UNHAPPY place. Because we only had one question, "Can we extend our visit back home because of a family emergency?" - I didn't want to go through the already formed long line and be with the sad-faced people being herded in.  As I walked past everyone (oh, the stares and frowning faces) and began to speak in Spanish to the guard up front, explaining my situation and why I was there, a meany bull-dog faced gringa snapped at me saying, "There's a line here.  You need to go back!"  NOT NICE!  She had no idea what I was there for, no business snapping at me, and I was NOT IN THE MOOD for her.  I quickly responded, "I'm not here for a visa, I'm here for a family emergency!"  She could have cared less, I'm sure.  She was just interested in herself.  Yes, SELF.  What a selfish world we've become.  It made me examine myself once again, not wanting to be thoughtless and rude to others.  We never know what someone else is going through in life when they are not smiling but teary and needing to jump the line!  Another lesson learned on how NOT to treat others.  GRACE!  How we all need to extend more grace to others in this world.

The guard was compassionate towards our situation and quickly ushered us in where we were recognized by several of the immigration women, and immediately Andrea came to help us.  She heard my plea for a time extension.  Well, Immigration law does NOT give a time extension to anyone and not for any reason.  If you stay one day over, you lose your visa.  Though we were told by the Policia at the Movimiento Migratorio place earlier that we could leave for 90 days because the visa time out of country starts again the beginning of the year, and though I continued to question him, he ADAMANTLY INSISTED this was correct information by bringing out their law book and copying it and highlighting it and telling us to take it back to Immigration because they were WRONG.  He said, "Have them call me."  Andrea immediately had the attorney at immigration call him while we were there and set him straight so he or anyone there would not keep giving out WRONG information (which happens a lot here with visa questions). 

So, after all of that stress and an entire morning of back and forth to Immigration, we took a cab back to our apartment now KNOWING we had 25 days left to leave and return - no exceptions!! We continue to learn here that you have to ask several people the same question over and over before you hopefully get accurate information.  No, not everyone is giving out false information.  This policeman really believed he was telling us the law correctly.  He was kind and wanting to help us.  He knew our family emergency situation and wanted us to have 90 days.  I almost believed him (which is why Bo calls me PollyAnna).  He wasn't the only one there saying this.  The young woman also helping us was in complete agreement with him.  Now they know!!!  And so do we, AND YOU!  No Extensions!!!! No Exceptions!!  90 Days period!!! - from the day you get your visa stamped in your passport, 90 days out of country each year for the first two years!!!!

We kept our time out at 22 days including travel to Oregon and back (which can take two days each way).  We didn't want to chance a delayed flight because of weather.  To lose our visas would be tragic.  I can't even imagine going through the process again.  It wasn't fun then, and it would be even less fun to have to do it again.  We are heading into our second year of our 90-days-out visa requirement time, and we certainly don't want to jeopardize that in any way.  

Our days were precious as we visited mom daily.  She knew we were there, and we embraced every moment we had with her.  We are glad we took the long journey back to be with our mom.  By the time we had to leave to head back to Cuenca, she was pretty unresponsive and more frail than we've ever seen her.  We are both at peace with the time we had with her before she dies, and we know that even in her weak and frail state she said, "Go!  Have Fun!  Love each other....."  I will cherish those words and my reply was, "Mom, Yes, I promise."  We sometimes have to make difficult personal choices in life.  What works for some may not work for others.  The most important part of this journey has been the support and understanding we have received from our true and caring friends.  There are others that expressed they don't understand how we could not be there with mom in her dying state - how we could be so far away from her, saying, "I could never do that."  Never do I feel I have to explain my choices to anyone.  I have God's peace and I now have and always have had my mom's blessing.  

Coming home to Cuenca has been a real joy.  Bo and I are content to be back in our cozy Ecuadorian apartment, listening to the city sounds, seeing the familiar faces around us, being greeted warmly and embraced by our friends and acquaintances, and getting back into a now enjoyable routine of our simplified life.  We chose to leave the USA and our familiar and comfortable life there, and to return this second time to the USA was even more of a culture shock than the first time.  The cost of living is outrageous! I've been spoiled by my Cuenca Cost of Living!  The weather was unusually miserable - very cold and foggy, and then rainy and chilling.  Beautiful, yes!  I still say Oregon is one of the most beautiful states in the USA.  One day was especially warmer, sunny, and glorious.  One day!!  We both wondered how did we live in that persistent overcast rainy chilling weather for 40 years?  Of course we would wonder that after living for the past 13 months in Cuenca's beautiful sunny, warm, spring temperatures.  Some think Cuenca is too cold.  Bo and I embrace this weather.  We absolutely love it!  I've put away the boots and coats and I'm wearing capris, t-shirts, and flip-flops and walking with a big smile on my face when I'm out and about in this beautiful historic sunny warm city!

It was great to see our Oregon home being so well cared for by our "best renters in the world!"  It was also great to see our renters.  They are kind and generously accommodating people - letting us come by at our convenience to get our cars, go through our storage shed and and pick through the STUFF we still have.  I was able to choose a few things, and once again I took things back realizing I DO NOT NEED another thing.  Yes, we came back with suitcases of treasures - but I did put a lot of thought into this process once again.  I will eventually blog about what I brought back this second round.  I know that God is continually teaching me to let go of things I still hold too closely.  He showed me on this trip what is most important once again.  I will never have another mom, and I will miss my mom more than words can say.  But, I have this time of memories.  I have her sweet words to me and her tender touch on my face.  I have her blessing.  I couldn't have asked for anything else.  God was faithful on this sad journey and He provided abundantly.  

One knows who their true friends are during a crisis and difficult time. For those who followed us and supported us on this journey through emails - Thank you for your prayers.  Thank you for your encouragement and for truly caring.  Thank you Kay, and also Glenn and Imgaard.  You opened your door to us and let us in when we needed a place of comfort and peace.  For others who offered us a place to stay, thank you!  I want to especially thank our dear and special friend whom we recently met in Cuenca in December, who lives in Portland, Oregon. God brought us together for such a time as this.  I thank you, Lorena, for wanting to drive down to Eugene to be with us and to meet my mom, Ana Rosa.  You said it was an honor to meet my mom and to be with us.  You blessed me beyond blessing.  And Angel!  You were there for us without hesitation.  Your name reflects who you are to us, an angel, and we love you dearly.  Our Cuenca family of friends rock!  Loving, caring, intimate, ever-present, extending help, wanting to know, wanting to be there for us every step of the way.  You were!  And we thank you with ALL of our heart.  We didn't have to ask for help - you offered without hesitation or excuses.  You were truly there for us.  Few you are, but faithful and true.  This "suddenly" in life also taught me the greatest lesson ever - to never close my door.  It's open!  Even if it's only a floor I have to offer.  Our door is open, open, open!  Come as you are.  We will be here for you when your heart is breaking and you need a friend to talk to, healing prayers, and a place of comfort and peace in which to stay. 

Thank you God, for your gentle ways.  For teaching me what is important to YOU and how to truly give as You would desire me to give and be there for someone.  I'm thankful for the lessons though painful and heartbreaking.  Thank you faithful God.  Amen.

To my faithful and true family and friends -

Phil. 1:3  I thank my God upon every remembrance of you! 

PICTURES TELL THE STORY!

HIKING THE CAJAS AGAIN - 

A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN THE NEW YEAR!!

Our Cajas Hiking Crew - Fabian, James, Me, Dan, Joel (and Bo taking the photo)

The magnificent beauty that day was breathtaking,
so was the blue sky weather!

The unique Andes flowers were stunning....

....and so colorful! 

We would stop along the way to bask in the majestic Cajas surroundings and to rest.  We were hiking up to 14,000 feet!

One of our guides, Fabian, knew all of the medicinal properties of each Andes plant.  It was an education in itself as I photographed and he described each plant's healing benefits.  These  pink blossoms were edible - a sweet taste!

The scenery and plant life would change every turn we took. 

The peaceful clear lakes looked smaller the higher we climbed.

Dan's son, Joel, was visiting from Colorado.  What a fabulous way for him to begin his first day and visit in beautiful Ecuador - Hiking the Cajas!

Every plant along the way seemed to beckon me to photograph its magnificent presence.

Along the way the clouds began to settle atop the jagged rock formations......

......finally concealing the beautiful blue skies.

Even the low thick cloud cover was glorious and impressive!

My Mountain Man!

I was a bit more bundled up than my Mountain Man! 

Are we there yet??

The trail was apparent in some areas and would then disappear, so we would hike and make our own way.

If you can still hike and at higher altitudes and have not visited the Cajas, you must!!

More amazing "Cajas Plant Life"

I'm glad my Mountain Man brought two walking sticks because I needed one on that STEEP hike down.

What a glorious green rock covering plant

Still climbing......

James stops along the way to inhale the majestic surroundings.

An "Out Of This World" experience!

AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD!

Dan having a meditative moment!

Ahhhh, the joy of arrival.  Proud guides give us a thumbs up!!!

OUR REWARD at the end of a long, steep, long hike out - FRESH TROUT DINNER......

At Fabian's Father's Restaurant - RANCHO HNOS PRADO .......

........AT THE HEART OF THE CAJAS!

It was a fabulous challenging hike with a great group of guys (I love being with the boys) and the best way to begin our 2014 year of exploratory travels throughout our beautiful country ECUADOR.

COST OF LIVING IN ECUADOR - OUR "COST OF LIVING IN CUENCA" BUDGET

I've been waiting to see the figures of how much we've been spending since December 5th when we first stepped foot on Ecuador soil.  It seems like so long ago, yet it's been exactly 10 weeks today!  Truly, I feel we've been living here so much longer, perhaps because we have moved so much (four times in 8 weeks) and have met and shared meaningful times with so many different people, some we now call friends.

We looked at two different apartments for rent in the last 3 days.  Why?  Hey, why not?  We're always looking for a better deal and also for the place we can call home, and maybe we're in it already and just don't know it.  Honestly, after the last two apartments we just looked at, this place is a palace!  Our $500 a month all-inclusive 2 bedroom, 2 bath, room with a view "departamento" right in the heart of El Centro is beginning to look pretty fancy and quite reasonably priced.  The last two apartments both had "suicide showers."   Suicide showers are a home-installed water heating system where the hot water for the shower is heated directly inside the actual shower head.  Stray wires, a lot of insulation tape and a combination of water and high voltages of electricity creates the warm (if you're lucky hot) water.  If the installation is faulty, sparks and shocking will occur.  Fun, huh??

The first "available now" rental we looked at Sunday morning was only about 6 blocks up from Simon Bolivar where we now live, so it was a perfect location and only $400 a month completely furnished.  However, it was Oh So Small and had too many pink, yellow, limey green, and blue walls for me.  The couple renting it proudly showed us around and were absolutely unaware they had a suicide shower!  It looked deadly!!  They thought that's how the bathrooms here were. They're going back to Washington anyway, so I didn't put the "you could die" fear in them.  Hopefully, they won't touch it before they exit or they're in for a real shock!!  The second apartment we looked at today was very rough or rustic funky - but, gee, it was only $195 a month for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath unfurnished place and right across the street from the mercado, a great location!  Well, you definitely will get what you pay for here unless you happen to find the deal of the year.  So, again, we are feeling quite blessed and happy right where we are at. 

I got to thinking about our continued quest for the next best rental.  Before we came here, we had researched many blogs and articles on-line, since we wanted to have a realistic idea of the housing and cost of living (as well as the weather, medical care, foods, and people).  Housing and cost of living varied depending on what article or blog we read.  So, we decided, from day one, to keep a daily running total of every penny (yes, penny!) we spent so that in two or three months we would have a realistic idea of what our own personal budget would be.  Of course, with the four apartment rentals in two months and the added expenses for being on a vacation the first month here and eating out a lot, then the relocation services, etc., we knew we would be spending less once those expenses died out of our list.

Now that we're more settled in and know where to shop and are riding the bus more than taking taxis, we are able to get a more realistic monthly expense list that we will try out for the next two months to see if it works for us.  I wanted to share our personal budget because I believe that there are many opinions from varying lifestyles living in Cuenca - some more extravagant than others, and some more frugal.  There are many expatriates here who have enough money to go out every night to eat and not blink an eye, and there are those who are on a fixed pension income which will be the ceiling for what they can spend, hopefully with some left over to save.

When Bo and I left Oregon and the USA, we repacked our bags!  By that, I mean we both wanted to truly simplify our lifestyle and live modestly and frugally, focusing on the things that are truly important to us - the people we meet and the way we spend our time.  We are still both on the same page (that's a good thing when you're married), and the longer we are away from our USA rut, the more we are enjoying our new focus and way of life.  Like today - we shopped frugally and wisely.  We bought only what we needed, and we do not have extras of anything at home.  When we run out of something, we go to the store.  We have one of everything.  I have 3 cleaning products and a bottle of vinegar.  We buy fresh food daily, and there is little or no waste.  We're getting even better about this.  We cook 90% of our meals and eat out only at the delicious Ecuadorian restaurants, where we can buy a full course meal for two for $5 to $6 (Really!!!).  We continue to learn more ways to be frugal and save the longer we live here.

Okay, I'm letting you all behind the curtain!  Why not?  We have nothing to hide and we hope to be an inspiration to many who want to learn to live simply, become self-disciplined, and live frugally and modestly.  Does it mean we are sacrificing?  Not really!  Life is full of choices.  We choose to live this way.  We want to continue to save while living here, and we want to live unencumbered and free.  So, this is our choice for the next few months to see just how much we can still enjoy life on a frugal and wise budget.  Okay, here goes:

RENT - $500 (We live in one of the best and perfect locations of El Centro.  Our apartment is large, completely and comfortably furnished, and we pay month-to-month with no added fees or charges.  It works for us!)
FOOD - $289 (This figure includes produce, protein - lots of seafood, groceries, household, and limited alcohol.  We love to cook and EAT fine food, and this amount will allow us to do so.  We used to spend $700 a month on food in the states - Yikes!!!!)
PHONES - $10 (We each buy $5 worth of minutes each a month, so far with leftover minutes).
DINING OUT - $52 (We actually believe this could be high for how many times we now plan to eat out monthly. We'll see.....)
ENTERTAINMENT - $65 (This would be for any concerts, live plays, etc. we might attend.  However, most of the arts and entertainment here is FREE!!  Also, if we go on an out-of-area bus trip exploring the country.....)
GIFTS - $65 (We believe in giving - whether it's a gift to a friend or giving to an unfortunate we encounter in our day.)
TRANSPORTATION - $27 (I love not having a car nor the expenses of insurance, maintenance, etc.  Every time we ride a bus for 25 cents, I smile!  I don't even like taking taxis anymore even if they're only $1.50 to $2.00 a ride inner city.  Man, I'm becoming a penny-pincher and a true city chica.....)
MEDICAL - $130 (We just picked a figure to cover any out-patient expenses we might incur.  Still learning this area of our budget, although several doctor visits later and we think this is going to work for us - and way on the high side for what medical costs here.  In the future, we will look into medical insurance which could run $100 a month for the two of us - gee!!!)
FURNISHINGS and/or CLOTHING - $130 (Though we're not buying ANYTHING extra, sometimes something may come up that we need for our apartment or in clothing.  I recently had one of my photography prints matted and framed - a whooping $30 which would have cost about $150 or more in the States.  So, we did allow a frugal furnishings budget - yea!!!!  As for clothing, we're set for now, but one never knows!!!)
GRAND MONTHLY EXPENSE TOTAL FOR THIS FAMILY OF TWO = $1,268!!! (This is our high figure, so it could be closer to  $1,200.)

For us, this is a very realistic budget right now.  We are not interested in dining at fancy expensive restaurants, paying high rents, or living out of walking distance to El Centro.  We like being close to all our needs, and we are excited at the possibility of having this budget work for us long-term.  Of course, this could change, but for now it's feasible and what we personally hope to live on.

I'm glad we had the determination and self-discipline to keep a record of our daily spending from the day we arrived.  It took a bit of time and thought, but we knew it would pay off and be helpful in the end.  I'm a visual person.  I have to see it before I believe it.  As much as we go shopping, I was under the false illusion that we were spending a lot of money on produce and groceries.  Afterall, we also buy a lot of seafood each week.  In the states, that was a big big chunk of our grocery bill.  So, now I know and I'm thrilled!  I'm also thankful I have a husband who is money-frugal and conscientious.  He is not a tight-wad and would lay the world at my feet if he could (and he has!!).  Like I said, we're both on the same page at this season of our lives, and that's a good thing!!

Again, this is our story and our personal journey and choice. I hope this visual helps those planning to move here and those already here.  HAPPY BUDGETING!

            I LOVE CUENCA                   

Our beautiful City, CUENCA!

We live one-half block from Cuenca's fabulous Parque Calderon.  We love walking over here at night when the city is lit up and sitting on a bench and people-watching.  It's an active and wonderful area of El-Centro.

One of four rivers that surround the City of Cuenca - El Rio Tomebamba.  Bo and I can walk here in less than 10 minutes and then walk for miles along the wonderful walking/jogging paths.

Cuenca is a city of majestic and old churches - Historic church buildings that I never tire looking at. I hope to photograph them in the evening all lit up and sparkling.

One of my favorite things about living in Cuenca is the amazing flower market one block from where we live.  Every weekend Sra. Anna (my beautiful and loving flower vendor (pictured here on the right) makes me a $3 to $5 bouquet of the most beautiful and freshest variety of flowers.  She thoughtfully picks them and arranges them especially for me, and I carry my huge (and I mean huge) bouquet home - feeling very special and happy.  The beautiful vendors I know personally and the colorful flower market and amazing prices for a bouquet are only a few of the things I love about living in Cuenca.

WEATHER IN CUENCA ECUADOR - SUNSHINE AND FLOWERS in December!!!!

Two blocks from our dwelling is a fabulous daily flower market in front of one of the many churches of Cuenca.  One can buy a huge bouquet of flowers for $5.  As I read about the blizzards and storms in the mid-west and I hear about snow and rain back home in Oregon, I am embracing the sunshine and smelling the beautiful flowers of Cuenca.

Close-up of one of the vendor's displays.

An Array of fragrant colorful flowers at Parque Calderon in the heart of El Centro.

Giant succulents surround huge trees in el Parque.

An Ecuadorian woman buys a bouquet from one of the street flower vendors......

.....as other vendors wait for their next sale.

It seems strange to be in the latter days of December and in the Christmas season, yet surrounded by such huge colorful and unique flora.

We love walking in our beautiful Parque Calderon and seeing the lovely landscaped grounds and colorful flowers.

This park beauty really caught my eye!

We visited the Pumapungo archaeological site and the grounds were breathtaking!

Every day we walk for miles and miles, and I always have to stop, click, and capture the beauty around me.

I have no idea what some of these trees, plants, and flowers are.  The longer we are here, the more familiar we will become with our new floral surroundings.

Closeup of this beautiful huge flowering tree.

We are definitely in one of the most amazing and beautiful areas of this majestic world.  I'm so thankful to be experiencing another country and it's beauty.

If any of our readers can elaborate on any of these unique and amazing plants, please leave us your comments and let us know what they are.  It would be fun to hear from you and know the names and history of these beauties.

As another Christmas approaches, we are loving being in an area that is having gorgeous summer-like days, and cool mornings and evenings.  No heaters (yet) and no air conditioners, no humidity, no bugs, and no mosquitoes.  Some rain, but not for hours or days or months.  We couldn't be more pleased with this Cuenca weather season, so far!!