TEACHING ENGLISH IN CUENCA - hungry to learn!

Ahhh, it's the weekend!  Sometimes I forget what day of the week it is since I don't have to get up to go to work anymore.  I used to wake up at 5 a.m. during the week so I could get my workout in and have a leisurely morning before my 8:30 a.m. work day began.  I miss my wonderful job and my sweet Dr. Caroline (the best boss in the WORLD!), but I'm loving my life of freedom here in Cuenca more and more as I get used to being a "jubilado" (retiree).  Even though we are adjusting to an entirely new way of living (especially living in an apartment in the center of a city) and to being in another country,  I'm enjoying looking forward to what each new day brings and feeling so free and unencumbered with things that are not important anymore. 

We now live in a furnished month-to-month rental, and everything in it stays when we decide to up and go!  Our monthly living expenses are averaging around $1,500 a month, and that seems high to us only because we haven't really settled yet into a place we call "home" nor are we living yet on a budget we're sticking to.  We're still just plodding along and finding our way here.  It takes time, and we certainly have lots of that!  Yet, our days are full!

Today we spent the entire afternoon breaking bread with like-minded new friends.  One of the things we all agreed on is how much richer our lives seem to be here and how many more people we are meeting and enjoying sharing our time with compared to back home in the states.  For me, personally, I have found my free time here mostly enriched because of the kind and loving Ecuadorian people I meet daily.

I'm excited about tomorrow.  Our friend Pedro's sister, husband, and their two adorable daughters are coming to our home to have their first ENGLISH lesson!  Pedro stopped by last Sunday to spend the day, and he asked us if we wanted to go visit his sister, Lola, and her family who live in Cuenca.  We had met Lola at the family "Anos Viejo" celebration in Yungilla.  So, we hopped a bus and went to their home.  Lola's husband, Manuel is a taxi driver, and he came home early just to spend some time with us.  They have two daughters, Nicole, 18,  and Kelly, 3.  What a wonderful time we had with them, and when we were getting ready to leave that evening, Lola humbly asked me if I would consider teaching her 3 year old English.  I was so touched and so willing.  So, they are coming over tomorrow afternoon to have their first lesson as a family.  Sweet!  Bo and I have fixed some delicious Puerto Rican food, and they will feast with us and learn their ABC's.

The Ecuadorians are hungry to learn.  Bo and I are already teaching English to Danny.  He works with his aunt and grandfather at their import store on Calle Larga.  We met them our first week here when we walked by their shop and had to have one of their colorful beautiful hand-woven wall tapestries.  After that, we began to stop in just to visit this loving gentle family, and we would sit and chat (in Spanish, of course) and laugh with them.  One day, Danny told me he would love to learn English.  Well, he's now had his 5th lesson with us, and he's serious about learning and faithful to study his weekly homework.  His 3 year old cousin, Sharon, is the delight of our hearts.  She sits on Bo's lap while I teach Danny, and she is also learning English words.  We so look forward to our lessons and time with this precious family.  Now, tomorrow we will have another family to give the hope of learning English to.

Yes, our lives are richer here because of all the wonderful people we're meeting and the opportunities we've been given to pour into their lives.  More so, we are doubly-enriched because of the blessing those we've met and continue to meet are to us. 

MEET A SWEET FAMILY

AND MY STUDENT OF ENGLISH

Danny is 17.  He loves to travel and has dreams of learning several languages.  I hope I can be a part of making his dream to learn English come true!

Danny's cousin, Sharon, is 3 years old.  She loves to come upstairs with us when we have English class, and she is learning lots of words already.  Bo is her teacher! 

Sharon truly is the joy of Bo's heart.  HE ADORES HER!!

This is Sharon's mother, Olga (Danny's aunt), and her grandfather, Sr. Antonio.  Whenever we get ready to leave, the family always hugs us goodbye and Sharon comes running to the street to tell us "Chao!"  We always look forward to our next visit together.  (Sharon is proudly showing off the Children's English Book we gifted her with.  She cherishes it!)

VISA PROCESS IN CUENCA - PART 2 - VISA VENTING - And Thank You God For Sending Us Help and Hope!

I was so discouraged yesterday.  After six plus hours at the immigration office trying to obtain our residency visas, we walked away and headed home both mentally and physically exhausted and overwhelmed with the task ahead if we wanted to continue this grueling residency visa process.  Some of our documents were rejected due to specific "picky" translation errors, every translated page must now be signed by the translator and they were not, and our residency application was incorrect (it must be filled out in Spanish only).  I could have lived with all of these rejections because they could have been corrected in a few days.  However, because Cuenca had run out of an absolutely required form called Movimiento Migratorio, immigration would not accept our visit as an initial submission of documents until we had that filled out form - which, by the way, we are told is going to take two weeks or more before they will be available.  In Ecuador, that could be two or three months!  Then, to top this "gone south" visa episode, our marriage license was now 91 days from the apostilled date stamped, and it has to be no more than 90 days once the documents are considered submitted.  SO, FOR ONE DAY (can you hear me SCREAMING), and because of their RIGID inflexibility to make any exception in our favor, we were told that we had to reacquire a current marriage license from Oregon.

This is no small task since we are over 3,500 miles away, living in a snail-mail country, and the clock is ticking because our tourist visit will expire in the next 3 weeks.  Oh, and the reason we are applying so late for our residency is because it took the entire month of January to open an account at Banco Pichincha and have our investment money wired there from our Oregon bank (another LONG story).  There were so many hoops we had to jump through just to open the Pichincha account, and also with all the holidays in Ecuador and so many fiesta days of closed businesses, the time clock just flew.  

Once our money for our investment CD finally arrived to Banco Pichincha end of January, Bo and I heard that JEP Bank paid a much better rate on CD's (9.5%).  So, we immediately walked over there beginning of February, and in less than 2 hours, we opened an account!  The staff there was so helpful and made opening an account an absolute breeze.  Banco Pichincha was not a pleasant experience after continued delays and about six back and forth visits there trying to scramble and gather all the documents and letters they required, and their interest rate is not even great!  So, immediately after opening our JEP account, we hurried over to Banco P, withdrew our money, and returned to deposit it to our JEP account.  Immediately, a CD was issued and we were given the proper documentation to submit to immigration for our investment visa.  Had we known this in the beginning, had our hired relocation helper told us about JEP and the ease of opening an account there, we would not be in the "marriage certificate now expired because of ONE DAY" situation.  But, I digress.......

By the time we realized we needed to jump on things or our documents would be expiring, we ran into the "sorry, but we have no more Movimiento Migratorio forms for two more weeks, at least" dead end!  Our relocation helper told us to go to immigration anyway and maybe they would make an exception.  NOT!  We spent the rest of the afternoon back at our apartment - I took a long nap and Bo went out for a long walk.  We later were invited to our neighbors for dinner, and they gave us all their sympathy since they, too, had recently gone through their own four different immigration denials from hell!  Today, they had finally passed the "picky" visa ordeal and had been accepted!  So, we celebrated them, and they let us whine as we dined with them, completely sympathetic to our situation. 

Every morning is a new day - and we can either rejoice in it or keep sinking.  I woke up very sad and weary, and so I prayed and asked God to give us wisdom and to help us.  I later received an e-mail from some friends here, and I wrote them back and shared our ordeal.  Immediately, we were invited over to process things and find resolution.  We found out from them that we could apply for a 90 day tourist visa extension (12-X) for $30 each, and this would give us peace of mind and lots more time to continue our visa process.  We jumped on a bus this afternoon (really, you have to jump on or they ride away and drag you along) and headed to our rescuers.  What encouragers!  Within a couple hours, our friends had helped us download the proper forms, fill them out, printed them for us, wrote us the appropriate extension application letter, and told me all I had to do to before going down to immigration's passport section next week and applying for extensions.  We would not have known this without our friends (since they are going through a similar visa rejection ordeal and time crunch).  We only knew about the $230 visa extensions (which we did not want to have to spend that much money on).  They've truly paid it forward to us, and I can't wait to do the same one day.

We visited for a few hours and laughed a lot, and then Bo and I jumped another bus home (I LOVE the buses here for 25 cents, and they drop us off a block or two from home).  Once home, we checked our e-mails, and Bo's brother wrote back (whom we had e-mailed last night asking if he would go to Portland and obtain certified copies of our marriage license and then take them to Salem and have them apostilled).  He told us the task was done and our documents were on the way today DHL Express and will arrive in Cuenca on the 15th (that's EXPRESS). it is costing us $170 - but that's a lot less than if we had to fly back to Oregon!  We still may have time to submit our documents before our 90 day passports expire on March 4th, but I don't think we want to chance things for only another $60 for the visa extensions and 90 more days each.

So, here I sit, hopeful again, and all because of the help we received today from our Cuenca friends and Oregon brother.  We still have a lot ahead of us to  accomplish.  Translation of documents must be corrected, and when the apostilled marriage licenses (I got two copies just to play it safe) arrive, they must be translated and notarized.  We have to make another trip to immigration once the Movimiento Migratorio forms are in, and the process will begin all over again (yikes!).


When I think of the positives about being here, I smile.  In spite of "suddenlies" and discouragements, which will always be a part of our days and life, it's the people we surround ourselves with who can be that voice of encouragement, that rah-rah-rah team, that wisdom and help we need when we wouldn't know what to do.  These are the friends who help us climb out of the pit of despair.  Today, we were reminded that we are not alone.  Even as new as we are in Cuenca, we already have people here who have shown themselves to be there for us!

Thank you neighbor friends, for dinner last night and for listening and caring.

Thank you friends, for letting us know the next step to take and for helping us accomplish this and encouraging us today.
Thank you brother Dave, for being there for us when we so needed you miles and miles away and getting our task accomplished so quickly.
Thank you God, for always giving Bo and me hope by sending us help and words of wisdom and encouragement, and for picking us up when we feel like we're sinking.

Yes, today's turned out to be another wonderful day in Cuenca!!!

Calle Larga - Blue Skies in Cuenca!!!  Not a day's gone by since being here that I don't walk around in sandals and a t-shirt.

Parque De Calderon - Flowers bloom year round in Cuenca!!  How I love sitting in this park surrounded by the beauty and watching the people walking by!

 

RESTAURANTS IN CUENCA - The Best Tamales EVER!!!!!

 LA CASA DE LAS GOLOSINAS De Zoila Quesada R.

It was another warm and beautiful sunny blue sky morning in Cuenca as Bo and I walked from our apartment to Sra. Zoila's Restaurant, La Casa De Las Golosinas at Calle De Las Herrerias 2-10.  Last weekend, we ate there with friends, and Sra. Zoila and I conversed in Spanish about her wonderful Tamales, her family life, and how it all began.  I told her I would love to watch her creating these delicacies and photograph her production line, and she generously invited me to come back the following Saturday.  I was honored to be able to observe how this energetic and kind woman makes these unique and delicious tamales.  Well, it was beyond what I had imagined once Bo and I were in her kitchen watching and photographing her efficient hard-working employees, her kind and joyful husband, and the master herself preparing the 500 daily tamales, humitas, and guimbolitos and several different delicious hot drinks for the day's projected sales.

BEHIND THE CURTAIN AT LA CASA DE LAS GOLOSINAS

Early morning, in Sra Zoila's kitchen!  

Sra. Zoila, Marcie, and Gustabo begin filling the hundreds of hoja wraps.

Huge pots were brought out with specially prepared ingredients.....

......and one-by-one each tamale was systematically and generously created.  These are Sr. Zoila's to-die-for Tamales De Chancho.

Sr. Zoila is an expert tamale wrapper and has been doing so for over 50 years!

We watched the perfectly prepared tamales begin to stack up - rows and rows - and then they were carefully placed into large crates and huge steamer pots.

Sra. Zoila is 72, and her husband, Leoncio Duran is 80!  They were both so warm and inviting to Bo and me, and it was a joy watching them working together as a team.  Here they are preparing the next round - Tamales Con Queso (with cheese).  Leoncio cracks fresh eggs into their freshly ground harina de maiz.

Now for the pouring of the freshly melted butter!

Sr. Zoila makes her annatto coloring from seed, which she is now adding to her tamale mix. (Top & Bottom Photos)

The Sra. carefully and lovingly hand-mixes all of her batches......

.......which are once again filled, folded, and stored for the day.

 

 As a Lifestyle photographer it is my aim to capture and document real-life events and people in an artistic and heart-touching manner.  This day, I nominated this as my prize photo! Aged hard-working hands working in unity, not just today but for many past years and for more years to come.

Sr. Leoncio is checking on their most amazing Arroz Con Leche bebida (Rice Milk Drink).  It is warm, sweet, and as if drinking a dessert!

Sra. Zoila cracks open a packet of Ecuadorian unsweetened dark chocolate.......

.......adds it to a large pot of hot pure whole milk..........

......and then hand whisks it until it's melted and blended!

The sugar is then added........

........and Marci gives it the taste-test and her final stir and approval!  It was the best hot chocolate I've ever tasted - truly!!

Cafe Tinto is another hot and delicious drink made fresh daily....  (Top and Bottom Photos)

At La Casa, choclo is cut in half and the leaves are carefully peeled away ready to be filled as Humitas (sweeter than tamales). Top and Bottom Photos

Marci skillfully hand-measures each serving for Guimbolitos (a sweet corn cake and oh so delicious) while Sr. Leoncio looks on.

 When the day's food quota was prepared and ready, Bo and I were ushered away to a table outside, and Sra. Zoila and Sr. Leoncio began to bring us one of everything - hot and freshly steamed.  It was truly a feast to behold!  We savored everything as such a delicacy, now that we knew how freshly and lovingly prepared each dish was created.  The drinks were an added treat, and by the time we had cleaned our plate sipped our drinks, and licked our lips - WE WERE STUFFED!!  We felt so honored to be invited into their kitchen to begin with, and now doubly-honored  to be treated with such kindness as they served us and smiled while we savored each bite.  It was another wonderful "Ecuadorian" experience, and we now have another Ecuadorian family whom we can visit and enjoy.  I look forward to sharing these photos and a CD of the video Bo recorded with Sra. Zoila and Sr. Leoncio the next time we need our Tamale fix, which will be SOON. 

Top Left and clockwise - Quimbolito, Humita, and Tamale De Chancho are 60 cents each - REALLY!!  If you've never eaten here, YOU MUST!  Tell Sr. Zoila Linda (Leen-dah) sent you........

LIVING IN CUENCA ECUADOR - SUNDAY WITH "SOUTH OF ZERO" STEVE AND MARY

Because we spend our days in the city, it's always nice to have an out-of-city experience!  So, on Sunday, we walked from El Centro to Tres Puentes along the Yunancay River to meet up with Steve and Mary, creators of South of Zero and Expadorian Blogs. We ended up spending the day together as they took us on a Looooong walk through their neck of the woods.  It was another beautiful warm and sunny day, and we had a fun and funny time (they enjoy laughing and joking around just like us) getting to know each other and seeing lots of new sites along the way.

of course, I had my camera with me, and I was able to photograph new areas more locals of Cuenca.  It was enjoyable capturing some of the scenic landmarks as well as photographing special Ecuadorian people we met along the way.  One never knows what or whom they will encounter in a day, and for me, it's about the people we meet and the stories they graciously share.  I love engaging the local people with my Spanish questions which they so willingly answer, letting me behind their curtain and into their humble lives.  They also love to know about us, estranjeros (foreigners) - why we've come to Cuenca and what we think about their homeland - especially, where we're from and why we've left the United States for Cuenca, Ecuador.  

A Photojournal Story of Our Day with SOZ Steve and Mary

Mary and Steve from South of Zero - Ready to torture us on a LONG walk outside the city.  It was an exceptionally warm and "blue sky" day - and we loved having them as our tour guides.

The weather was perfect today for the locals who do their laundry in the river and then lay them on the grassy slopes to dry (this is the Yunancay River).

I'm always interested in the locals' lifestyle and how they live.  I had a friendly conversation with Joanna and Maria who told me that because they have little water at home (enough for cooking and bathing) they come to the river where they have plentiful water and can scrub their laundry on the rocks.  They shared that more people used to wash in the river, but the water is not as pure as it used to be.

We also saw locals bathing their pets this warm and sunny afternoon.  Do you think this dog is going to give in so easily?  I think NOT! 

When we're out on our long Cuenca walks, I am always happy to see the beautiful foliage and colorful plants in January.  Cuenca always presents this photographer with an incredible beauty!  (photos above and below).

There are walking/running/bike paths along the beautiful rivers of Cuenca.

......and artistically painted walls along the city streets.

We visited Parque Paraiso (Huayna-Capac, Santa Ana de Los Cuatro Rios de Cuenca) , and strolled along their wooden walkways. 

Mary and Steve were very patient with this photographer who loves to stop (a lot!) and capture the beauty that adorns this city.  More beautiful colorful flowers (photo below)!  The weather here is perfect for us - not to hot or cold, no humidity, no mosquitoes, and flowering plants year round!!!

I absolutely love this area along Calle De Las Herrerias.  The colorful buildings and the magical sky makes this look like a painting!  By now, these four walkers are tired, hungry, and thirsty, so we headed for La Casa De las Golosinas where they make the best Tamales in the world (Bo and I think!).  Steve and Mary also agree that these Tamales ROCK!  If you want cold beers to go with your Tamales, don't go on a Sunday!

Sra. Zoila Quesada is the Tamale creator and owner of this tiny restaurant.  She saw my camera and asked me if I would take her photo.  Of course, I waited while she went to change her apron and freshen up before posing.  We chatted in Spanish and she proudly began to share her success by sitting with us and showing us different articles and magazines where her story and photos of her delicious tamales have been featured.

As hungry and thirsty as I was, while Bo, Steve and Mary feasted, I continued to chat with and photography Sra. Zoila and she was loving it!

If you've never eaten here, YOU MUST!  I told Sr. Zoila I was going to share her photos on my blog and let our readers know about her delicious tamales, which are only 60 cents each (Address: Calle Del Las Herrerias 2-10).  She proudly smiled.  I then told her I would love to see her production line and how she makes her prize tamales.  She invited me back to let me behind the curtain and share in this wonderful experience! (More photos to come!!!)  It really makes me happy when I meet the locals and am able to share in their humble lives and learn about their hardworking culture.  

What's so fun about meeting new friends is sharing our individual Cuenca experiences with each other.  We introduced Steve and Mary to the best Tamales (which were introduced to us by our friends Tim and Ruta), and now they were going to take us to their delicious Ecuadorian out-of-the-way lunch haven!  (Three happy hams posing for this photographer!  Do they look like they've just walked 100 miles?  Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit.....but we did walk for miles and miles and miles!)

The ICE COLD beers and crispy salty Platanos Chips were to die for!!

The Ceviche De Cameron was indescribably delicious ($4.50, really!!!)......

.....and the Encebollado was perfectly seasoned and chock full of the most heavenly seafood (Tuna) and other surprise ingredients ($2.25 - I kid you not!!!).

 It was a fabulous way to end our day - sitting under the shaded tables outside, sharing funny stories about our lives and yucking it up together.  Steve and Mary arrived one week before we did in December and are going through some of the same "Visa" challenges as we are.  Now we can encourage each other and then go and celebrate when we finally accomplish receiving our visas and cedulas.  Yes, it was another good day in Cuenca - making new friends and meeting more wonderful locals along the way.

I can't wait to take Sra. Zoila her photos and watch her make tamales!!