At 5:30 a.m on a very rainy morning. we started loading up our luggage in the taxi, checked out of our hotel and headed to the airport. We had arranged for a 7:00 a.m. flight from Quito to Cuenca. We were anxious to check out Cuenca because everything we had heard and read pointed us south to a calmer environment and warmer climate. The elevation in Quito was 9000+ and in Cuenca it is 8000+. We got to the airport and the porter helped us to the ticket counter to get our boarding pass. It was A LOT less stressful than in Denver, which we were very thank ful for. We checked our 6 pieces of luggage (3 LARGE suitcases, 1 very stuffed backpack and 2 heavy carry-on suitcases) and they told us that we owed for the 50K extra weight. We had to go outside to a special counter to pay and it cost us $39.xx (cheaper than the $50 we paid in Denver AND they let us check 6 bags). What a deal!
The flight from Quito to Cuenca cost us $44.xx/each and was about an hour flight. We were pleased with the flight and even got a decent breakfast sandwich (ham & cheese) along with a beverage. When we arrived in Cuenca, it was sunny and dry--a welcome change from the rainy weather in Quito. The porter helped with our luggage to the taxi and we were off to our hotel. We had booked a bed and breakfast hotel--recommended as #1 on Trip Advisor--called Casa Ordonez. It is a colonial property that was purchased in 1905 by the grandfather of the current owner/manager. It is absolutely delightful, clean, has hot water and the manager Alberto is quite the host and advisor. He has directed us to restaurants, a realtor, various properties, etc.etc.etc. He speaks English, which has really helped. We also met several American couples on the same adventure/quest as us....lots to talk about and questions to be asked.
We walked around El Centro and the market squares and it is truly calmer and more beautiful than Quito. There are lots of families walking about and a real sense of community here. We checked out the open food market and held our breath through the raw meat section to get to the fruit and vegetable section. It was quite impressive and we can hardly wait to shop for our groceries there.
So, we decided to test the notion of a $2.00 lunch. We walked into a restaurant and Bob ordered lunch. They brought us some tamarind juice (tasted like apple) and popcorn for an appetizer. We had a choice of soup: traditional soup with corn or bean soup (lentil). We both chose the traditional soup with corn. Of course, it had cilantro in it...just like EVERYTHING else here in Cuenca. Bob just loved it...haha! Then the waiter brought us the main dish: piece of fried chicken, boiled rice and some kind of runny mashed potatoes or corn or something. The chicken was yummy. With a little bit of salt and pepper, the rice and ? were palatable. For desert, there was a square of jello. Wham...$2.00 lunch....well worth it!!
Since we were looking for a place to live, Alberto took us to see a pent house loft--a rental of his friend. Well, we weren't impressed with the condo but the rooftop view was incredible! Unfortunately, this abode was not for us but I did get some decent pictures.
Then, we walked to another American's (Mark's) condo which was under construction...would be available for rent 7-1-11. The developer/builder had gutted a colonial building and created six units within it. It was very much under construction with workers and dust everywhere. It was a very nice unit with new appliances. We met another owner there from New Jersey/Poland that would also have a unit for rent but again, would not be available for a while. So, the time was spent educating ourselves about the properties and culture of Cuenca.
Bob was tired of fighting the cilantro so we went to an Italian restaurant for dinner and relaxed. A bottle of wine, caesar salad, pasta and chocolate brownie was enough to relax us and end the evening. Because of an incredible downpour, we had to take a taxi back to the hotel. Life is good.
The flight from Quito to Cuenca cost us $44.xx/each and was about an hour flight. We were pleased with the flight and even got a decent breakfast sandwich (ham & cheese) along with a beverage. When we arrived in Cuenca, it was sunny and dry--a welcome change from the rainy weather in Quito. The porter helped with our luggage to the taxi and we were off to our hotel. We had booked a bed and breakfast hotel--recommended as #1 on Trip Advisor--called Casa Ordonez. It is a colonial property that was purchased in 1905 by the grandfather of the current owner/manager. It is absolutely delightful, clean, has hot water and the manager Alberto is quite the host and advisor. He has directed us to restaurants, a realtor, various properties, etc.etc.etc. He speaks English, which has really helped. We also met several American couples on the same adventure/quest as us....lots to talk about and questions to be asked.
We walked around El Centro and the market squares and it is truly calmer and more beautiful than Quito. There are lots of families walking about and a real sense of community here. We checked out the open food market and held our breath through the raw meat section to get to the fruit and vegetable section. It was quite impressive and we can hardly wait to shop for our groceries there.
So, we decided to test the notion of a $2.00 lunch. We walked into a restaurant and Bob ordered lunch. They brought us some tamarind juice (tasted like apple) and popcorn for an appetizer. We had a choice of soup: traditional soup with corn or bean soup (lentil). We both chose the traditional soup with corn. Of course, it had cilantro in it...just like EVERYTHING else here in Cuenca. Bob just loved it...haha! Then the waiter brought us the main dish: piece of fried chicken, boiled rice and some kind of runny mashed potatoes or corn or something. The chicken was yummy. With a little bit of salt and pepper, the rice and ? were palatable. For desert, there was a square of jello. Wham...$2.00 lunch....well worth it!!
Since we were looking for a place to live, Alberto took us to see a pent house loft--a rental of his friend. Well, we weren't impressed with the condo but the rooftop view was incredible! Unfortunately, this abode was not for us but I did get some decent pictures.
Then, we walked to another American's (Mark's) condo which was under construction...would be available for rent 7-1-11. The developer/builder had gutted a colonial building and created six units within it. It was very much under construction with workers and dust everywhere. It was a very nice unit with new appliances. We met another owner there from New Jersey/Poland that would also have a unit for rent but again, would not be available for a while. So, the time was spent educating ourselves about the properties and culture of Cuenca.
Bob was tired of fighting the cilantro so we went to an Italian restaurant for dinner and relaxed. A bottle of wine, caesar salad, pasta and chocolate brownie was enough to relax us and end the evening. Because of an incredible downpour, we had to take a taxi back to the hotel. Life is good.
No comments:
Post a Comment