After breakfast, we headed out for our day in Paute. The plan was to go to the orchid farm; however, plans don't always come to pass. We had left the car parked on the street, since I was the first to reach that area, I noticed the car was missing. "Mick, the car's gone." As he approached, "what do you mean it's gone?"I went inside to ask the building security about the car and he said that it had been towed. He came outside and pointed to a paper on the sidewalk. Yes, the car had been towed. It seems that when you're car is towed in Cuenca, they leave a paper with all the necessary information taped to the sidewalk. Upon looking at the paper, we immediately new where to find the car.
We grabbed a cab and went to the tow lot, which is beside Banco Pichincha on Solano. The cost to retrieve the car was $28, while waiting, a number of cars came in on tow trucks. Apparently, this is quite a little source of revenue and is quite common. Our neighbor said that he has been towed 4 times in 4 years.
When your car is towed here, the tow truck is very accomodating in that he leaves all the information. In Charlotte, if your vehicle is towed, you guess where to find your car. When you find it, the cost is $150+. The doors are also taped with a rather strong adhesive tape, which did not easily come off. On the previous day, the car had been cleaned. We took it back to the carwash for a touch up to get the adhesive off. The premium car wash near our house is $6, which is far superior to any that we could get in the Piedmont, which was $24.
We were on our way to Paute, because of the previous exploits, the orchid farm was probably going to be excluded from this trip. Lunch was at the Corvel, which was rather good. There is a very nice market; however, while at the market, we were bitten by some small insects, possible a mosquito. Also, we looked at plants, buying one for the terrace. The plants that we saw were quite lovely and inexpensive. I had left my camera at the Barnes apartment and so there are no pictures.
Dinner was at a new restaurant for us, Bertucci's, an Italian restaurant. I had lasagna, which was tasty. Service and ambiance was excellent. There were mixed feelings on the food. Mick thought the pasta should have cooked a minute or so more. We probably won't go back. Here's the lasagna.
Mick and Henry had "car" things to do on Thursday and were gone most of the day. The alarm system and automatic locks were installed. When Gabriella came to work, she had her daughter, Leidy with her. Leidy had been sick during the night and was going to the doctor after Gabby finished work. She arrived with a fever, I gave her a baby aspirin and before she left, "had a healing" as we say. I entertained Leidy while her mom worked. This is Leidy.
The plans for Friday were to take the city tour with Mike and Pat. The English tour is at 11AM; however, the English speaking guide was ill. The tour was in Spanish; therfore, the information received was limited, but the tour was nice. When you're on the top level, you receive a different perspective of the buildings. The cost is $5 each. and begins at Parque Calderon. You pay the bus driver. Here we are prior to leaving.
The government building across from the park.
A closer view of the Madonna on the Cathedral.
The domes of the Cathedral. Mick took the pictures from the bus, since I had Nikolas.
At eye level, you have a greater appreciation of the metal work on the balconies.
One of the churches.
The tour also goes to Turi for a 20 minute stop. Mick decided not to get off the bus since we've been there a number of times.
Inside the church at Turi.
The doors to the church.
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