Of This and That

Things have been busy, as usual, in Cuenca. The weather has been a bit chilly, but we've been using our heaters. Thursday night there was another earthquake that was a bit stronger than usual, 4.9, it even rattled the wine glasses in the rack and the shower doors. But life goes on, quickly.

Bob and Elaine were recently back for a visit to check on their new apartment. We always enjoy spending time with them and they hope to move in before the end of the year.
The building which houses the California Kitchen has recently been renovated for a new hotel, Los Balcones and there was a grand opening bash for it. Here are Mick and Larry.

The place was packed.

Mick and Linda

Pete and Jim

The Grimms and the Woods

We're at Plazoleta de La Merced quite a bit. There was a special mass for the nuns.

Waiting for the bread tickets at La Merced

A new street performer on Av. Espana. Robocop?

Susie, Fannie, and Diana

Mick and Fannie

Karen was celebrating her birthday at the Kitchen.

Last Sunday morning as we were finishing breakfast, there was a procession of a virgin on the street below.

This morning, we went down to the Coffee Tree and there was much activity at Plazoleta de La Merced. The military band was performing as a group of Cuencanos cleaned graffiti off the walls.

Even the lamp posts were being spruced up. The young lady doing the sprucing was a tad short and so Mick assisted.

Joan, Mick, and Dale

Juan

Even for the non-Catholic and non-religious, you have to admire the extensive artistry of the churches of Cuenca. This is one of the door panels of La Merced.

The interior panels

Tile work

The ceilings are made of wood with paintings.

As we were admiring the interior through the gates, we were asked to come inside by a worker who was preparing for a wedding.

This afternoon, we went to Multicines at Millenium Plaza to see "Hereafter". The snacks were yummers, the movie was slow. A portion of the movie is set in Paris; therefore, part of the dialogue was in French, with Spanish subtitles. Mick commented that it's the pits when they throw in a third language. We managed to make it through the movie; although Mick did have a short nap. Afterwards, we returned to the Coffee Tree for coffee. It was time for the wedding. These young ladies and gentleman were happy to pose for the camera.

The wedding car arrived with the bride.

The processional was already underway.

The wedding began at 5:30, guests were still arriving at 6:10. Some folks are just fashionably late. Practically every weekend there are weddings at the church and they're all beautiful.

Mick just informed me that the temperature is 50 degrees and still dropping. We're in our coldest time of the year. A winter here beats winter anywhere else. It's almost spring.

Until next time,

Mick and Kathy