Where's Bob?

The Cerwins have been back in Cuenca for more than a month, having moved into their apartment just in time for Elaine's birthday. With this being Elaine's first celebration in Cuenca, Bob wanted to make it memorable. El Jardin was filled with their friends on Monday evening. The hat has made it full circle and is now back with its originators. Here's the Birthday Girl sporting the hat.

George and Carol

Hank and Sherry

Mary and Ron

Kat and Alex

Kathleen and Val

The Arias Family: Blanca (Madre), Fabian, Nico (Padre), Carlos and Bertha

Will, Gary, and Alberto

Reshma, Nick, and Rick

Mick

Miguel and Ruth Fabian and SoniaMilton and Ruthie
Luis and Robert brought the cake.
It was a great party! There was lot's of mingling and conversation. I was extremely intent on getting everyone's picture. When I downloaded the pictures and viewed them, "where's Bob?" I had pictures of everyone, EXCEPT BOB! The plan was to get a great picture of Bob and Elaine together; however, they were usually across the room from each other. To Bob, my sincere apologies. I hope someone else has a photo of the two of you together.

Anyway, to jog everyone's memory, here's a picture of Bob and he WAS at the party.

Many more happy birthdays to you Elaine!

Until next time,

Mick and Kathy

Feliz Año!

For days there have been parades and fireworks. In attempting to go to el centro on New Year's Eve, multiple detours had to be made in order to get to San Sebastian, where there was another parade gearing up. Here's Mick, Linda, and the other Larry with ringside seats.

San Sebas is a new eatery in town located at San Sebastian.
The parades are usually led by an angel and the wise men.

The child had to be prepared for the Nativity.

There were musicians of all ages.

This float included the domes of the Cathedral.

Roman soldiers

This one must have been sponsored by NBC.

Nikolas has been tormented for days with the fireworks. The traditional fireworks,
los cohetes, which means "rockets", are most disturbing. The result is an extremely loud "BOOM". He's usually with us, but at this time of year, that's little consolation. As night approaches, the noise increases.

For New Year's Eve, we attended the Schunk's party. Greeting guests was Año Viejo.

The hostess, Karen

Deborah and Rhonda

Mick, Linda, Nikolas, and me

In that we're not late night people, we were home before midnight. We watched the spectactular fireworks display that lit up the city from our apartment. The booms finally subsided around 1AM, only to begin again at daybreak.

In addition to the New Year, January 1 is also our wedding anniversary. Today is number 29. Despite his brilliance, Mick has yet to figure out how to get rid of me. This is for the duration.

Happy 2012!

Until next time,

Mick and Kathy

Alive and Well in Cuenca

It has been weeks since our last blog. We've had inquiries has to our well being. We've been fine, just busy with things that most would consider ordinary. However, it's time to catch up.

Our friends, Dale and Joan, had to return to Connecticut in order for Dale to have a medical procedure that was unavailable in Ecuador. He's fine and they will be returning next week. In Dale's absence, I've been accompanying Mick on his errands and mornings at the Coffee Tree.

A couple of months ago, we tried a new groomer for Mr. Nikolas. Caty comes to our apartment and does a great job keeping our little guy handsome. This is Caty and Mick.

She brings all her equipment and speaks great English. Her contact info is cjcarrasco@yahoo.com .

Last week, the awning at the Coffee Tree fell as a result of the torrential rain on Sunday evening.

It took 3 days for the repairs.

For the past year we've heard of Costco opening in Cuenca. We considered it highly unlikely; however, the rumors were still there. Last week the rumors were put to rest, the store opened...COSTTO...not quite the same, thank goodness. It's on the autopista.

Nikolas on Christmas Day with George.

There were parades. These are the students of the collegio near us.

This group of Santa's were a bit thin for the part.

Christmas stockings were made.

Christmas Eve at California Kitchen.

Christmas Day at the Wesson's.

We've had some new guys showing up at our feeder. The woodnymphs have been coming for months.
There's a new little fellow that is extremely tiny coming around; however, I've been unable to get a picture. I copied this one from a birdwatcher sight. It is a woodstar hummingbird.

Wednesday we were graced with this big guy's presence. It is an Inca brown and has fed everyday since.

On Thursday, there was of course rain, followed by rainbows.

The bottom rainbow was incredibly brilliant. It was so large you could see the intersection with the ground.

Yes, we're alive and well in Cuenca. What a great way to end the year with friends, hummingbirds, and rainbows.

Until next time,

Mick and Kathy