I've got the Gypsy in My Soul: January 2020

After a wonderfully long visit to Wisconsin to see family and friends, we have once again hit the road. Lance and I have decided that we have one more year, and a few months, left in us before changing gears and trying something new. (More about that at a later date.)

On December 30th, we left Milwaukee and arrived in Quito that night. We spent the night at the Wyndham Hotel, and left bright and early the next day for Cuenca, Ecuador. Arriving in Cuenca was like returning to our second home. Very little had changed since we were there two years ago.

We spent the day getting settled in our room at the Gran Colombia Suites...then ventured out that night to see the New Year Eve's festivities. On New Years Eve some of the streets are blocked off and the people create displays that seem to make some kind of political statement about the events that took place over the past year. You can also see fireworks that are shot off all over the city...and...effigies burning on the streets. However, we were tired from our late night and early morning flights, and after a brief stroll, we headed back to the hotel and went to bed.

A day or two later I had the opportunity to join my good friend Mara at a museum that had nativity sets from different countries in South America. Here are just a few of the ones we saw...

Lance and I got to see the new San Franscisco Plaza that was remodeled since the last time we were in Cuenca.

And, we saw the New Cathedral all lit up at night with new lights.

We were lucky enough to witness the Tranvia making a test ride through El Centro. Lance and I had always hoped it would be running before we left Cuenca...and now it looks like it might actually be ready to operate for the public in the near future.

One day, I took a nice hike with my good friend Mara in the Andes.

During the hike, our guide...Eddie...saw a pig in distress because it had wrapped the rope that was holding him around a bush, and was stuck there. Eddie was kind enough to go down to help him out.

We enjoyed meeting up with our former landlady, Lucia, for a drink and conversation at the Cafe Austria. Her friend (the architect of her building) also joined us to hear about our travels.

I was delighted to have the chance to walk several times with my dear friend, Mike. He is one of the very nicest friends I made during my time in Cuenca. I always enjoyed our conversations and was happy to see and walk with him one last time.

Lance and I went to say one last goodbye to our old friend, Jim Gala. We enjoyed many an evening at the Jazz Society during the years we were in Cuenca...and were happy to see that he is still performing.

We also got to see our friend Glenn performing at an art gallery in El Centro. Glenn is a talented musician and we always enjoy hearing him play.

It was nice to see our friends Steve and Dana Bottle. We always enjoyed spending time with them while we were living in Cuenca. Steve and Dana will be leaving Cuenca soon to live in Bellingham, Washington. We wish them all the best. Someday we hope we have the chance to visit them in Washington.

One night, Lance and I had dinner with Steve, Dana, and, our friend, Terry, who sadly lost his lovely wife, Chiyemi, to cancer a while back. Terry, Chiyemi, Lance and I had all taken a trip to an area near the Amazon a few years back. Terry planned the entire trip and everybody had a great time. Chiyemi was a kind and generous person and we really loved spending time with her. We really miss her.

We were also excited to have Stan join our dinner party at the restaurant. He looked more handsome and happier than ever. Stan is a great example of how to keep active...even as he ages. In his 80's, he continues to hike weekly in the Caja's...and opens his home on a regular basis to Couch Surfers I hope I am as fit and generous as Stan when I am 80.

It was only fitting that we ended our visit with Mara and Glenn Gano. They joined us for dinner on our last evening in Cuenca. Mara and Glenn were the very first couple we met when we came to Cuenca in 2014. During our time in Cuenca we enjoyed many times together. Although we had to say a final goodbye...I am confident that someday in the future we will meet each other again. Thanks Mara and Glenn for being good friends to us.

Good bye Cuenca!

Hello Malacatos!

After leaving Cuenca, we headed to Malacatos, Ecuador where our friend, Stacey, lives. It was a beautiful four hour ride through the Andes to get there. We arrived at Izhcayluma, a hostel and restaurant in Vilcabamba, where we met Stacey and enjoyed a delicious meal together.

Above and Below...a view from our table at the restaurant.

Then, it was time to head back to her house. We had seen Stacey's home two years ago, before we left Cuenca, and were anxious to see the improvements she made since our last visit.