Oct 26th: Sunday Sundry Photo
Night sky over the Tomebamba River
Posts
Comparisons - a look back
After hearing so many stories of reverse culture shock upon returning to a home country, I was not sure what to expect. Stu was in the US for three weeks in June but was somewhat preoccupied with our newest grandbaby. I'd been in Ecuador since mid-December, a little over 8 months, before visiting the US again. Here's a recap of what I noticed. Everything looked familiar and felt comfortable. Seeing the more rural settings, dressed for fall with pumpkins, was warm and soothing to me. Eating out - EXPENSIVE! Our first breakfast at Cracker Barrel would have bought all three daily meals in Ecuador. Buying food - EXPENSIVE! I'd grown accustomed to the food prices in Ecuador, especially the wonderful fruits and vegetables. When restocking the RV for the first couple of weeks, I spent more than we spend in a whole month in EC, including eating out. More than enough power outlets in every room! I missed hearing Spanish and trying to figure out what was being said. It took
Almost Home!
Two months have flown by, as referenced in this blog post on our US blog post: Winding down here in the US.... The errands and running around is almost done. Packing is complete - trunks and duffles for checked baggage (total of 6) as well as carry-ons. Reservations made for rental car in Florida, hotel in Guayaquil and transportation from there to Cuenca is also done. Stu has plugged all the holes that he could find under the rig, stuffed them with steel wool and then topped that off with pest repellant expanding foam. That, combined with inside and outside repellant granules and spray, should hopefully cut down on our mouse issue this winter. Today Stu picked up some brake pads after hearing Scooby's brakes squeal yesterday (our Ford F-250) after fueling up Freddie and adding Sta-bil (our Freightliner). As he got ready to head home a LOUD squeal alerted him to an issue. Looks like the clutch bearings on the A/C compressor have frozen. He disconnected the belt for the
Weather in Cuenca - what's it REALLY like?
"You live on the equator, aren't you too hot?" "I heard it's like spring year round, there. Is that true?" "8500 ft? Wow, that's higher than Denver. How much snow do you get?" "No A/C or heat? Are you kidding me?" These and many more are questions about Cuenca's weather. Here is what we've learned and what we do to stay comfortable: Dress in layers - you'll often be removing a layer by 11AM and adding it back by 4PM Always have a hat, sunglasses and umbrella handy (or rain jacket) Keep throw blankets handy to head off the evening chill Have a small electric heater for really cold winter nights Check the river, if the ladies are washing clothes, chances are it's not going to rain that day Don't like the weather? Give it a bit, it'll change! Walking in the sun feels warmer than the real temperature and walking in the shade feels cooler (I experienced the same thing living in Colorado Springs).
