Video Overview of Cuenca, Ecuador

Our friend Len Charnoff spends his days taking photos and making videos. This is a nice overview of Cuenca that I wanted to share for those that are interested.

Ramping Up or Winding Down?

Actually, I think we are doing both! We are slowly trimming our To Do lists as we prepare for our move. Of course we keep coming up with new things that we think we need to get/bring with us. Hubby dug out our old 22" TV and decided to bring it in his carry-on. We ordered HDMI cables from Amazon (great prices) as well as a carry bag for his Go Pro camera (scuba diving). He took his gear in for a checkup and when he went to pick it up, I went along for a Five Guys dinner fix (yum).

We're both working through paperwork, moving everything possible to e-statements in an attempt to limit our mail. We're making an appointment with a local lawyer this week, getting our wills redone in Tennessee. Next week we hope to make the trek to Atlanta to pick up our Visas as well as visit my youngest and her family.

I got my new Travelon anti-theft purse today. I'm not a large purse person so was happy to find this smaller bag. I can fit all my basic toiletries including clip-on sunglasses, phone, wallet/cards and even my Kindle Fire. It's really sturdy and the security features are amazing! The main zipper locks, it has multiple RFID security pockets for your passport and credit cards and it has a special clamping lock to attach the purse to a chair. It's long enough to wear cross body, which is my preferred style. Oh, the strap has a wire running through it and the main body is protected from slashing as well.

I'm comparing prices for our transport from Guayaquil to Cuenca in a car/truck/van big enough for us and all our luggage. Our new landlord is finishing up some minor repairs and our downstairs neighbor says things are looking good!

We're trying to pin down our router needs and we bought a Roku 3 for media streaming (Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc). We know we will need a VPN and Strong VPN has been highly recommended, we just need to figure out what router will work best.

Last spring/summer I bought a Scottevest on sale and tonight when I checked they had men's on sale so we ordered one for Stu. Lets you securely and safely carry a TON of things in the 22 pockets. Very comfortable, too!

The funniest purchase is a couple pair of sweat pants for lounging around at home. Neither of us have worn them in years but knowing how cool it can be at night even during summer time weather, we both thought it was a good idea. Can't beat $6 sweatpants at Wal-Mart. LOL!

I've packed a few things but put nothing into space bags as yet. I hope to be tackling that this weekend and start to see how much room we're taking up in the bags with what we have already stuck away for the move. There is more to be pulled out of closets and drawers before making the final decision on what goes and what stays.

Stu has been busy changing oil in both trucks and our RV's generator and both motorcycles have had their 20k service and now have Sta-Bil in their gas tanks. He's working on straightening and organizing stuff in the shed while I tackle inside. All liquids have to be gone before we leave since we'll be winterizing the RV and won't be leaving the heat or A/C turned on.

So we have definitely been busy ramping up towards our move (and our cruise) as well as winding down living here in the US. Oh yeah, he called American Airlines today and changed his return flight from our Feb date (that we never planned to use) to a June 1st date and is flying into BWI instead of Miami. This will allow him to be with his youngest for the birth of her firstborn!

Excitement is in the air!!!

Things are moving along rapidly and in a good way! First, we got notice that our Ecuadorian Visas have been approved. Next week we will call the consulate in Atlanta and schedule our visit to pick up our paperwork.

The other great news is we've found an apartment. Just as in the US, word of mouth is the best way to find a good place. The apartment is bigger than we need at almost 2000 sf but it's perfect. It's in the area that we wanted, close to the river Yanuncay. It's in a private gated community with about 20 families, mostly professional Ecuadorians.

It's a second story apartment, above the American expat woman who told us about the vacancy and introduced us, virtually, to the landlords. It's a 3 bedroom, lots of room for visitors from home. We have a fireplace, gorgeous tile floors, all the bedrooms are carpeted, a HUGE loft area that may become my writing spot and a great room. We hadn't planned on an unfurnished place but this was too good a deal to pass up and the price was perfect!

It's spotless, quiet and in an extremely well built building. Needless to say, we're excited. We had friends visit and take some photos for us. Here's a little peek...they are currently doing some updating and painting.

The countdown continues....

We are on the final leg of our trip back home from Route 66 and I find that my quiet riding time is filled with thoughts and plans for our move to Cuenca. Since our visit we've had friends move out of the area (even out of the country), a few are planning a move to the coast but many have stayed. As anywhere, life changes and we adjust and adapt.

Our countdown is 56 days now and there are a lot of things to still get done. The difficult part isn't getting them done, it's the timing and coordination of so many intertwining issues. When to turn off our cell phones? How will we communicate from that point till we arrive in Ecuador? Do we put utilities on vacation mode or turn them off completely? When to winterize the RV and truck? Just to name a few things...

I also have to worry about the other end, making sure our hotel is set for our first overnight in Guayaquil as well as transportation to the hotel after midnight. Oh, and arrange for our transport from the hotel to Cuenca 3-4 hr drive) with an English speaking driver with room for all our luggage.

Then there is the packing made a little more complex because we 1) are driving to Florida so need clothes for that trip, 2) are going on a 7 day cruise so need clothes for that trip, and 3) are visiting family for a few days before we fly out. Phew! I'm thinking that I'll pack for the cruise first. Then I'll pull out what I can wear while driving and visiting family, while leaving room to stuff them in a bag just before our flight.

I know it will all come together and I'm trying REALLY HARD to not panic. LOL! Bear with me...

Reporting in from Route 66 - 85 days!

We're about a quarter of the way through our Route 66 trip and have having a blast. If you are interested, visit our personal blog to read about it and see our photos.

Just got an email from some local TN friends who are also moving to Ecuador. They just got their Visas from the Atlanta consulate...hoping everything is on track for ours in November. 85 days and counting till our flight!!!

My latest mystery book is DONE!!!

It's done, it's live - finally!! You can now purchase book two of the Klondike Mystery Series, Barely a Spark at Amazon.
BUY NOW

Police Sergeant Jim Sanders has been appointed the Acting Police Chief while his boss takes a vacation in Montana. Jim thinks two weeks will be a breeze, crime isn't a big thing in the small town of Bradford, Pennsylvania.

Was it an accident? Maybe suicide? Or could it have been something more sinister. John Crocker was not a well liked man. He smoked too much, drank too much, and gambled too much. But even he had a family and they deserved to know the truth.

Small town Klondike, up the hill from Bradford, suddenly sees a spike in vandalism. Cabins ransacked, cars trashed - who is responsible? Summer tourist kids or someone more menacing?

Sometimes, two weeks can seem like a year...

FIRST AMAZON REVIEW IS IN!From the poster of the review: Loved "Barely a Spark". I was happy to put the first review up on Amazon. Hope you have a great Route 66 trip and then, lady, you better start tapping those keys again - 'cause I want to know what happens next. LOL You really hit this one out of the park.

96 Days, not much to report!

Not much to report, we've been swamped getting a pavilion built to cover our RV and truck while we are away AND getting ready for our two month motorcycle trip (riding from TN to IL, then riding all of Route 66).

We are hoping that by the time we come back, we will be able to go to the Ecuadorian Consulate and get our Visas....WE HOPE! Wish us luck....

If we get any news or if anything crops up, we'll drop a note here, otherwise we won't be posting until November.