Thursday, Aug 25, 2016
Well today starts a new chapter for the Gorishek’s. Our older son Chase has moved in with us while he waits to hear about a job he applied for after ending his Peace Corp service. If he gets this one there will be a lengthy security check, so he could be “living with his parents” for several months.
Hehehe…it makes me laugh. Both our sons are very independent and have lived on their own for so long, it has to drive them crazy putting up with mom and dad. But at least both brothers are here now and can commiserate together. Truly though, we all get along well so this is a nice time in our lives.
Chase’s friend from the Peace Corp, Holleigh, arrived at our place about 5 am. She is traveling to Peru but stopped to visit for a couple of days to see Chase, and Jenni who is also here visiting. They all served together in the Peace Corp in Guyana.
We headed out of our apartment to show everyone some sites around Cuenca. We took the bus from our place to 12 de Abril and walked along the Tomebamba river for a bit. The river is beautiful right now. The water is low, showing many smooth river stones protruding from its bed while clear water quietly babbles through its banks.
We walked the many stairs from the river up into El Centro and went to San Francisco market. From there we stopped in at Don Colon’s for a great almuerzo, then walked up all 153 steps of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral tower to its top for a great view of El Centro and beyond.
San Francisco Market
View from Top Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Easton and Chase top of Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Cuenca
Top of Immaculate Conception Cathedral-Heidi (top left); Holleigh, Chase, Jenni (lower right)
The views were so good from here we decided to go to the south side of the valley and check out the view of Cuenca from Turi. While we were there Chase, Jenni, and Holleigh had fun swinging over the city.
Views of Cuenca from Turi, and swing
We all needed a coffee when we were finished at Turi so we went back to El Centro and sat in the outdoor patio at Goza. It was pleasant outside, and I like the feel of the stone paved streets and the tall church that throws shadows over the adjacent plaza. When it was time to head home we passed a protest march in the streets.
This is the first protest I have seen in Cuenca and I was impressed. There were multiple groups protesting for various concerns- worker’s rights, clean water, and equality were some of the ones I could identify. Young and old marched together and the police cleared the way for the marchers in the front and protected the marchers from the rear. There were several police present, and they were dressed in riot gear with shields, but it was a totally peaceful march and everyone was respected. Kudos to Cuenca citizens and law enforcement!
Peaceful Protest in El Centro
We finished our day at a great dinner place right by us at Primero de Mayo y Gaspar de Carvajal. I’ve written about Prova Cafe Bar and Restaurant before, but this is the first time we have had dinner here. We had the fondue which was totally fun and very delicious. We also had a mix of their kabobs (they call them something else) which we got to cook at our table.
Great dinner together
We weren’t finished yet. Chase and Easton wanted to get a cake with candles to sing Happy Birthday to their mom. Heidi’s birthday was when we were in Baños but we didn’t have a cake and weren’t able to sing to her. So when we got home, we gave her a little late birthday surprise. It was the perfect way to wrap up our day.
https://youtu.be/HMRgA2L2TuM%20
Chau.
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