the river, shared conversation while the folks walked, ran and bicycled to their day. Watching the flock of swallows starting the morning bug hunt, the squawking parrots wheeling past, the fly catchers leaping for a meal. Rotating breakfast at the next cafe with the ex-pat regulars. It was lazy and wonderful. Conversations ranging across the board, always interesting, always lively. Señor Hansen and I talk of history, travel, the ins and outs of emmigration, the benefits and pitfalls of being an ex-pat. It is a routine that has flowed throughout the week even as the time draws to a close and I am bound to board a plane for the Estados Unitos.
This day started the same way. Following breakfast we crossed the square and boarded the big double-decker tourist bus for a no thought trip around the town. Just a lark, a trip to the high point overlooking Cuenca, and the ride back.
High above the Cuenca traffic.
Señor Hansen basking in the sun.
The double-decker bus lumbered through the streets, barely making the corners and our heads barely ducking under the overhanging wires. Mind your noggin!. The turnaround point for the bus ride was a church on a hill, complete with a gift shop. All tours exit through the gift shop doncha know.
Cuenca from the heights, with El Centro in the center.
Back down the hill, we disembarked and wandered around the old city.
Afternoon found us back at Casa Luxurious and the cribbage board in action. The Shaman Tune-up seemed to have also given my luck a change. I finally won a few games despite my host's considerable skill. We whiled away a pleasant afternoon, doing a lot of nothing and wishing for no more. It was companionship of another level and will be sorely missed.
As the evening came on, we cleaned up and dressed for our Big Night Out, a traditional Ecuadoran dinner at a special restaurant that serves a special local delicacy. But that is the stuff of a blog entry all unto itself.
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