Monday, Monday

Today is Day 40...ish of Lockdown.  We are still doing well.  It helps to have a large house and a large yard so we can give each other space. Kobe decided to keep his curls and keep his afro at 1/2" high.  Sometime after the quarantine is lifted, Michael Offen of Cuenca will cut his hair and keep it at 1/2".  Randy keeps up on the latest pandemic news for us.  He is very good at reading beyond the headlines.  It is frustrating to him and us that the government claims there is a huge pandemic but the hospitals appear empty.  I keep busy by cooking, cleaning, reading, dancing, exercising, taking pictures and sometimes videos, studying Coding, studying Japanese, and, of course...blogging. 

On Friday, April 24th, Rodrigo Saca and I went to Supermaxi Miraflores (near the Cuenca Bus Station).  This time I had to take my original US Passport because they are less strict with Expats.  I also have an Ecuadorian Passport (Kobe, too).  This is not the time to reveal that we are also Ecuadorian.  There were two checkpoints.  The first checkpoint was just before the highway (autopista).  I had to show the policeman my original US Passport at this checkpoint.  Rodrigo told him I did not speak or understand Spanish so he would be less strict with us.  It worked and he allowed us to pass.  We were waved through at the second checkpoint at the highway (autopista).  There was not much traffic.  When we arrived at Supermaxi Miraflores there were many cars in the underground parking lot.  Rodrigo was able to find a parking spot near the pharmacy.  We arrived at Supermaxi Miraflores at around 7:15 am.

The line was long.  It went all the way into the underground parking garage.  I stood in line and Rodrigo stood in line behind me.  Everyone including us was six feet away from each other.  There were security guards who made sure everyone kept their distance from each other.  It took forty-five minutes to enter the store.  Rodrigo and I had our masks and rubber gloves.  Before we could enter the store we were sprayed with industrial-strength rubbing alcohol on the front and back of us by a security guard.  Hand sanitizer was put on our hands which had rubber gloves on them.  Our shopping carts also had hand sanitizer applied to them before being given to us by the store employees.  Rodrigo and I were each given a shopping cart.  

The store was well stocked.  One thing that we found that was different is each aisle was one way.  There were red arrows were made out of thin, bright red duct tape.  All of the aisles were crowded but everyone was kind and courteous.  Rodrigo and I each had a full cart of my groceries.  Let's just say we, as a family, are preparing for the next pandemic.  

On a positive note, Kobe and Randy are eating healthier these days.  Kobe drinks more water and is eating bananas, apples, hard-boiled eggs (minus the yolk), scrambled eggs, potatoes, and occasionally carrots.  Randy is eating the salad that I make for him which contains celery, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes.  I am eating more fresh produce myself.  Randy and I do enjoy eating avocados.  The quarantine is supposed to be lifted on Monday, May 4th, with restrictions.  Restrictions meaning social distancing (six feet apart) also known as physical distancing.  Also, continuing to wear the masks.  I will bring gloves with me just in case.  Will there be another lockdown after Monday, May 4th?  Time will tell.    

This is the first checkpoint.  I had to show the policeman my original US Passport.

This is the second checkpoint.  No one asked us questions.  They gave me and Rodrigo Saca permission to enter the highway (autopista).  

The police are patrolling the highway (autopista).

Supermaxi Miraflores in Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador.  This supermarket is inside of a mini-mall. Supermaxi is the only business open.  Rodrigo Saca is behind me in line. 

Supermaxi Miraflores in Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador.  The line is long and everyone is six feet apart. 

Only one person at a time can enter Supermaxi and only thirty people at a time inside of Supermaxi.  Every customer gets sprayed front and back with industrial-strength rubbing alcohol.   

Del Rio Hospital (Private) (Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador).  Many of the parking lots are empty. One cannot enter without an appointment.  

Del Rio Hospital is a private hospital (Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador).  Plenty of parking.  

Yes, it is me.  The Selfie Queen.  Even though I was born in and grew up in Los Angeles, California, USA, I am very relaxed and at peace in nature.

Randy is with our dogs, Lucy (Girl) (top) and Lucky (Boy) (bottom).  This is our scenic spot where the Paute River can be seen. 

The air is always fresh and clean.  I enjoy looking at the blue sky and the white fluffy clouds.

Our neighbors across the Paute River cultivating their land.  They are in the Gualaceo Canton.  We are in the Paute Canton.  

Our Pond and Fire Pit (POSTER effect).  Kobe is inside the house in his bedroom playing Minecraft.

The Paute River as seen from our other scenic spot (FOILAGE effect).  We enjoy living near a large natural river.