Traveling To Cuenca Isn't Fun Anymore

 On Tuesday, August 18th, Rodrigo Saca and I went to Cuenca.  I was on my way to Supermaxi to do my weekly grocery shopping.  On the way to Supermaxi, we decided to see what downtown Cuenca (El Centro) looks like these days.  It was crowded with people and cars...a good thing.  Masks and social distancing are the rules.  Not a good thing is seeing places I used to frequent out of business.  The office supply store I used to frequent (besides Monsalve [out of business]) is out of business.  I forget the name of the office supply store.  Many businesses did not allow people to go inside.  The cellphone company, Movistar, for example.  The post office was no exception.  Everyone had to stand in a single file line outside the post office.  There was a man standing inside the post office at the doorway.  When it was my turn, I told my (in Spanish) that I wanted to check my post office box.  He allowed me to check my post office box which is inside the post office.  I had no mail.  Even though the post office box is only around $22.00 per year, I will not renew it.  Not worth the hassle if I have to ask to enter the post office.  The post office is still public and in operation.  Every business has the usual temperature check and hand sanitizer.  My temperature was taken at the post office.  There is no escaping this protocol outside our home.  

More plants are being planted on our property.  The plants are making our property look better every day.  Rock walls are being made even more sturdy.  Our workers are also taking good care of our garden in our backyard.  All the rules about masks and social distancing destroyed our desire to discover more of Ecuador.  Luckily, we have lots of room in our home and on our property to still have a taste of freedom.  Our four dogs are our companions and our protectors.  The people who work for us are also our friends.  During these turbulent times, a sanctuary is needed more than ever.  

The Paute River can be seen from the bottom of our driveway.  It can get really high when it rains.

This used to be the main road.  Now it's a peaceful dirt road.  At the end of this road is the main road.

Here is our new rooster.  He is doing a great job of making sure our five hens lay eggs.  The hens lay an average of two eggs per day.  Not two eggs per hen.  

The Paute River is low right now.  It did rain really hard recently.  This is why everything is green.  

Kobe is wearing his new Richard Nixon t-shirt from Amazon.  He is a fan of Richard Nixon.  Kobe also has a Ronald Regan t-shirt since he is also a fan of Ronald Reagan.  

This is the view of our driveway and new trail from my bedroom balcony.  It makes waking up the driveway safer.

I really enjoy walking around on our property.  There are so many trails that I get a really good workout.