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Day 19 (Saturday)
As we woke up it was time for us to pack and get ready to leave our home for the last two weeks. The Leap was over and we were heading to an AirBnb for the next two days before flying out.
Packing up at Apartamentos Otorongo
Packing was fairly quick. I think it took me about an hour or so. Ruhi had to deal with packing up our groceries and food so she had more to do.
While she was doing that I went out to the courtyard and worked on my blog post (you can read it here) while many of the Turtles who were about to leave took turns being recorded by Amelia and JP about the experience on the Leap.
After a while Ruhi came out and around noon we all started talking about going out for lunch. The folks who were more mobile decided to walk to the restaurant while Ruhi and I put our luggage in the front office and then caught a taxi.
Lunch at La Maria
We headed back to La Maria where our first Turtle lunch was held. The food there is really top notch, although the staff was a little overwhelmed by how busy it was.
Speaking of busy, the roads also had some closures. It looks like there was a parade for the upcoming Cuenca Independence Day festivities (November 3rd). There were horses, marching bands, classic cars, and all sorts of things.
I didn’t actually see any of that though. We just heard about it. But since we were in a taxi that had to go around all the closures we ended up getting to the restaurant after everyone had already ordered.
The food, as always, was awesome. Here are some pictures to help your salivary glands.
Originally I thought we would be back at the Apartments to say goodbye to folks, but it turned out that they were all going to do some last minute gift shoping in Centro, so Ruhi and I caught a cab back to the apartment, checked out, and then grabbed another cab with our luggage back to Centro where we were staying.
Checking in to our new AirBnb
The location is super central. In fact it was located just a block from the main center plaza which is a major tourist location right next to the famous blue dome cathedral, Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción.
A lot people go there to take photos in and around the cathedral, and in the time we were there we saw at least two or three couples posing for wedding photos.
Like these two …
In fact, our AirBnb is on the 6th floor across the street from the cathedral and has pretty amazing views from the balcony.
Like these two …
Every time we looked out the window we were surprised by the view. These photos don’t really do it justice.
Neighborhood tour and dinner
After settling in and resting for a while we decided to head out and walk/hobble around the neighborhood to see what we could find to eat. We walked in to the courtyard next to the cathedral and went to YAW, a restaurant we went to two years earlier when we attended a get together for members of Amelia and JP’s group on Patreon.
With a nice view of the cathedral and being able to see all the people taking pictures we got a bite to eat.
And after that we thought we would try the Chocolateria next to our AirBnb which was a pretty popular place based on how many people were taking pictures near the front door.
We got some hot chocolates and a few desserty items but to be honest it was probably a bit too intense for us. Ecuadorian chocolate is no joke. I think it was probably enough chocolate for me for the next half year.
After that we headed back to the AirBnb right as a marathon was happening on the street in front of us. In fact, it was all part of the same festivities and events that were going on all week.
As we watched an episode of Arrested Development and got ready for bed there was a lot of music and cheering going on just outside. But by 11:00 PM it had died down and all was quiet.
Day 20 (Sunday)
First thing in the morning we got ready to head to Parque de la Madre for my last Tai Chi class.
The last Tai Chi class
There were more road closures going on (I think this time for a bike race, maybe?) and so we had to walk a couple blocks to get to the park. But we made it there and I partook of some “Bench Tai Chi”.
This class we did some push hands and circular qi work. You can see a picture that Ruhi took of Maestro and me working on some exercises while I was on the bench.
After class we all went over to Amar cafe for something to eat. It was a nice last gathering with Wayne and Sandra. Hopefully it won’t be a whole two years until we see them again.
And hopefully my Spanish will be better in two years so I can actually have a coherent conversation with Maestro. Considering the butchered Spanish he has to listen to when I try to say something, his patience levels are pretty amazing.
Afterwards Ruhi and I made arrangement with Maestro for a final ceramics session to paint our pieces. He was going to come to our AirBnb at 3:30 PM so we had some time to rest beforehand.
Relaxing and then Painting Ceramics
A taxi ride up the hill and a short nap for Ruhi and pretty soon it was time. But not before we felt a little earthquake. Just a small 4.5 magnitude this time.
After Maestro arrived we sat outside on the balcony with a view of the cathedral and he led us through the process of painting our terracotta pieces. We used some acrylic paints and got to work.
Dinner with Patricio
After the painting we headed downstairs and went back to YAW to have dinner with Maestro. It was nice to chat with him about wushu and tai chi and various things about life in Cuenca. (Again, with my horrendous Spanish hardly doing us any service.)
Oh, and I finally got to eat a burger, which I’ve been pining for since I got to Ecuador. (I don’t know why … I’ve just been wanting a burger.)
Afterwards we took a picture in front of the blue domes and then he headed home.
So, this is pretty much the end of our time in Cuenca, Ecuador. Tomorrow we fly out in the morning, spend a day in Quito and then fly back to the U.S. around midnight. I’ll blog about the next leg as well, but we’ll call it a wrap on most of our trip so far.
And, of course, here is a song to sum up these two days …
Today’s Song: Getting Ready to Go
Lyrics:
Chorus:
Getting ready. Getting ready to go
Our trip to Cuenca is almost past
Getting ready. Getting ready to go
Three weeks went by too fast.
Chorus x 1
Saturday we checked out
Ready to go on our next route
Packed our bags. No more hurdles
So lets have lunch with the Turtles
Taxi to La Maria. Delicious food
Saying goodbye. Never feels good.
But it was time to grab a taxi
And bring our bags to the next AirBnB
Chorus x2
Amazing view of the cathedral
From the balcony. But where should we go?
To eat dinner. So we went down
To eat at YAW near the big blue crowns
Dessert was had at the Chocolateria
A bit intense. Put the fear in ya
Back to the apartment in the sky
But not before marathoners ran on by
Chorus x2
Last day of Tai Chi. Pushing hands.
Last day to eat tigrillo with some friends.
Back to Centro. Rest a bit too.
Then painting with Maestro with the view
Dinner again at YAW was fun
Burgers for two. Chicken for one.
Sad to say goodbye with our Tai Chi friend
Until the next time we meet again
Chorus x2