October 30, 2010

After our usual breakfast, we checked out and took a taxi to the airport to buy a ticket to Cuenca for a flight today.  Very busy at the airport and much to our surprise, NO TICKETS FOR SALE TO CUENCA!  Others we had spoken to indicated we could go early to airport and purchase a ticket for that day.  However, it was their national holidays (Monday 11/1 All Saints Day, Tuesday All Souls Day, and Wednesday Cuenca Independence Day) and everyone possible had booked a flight for Saturday to get there in time to party!

We purchased tickets for Sunday travel and went to get a taxi.  We decided to stay at the Vieja Cuba (we ate in their restaurant last night) and went to see if they had space.  They did and we were checked in within a few minutes.  Lovely room and Gala liked it immediately.  I called our hotel in Cuenca, apologized and told them we would be a day late - "no problem".

Vieja Cuba Hotel

We placed valuables in the room safe and walked to the SuperMaxi close by (large grocery store with many surrounding shops).  Cruised the store comparing items and noticed they also sold hard liquor.  Seemed like good prices compared to USA.  We then searched for a lunch site.  Decided to go through JW Marriott to see this luxury site.  Huge atrium, surrounded by several bars and restaurants overlooking the outdoor pools and indoor waterfalls.  Visited the expensive shops and art gallery before heading back to the street.  I agreed to try Waffles & Crepes after viewing several other restaurants nearby.

Gala ordered a curry chicken crepe and I ordered a calamari crepe, with dos cerveza, por favor!  Cerveza arrived first, then two chicken caesar salads!  We protested that we did not order, but none of the three wait persons or manager "habla ingles".  We began to munch on the salads, very good!  Then the crepes arrived, both looked and tasted great,  No surprise, when the bill arrived it included 2 caesar salads - lesson learned!  Back to our room for Gala's siesta and my rendezvous with, dos cerveza, por favor!

Back in our room we watched a movie, tear jerker love story Gala found on the local channel, both cried then strolled the streets for light dinner.  After 10-12 blocks of walking we dropped in at Mr Cocktail's.  We had a small issue with language and ended up with two Mojito's,  We laughed and sipped our great drinks.  We then crossed the street to Hasta la Huelta Senior for dinner.  Gala ordered  white corn baked in a banana leaf and green salad.  I chose the chicken with avocado & plantains.  Both were very good and more than we could finish.  Nice four block walk back to hotel for a hopefully peaceful evening.

Decorations at local restaurant in celebration of All Saint's and All Soul's Day
(that's a rat on his chest)

Other than the ground or floor, the bed we had was the hardest we have ever tried to sleep on.  Much tossing and turning, although we did sleep some.  Music and partying from restaurants and neighbors were still going at 1:00 AM when I first awoke and continued until after 2:00 - we've been there before!