RENTING IN CUENCA - WE MOVED AGAIN to Apartment #6!!!!!

One VIEW From our New Apartment Roof Top Terrace!!

Has it really been almost two months since my last BLOG post??
I was going to do a blog post of our Travel Adventure #2, and then #3 - but "Life in Cuenca" changed for us unexpectedly.  It's those "Suddenlies" in life that we don't expect which cause everything we have planned to be on hold (like blogging or traveling) until we deal with what is in front of us.

Our landlord of two years SUDDENLY decided to put some unacceptable restrictions on us as tenants - so we decided to up and move  quickly!!  Well, the last two months have not been an easy transition, in more ways than one - but we've made it through a most difficult move, some personal struggles, and unexpected health issues.

The same day our landlord confronted us with his ridiculous and unacceptable DEMANDS, a friend informed me that she had seen a beautiful apartment in El Centro with the added bonus of a large terrace and a spectacular view overlooking the city. It was becoming available in two weeks, which was perfect timing.  I went with her to see it the very next day (one has to jump on these rare finds), had my absolutely necessary “WOW” experience, and then Bo accompanied me for visit #2.  He, too, liked it!!  Looking back at why we’ve moved so many times, I learned NOT to move again until that “WOW” encounter struck me. 

It was a difficult and exhausting two-day move, not to mention the two weeks of marathon packing - and moving again was not something I was ready for after moving from the States to Cuenca and returning three different times to purge and sell and give it away.  How in the world did we accumulate so much STUFF in a little over two years here?  Yet, as I look around at my beautiful Apartment #6, now all painted and decorated, every treasure has a place, and there really isn't that much in storage.  I don’t go shopping anymore for STUFF since living here and settling in because we have everything we need - just the expenses for daily living. 

It took a month to get our new place completely repainted, scrubbed and cleaned, and everything we own unpacked and put away.  Today, I love being home and enjoying the terrace and view.  I love the earthy colors I chose for this place, and I love having THREE bathrooms - the master bathroom even has a jacuzzi tub!  I love feeling like a princess again and having more room and a place to sit outside and enjoy all my plants.  I mostly love my friend who thought about us when I put out the word to be looking for an El Centro apartment with a sitting terrace area.  She knew it was a fit the moment she saw it.

So, I wanted to post some photos of the transition and the end result - but I mostly wanted to update you on my point of view for finding a rental and the steps I once again took to make sure it was going to be the next "right" move. 

1 - I believe that the best deals come when you can hear about a great place from someone else or see a sign as you walk around Cuenca. I was continually checking Craigslist, reading ads on Gringo Tree and Gringo Post, and looking at signs around El Centro for “Arrienda Departamento.”  I went and looked at several since we knew we wanted to transition to a place with an outdoor sitting area. All of this before our landlord turned on us and caused us to "get out now!!"   
2 - I firmly believe in negotiating the asking monthly rent.  It’s worked for me every time.  This apartment will be $120 more than our last one,  but it is still in the price range we wanted to stay in and offers SO MUCH MORE.  I knew it was renting for $400 to the previous tenant, so I was hoping for the same monthly rent. When I was told it would be $450 because the family hadn’t raised the rent in two years, I pleaded my case (that we could only afford $400 and we would be great long-term renters).  We were thankful the family agreed to $400 so we could stay in our frugal budget.  Yes, I'm so happy!  We signed a 2-year lease to lock in that price.
3 - I still believe that having ones own furniture and decor truly makes it home - for me anyway.  I have my specific taste for decorating and for art - and experiencing living in 4 different apartments the first 4 months of our Cuenca Living that were    already furnished just didn’t cut it for me.  I think back at Apartment #4 where we were paying $500 for furnished.  I’d rather invest in my own furniture and decor so I can call it home.  It certainly doesn’t make a big move to an unfurnished place three flights up easy though, but for me it is worth it. 
4 - I believe that when you know the desired location you want to live and the exact type of place you would enjoy calling home here in Cuenca - you should WAIT and NOT SETTLE for less.  Rentals     are abundant - but that “just right” place is something I had to wait for - and it finally evidenced itself just in time!!  I always say, “God’s timing is PERFECT for those who wait on Him!!”
5 - Be clear on the contract you sign.  Our contract was uncomplicated and clear without any hidden agenda or legal jargon.  I love that we can paint and make changes to upgrade, and our landlady made sure that everything I needed fixed or changed once we moved in was taken care of and paid for. 
6 - Don’t be stuck in a place that doesn’t work anymore. MOVE!  Yes it’s difficult and can be costly - but where you live here in Cuenca is important.  If you can’t call it home and it isn’t a place you enjoy being in, then MOVE!  It’s difficult enough to leave everything familiar and step into a new culture and start all over again.  Make sure you find an apartment or home that brings you joy and peace.  After 5 moves in the first 4 months, living in Apartment #5 for two years, and now our sixth move - I can truly say, “I LOVE OUR NEW RENTAL - It’s perfect for us and now that we're settled in, it’s home!!!” 

Just the beginning of our STUFF arriving to our new apartment.

 

 The entire place was originally painted a deep canary yellow - YUCK!  I was so excited to see it transformed with the earthy warm colors I chose.  My painter, Henry, was the best - Maticulous, tidy, and always on time!

 It took days for the painting to end and a couple weeks for things to find its place.  The colors were perfect and I was glad when the painting was finally done!  I can't wait to hang our beautiful art around the apartment.  For now, I just stuck photos where there were existing nails!

I stayed with two warm earthy contrasting colors throughout the entire apartment.

That's our Cozy TV-Movie Cove.  I chose the darker delicious mocha color for this area to contrast the lighter color in the dining-living area.

Outside, the terrace was transformed from a dirty boring white......

 To a golden mustardy color with a carmel-colored trim.

 Beautiful creamy linen curtains came with the apartment.  I'll never close them because we have so much privacy here.  We're the only apartment in the building, and we're up on the third floor.

The Terrace is transformed - and I LOVE IT!!!

 This apartment has such lovely added features, like the beautiful solid wood doors  and floors, and those three sweet stained glass windows at the entrance area.

A glimpse of the changing colors at dusk.

We're enjoying the open spacious feel to this place.

Yes, I LOVE the genuine hardwood floors throughout.....

.....and the huge windows and bright light in this place.

VIEW from our Kitchen Window!!

 I love that we can enter the terrace from the kitchen area, and that we no longer have to suffer white tile in the kitchen.  This one has beautiful reddish tiles.

Oh, and we have a double sink, continual HOT water and great water pressure (brag, brag, brag).  I've died and gone to heaven!

So much storage in this spacious kitchen too. Love showing my beautiful Vega dishes and Oregon Pottery.

 Tea, anyone?  Every feature in this place is so charming!!

The master bedroom is HUGE!  I plan to replace all the white verticles with wooden shades.

Every room has LOTS of closets and drawers for storage too - somthing the other apartment was so lacking.

 My plants are so happy in their new home.....

 .....and we love to sit outside and enjoy them and the beautiful views.

Love the red terra-cota tiles outside too!

 Ahhhh, beautiful Cuenca!

 Who could ask for anything more when it comes to a $400 a month Historic District mini-penthouse????

More of our amazing terrace views -

I'm happy to be home AGAIN!!!

I hope you enjoyed a beginning tour of what is yet to come (I'm still decorating!!!).  For now, we are settled in and resting from two months of unexpected "Suddenlies."  

How many times have you moved since being here?  Do you love your apartment or home?  Or are you just arriving or planning to come with the hope of finding that perfect place?  It's there!  I promise......  Leave your comment and share your experience for our readers to get a glimpse of RENTING IN CUENCA.

Living in Cuenca - How We Do Our Laundry! MR WASH, of course............

A sunny day in Cuenca - 

perfect for "Laundry Day" by the river!

When we moved from our Oregon home to Cuenca, Ecuador, we left behind many things that I thought I would miss - like our washer and dryer.  Our first four apartments were furnished, but only one of them had a washer and dryer, and we lived in that apartment only two weeks.  So, for the first year here, we would haul our laundry to one of the nearby local laundry services to wash, dry, and fold our clothes.  Then, we would return to pick them up and haul them back to our apartment.  These local places would staple little tags on every single piece of clothing with a 5 or 6 digit number handwritten on each tiny tag.  I would then proceed to cut each little tag off every article of clothing before putting them away.  Not fun!  But, we had decided that we were not going to invest in a washer and dryer - and besides, where would we begin to fit them in our current small apartment?  

Laundry service here is so inexpensive, but I got tired of cutting the tags off every time we would have our laundry day.  We also didn't enjoy hauling our clothes down four flights of stairs and to the laundry place.  Nor did I like the fact that the reason they were tagging each item was because they would mix my clothes in with someone else's so they could make use of filling up their machines.  However, I didn't want to find a self-service laundromat where I would have to sit there and wait for my clothes to wash, dry, and then have to take time to fold them.  After all, I'm "jubilada" and doing laundry has never been a fun chore for me.  

Then, someone told me about MR. WASH!  Really?  They'll pick up our clothes, and deliver them - up four flights?  They use organic products?  They won't mix my clothes with any one else's?  They have same day service?  Count me in!  I called them that day, and it was all true.  They came to our apartment the next day, and delivered that night.  No more little tags to cut off, and my clothes smelled so fresh and were folded so meticulously - I was now another one of their "happy" customers.  Fabian and his wife, Inez, and their son, Kevin are great people.  Their desire is to please their customers, and I'm thankful to know them and to be using their service.  Another thing I love about living in Cuenca - I don't have to do laundry anymore!!

Pictures Tell The Story

Recently, I went over to Mr. Wash to see their facility and meet their staff.  

Address:  Francisco Estrella entre Avenida 27 de Febrero y Avenida 10 de Augusto.

Phone:  099-055-2419

Meet Inez (Fabian's wife and owners), Anita, and Estefania - hard-working women who take special care of their customer's laundry.

MR. WASH is open Sunday through Friday from 7 am to 7 pm.  They are closed on Saturdays.  

They've been in business four years and know how to take care of their customer's needs.

The employees are meticulous about how they fold each item of laundry, and when they return them to us, nothing is ever missing.

They have other services - like cleaning large rugs and comforters.....

.........and dry cleaning service too!  Oh, and they will hand-wash and line dry delicates!  Did I mention that they also IRON your clothes upon request?  

Yes, MR WASH is a full-service facility that I highly recommend.  They are definitely meeting all of our laundry needs - and I'm thrilled that I can now wait up to three weeks for my pickup and not have to haul my heavy bags through the streets of El Centro.  

Recently, Bo spilled Coconut Oil on a pair of his new hiking pants.  Here, Inez and her helper are looking at the stain and ready to take on the task of removing it.  AND THEY DID!  I've had other stained clothes that they always return to me spotless.  Now, that's service at it's best!!!

If you want your laundry picked up and delivered, and if you want organic products and fabulous service - give MR WASH a call at 099-055-2419.  Inez will be over that day ($2-$4 delivery charge depending on where you live) to take care of your needs.  

Thank you, Inez, for giving me a tour of MR. WASH and for taking such good care of your customers!  Bo and I appreciate your incredible laundry service and we're glad we found you!!!

LIVING IN ECUADOR - THINGS ARE VERY DIFFERENT HERE - LIVING IN CUENCA!!!

I've been busy!!  A few blog fans have mentioned, "You haven't blogged in awhile...."  I haven't even taken photos in awhile - except for my recent walk along the Yanuncay River.  Oh, and a few photos of my apartment as I endeavor to decorate and make it colorful and fun so it feels like home.

TRUTH:  I still struggle sometimes with the "home" thing.  Living in the same house back in the USA for 40 years is making it difficult for me to completely surrender here and call this apartment "home."  We went from living in the beautiful Oregon country to living in the bustling noisy city of Cuenca in AN APARTMENT!!  Of course, it was our choice.  However, it still isn't easy to completely embrace a very different lifestyle in a very different environment in a country far away from what was truly "home."

Things are very different here!  After almost one year of "Life in Cuenca," I find myself fantasizing about going back to the USA and resuming my comfortable and familiar life in my beautiful Oregon home.  Thus, a good reason to have sold EVERYTHING before coming to our retired life in Cuenca.  Well, we didn't!!  For many reasons:  not enough time, no exploratory trip first, and not knowing how to do this - moving to a foreign land without ever having been there before.  So, we still have our home of 40 years and our STUFF in storage on our land. We're continually thankful for our God-sent wonderful renters.

Well, here we are, STILL in APARTMENT #5 - and I continue to decorate and make it ours - yet it will NEVER be ours because we are renting and every penny we put into this place is not going to benefit us when we leave - but it makes me happy while we're living here.  Why am I sharing this?  Because it's always my hope that my personal experiences here will encourage someone else coming into this far away and strange land.  That when you have your doubts, meltdowns, or panic attacks (and you will!!!), you'll know that it's understandable, expected, and that "this too shall pass."

Here's a "Living in Cuenca" story for you:
In the process of my continued passion to decorate this place, Bo and I have had to add guardarropas (closets) to our apartment.  It did not come with ANY storage space.  Hey, you make due when the rental price is right!!  So, we purchased one very large wardrobe for our bedroom from a furniture store, which was so easy - ready made and delivered right away.  Well, we needed another one for the guest bedroom in case anyone comes to visit us, and also so we'd have more storage.  Again, not one closet or set of drawers in this humble little Ecuadorian flat when we first moved in.  

A "Tienda de Madera" owner referred a very reliable and excellent "Maestro" to us who would get the 2nd closet job handled.  Of course we knew we could trust the wood store owner who confidently referred this expert cabinet builder.  Well, long story short - this turned into the closet from hell nightmare.  Maestro Sr. S....... came over, got our drawing and measurements and asked for 1/2 the dough (that's my New York slang for money).  We gave it to him.  After some thought and changes on our end, we call Maestro Sr. S......, and he returns a couple days later to go over our revision.  He then proceeds to tell me his niece died and was buried the day before and it cleaned him out financially.  If we could give him more money towards the closet, he would be so grateful.  So, WE DID!  Yeah, yeah, I know.  You NEVER give most of the money for an unfinished job here - or anywhere.  Sometimes the circumstances and the heart of God says, "Break the rules."  So we did.  He wrote on a piece of paper that he would complete and deliver the closet in 14 days.

That was over a month ago!!  After many phone calls to Maestro Sr. S......., no return calls, or return calls saying, "I'll call you "manana....."  and me saying, "Don't call me, bring me my closet......"  we finally decided to go to the wood store and visit the referral man.  He is a man of integrity - truly.  He ends up driving us the next morning to "El Maestro's" house (oh, you should have seen the Maestro's face when we got out of the car....) and I was able to tell him in my not-so-gentle Spanish that he was not a man of his word, had and continued to lie to us (when I asked him to show me the closet being made, he couldn't because it wasn't there in his shop - he never bought the materials!!!) and that he had our money and we didn't believe him anymore.  The referral man was so unhappy about this situation and ended up intervening for us telling El Maestro that if he didn't deliver the closet the following week he had to give us our money back.  Yeah, right.  As if he still had the dough!!!

We ended up driving around with the Wood Store Owner, visiting his family and town, again realizing that it is now about the relationship we now have with J... than the rip-off Maestro who we no longer trusted in for our closet delivery.  J.... dropped us off later that morning and said, "If he doesn't come through, I will personally give you your money back."  Who does that??  Of course, we would never take the money from J...., but just his heart of integrity impressed us.  We asked him not to refer this Maestro to any "gringos," since we didn't want this to happen to anyone else.  

Over the weekend, J...., on his own, returned to the home of Maestro Sr. S....... and called me from there.  He said that our closet would be ready and delivered by Wednesday at 8 am (that would be today).  Again, J.... was watching our back because he had referred this expert cabinet maker.  Today, by 8:30 am, I already knew that our closet was not coming.  Surprisingly, at 4:30 PM (better late than NEVER) "El Maestro" called me, and 1/2 hour later he was downstairs with all the closet pieces.  Well, most of them.  He had his two helpers haul the parts up our 4 flights of stairs (NO, we don't have a luxury elevator - how do you think we are staying so fit here????).  The two helpers begin to assemble the closet parts.  I notice that the sides are white.  I say, "These were supposed to be Cedar!"  El Maestro tells me he can do that.  He then asks me for more $$$$.  Can you even believe this????  "Can I have $30 so I can run and get the hardware to finish this?"  NO!!!! I practically scream.  He quietly says, "Please, Leen-daa.  I want to finish this for you now."  What in the world was I supposed to do or say?  At that point I give him $40 because I don't even have change.  I'm not happy with myself, but again I reason, just finish the closet and GO!!!!!  Of course, he can't finish it today.  The sides are white, not cedar.

You know, I truly am thankful that the closet is here - though it isn't finished (white sides - how cheap and tacky after what we paid for this job from hell), we still have a closet.  I'm trying to focus on the small blessings that come from the waiting and aggravation.  Oh, can you believe that Maestro Sr. S....... tried to tell me that none of this was his fault.  He had ordered the materials back in October and they were never delivered to him.  He wanted to save J....... face when we showed up at his house.  Ask me if I believe him?  I said, "You know, S.........,  you and I aren't going to quibble about this.  Just finish the job and I'll be happy."  He then asks me if I'll forgive him.  "Yes, S........, I'm not upset with you anymore.  Just finish the job!"

The job is STILL not finished.  He has promised to return "next week" with the Cedar to finish the sides of the closet.  He has his money (except for $20 I still owe him).  I have my closet, though it's not done.  If he comes back, I'll be very surprised.  I won't be calling him.  I won't be using him EVER again.  I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND HIM TO ANYONE!  

I KNOW, I KNOW.  NEVER GIVE too much money to the hired Maestro.  Never expect that the material used will be what they promised.  All the more reason to have the product delivered and finished before paying for it.  Never expect it will be delivered in the time they say it will be delivered.  Just don't expect anything!!!  As for referrals, I so appreciate J.......  He was truly taking on this referral to make sure we were not abused.  He has our utmost respect and gratitude for putting the boot to the Maestro's back.  I wonder if J..... gave him the materials after Mr. Maestro spent our money?????  Vain imaginations, I know.  Just wondering.......

Yes, this could happen anywhere.  But, it happens here A LOT!  It's not fun feeling like someone is ripping you off.  It's not fun paying for something that never gets to you or gets to you and isn't what you paid for. Oh, did I mention, it isn't what we asked for either (apart from the white sides)???  Doesn't even match the drawing - go figure!!!  It's not fun having to explain and reason and try to have the person ripping you off take SOME responsibility, if any, for not delivering what they said they would when they said they would.  IT'S NOT FUN WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU!

This is one of the NOT FUN TIMES we've had here - dealing with Mr. Irresponsibility.  Yet, they are far and few between the wonderful and worthwhile times and relationships we've made and have here.  I share this only because it may help someone else stand strong and say "NO" when they are asked for lots of money for a custom made and non-delivered product.  It may help someone know that in spite of their seeing the best in someone, they may get taken advantage of.  It may not be because of your wisdom and carefully thought out decisions - you may get screwed anyway!!

I still love Ecuador and living here.  I love the wonderful, honest, and caring Ecuadorians who now consider us family and who are watching our back.  I love the opportunity God has given us to leave the USA and live in another country and culture, to be retired NOW so we can enjoy our still youthful days, and to continually add to our wonderful friendships and relationships here.  So, having to deal with Mr. Maestro Sr. S------- is another opportunity to learn patience and forgiveness, to speak truth in love, and to be able to speak words of integrity into his life.  I don't think he heard me.  He continued to look at me pitifully and try to make me believe "It's not my fault."  I'm not expecting him to come back and finish the job.  If he does - Hallelujah!!!  If not, we're moving on........That's my story, and I'm stuck with it!!!!

Some updated "Apartment #5" pics - still in process!!!

When you move to another country with a few suitcases, 
it takes time, PATIENCE, and money to start all over.  
Remember to KEEP IT FUN!!!

I've been color washing some of my walls - getting rid of the bland yellowish color we painted back in April before moving in.......

Next, I'll be making a fabric headboard (Yup!  I'll do it myself!!!) and then hanging my IKEA wall lamps for reading (thanks Rod and Jan, for muling in my IKEA bulbs!!) - then up will go some of my framed photography. 

I color-washed the dining room wall too!  We also got a larger dining room table custom made at the ROTARY, rustic-painted it, and now we have seating for six and more table room (gotta accommodate our dinner guests).

A few new touches to our living room walls and furniture!  Can't wait to get our custom-built coffee table.  Poco a poco......

My office is coming along too!  It was difficult these last few months not having my office space to retreat to.  So, now I'm really happy!!!

If the "Maestro" doesn't return, I know we can finish the sides of our closet ourselves.  For now, I'm thankful the closet is in, and all the stuff that was thrown in this room is now behind closed doors!  This is the last room to furnish and decorate as Bo's "Man Cave." We're making progress!!! 

Getting ready to color-wash the hallway.....

 I never liked this color.  It was supposed to be a mustard gold, but it was way TOO YELLOW and bland for me.  So.......

.....I splashed bright ROJO y ORO on my flat yellowish walls, color-washed them, and.......

.....now I LOVE my hallway.  It's delicious!!!

PACKING FOR CUENCA ECUADOR - WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO CUENCA?? - This is what we brought back and WHY!!!

We've been back in Cuenca 14 days, and it seems like we never left.  It was worth bringing in those six free 70 pound suitcases and four carry-ons between the two of us (and having to enjoy flying Business Class to do so!!).  Just a few things have made our apartment look, feel, and smell more like "our home" and we don't have to wear the same shoes and t-shirts week after week. 

I did get burned out shopping back in the states (believe it or not!!) - probably because I was trying so carefully not to be excessive in the things I brought back with us, and also I was back to watching our budget.  We had spent quite a bit of money on our two months USA trip - eating out, doing our one month cross-country motorcycle adventure, and just being on VACATION without worrying about a budget.  That's what vacations are supposed to be, right?  Well, I can honestly say, "WE VACATIONED!"  It was our splurge of a lifetime, and we have no regrets.  Yet, at some point, we knew we'd have to come back to reality and consider adjusting back to our simplified CUENCA lifestyle and mindset.

I promised somewhat of a list of where  I shopped and what came back with us in those carefully packed and stuffed "Business Class Free Check-In's," so here goes:

1 - I did one 4-hour shopping spree at IKEA! If you don't live near an IKEA, or if you've never been shopping in one, well what can I say?  It was a shopping adrenalin rush and the perfect place for me to find the best household bargains. Actually, it was where I purchased most of our NEEDS.  These included: King Comforter and Duvet, Ikea towels (wish I had gotten one more set), a quality steel knife sharpener, Paper Shade Lamps and Halogen Desk lamps (several - and IKEA sells them already packaged - and they are so inexpensive and lightweight), miscellaneous much-needed kitchen wares, shower curtains, bath mats, and on and on.  Too many miscellanous items to list.  I spent under $500, and it was worth every penny for all I ended up with - quality needs that will make our apartment life more comfortable.  IKEA truly ROCKS!!!!
2 - YANKEE CANDLES AND PIER ONE/BED, BATH, BEYOND SCENTS - How I missed our home smelling like Pier 1 Imports!  I'm a Yankee Candle addict  and now my apartment smells like Pumpkin Apple, , Vanilla Carmel Latte, and Peach Spice.  YUM! (I'm yet to smell a delicious candle in the stores here and they are a bit expensive).
3 - iHOME- Somehow my Bose speakers back home are missing - boo hoo.  So, I agonized over what to buy that would be practical and not take up lots of room.  After several expensive stereo speaker purchases and returns, I ended up buying a small iHome that was on sale for $50.  Talk about compromising - but I'm okay (noticed I said okay) with this.  I'd much rather have my Bose Stereo.  However, this works.  I can charge my iPod while I play my music library, and I also can charge  my iPhone and play music.  I may end up mail ordering another set of speakers (Bose, of course).  We'll see!
4 - iPHONE - Finally, I have my groovy phone.  I've wanted an iPhone with wifi service for a loooong time - and I wasn't coming back to Cuenca without one.  I settled for a G4 because it's all I need (see, that "want" thing is not overcoming me!!) and I was able to find a brand new unlocked iPhone for $220.  Forget about getting one even close to that price in Cuenca!  I'm Happy!  I have to pay attention that I'm not another victim of phone theft.  We're not living here in fear, but we are always paying attention, as much as possible - not letting anyone rub up against us and get in our space - especially on the buses.
4 - iPAD - We hope to do more traveling, and this will take less room instead of dragging along a laptop.  After Bo's PC smashed when we tipped our bike, he has now taken over one of my MacBook Pros, so we can share the iPad as he learns to be an Apple guy.
5 - CLOTHES - Several of the suitcases were packed with clothes - mostly mine.  Ahhhh, to be  back in Cuenca and have shoes, jackets, pretty things, my jewelry, and an actual wardrobe to choose from.  Bo also broke down and bought new clothes (he hates shopping more than anyone I know!!) and also four pair of quality shoes.  He walks for miles and miles every day, and he thinks he's not going to have to buy shoes for two years - Ha!  Comfortable shoes are IMPORTANT if you live here and plan to walk.  As for me, I'm a shoeaholic.  That's one addiction I will never give up.  Yet, here I have probably 1/5 of the shoes I had when I was a working woman back home.  Yet, I'm happy!  I have more than the four pair of shoes I've been wearing for the last 10 months.  Oh, the little things that I so appreciate.  I'm also a used-clothes bargain hunter addict.  So, my wardrobe cost less then $200, and I have TONS of clothes - and I'm having fun wearing them too. Quality clothes in Cuenca will cost you.  I'm too cheap to pay for new clothes, especially at the price they want for the clothes I would buy.  I'm sooooo happy with my St. Vinnie clothes/wardrobe.
6 - COSMETICS AND HAIR PRODUCTS - Two of my dearest girlfriends are in the beauty field - so I was able to bring back quality products - some for wholesale prices and some for FREE.  I love FREE.  The beauty products Bo and I now have will last us a loooong loooong time (thank you Kay and Patty).  Though Cuenca has lots of beauty supply tiendas, I haven't found the quality of products I'm used to, and Cuenca's cosmetic prices are way up there for anything quality.  If not for my "beauty consultant" girlfriends and the sweet deals we got through them, we would not have gone this route.  We've been getting our shampoos and cosmetic products from iHerb, and that works for us too.
7 - PANS - Bo and I LOVE to cook!  Bo's taken over the kitchen, so he does most of the meals (I now have dish pan hands since I'm the cleanup crew).  We bought an inexpensive $80 set of basic stainless steel cookware when we first arrived here.  After much thought, I decided to only add a large EcoGreen-Non-Stick Fry Pan and a small wok to our cookware.  They were lightweight, inexpensive, and ALL WE NEED!  It's a great contrast to the kitchen cookware we had back in Oregon - A quality stainless steel or cast iron pot or pan of every size, weight, and function.  Not anymore.  Less is more!!!
8 - COFFEE GRINDER, PORCELAIN MELITA FILTERS, BREVILLE ELECTRIC WATER POT - What luxury to be able to heat water instantly for my tea.  What delicious fresh coffee we can make now with our coffee bean grinder.  I love one-cup at a time coffee!  Oh, and if I find myself not timing it right for hot water when washing dishes, I can heat up the Breville quickly and voila!! No greasy dishes!!!  Yes, it's the little things.......
9 - PHOTOS, FRAMES, MATS - For me, this is one of the MOST IMPORTANT things I was missing - my special family photos.  Being a photographer (it's my  passion), I absolutely adore having beautifully framed photography around our home.  So, now I will, once again!  Back home, I did all my own printing, matting, and framing, and our walls displayed like a photography exhibit.  Also, I had lots of beautifully framed family portraits gracing our shelves and walls.  It will be on a much smaller scale here, but soon our apartment will feel more like home because I brought back a small box of memorable pictures.  I also went to Michael's Art Store and chose some large colorful mats and frames that packed nicely.  Fun, fun, fun! Yes, there are amazing framing shops here that are unbelievably affordable for anyone who wants their art or photos framed.  I've used them and will continue to do so.  It's just that I personally enjoy the pleasure of doing it myself - taking the art of photography from beginning to end.
10 - COCONUT OIL - This was one luxury food item I was hauling here, no matter how much they weighed!  To buy Organic, Unrefined, Cold Pressed, Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil in Cuenca is very very expensive, when you can even find it.  Yes, they sell it here, but I haven't seen any label that addresses all of these things in the processing.  Costco had an amazing deal on 54 fl. oz PURE coconut oil for $15 each.  We packed and brought quite a few of those back.  Bo and I cook with it, put it in our tea or coffee, and I do oil pulling (google it!!) in the mornings and also use it as my face and body cream.  If you read about and learn the benefits of daily ingesting coconut oil and oil pulling , you'll see why it was important for me to bring these heavy jars back.  A tiny jar here of coconut oil is $55.  Yikes!!  When I run out of these, I'll go back to ordering my Nutiva Coconut Oil product from iHerb, which is still a lot less per jar and guaranteed PURE.

These are some of the main things that were important to us to bring back from the USA and worth hauling back to Cuenca.

What I decided NOT TO BRING (next trip, maybe!!):

1 - 24" MAC SCREEN - I miss having this large awesome Mac screen as part of my computer setup because it is fabulous when editing my photography.  It also makes a great TV screen for watching movies.  I agonized over this, but it seemed sooooo big and heavy once I pulled it out of storage, I ended up deciding against it.  My 15" laptop screen will have to suffice for now.
2 - TV - Many of our expat friends have purchased and checked in a TV from the states.  Another big decision for us, and here's why we did not go this route:  We do not watch that much TV!  Life here is full, and we find ourselves spending most of our time out and about - just walking - taking long long walks for miles and miles as we explore the city, or spending quality time visiting with friends, dining out with friends,  taking some of the many classes offered, hopping buses to see other areas of Cuenca and Ecuador, even just for day trips, helping expats blog friends that newly arrive by showing them around the city, and on and on.  When we have our down time where we stay home (seems rare sometimes), we read, cook, relax, decorate our apartment, and sometimes we'll just download a NETFLIX movie just to unwind.  Our life here may seem boring to some, but for us it has become richer and fuller.  So, NO TV yet.  We are now set up with a VPN Router which enables us to watch USA TV, and when the time is right, we'll find a small TV for the times we do want to watch it.  Our computers will do.
3 - HERBS and SPICES and FOODS - Bo and I cook!  We eat most of our meals in, not out.  We also mostly eat Paleo - meat, vegetables, and fruit and no processed packaged foods.  If we want any specialty spices or herbs that we cannot find here, we order them from iHerb.  We don't crave peanut butter and all those things I read about that expats write about on the forums causing them withdrawal symptoms because they can't find it here.  Our eating is healthy, simple, and we shop at the open market(s) near us.  Yes, we're alive, we don't have food poisoning, and we love having access to everything we need for our cooking needs 1/2 block from where we live.
4 - SEWING MACHINE AND SUPPLIES - Again, much thought went into this.  I miss my Pfaff machine and my serger.  I had every color thread and piece of sewing equipment and supplies to sew and create beautiful things.  Well, here they sell everything I will want and need when I decide to set up a sewing station.  It just wasn't worth the weight, space, and hassle to bring what I had.  I can just buy it here, and a simple straight stitch machine will suffice.  That may come later.  Right now, I don't have time to sew!
5 - BO'S TOOLS - Oh, how I miss having Bo's tools here.  He could build me anything I needed or wanted - just from a photo.  He did give it great thought, and since we weren't doing a container or pallet, there wasn't a practical or easy way to haul his heavy tools here.  So, we didn't!  Yes, they sell tools here, and they are very expensive for quality.  That mindset that says, "I already own that..." can prevent us from buying what we need here.  Because we still have things in our storage area on our property back home, we do already have that.  But, not here where we need it!  So, we're making do without, or we go and have someone cut us the wood sizes, and Bo is able to put the furniture or shelving together himself.  Our friend continues to lend us his electric drill, and just yesterday, Bo broke down and bought a square.  Woohoo!  How we are still learning to make do.

Well, that's about it for "What we brought back to Cuenca and why!!"  I purchased a corner "desk" work station two days ago - inexpensive and not real wood - but it works.  It's functional, and if and when the time comes to leave here, it will have served its purpose.  If we stay here forever, it will still serve its purpose.  Simple, inexpensive, and functional.  That's my new mindset when I go out to shop and buy.  To have the freedom of less so we can TRAVEL and GO is how we're living now. 

Yes, in two weeks, we've settled back into our tiny Ecuadorian flat in the heart of El Centro, and it's coming along.  We are more comfortable and settled the longer we're here, and continually getting used to that SIMPLIFIED LIFESTYLE.  Do I miss my USA STUFF?  Yes.  But I'm not suffering or miserable.  I'm happy here with less, and it's a process that continues to get easier and easier.  I'm thankful for the trip back home to Oregon and the USA and the carefully thought out decisions we made in what to bring back with us and how to do it.  It was what worked best for us.  Now we're relaxing and enjoying our Cuenca life once again - living here one day at a time!

 ENJOYING CUENCA!

We love being back - surrounded by mountains, majestic skies, and historic buildings and cobbled walkways.....

Upon our return, I loved visiting and hugging one of our favorite vendors, Anita!  She truly missed us.  I buy all my weekly bouquets from her, and she makes me the most amazing array of colorful flowers for just $2 to $3.  If you don't know Anita, you must!  She's precious..... (photo of me and Anita taken by Jvonna)

One of the things I love most about our city are the beautiful colorful flowers.....

I always have fresh flowers in my apartment because they are so affordable here!!

Ahhhh, and the majestic churches and historic buildings.....

Every corner, every block has the most beautiful historic architecture.....

.....and the colorful cobbled brick streets and sidewalks add to the flavor of this historic town.

Old and weathered walls and rooftops......

Colorful walls, windows and doorways......

Fabulous Iced Creamy Frappuccinos (made with love at Cafe Nuccallacta)......

Working people, city people......

Beautiful colorful childen playing in the streets.....

Parque Calderon - a place to sit and relax and enjoy the city people walking by....

Cuenca, a city full of people that love desserts, ice cream, and lots of sweets......

An artist sketches his work on this historic corner by a shoe repair store.  Grafitti on the walls is a regular thing in this city.

As we walk through our neighborhood streets each day.....

......and we stop to rest along the way......

.......I always smile and say to myself, "What's not to love about Cuenca?????"

YES, IT'S GOOD TO BE HOME!