November 25, 2016

We walked over to look at the place on Munoz Vernaza y Estevez de Toral the other day and we still really like that place so as soon as there is an opening we will move there - December 4th. The top floor - it has 3 balconies and an awesome view of the downtown. Jenny and Juan own this building as well as the one we are now currently living in. This place was just painted and already someone has started with the graffiti. What a shame!











Juan's parents Jenny and Juan prepared a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner for all of us 'Americans' living in their two buildings so we had our turkey (and ham) dinner after all, although the side dishes were different than the usual. 




They cooked the meal at their place and Juan picked us up and his parents drove us back home. 







It was fun and we got to meet the people in the other building, whom we'll be neighbours with for two months - except for one of them - the one who's place we will be moving into. 



We were the only ones in attendance from the building we currently live in, but we have met the others on occasion.

Jenny and Juan and Juan
They are absolutely wonderful people.

These are the people in our neighbourhood!
(the one we are moving to that is)
(l to r) Juan such a gracious and helpful young man, Michelle from Texas who is travelling with her three young boys, Michel, Juan and Jenny - the hosts with the most, Terry from California/Connecticut who has moved here to retire, Herb who was from Mississippi and now lives in Cuena, and Catherine from Oregon who was here teaching and is leaving on December 4th and we'll be moving into her apartment. 

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Here is Michelle with her three boys.

Michel and the young Juan.

On our drive back home Jenny and Juan took us up to see Mirador de Turi (The Church of Turi) the best view in Cuenca.
From nearly anywhere in Cuenca, look south toward the rivers you will see a big white church on a hill. The trip up to Mirador de Turi is one of the most popular excursions in Cuenca. It is located in the perfect place to bask in the breathtaking panorama of the entire city of Cuenca.
Mirador means 'lookout' or 'viewpoint'
Turi means 'brother'

This view was breathtaking - pictures just don't do it justice.

Thank you to Jenny and Juan for such a wonderful Thanksgiving! Dinner was fabulous, the company and conversation was stimulating (both in English and Spanish) and the special side trip to the top of Mirador de Turi was spectacular!