After months of waiting (and fretting just to prove that we haven't shed our U.S. skins yet), our visas arrived today (Hoy). What a relief. We can now leave Ecuador and legally return because we actually belong here. More importantly, we are no longer 'irregular'. We are legal and welcome citizens.
Here is a pic of the visa seals on our passports. All that hubbub for those seals. Anyhow, yohoo!

Life just keeps getting tougher here in Cuenca. We just returned from one of Lu very favorite restaurants. Jackie had chicken piccatta and I had a perfectly medium rare t-bone steak. The steak was the best that I've had in centuries, and Jack enjoyed her polloi. We had a vodka cran and a grande pilsner (more than two regular bottles of cervesa) with dinner. We topped it all off with passion fruit cheesecake and a bowl of ice cream.
Total bill was $35.35. Don't know that I can afford this. The steak was easily a $60 item in the states.
Here are some pics from a going away party that we had in the building a couple o's nights ago. Good neighbors Carlos and Cinzia sold their unit and they are moving to Southern Washington state to be close to their new twin niejtos (grandchildren). They will be missed. Folks are always coming or going in Cuenca.

Hole from Cuenca, Ecuador.
By way of filling you in on the latest;
Jackie took second place in the 'Annual Common Grounds Chiller Cook-off.' We were not allowed to taste the other entries because we were sitting with entrants. Apparently there was some cries of foul play in last years event. Anyhow, her, chillie was very good, and I'm not biased. She became the proud owner of two bottles of wine.
Our gig at Sabatino's this Tuesday was a huge success. The audience actually asked us for a tip jar as we had none out. We made about $60.00 which is huge down here. The crowd was standing room only at one point. Lots of fun. We are now officially 'The Double D's.' That is, David & Dennis. We will soon be appearing at two of our very favorite restaurants, DeSanty's y That's Amore.
We'll keep  posted as time allows.
Class de Espanola is going great. Lots of work.

One item that appears to be a real hardship for many ex-pats in Ecuador (South America in general I'm sure), is time. We peoples from the states particularly are so accustomed to a life of 'tight now'. That concept does not exist down here.
Folks that we have met and interacted with don here, fall into two categories. "I get it' and 'I don't understand.' This culture does not understand '4:17PM' or 'tight now.' Things happen in their own time and if you can adapt to that, you will fit in fine.
We all want to believe that we not only can let go, but that we are looking forward to letting go. Believe me because I have seen plenty of it, a lot of folks are NOT capable at this point. Too bad really because it is truly liberating.
In fact, start now. If the lack of stress is intolerable for you, then don't come South.

Happy vday to ya. We lunched at one of our very favorite restaurants 'That's Amore.'
Our gig last night was upstaged by a carnival and big stage karaoke venue in Otorango plaza(where we supposed to play). The affair was scheduled to end at 5:00, but in typical Ecuador fashion, it was just gaining momentum when we left at 7:00. So we are now scheduled for Tuesday night. I love Ecuador. I truly do. I am learning to live a level of patience that I have never known and it is so liberating.
Here are lunch pics from today. From the left you see; Rene, George, Carlos, The owner of That's Amore, Cinzia, Jackie and me.

Raise a cheer, raise the roof, Ray's BBQ and smoke shop. Our visas have been approved. We will soon be able to travel outside Ecuador and get back in when we return. Happy days.
Here is a pic from our devil's nose excursion.

This item just came to our attention. We thought that you may have missed it in your daily perusal of the world news.

JACKIE AND DENNIS KAPERICK CELEBRATE 44^{TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!}

     Former residents of Tacoma, Washington, Jackie and Dennis Kaperick are looking younger than ever celebrating their 44th wedding anniversary in Cuenca, Ecuador. Dennis is famous for his amazing guitar playing. Since his departure Tacoma residents have suffered a major loss from which the entire Washington music scene has never recovered.
Jackie is famous in her own right. A major player in the dental industry, Tacoma residents are refusing to go to the dentist now that she is no longer here to hold patients hands and extend her tender, loving comfort to them. The tooth decay problem has been greatly exacerbated as a result of her exodus.
However, the city of Cuenca has gained from Tacoma’s loss. José Cuervo, the manager of Chipotle’s Two For One Cocktail Bar is thrilled that the couple have arrived in Cuenca. José said his bar is flourishing as never before. In fact patrons have flocked to Chipotle’s from all over Cuenca and beyond just to meet the Kapericks, who always greet them with a margarita in each hand.
Dennis has been delighting his new Cuencan fan base by making musical appearances in local restaurants and major religious institutions. While Jackie is becoming famous for her spectacular cuisine and is developing a ravenous band of groupies. When interviewed, all their neighbors were of the same mind. They giggled like goo-goo eyed school girls as they squealed "We’re just crazy about the Kapericks. We’re so lucky they chose to live in our building!" Throngs of admirers often wait impatiently for them to exit the building so they can get their autographs.
Cuenca, known for their frequent parades, is preparing for a ‘Bienvenida, Glad You’re Here Señores Kaperick’ parade. The facial reproduction masks of Jackie and Dennis are flying off the shelves. There was a near riot at a local tienda when they were temporarily sold out. Cuenca Mayor Marcelo Cabrera will be presenting them with The Golden Maraca, Ecuadorians’s version of the key to the city.
When asked how the Kaperick’s plan to celebrate their anniversary, they smiled broadly as they responded, "we plan on partying of course!"

TO DENNIS AND JACKIE

¡HAVE A SPECTACULAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!

     

Carnival has been in full swing since last Thursday night. Ecuador loves to celebrate....just give them a reason. This year to discourage dousing unsuspecting and/or unwilling innocent bystanders, there is a new 'no dousing' law. It comes with a $7 fine and 'several hours' in jail. The police say it is hard to levy consequences to offenders though because the offenders 'run too fast.'
We had a 'fat Sunday' party so we wouldn't be left out of the festivities. Good food, good friends, good times. Here are some picks.

Shoulda seen it comin! But didn't. Now I've gotten roped into playing at church services on Sunday. Hope the structure doesn't implode when I enter.
So things are busy around here; Spanish, eating, exploring, visiting, music. I do enjoy the quiet retired life.
Here are more pics from the Christmas parade. We have carnivale coming up soon. Ecuador loves a party, and I'm not talking politics.

Here are some more Cuenca Christmas parade pics.