We even used two different Realtors to look around the city. There wasn't a lot of furnished condos or houses available so we were getting concerned. We had to be out of our rental not later then the 14th of December. Then, a friend (an Expat) that I had met at lunch and who has lived in South America for over 10 years asked the front desk about units in our building. Well, it just so happened a unit by an owner was coming available. We received the phone number of a local lady and Ed talked with her. It turned out that her sister & brother-in-law own the condo and live in Orlando.
We made an appointment to view the condo with the lady here in Cuenca (she was helping her sister rent the place). The condo was located on the 8th floor in our building and on the east side of the building, overlooking the city center. It was further in the back of the building off the main street. Ed and I both liked what we saw and was able to get a 6th month lease. The unit is smaller then our first unit but we liked being off the main street.
We started moving our stuff from the 13th floor down to the 8th floor and getting settled. The building has several shopping carts available for use in the garage area. You can drive down and park your car or have your taxi drop you off in the garage to carry your groceries up in the carts on the elevators, really makes life easy. We have a device to open the garage security gates to allow us to have a taxi drop us off in the garage.
Anyway, we started taking loads down and putting the stuff away. Right in the middle of the move, Ed & I went on a two day tour with a local travel company. It was what we needed and really had a great time and made new Gringo friends.
The only hitch in the whole move was getting our Internet hooked up. We had to have someone come to us and we signed a contract for the service we wanted then waited..... It took a week before they arrived for a 5 minute installation job. But, now we have Internet and all settled.
Taken at the front door - looking into the living room and dining area. The kitchen is off to the right of the dining room. We just bought the new 52 inch TV and stand for our new home.
Looking back into the living room and the front door. Ed is enjoying one of our new recliners we bought for our comfort. The majority of furniture is low to the floor and not built with comfort for a western in mind.
The dining room with a beautiful Eastern view of the city
Our view of down town Cuenca with the beautiful blue dome of the church in the Central part of the old city.
Our office with a large eastern facing window that provided lots of light for Ed while he is writing. We also had to use part of this room for the extra part of the sofa we didn't want in the living room
Guest Bathroom just off from the family room
Our guest bedroom isn't ready yet for guests. I have to wash all the bedding and put my clothes away. Also, there is more extra furniture in this room until I can store it in our storage unit in the basement.
Master bedroom
Master bedroom with built in closets - Ed claimed them and I have my clothes in another room
Master bathroom
Well, we are settled again and now can go about exploring our new city. We have so much to learn about this country and enjoy each and every day. We are now excited about taking another tour within Ecuador to the Rain Forest area in January.
We have already planned our three week visit to the States to visit family & friends in late February & March. I have already bought our airline tickets for a three week trip to southern Spain in early September. We have visited Spain five times before but have not been there for ages and are excited about visiting one of our favorite parts again.
Love & best wishes for making your dreams come true,
Peggy
No comments:
Post a Comment