Accomplishments during our first week in Cuenca

Here is the scope of what we have been doing during our first week in Cuenca:

• Walked and walked and walked around Cuenca to see where things are located and to get our spatial bearings.

• Walked from our apartment to the “centro” on 3 different routes.

• Learned a bit more about where to buy food in our immediate vicinity and have stocked up a BIT. 

• Learned to use the Cuenca bus system (25 cents per ride anywhere in the city), and we’ve taken the bus a few times and arrived at our desired location (whew).

• Learned how to ask a taxi driver “how much to get to . . . “ and to use the taxis (no tipping unless the taxi driver carries some bags for you).

• Signed up for Spanish classes and have taken the first couple of them.

• Checked out some of the food and artisan markets in town.

• Made arrangements to go to Galapagos the first week in February.

• Made arrangements with a travel agent to do some tours in the immediate vicinity of Cuenca.

• Gone to three ex-pat social events and met tons of cool people from all over the US and Canada.

• Slept and ate (sometimes at home, sometimes at restaurants -- the eating, that is).

• Had intestinal distress once (Julie)

• Gone out running a couple of times (Harold)