Beautiful day in Cuenca (until a shower hit late this afternoon).  Today was clean up day along the river and in the park across from the river. A bunch of people in orange jumpsuits were picking up.  I think they were the young people training for track events yesterday.

There is a peculiar thing about greetings in Ecuador. In the morning, it is customary to say 'buenos' and not buenos dias.  In the afternoon or evening, they say 'buenos tardes' or 'buenos noches'. I have been saying buenos dias, in the morning,  and getting looks like I was from Mexico or something.

In the park, the other day, I was walking and encountered an elderly Ecuadoriano. He was very stately with pressed trousers, white shirt, sweater, beret and groomed mustache.  Plus, a half bottle of cologne.
He had the old person shuffle, but was out there anyway. When I met him on the track, I said ' buenos dias".  He looked at me, predictably, curiously and said  'buenos' but he smiled.

Today, I met him again, on the track. I say 'buenos' and he says 'buenos dias'.  We both smile.  I think we both connected in our own way.  I hope he went home and told his wife that the gringo was catching on.

Another strange sight in the park. A young man was practicing some sort of asian fighting moves. He had a basic step.  From that step he propelled himself into unbelievable positions.  At one point, he planted his feet, twisted to the side turned totally around and fell to the ground.  His feet didn't move. He ended up with his hands and head facing the opposite direction from his feet.  I am sure I saw it , but the altitude does crazy things to gringos.

We visited some interesting museums today.  With the shower approaching, we headed back to the hotel. Practiced some Spanish on the covered veranda.  Tomorrow is our move to the apartment. We are looking forward to it. We are in a great location, with beautiful views at the hotel.  However, to get to the old town, we have to climb the hill behind the hotel.  There are 90 steps up the hill.  Fortunately, it is terraced. I labor up this hill while watching little kids run up it with no problem.  If we were going to stay here any longer, I was going to start naming the steps so I would know how close we were to the top. Promise to get some pictures in soon.