Computer problems yesterday. Becky was able to work without wireless today.  Wireless is back tonight. We are trying to settle into a routine.  Yesterday, we took care of some apartment problems.  In the process we met the owner of the apartment. She is very nice. Her whole family is living in the complex.  Can't get too wild, I guess.  She is, temporarily  living outside the city for reasons to complicated to relate. But a good thing for her and us.

Monica (the owner) provided some insights on what is happening in Ecuador ( and I think in Latin America - see the latest addition of National Geographic).  The two spousal earner family has become the norm. This has raised the standard of living. However, it is putting stress on the traditional family structure.  She is a psychotherapist  and is seeing the effects.  There is a lower birth rate.  The family structure with large families is eroding with consequences throughout the generations. The obvious increased standard of living is really changing a cultural identity.

Meanwhile we are studying hard.  We think this course will be the right fit for us.   Becky has been busy with work this week. I have been doing some exploring  in the meantime. We hope to start doing some excursions this weekend and after.  Our teacher is giving us a lot of insights into the local scene, so we should be able to experience more of the Cuenca life as we go onwards.  We are in the nosebleed section of the school building.  I will post an outside picture. I plan to take the camera in an take some shots of the school.  It is pretty cool, except we nearly collapse by the time we get to our classroom.

I will try to provide some reflections as we go along. I think I am the tallest person in Ecuador, certainly Quenca.  Becky doesn't stick out as bad, but is tall for this city. It is bad enough that we are big, white and dorky.  But  for me to look like I belong on an NBA team is disconcerting. What is worse is siting down at restaurant.  I feel like I am at my third grade desk. They don't build furniture for gringos in this country. My feet stick out into the next aisle. At least, I probably am some comic relief for the locals.