Preparations

We have been busy making preparations for the end of the trip.  We go to Guayaquil on 10/24.   We leave from there to Galapagos on 10/25. We will return to Cuenca on 10/29. We will be in Cuenca until 11/7.  We then will spend 12 days on the coast. We have rented a beautiful condo in Salinas. It is a bit more populated place than we would have liked but it is off season, so shouldn't be too bad. It s convenient for travel.  We will have all our stuff with us.  We didn't want to be hauling all over the coast. We will be in Quito from 11/19 - 11/22.  We leave for Columbia on 11/23. We will spend a week with Valen's family and head back to the US on 11/29.

Today we are getting ready for tonights show.  Mi maestro is performing a a local club. I had my hair cut, very nicely, for $4.00.  Becky is getting the works. Haircut, manicure, pedicure and brow shaping (whatever that is). Her bill is $15.00.  We are going for a late dinner at one of the nicer places in Cuenca and then on to the show. I think I need a nap.  Cuenca's independence day fiesta is 11/2 and 11/3.  My teacher is performing in that, as well. Apparently, there is music, dancing and whatever, all over town all day and night. Our spanish teacher says it is impossible to sleep those nights. We will be in town for that.  Should be fun.

We are going pretty hard with the Spanish now.  Next  week is our last week. We asked Dora to try and complete our book (it is very small, but good).  We have had mucha tarea (homework).  It has been keeping us busy. I have been focusing on learning traditional canciones en la guitarra. It is very different. Learning a lot.

Better go brush up on the salsa dancing.