tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22386919921356270602024-02-21T23:55:48.004-05:00Thomas goes to EcuadorThis blog documents the experiences with my move from Switzerland/Germany to Cuenca in Ecuador.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-54732786702502172842011-06-10T00:34:00.001-05:002011-06-10T00:39:41.703-05:00La Yunta Photo ModelsSince today the weather was very nice again, I thought it would be nice to take some pictures of our farm. Here you go…<br />
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The pigs were not aware that today is a photo shoot day. I guess, they would have had a bath otherwise.<br />
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We have 6 new chicks. They are adorable and very friendly. The love my shoes apparently.<br />
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The older chicken are getting fat and more relaxed. You can approach them and they stay put.<br />
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The 2 cocks are cool. Whenever one of the neighbor’s cocks come around, we have a bit of a fight. So far, La Yunta won most times. Inspired by that, I placed one of the figures that we sell in the garden and waited to see what would happen. The cock took quite a while until he figured out that the potential enemy was made of wood.<br />
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If coolness was judged, our rabbits definitely would win any prize. They don’t only have the coolest house around but are just the happiest and jolliest in our little farm. Since the sickness is cured, they are now awaiting some more members of their little Playboy family. Their mansion has a balcony that fits 3 rabbits (they love it), 3 living floors, Hef’s private bedroom, La Gruta (the cave) and some smaller rooms to hide away and do whatever bunnies do in private.<br />
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Our geese are growing up and settling in very nicely as well. That is partly good. A side effect of this is that they are getting very confident and protective with the surrounding they live in. They behave a bit like dogs. If you cross their terrain, they don’t really appreciate that. I hope that they will get used to the fact that we live in the same space and that they will not attack any of our customers. If they do, they will be put into the oven. Yummy :) However, they make a bloody good appearance on camera.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEpYQVrWwAfp_KBgUcbJFCcXxa7DNC2Tu6POIRzsWlTBNWAcPQEDp2DLJU-k8_jz5B4pI0Y1xAf3lksoRpbWA9pOO9zpqAh2dQIFxbgcQtM7jbRfZqGHDGO2FKwbPMiB_oZCYGWuqPiwt/s1600/DSC01816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEpYQVrWwAfp_KBgUcbJFCcXxa7DNC2Tu6POIRzsWlTBNWAcPQEDp2DLJU-k8_jz5B4pI0Y1xAf3lksoRpbWA9pOO9zpqAh2dQIFxbgcQtM7jbRfZqGHDGO2FKwbPMiB_oZCYGWuqPiwt/s640/DSC01816.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Finally, the cows. They are slightly boring. Eating, drinking and shitting all day. Anyway, they are nice and funny at times as well. Here is a picture where Miss Holstein tries to taste my camera. She only missed it by an inch or so.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBu4qxKE2HutADKTCmsMSXUE4tGUN_MPFsUTAr8S6oiKkKH4VtMzxViLqvcVwODA4-u_ShChZ-GhM2HIqMyU2PD3J4r6Hba1IifLXlD3DrJsis_fwI2W52oOpYyXLzBuIU8nwJcT16jdj/s1600/DSC01914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBu4qxKE2HutADKTCmsMSXUE4tGUN_MPFsUTAr8S6oiKkKH4VtMzxViLqvcVwODA4-u_ShChZ-GhM2HIqMyU2PD3J4r6Hba1IifLXlD3DrJsis_fwI2W52oOpYyXLzBuIU8nwJcT16jdj/s640/DSC01914.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRbc3cDeTbUWk1nXyF350SK90tYEixc8jYKcpmGRg4s70ED_8MzA5MuEW12d2phXWwpxg_pZvaQUzKuTFuPLpXzW6ah1YQ8kU3yrn6ANBiDjwFpVGKo1GFmHtz7rtO_ce1CgNPajFr5uP/s1600/DSC01912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRbc3cDeTbUWk1nXyF350SK90tYEixc8jYKcpmGRg4s70ED_8MzA5MuEW12d2phXWwpxg_pZvaQUzKuTFuPLpXzW6ah1YQ8kU3yrn6ANBiDjwFpVGKo1GFmHtz7rtO_ce1CgNPajFr5uP/s640/DSC01912.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-74135656061504373912011-06-06T08:07:00.002-05:002011-06-06T08:07:40.919-05:00Amazing weekendHaving a bit of a negative touch in my previous post, I have all reasons to cheer up. We had the most amazing weekend in our business. No problems, great food delivery, a very busy shop with constant sales and great weather. Really nothing to wish for more.<br />
We have reached 300 friends on our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002087947952">Facebook page</a> and have received the first orders and reservations via that page.<br />
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Now, I will enjoy my free day with great sunshine again :)Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-15353015178032856862011-06-02T23:24:00.000-05:002011-06-02T23:24:35.073-05:00Rain, dead bunnies and a private changeHi again,<br />
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I have decided to use the time of low business to keep my blog up-to-date. I can write while being in La Yunta and just copy the text to the blog at nights. Hope you’ll get more information like that :)<br />
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After more than 2 months of the business running, I can share some of the experiences we had with our business. We have seen some very good days – usually Sundays – and also some very low trading days. Those are during the week and seem to be not really foreseeable. Today is one of those. The weather is not very pleasant, it’s raining a lot and people seem to rather stay at home than travel towards the south. Some may be put off by our car park and the low temperatures we have in our restaurant. Having said that, we have put measures in place to solve both. Yesterday, we bought a truck load of gravel (14 cubic meters) to make our car park really nice and clean. Customers can now enter without getting their feet wet and dirty. It was long needed and is a great improvement. Also the temperature is now under control with two gas heaters, each with 4 kilowatts of heat production. It’s getting cozy :)<br />
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Our little farm has been extended. We now have rabbits and gees. Unfortunately, the some of the rabbits have not survived for a long time. We first thought that the biggest male is killing the little ones but now feel that some disease has killed the poor bunnies. The latest dead bunny is currently at the vet for autopsy. Hopefully, he will find the cause of the deaths.<br />
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Many of our customers are still first time visitors. We receive very good feedback on both, the goods we offer in the shop as well as our food offering. So, all good there. Also, we have already developed a good number of frequent customers. Our furniture is continuing to be the biggest driver of shop sales. We have thought about extending our business to furniture production, although this would be a big step and we are not sure it’s worth the effort. We’ll see.<br />
I believe that currently the weather is the biggest harm to our business. Once it gets a bit more steady with longer intervals of sunshine, we should see the business improving as well.<br />
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On the personal side, I have very exiting days and weeks behind me. The most important part of my private life has been impacted by the fact that I got engaged with my girlfriend. Yes! I am getting married in October! What a change in my life. Not only the move from Europe to Ecuador but this. I am over the moon.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQUBv2GucBSMNeZcnfGPrtmjFzJwpy5cp2wpWsMAelmjFUZovG7l9xmXlG5k1FH_iVCahIHWwBva7bt0PdllnVh7P_ZLINrMVBYDWI3sNjQ1N-XHU2tfe83a7bBGTXn8QswtjWRy-b_XJ/s1600/dsc01711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQUBv2GucBSMNeZcnfGPrtmjFzJwpy5cp2wpWsMAelmjFUZovG7l9xmXlG5k1FH_iVCahIHWwBva7bt0PdllnVh7P_ZLINrMVBYDWI3sNjQ1N-XHU2tfe83a7bBGTXn8QswtjWRy-b_XJ/s640/dsc01711.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jim and Sole threw us a surprise champagne round to celebrate our engagement. Nice!</div><br />
Also, my father came over for a 2 week visit and we were travelling a couple of days through the mountains and to the rain forest. The country is continuing to impress me. It’s so beautiful and has so much to offer. Apart from these great news, I have started again to play football. Every Wednesday night from 9 to 11 PM, a group of work colleagues and their friends are playing the so-called “indoors”, which is a 3/4th size football pitch with artificial grass and a roof over it to cover from the rain. It was quite tough for me, not having done any sports for almost 6 months at the high of 2.500m – but I will get used to it and manage to add to the game. Yesterday, I was most of the time in the goal to not push my luck too much.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-20545026327785215582011-05-26T18:40:00.010-05:002011-06-10T00:54:14.734-05:0020.000 km in 3 months on a bikeWe had the first motorbikers in for a lunch stop. They started their trip in Alaska and are making their way down south on all of the Panamericana. 20.000 km on a bike. I guess you have to be slightly mad to do that in only 3 months. Anyway, the guys appeared to be of good mental health and we had a nice chat on some of their experiences. As much as they would have liked to buy some souvenirs in our shop, their cargo capacities were a bit limited, so they had a burger and some local delicacies instead, and took off again.<br />
The most amazing thing for me was the fact that they only travel through South America with the map you see on the picture below. Cool.<br />
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They have a blog and gave me their (tiny) card but I currently can't find it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_3-M1SgdBBZQSHzKeTM9m4t92T43A9kZsQCM1C-yHKZziaHcL3WBOjFwc0Jju_4uTf7ypgcJXebTIwZSSAMesGKhW6lyrx48W7e4snW8NoV6a2f99_uO5YOKAvr6hV9yBDt2B72YkOUe/s1600/DSC01693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_3-M1SgdBBZQSHzKeTM9m4t92T43A9kZsQCM1C-yHKZziaHcL3WBOjFwc0Jju_4uTf7ypgcJXebTIwZSSAMesGKhW6lyrx48W7e4snW8NoV6a2f99_uO5YOKAvr6hV9yBDt2B72YkOUe/s640/DSC01693.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-28558993767481373872011-04-23T19:42:00.001-05:002011-04-23T19:51:42.985-05:00Main business update<div class="MsoNormal">Hi all,</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s been such a long time since my last update that I really feel a bid guilty. Many of the readers here have contacted me by mail, Facebook and other means. The main reason for not posting was the fact that I didn’t have internet in my apartment as it seems to be very difficult to get hold of a decent internet supplier that actually delivers what they promise. Anyway, I am connected now and should be able to supply you with information about what is going on here.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">First things first: we opened La Yunta in the second half of March. This means that we have been operating for more than a month now and it has been a fine ride so far. Today was by far the best selling day so far with many people stopping to buy Easter presents and treats for themselves. We had twice the revenue of our previously strongest day. Very promising. We will see if tomorrow – Easter Sunday will be equally successful.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
You can find nice pictures of our products on our Facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Yunta/156723457721646?sk=wall#%21/profile.php?id=100002087947952&sk=photos">Link</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I really don’t regret having come to Cuenca for the business. We are constantly promoting our business and will have the first 2 big events next Friday and Saturday. On the 29<sup>th</sup> of April we will have a large group of English expats with the official UK representative in Cuenca to air the royal wedding in the UK. We offer Fish & Chips and other English delicacies along with Grant’s whiskey and beer. Should be a fun evening for our guests and ourselves. Saturday will mark the most important date in our short company history. We will host our official opening party with more than 250 invited guests. Surely, not all will show up but we will have a very busy time and should see some media coverage of our event in the press that day. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In terms of products that we offer, we have moved our main focus a little bid towards farm decoration and furniture. The latter has sold amazingly well in the last couple of weeks and we are very happy about that. Also antique decoration sells really well. We currently have a 250 year old oil barrel, a large wine barrel (sold today) and a semi-complete copper distillery on show. The prices are very high but the people are nonetheless interested and I am sure we will move this stock quickly. The best part of those products is that we sell those on commission. So we did not need to buy before selling. Nice for our cash-flow ;) </div><div class="MsoNormal">Our kitchen is also doing well. Their performance has stabilized after a few starting issues and after a reorganization all is running smooth now. At peak times (weekends) we have 3 professional chefs operating the 9 flames and 2 fryers in the kitchen with the help of one help who washes the plates and prepares the yummy fresh juices that we offer.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now I will find some pictures that show what has happened over the last months.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UBvLnAgBV8W0SdvLwJJSriRZ__9GZ0CSUVLDoRp2pkFDfrCRS-7dV0Wwe22ITSuGDfFi3ewGAEuCiMIFqq2iYdKPR5_uNKRFzmE4T__6K3hUOcNuiEL4eERVfB7sHi2X3WPbArybrrFB/s1600/dsc01202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UBvLnAgBV8W0SdvLwJJSriRZ__9GZ0CSUVLDoRp2pkFDfrCRS-7dV0Wwe22ITSuGDfFi3ewGAEuCiMIFqq2iYdKPR5_uNKRFzmE4T__6K3hUOcNuiEL4eERVfB7sHi2X3WPbArybrrFB/s640/dsc01202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Jim </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsj7komP4tLR1VwU3HfdAPjVctzF-5aPED8CGI-EGKS0O3B260suPzXcKrYKev6wnWFwPY7BaqwqAtafhYHDuZS1e8Hku12SKAeea7TwgSyG_XO2PKUxyQmAt-rrdiJLh4QJwdQVnpwlc8/s1600/dsc01204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsj7komP4tLR1VwU3HfdAPjVctzF-5aPED8CGI-EGKS0O3B260suPzXcKrYKev6wnWFwPY7BaqwqAtafhYHDuZS1e8Hku12SKAeea7TwgSyG_XO2PKUxyQmAt-rrdiJLh4QJwdQVnpwlc8/s640/dsc01204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A look into the shop </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_cVvyQG4ckk9rmX3n0TDxXQ1W73cE39nl-uQy_IcVQJH9KwALxZxaDDYo3qTw_tnLV_SwqmCjQu_6b_noqgPRelKzQ3APIB60P-5lRBwCiEOjro0zsYC-32jVZKERRY_hOFO4RdfEJAL/s1600/dsc01210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_cVvyQG4ckk9rmX3n0TDxXQ1W73cE39nl-uQy_IcVQJH9KwALxZxaDDYo3qTw_tnLV_SwqmCjQu_6b_noqgPRelKzQ3APIB60P-5lRBwCiEOjro0zsYC-32jVZKERRY_hOFO4RdfEJAL/s640/dsc01210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wines and decoration </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2cUhiVNYc3ofMwpiC-fgeUCI4rvnTeqB9DVwaORX8kppa0u29dk4qyg_DBA7W6gY6E79BRnUpDovpvgYADNtyqzaoucZ4RDtEa0Vi3s3QYepeqxWrskqehzeYsgvSDVYexk7Jo6_ry2p/s1600/dsc01211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2cUhiVNYc3ofMwpiC-fgeUCI4rvnTeqB9DVwaORX8kppa0u29dk4qyg_DBA7W6gY6E79BRnUpDovpvgYADNtyqzaoucZ4RDtEa0Vi3s3QYepeqxWrskqehzeYsgvSDVYexk7Jo6_ry2p/s640/dsc01211.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitraMRLnhcnkZvMGWnoaud6wohpFoQl0U1hQGTMSrz0-hvmyzKIzgX8BYOg29tojkqj3OD4vlfTI08vt7ZLue2KFmXmicL5VRofsDpwH-tt6oDAIUSoywnUog7dUGiTfd0hr4nuBy118Bl/s1600/dsc01218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitraMRLnhcnkZvMGWnoaud6wohpFoQl0U1hQGTMSrz0-hvmyzKIzgX8BYOg29tojkqj3OD4vlfTI08vt7ZLue2KFmXmicL5VRofsDpwH-tt6oDAIUSoywnUog7dUGiTfd0hr4nuBy118Bl/s640/dsc01218.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyXaM5QzbLU4sw69tPtuhoRdbndYNG0be6-NENNnd2IxPW7nd4TlVt1Ad4Q7aN9rXPPXH20vcC-qy0u8pXQi7qOx3uSQFeohLnbG41iiCnTpvxHYqYZ3puaQVIEiOkT10rf7m61VWRToD/s1600/dsc01219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyXaM5QzbLU4sw69tPtuhoRdbndYNG0be6-NENNnd2IxPW7nd4TlVt1Ad4Q7aN9rXPPXH20vcC-qy0u8pXQi7qOx3uSQFeohLnbG41iiCnTpvxHYqYZ3puaQVIEiOkT10rf7m61VWRToD/s640/dsc01219.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikF9JO2Wj-RrKi_AqlFaAGFK19pEBGZhAi5g1aEIMDjkAqqVtBr7HkjsIBsRNJba6L-ityywnTtphSsz6Say4BLlUFXU_zqOVYiBo1iuy7xOCW_3Ii-4UX1KRWTTin9kadschyphenhyphen1VfqU-55/s1600/dsc01223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikF9JO2Wj-RrKi_AqlFaAGFK19pEBGZhAi5g1aEIMDjkAqqVtBr7HkjsIBsRNJba6L-ityywnTtphSsz6Say4BLlUFXU_zqOVYiBo1iuy7xOCW_3Ii-4UX1KRWTTin9kadschyphenhyphen1VfqU-55/s640/dsc01223.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Coffees and sweets</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeYb0vMjfgnJCEYxKvBllkIca6TJ9xWbS06BWO2EQDf-NBK5BbjANJakN1YxN-cZfx4Gsdu0Y9QOUc3fJH_FlHCkChj1bBcMojFATc2fz42mrcNIww_zJARVRZQ4e2TAUIx8RULIBpZy0/s1600/dsc01224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeYb0vMjfgnJCEYxKvBllkIca6TJ9xWbS06BWO2EQDf-NBK5BbjANJakN1YxN-cZfx4Gsdu0Y9QOUc3fJH_FlHCkChj1bBcMojFATc2fz42mrcNIww_zJARVRZQ4e2TAUIx8RULIBpZy0/s640/dsc01224.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Juan Carlos - barman and shop assistent. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisx1FlbbSnOgtaMCTF2_e2DibiulJzzTSMmWB2nKK_B0Cjvh4X_TeT-o2EEpalxeAZDnAb6lRPLC7Au0q6gq-1XVeQoXQpXk8m3ac5Wq2CsHESQRAHhMTvLgEYDzIAy4SPunScONk6tqRV/s1600/dsc01226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisx1FlbbSnOgtaMCTF2_e2DibiulJzzTSMmWB2nKK_B0Cjvh4X_TeT-o2EEpalxeAZDnAb6lRPLC7Au0q6gq-1XVeQoXQpXk8m3ac5Wq2CsHESQRAHhMTvLgEYDzIAy4SPunScONk6tqRV/s640/dsc01226.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Part of the restaurant. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbLHzsdvtXGUMedtHX8NoWTpE9WDehwx52PxCqYGTNreaiDaMaNYgs1okzw9yyxgaiqTQRN8alHAZNuA9MiTqW1osqAf73qcuPoMQ5b7baBYJaekbdTv0g41IOH64Cry1P7iYlCQYQy18/s1600/dsc01229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbLHzsdvtXGUMedtHX8NoWTpE9WDehwx52PxCqYGTNreaiDaMaNYgs1okzw9yyxgaiqTQRN8alHAZNuA9MiTqW1osqAf73qcuPoMQ5b7baBYJaekbdTv0g41IOH64Cry1P7iYlCQYQy18/s640/dsc01229.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A peak into the kitchen...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6oEb-AA1vczHAfyhXxlKjCte3OIm4C__A0uDINRgpuQm1C81SGp2iSUAJMsi825jIX2zpAPPem0eMNqJ2vtq4zkOzBev1Rt9QxGE5iaU47GjJk5J-xkkUHmxQoUuc-W7jVklKUf051jk/s1600/dsc01233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6oEb-AA1vczHAfyhXxlKjCte3OIm4C__A0uDINRgpuQm1C81SGp2iSUAJMsi825jIX2zpAPPem0eMNqJ2vtq4zkOzBev1Rt9QxGE5iaU47GjJk5J-xkkUHmxQoUuc-W7jVklKUf051jk/s640/dsc01233.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our church and fire station - home of 10 chickens and 2 cocks. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36U7P2fz5KddvRiSYv_K-x198PGV4rvz72VphrRFBzTnvrMnqTtC9XwzBoAcuYZWWrCK_ETG-pC_dnZKHUIl1Ufoex8vy0efKyc18tQAA2orVNrw2Dxl6_6G9ClegyWB9t0aABOphaTIN/s1600/dsc01254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36U7P2fz5KddvRiSYv_K-x198PGV4rvz72VphrRFBzTnvrMnqTtC9XwzBoAcuYZWWrCK_ETG-pC_dnZKHUIl1Ufoex8vy0efKyc18tQAA2orVNrw2Dxl6_6G9ClegyWB9t0aABOphaTIN/s640/dsc01254.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A bit of relaxing in our garden after a busy day... </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xkj7kF7LL9X0KxEhxtheTZz1qj4t8LZ6vMhQ9pSi1nkIgIZfJhpl4eLaSVf8DBkaapa-_N6QP8Qawr1pXABEQp9EYAQOEwYZa4U0KXzT0i91pVV2VU8KXrpqLWNdC_YfFU1l4IhxdsM4/s1600/dsc01258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xkj7kF7LL9X0KxEhxtheTZz1qj4t8LZ6vMhQ9pSi1nkIgIZfJhpl4eLaSVf8DBkaapa-_N6QP8Qawr1pXABEQp9EYAQOEwYZa4U0KXzT0i91pVV2VU8KXrpqLWNdC_YfFU1l4IhxdsM4/s640/dsc01258.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mr. and Mrs. Porky </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RFgeDi8WZuUD0DVbNTZvuRVbyFKebCBlZQjDDU4ibDElrk3LWaez9wTcyKv_MVpKLitacSmOdM39znUf7tzQrvuWdRcCTVFwdn4dUiVrusUnUH8pEMyhXG7I-bg4uXNtltd1eL2hlpY9/s1600/dsc01264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RFgeDi8WZuUD0DVbNTZvuRVbyFKebCBlZQjDDU4ibDElrk3LWaez9wTcyKv_MVpKLitacSmOdM39znUf7tzQrvuWdRcCTVFwdn4dUiVrusUnUH8pEMyhXG7I-bg4uXNtltd1eL2hlpY9/s640/dsc01264.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The first time all seats are occupied. That Sunday, we had to send quite a few guests away as we had no more capacity. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Mha7wnr742pfLuw8rs1mKFCBnG2KRCifNE_Xc5n5PD7S9c0u7awYHkXe7LftqBcF1o3GVK8d_dBbes_Hpmmd2n_dXwwBkWlwGbngz7DztiSx-xBe5ENxWVuHO4oNUyxiSQwd8eK9IAD7/s1600/dsc01266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Mha7wnr742pfLuw8rs1mKFCBnG2KRCifNE_Xc5n5PD7S9c0u7awYHkXe7LftqBcF1o3GVK8d_dBbes_Hpmmd2n_dXwwBkWlwGbngz7DztiSx-xBe5ENxWVuHO4oNUyxiSQwd8eK9IAD7/s640/dsc01266.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My car has now advertising on it. And some off-road experience. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_iTexCpWQ7PthnJhpnpTswO-bydWBT5Z59KMDya9uiyL0RRz_GIOpDi3l7I0mNPdgf347mE1R5r5lEbUoCR_FS-kYSZ7kwhJhhmYRWyrFtaLOLs65U41J8GgqQY4o_0YAx1GneB-YeRT/s1600/dsc01269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_iTexCpWQ7PthnJhpnpTswO-bydWBT5Z59KMDya9uiyL0RRz_GIOpDi3l7I0mNPdgf347mE1R5r5lEbUoCR_FS-kYSZ7kwhJhhmYRWyrFtaLOLs65U41J8GgqQY4o_0YAx1GneB-YeRT/s640/dsc01269.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Building the pig house... </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRnK0jEkf1V3l2L1MGN9zTP42Ajp6WwSmbWqp1ORFTzUJO4IeN8UkiLtbpS7FPPdgUrpTOcssuy3zsRUgPlFaaWy7CYIIxoFnIOlDqaQSP_r7JtpLg2Rg_b3c-bqfRf3A5eiIY6yy-I4o/s1600/dsc01276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRnK0jEkf1V3l2L1MGN9zTP42Ajp6WwSmbWqp1ORFTzUJO4IeN8UkiLtbpS7FPPdgUrpTOcssuy3zsRUgPlFaaWy7CYIIxoFnIOlDqaQSP_r7JtpLg2Rg_b3c-bqfRf3A5eiIY6yy-I4o/s640/dsc01276.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Leonardo working with the chili sauce - he is our Colombian contingent, making La Yunta a 4-nationality team.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasVCfhnZF19426p0EXqvvPDsDyEoD5tkXzK5JzL1cLisMfhQ2EFQfWwL1i6W-jIu56bAoihQwpplvEi5ZFQFJfIp1WOgfR-a_mM-CrGr9zDVxT-a65dZERpWQEMPbGmvzXjm1kIWk3efv/s1600/dsc01279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasVCfhnZF19426p0EXqvvPDsDyEoD5tkXzK5JzL1cLisMfhQ2EFQfWwL1i6W-jIu56bAoihQwpplvEi5ZFQFJfIp1WOgfR-a_mM-CrGr9zDVxT-a65dZERpWQEMPbGmvzXjm1kIWk3efv/s640/dsc01279.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We sponsored a local rodeo...</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-83064106585859809742011-02-24T08:45:00.000-05:002011-02-24T08:45:44.692-05:00Many news, little timeHi everyone.<br />
I had quite a few emails and phone calls to ask how I am as there were no updates to my blog over the last 2 weeks. First of all, I am really fine. Actually, I am extremely fine :)<br />
<br />
The reason for not posting anything is that I don't have internet in my new flat and am on our site all day every day. So, here is a short update on what has happened in the past 2 weeks.<br />
<br />
We had quite a few issues with our lawyer regarding the registration and formation of the company. Some of the information we have received were wrong or we didn't get the information that we needed to do official steps. Also, my visa situation is different than explained to me before. Well, anyway, we are on the way and should everything sorted within the next 2 weeks. Our company is founded and registered. More or less what is left is the tax number that we need to start trading. I will receive a work visa for one or two years as investor visas in Ecuador make absolutely no sense because you cannot use the investment (so actually it isn't one in the first place).<br />
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Construction wise, we are more or less on track. The guard's room and office is completed, the security for the windows will be done today and the bar and checkout will be finished this week.<br />
Yesterday, we started on the first chicken house. It was a lot of fun and learning. Jim's idea is to build a chicken village with fire station, police and a church. What a great idea!<br />
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Unfortunately, I misplaced/lost my camera charger, so I don't have a lot to share here. I hope to get hold of a replacement soon to be able to show you what is going on. Jim took some pictures with his camera a few days ago which I can share when I get hold of them.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-56499522357535219252011-02-09T15:21:00.000-05:002011-02-09T15:21:31.266-05:00Start of ConstructionsThe office is almost done. Next are the guard's room and the changing rooms. Those will be followed by the shower, the security measures, bar, counter, etc.... :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzUkAts-c10FrHBRl1x960KUvOXGwFLgMj74TlGM4s-Nvkn0xCp4Qb6WsLaQLtl6x1N_53TYH31TbTkGy0qrARlbfw8aMwxiwLXZ7d-9KRFC3f5MwotRW2xhm4M7-VlQIGKZUy8hGbYOb/s1600/dsc01186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzUkAts-c10FrHBRl1x960KUvOXGwFLgMj74TlGM4s-Nvkn0xCp4Qb6WsLaQLtl6x1N_53TYH31TbTkGy0qrARlbfw8aMwxiwLXZ7d-9KRFC3f5MwotRW2xhm4M7-VlQIGKZUy8hGbYOb/s640/dsc01186.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-30610038879798173062011-02-05T12:09:00.000-05:002011-02-09T12:10:24.701-05:00Shopping ToursSince we are only some weeks away from opening our business we are - besides many other things - busy with buying and organizing our initial stock. This is a fun part of the business, as you not only spend money on nice trading goods but also can have a break from the busy city life and enjoy the beautiful country. <br />
Of course, I am happy to share that with you...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxl3_2LdmGIXLXKZAtpSPM1vkXX7KZicCGQkfrOL52V5wAIYF_eAbniHs-MpTJZFg3mYn9MsbyTBPXWU5P5FUzfPbKOndBv-OaJpqc0_ooFs5_F_VrP-mR0qrGBzFvgjrgqnLHdQy0_WkV/s1600/dsc01154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxl3_2LdmGIXLXKZAtpSPM1vkXX7KZicCGQkfrOL52V5wAIYF_eAbniHs-MpTJZFg3mYn9MsbyTBPXWU5P5FUzfPbKOndBv-OaJpqc0_ooFs5_F_VrP-mR0qrGBzFvgjrgqnLHdQy0_WkV/s640/dsc01154.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-75642648119754481252011-02-02T11:19:00.003-05:002011-02-09T11:54:04.308-05:00New FlatIt was time to find something of my own to live in. And so I did :)<br />
It is a furnished apartment in a nice part of town. Not directly in the center but very close to it. It's a 5 minute walk to the stadium, if you care to look on the map of Cuenca.<br />
Since it is in the 5th floor of a 6 store building, I have a very nice view over Cuenca, including great sunrises and sunsets :)<br />
Here are some pictures...<br />
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</a></div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-58635946116417486442011-02-01T23:48:00.000-05:002011-02-01T23:48:30.882-05:00Logo Competition ResultAnd the winner is... <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeqrAmhC-Fh5ZQXrK-bup31DPiSm6FUsw3wCaHFkqyKKtx699TnUX4rFFZPbOOFTWMfwYObrS-KP9IgHdOcnrqTW6vhBvGGHu5ULAXC8zY-oZrFshMU1CSbpqGpVMaQFap2jk6TcueK0z/s1600/201102020121445452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeqrAmhC-Fh5ZQXrK-bup31DPiSm6FUsw3wCaHFkqyKKtx699TnUX4rFFZPbOOFTWMfwYObrS-KP9IgHdOcnrqTW6vhBvGGHu5ULAXC8zY-oZrFshMU1CSbpqGpVMaQFap2jk6TcueK0z/s1600/201102020121445452.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">For some applications, we wanted to have a logo with a border, so we have selected this version as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCde-F_ALqD4ugEq0LGfmDUWtTM6wTXjGCpKwZeTCBvETRBVgtajXc6Jo6ugjOVJCjE5CnIJgXrb_wiDcmLh6dAmSTCE7mZGOq14X2WrEjmpvuOtaYTme9mjkkPh3hYjBSIVozBjlDmcw6/s1600/201102020119185452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCde-F_ALqD4ugEq0LGfmDUWtTM6wTXjGCpKwZeTCBvETRBVgtajXc6Jo6ugjOVJCjE5CnIJgXrb_wiDcmLh6dAmSTCE7mZGOq14X2WrEjmpvuOtaYTme9mjkkPh3hYjBSIVozBjlDmcw6/s1600/201102020119185452.jpg" /></a></div>I think the logo looks really nice, is simple enough to be easily recognized yet sophisticated enough to look professional. <br />
Now we can order our marketing material and some other things for which we need the logo. We will have polo shirts for the staff and long sleeve shirts for us. On the window to the kitchen we will have privacy glass with the logo cut out. It's basically a layer of thin foil from which the logo is cut out by laser. Really effective and very inexpensive. I think I don't have Jim's "ok" yet but I would also like to see the logo on our cars.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-42836440819032462212011-01-28T20:03:00.000-05:002011-01-28T20:03:27.409-05:00Shop Furniture & Logo ContestThings are moving on rather smoothly :)<br />
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Yesterday, we have ordered all of our product displays for the shop as well as the tables and chairs for the restaurant.<br />
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The product shelves look really nice. The original is only roughly 30cm deep, so we will have 20 double sets made for us. They will be accessible from both sides and have the nice rounded edges. Our shelves will have a pine finish for a slightly nicer look. We will first use them as they come from the shop and decide later if we want to paint them.<br />
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Also, we are currently running a logo design contest on <a href="http://www.48hourslogo.com/project.php?id=3658">48HoursLogo.com</a>. If you are good at that, feel free to take part. It still runs 2 days.<br />
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Finally, we are closing in on the products. It's great to see the support we get from some of our suppliers. One actually will build a horse carriage for us to put into our shop. Should we sell it, we pay him and get a commission. If we don't, we shall use it for decoration of the entrance area. Great isn't it? Imagine the carriage decorated with seasonal things during Easter or Christmas. I can so see it! :)<br />
Other suppliers give us 30 days credit or give us free choice of selecting their products, totally on commission. Really cool, when you are starting up and have to be careful with your cash flow...Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-77652663565005880752011-01-24T18:31:00.001-05:002011-01-24T18:36:27.104-05:00My first white CarHyundai Terracan 2.9L Diesel, Automatic, 68.000km, 3.5 years old and half a year of warranty left. I like it :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARMLE7unXuoQCrRsyy442yQdbxPvtThOJItAMcbxUWq2tYqStKKT3xZW2Rn5kJcg4EaUcnY3UOXeKmSBXbLUM-tC8KmLMdmpwSIW3pPnv0giAk7eWSBjDcy8ogxPEstTAoOqiu0nn19fq/s1600/DSC01100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARMLE7unXuoQCrRsyy442yQdbxPvtThOJItAMcbxUWq2tYqStKKT3xZW2Rn5kJcg4EaUcnY3UOXeKmSBXbLUM-tC8KmLMdmpwSIW3pPnv0giAk7eWSBjDcy8ogxPEstTAoOqiu0nn19fq/s640/DSC01100.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_kcfdI0oTvzIt8GMfPmfjTHwDPOmEPMe9HPnohY0qcNkAWtRLPzUR5pvglK0k-ygM6qYZIY9XDtyOT-Dd8BukYpQsr9kiZ-FtkI22dy6y7NRcPM2GcALUIBFRTK-Mmduk5IvGx1In6OF/s1600/DSC01101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_kcfdI0oTvzIt8GMfPmfjTHwDPOmEPMe9HPnohY0qcNkAWtRLPzUR5pvglK0k-ygM6qYZIY9XDtyOT-Dd8BukYpQsr9kiZ-FtkI22dy6y7NRcPM2GcALUIBFRTK-Mmduk5IvGx1In6OF/s640/DSC01101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-70987999684602721672011-01-20T20:07:00.001-05:002011-01-20T20:13:48.015-05:00Business KickoffThere are great news :)<br />
Yesterday, we have signed a preliminary rental agreement to rent a large outlet for the duration of 4 years.<br />
It has a huge sales room, a nicely sized kitchen and restrooms. It is located just 7km south of Cuenca on the Pan-American Highway (Panamericana) towards Loja.<br />
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We will use the building for a farm supply shop and a restaurant. The shop will stock those typical items, that the farm owners buy for their farms to operate, to look nice, to feel comfortable as well as special. Although there are many shops to sell the essentials, there is no shop so far that targets this aspect of farm life, which has very much developed into representation and hosting events for family and friends. This market we want to serve with initially about 200 products - if all goes well already from March 2011. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqf84j4wee620L8KQ90EfZkpnVT1NXxqR85yqZm5wpJTVJ31i1vbMAetNhgn5NyHQ0NwAz_GwLh5GhjeNFmXCY0FtZ7XcjlGGiAc_1W-THdmCAewGwszvi863iq_XPh9JkhWM3_vk3GTPz/s1600/dsc01000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqf84j4wee620L8KQ90EfZkpnVT1NXxqR85yqZm5wpJTVJ31i1vbMAetNhgn5NyHQ0NwAz_GwLh5GhjeNFmXCY0FtZ7XcjlGGiAc_1W-THdmCAewGwszvi863iq_XPh9JkhWM3_vk3GTPz/s640/dsc01000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Behind the building, we have enough space for afternoon relaxation or having lunch in the sun (under an umbrella). </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUuVE4GfLG7GQu_DyD28PmvZseps9g9ZsmFFjQx8nZEg-apsDkMvA7Ezidq041c-fbA-GiNuUNnypAoS5L223J4hc5I8ZWOp05zB4vzq9FjquHi6bmEgoL1S0OKTL7-48H-n2gSp4y0Pc/s1600/dsc01001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUuVE4GfLG7GQu_DyD28PmvZseps9g9ZsmFFjQx8nZEg-apsDkMvA7Ezidq041c-fbA-GiNuUNnypAoS5L223J4hc5I8ZWOp05zB4vzq9FjquHi6bmEgoL1S0OKTL7-48H-n2gSp4y0Pc/s640/dsc01001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">All the land (up to the hill peak) belongs to the site and we could use it. We don't have plans yet for the upper areas but may come up with some use for it. The lower grass pitch will host some animal shelters and a lake for the ducks to be jolly in :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtJvckzE0jHWVezj25SgzRkjw0SqqpLZrmSAUXxtgdF1mqE-ofai9pdYJkSMQDy4Zia4lgNlB3wRlkWqRWh0ceqYrO3NBqgmTdgGfXThzRX-ZxKmZGJGjMCbwpwl_eDpYLWf9vGtWo4fn/s1600/dsc01002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtJvckzE0jHWVezj25SgzRkjw0SqqpLZrmSAUXxtgdF1mqE-ofai9pdYJkSMQDy4Zia4lgNlB3wRlkWqRWh0ceqYrO3NBqgmTdgGfXThzRX-ZxKmZGJGjMCbwpwl_eDpYLWf9vGtWo4fn/s640/dsc01002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The kitchen needs proper equipment. All of the stuff in the pictures will be removed by the owner. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ23ku7iW1AG1xyEE4Zep8OGvww1H4v2JpY2zIzlS3jjQD3E0fNVk80jLjLVnLrR4JctZ_i3s7bm6HDkdXd5f9d4iu1qk1J9RfHsx9rr84J21-IroknWGvuOOB0W7CyHpWbpbqkSQx2edy/s1600/dsc01003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ23ku7iW1AG1xyEE4Zep8OGvww1H4v2JpY2zIzlS3jjQD3E0fNVk80jLjLVnLrR4JctZ_i3s7bm6HDkdXd5f9d4iu1qk1J9RfHsx9rr84J21-IroknWGvuOOB0W7CyHpWbpbqkSQx2edy/s640/dsc01003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Also the restaurant area will be completely emptied. We will add our own tables, chairs and bar. The restaurant will serve lunch and early dinners with local as well as selected European specialties. The menu will be small but only with fresh products.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1GiRTPy-fuhyVKoAJJlhHmmCTH1QiHqp0fkF3FidhNEZTMkRm3HqghCjanMuEhEWgafFMC5JD8vTYRsPFXX76iPW7nW35lqv48S3Kyf4IYqygVmUp69cjhBcqswUoP2mVJlYMN-2ILXs/s1600/dsc01004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1GiRTPy-fuhyVKoAJJlhHmmCTH1QiHqp0fkF3FidhNEZTMkRm3HqghCjanMuEhEWgafFMC5JD8vTYRsPFXX76iPW7nW35lqv48S3Kyf4IYqygVmUp69cjhBcqswUoP2mVJlYMN-2ILXs/s640/dsc01004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A view into the depths of the sales area. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQLsT_nEHkuCJmT7Z51vwfekOY-F9O33cx7_FyOmJNhAoUy9537ynAa4UrFeCGoFYw3uzC1n5gHzRTFLStq_ZftyjDXS-QLOApvpWS2tIbcGXizkEEf4mP88oTU4wMrGIpw5v-VTSlfLy/s1600/dsc01005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQLsT_nEHkuCJmT7Z51vwfekOY-F9O33cx7_FyOmJNhAoUy9537ynAa4UrFeCGoFYw3uzC1n5gHzRTFLStq_ZftyjDXS-QLOApvpWS2tIbcGXizkEEf4mP88oTU4wMrGIpw5v-VTSlfLy/s640/dsc01005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The kitchen will partly remain open. We will only close the left side.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkyX6dqGo1iGDcHIOvY6wOM0376vOJrqqjRzxWopLwMKNrud-EKZvGa_medrhyphenhyphen-7ExGhQwr7Ncd9EI-DuEI8mwSPUXvOF__i-9hdALV1CocjQBss0zIB79wt6WY-Nb2gW0p5mWKf5gcX8/s1600/dsc01006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkyX6dqGo1iGDcHIOvY6wOM0376vOJrqqjRzxWopLwMKNrud-EKZvGa_medrhyphenhyphen-7ExGhQwr7Ncd9EI-DuEI8mwSPUXvOF__i-9hdALV1CocjQBss0zIB79wt6WY-Nb2gW0p5mWKf5gcX8/s640/dsc01006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The owner with one of his sons.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xtYeCMNDXWUL834-YFHUrbtoLm0bkSppg5CWqcxp4UiCPzWU18Fu_8RSLGtx4E0PxfdNjDrIJcn0wpTEeZluX4DR6TsZj0UsQspVS-SgYB7eU5BK_Ive_Rob3Yn9wdULm4xoHbfaMRjw/s1600/dsc01007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xtYeCMNDXWUL834-YFHUrbtoLm0bkSppg5CWqcxp4UiCPzWU18Fu_8RSLGtx4E0PxfdNjDrIJcn0wpTEeZluX4DR6TsZj0UsQspVS-SgYB7eU5BK_Ive_Rob3Yn9wdULm4xoHbfaMRjw/s640/dsc01007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The bulding from the street. It is brand new and needs some final touches but is exactly what we have been looking for.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5VVldS678jj1ySvIZlNJ7mecgFNRA5zcnUInyAos1XVqsr0-9DI0iSLT2f6ko5sUgA07VKUPhU81HrIFhQ22wXss0QxszJ5Xej3dZ_ClCqtXBa8ZW6_FygP6ya3XmfV4fhuDJMoteZdo/s1600/dsc01009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5VVldS678jj1ySvIZlNJ7mecgFNRA5zcnUInyAos1XVqsr0-9DI0iSLT2f6ko5sUgA07VKUPhU81HrIFhQ22wXss0QxszJ5Xej3dZ_ClCqtXBa8ZW6_FygP6ya3XmfV4fhuDJMoteZdo/s640/dsc01009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tough business talk with toy in hand... A classic...</div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-70136365573721070962011-01-16T19:14:00.001-05:002011-01-20T20:12:23.973-05:00A Day (and a half) at the FarmFor market studies and also to relax from our busy week, we went to the farm of Sole's parents. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FskeGY1C6XxhFvVnbUn2ceZ-20r_2B21XYHDkUIGA82AyDMphmfcuhhAdhAUCU3QED08B6v6XtScBqTYLPaNMeqppJr6sLYuDGgVBnQUD4DgldjIw_AIaBLRRtHBDTBC9hW7lmWZUvIh/s1600/dsc00936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FskeGY1C6XxhFvVnbUn2ceZ-20r_2B21XYHDkUIGA82AyDMphmfcuhhAdhAUCU3QED08B6v6XtScBqTYLPaNMeqppJr6sLYuDGgVBnQUD4DgldjIw_AIaBLRRtHBDTBC9hW7lmWZUvIh/s640/dsc00936.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">No, the little one was allowed inside the car today. Jim stayed at the back with the dogs to prevent them jumping off the truck on stops.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The farm is about an hour drive south of Cuenca and is a piece of heaven. The house is very nice, airy and warm. The area in which the farm is located is known for it's slightly warmer and dryer climate as Cuenca. It's really beautiful there. The farm is operated by a local family that keep their own sheep, pigs, chicken, ducks and two dogs. We brought two new ducks to the farm. Unfortunately, one disappeared after just 2 hours. We believe that Fredo killed it and Lulu ate it once it was dead. The second one (it was called Thommy) survived without a shock and tried to integrate itself into the group of ducks. The success is not yet visible :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr1_0slJNNzBMjdpTOkjGAqfL9jvkXTljbg5IAIjqh10NxQWC_64HsdO1wlag7AZG0Yvgg4njYEtcF1vMF54X7Ud8IA9W5WQEMuYYMevLtl5lxI6x5OzmCtbZY2cy2uqLCw0zYH7jmEM0/s1600/dsc00942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr1_0slJNNzBMjdpTOkjGAqfL9jvkXTljbg5IAIjqh10NxQWC_64HsdO1wlag7AZG0Yvgg4njYEtcF1vMF54X7Ud8IA9W5WQEMuYYMevLtl5lxI6x5OzmCtbZY2cy2uqLCw0zYH7jmEM0/s640/dsc00942.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgVjB2m9PSPUCVrPTqJRAK57ptR6zzeulb0tfNW0fcDe0RQeiRskidsSkgxxWE3eZarRCjH6Jch7Q4LKsOvcz6Tg_RyYpuLtWnUxuQFDDl_WMkdRoIlgg4drYhAf6EuMTl9Y6BRaRmnoP/s1600/dsc00944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgVjB2m9PSPUCVrPTqJRAK57ptR6zzeulb0tfNW0fcDe0RQeiRskidsSkgxxWE3eZarRCjH6Jch7Q4LKsOvcz6Tg_RyYpuLtWnUxuQFDDl_WMkdRoIlgg4drYhAf6EuMTl9Y6BRaRmnoP/s640/dsc00944.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> "Inside" the farm house. Flower pots may be a bestseller in this house ;)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG97ixx4LdkTdimOECoddNrLew3U-wUkM7zpoFcSiF4OLXVuXxjVQhs_8gtV4AUpXU3fPEY1OO5EEmNMQJkRthiBYTXDj7sscVPr3WG4_vaItmRXBxeuH2PYbHjUCYL4BaPzMDIroP3bA8/s1600/dsc00937.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG97ixx4LdkTdimOECoddNrLew3U-wUkM7zpoFcSiF4OLXVuXxjVQhs_8gtV4AUpXU3fPEY1OO5EEmNMQJkRthiBYTXDj7sscVPr3WG4_vaItmRXBxeuH2PYbHjUCYL4BaPzMDIroP3bA8/s640/dsc00937.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Jim ready for a walk with our new manchetes. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1W2ndtLjQdT00jQlUUh5hfLMwQjnFEV-PmK5y7AuXrzXp25b-SzlS5UMeqsDbN3y3oAUEtWMcPsBqw6std1LeCxE2IZWWEDlXvokaL4iymfDHfyXvkfLHzFoTSRszSr8O2aOkKH2nukb/s1600/dsc00948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1W2ndtLjQdT00jQlUUh5hfLMwQjnFEV-PmK5y7AuXrzXp25b-SzlS5UMeqsDbN3y3oAUEtWMcPsBqw6std1LeCxE2IZWWEDlXvokaL4iymfDHfyXvkfLHzFoTSRszSr8O2aOkKH2nukb/s640/dsc00948.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, cool, a screw top... </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45bkkTDcExVv3aBdC_Jwu0WM6LIv_dj5VgmCntPZqEKF6RmNK96N3le9xLvFJhIGifd4QwjSPOMl50EHwlpGlRUDXhqeBeYuoDdtT1u-wa1QgsgrTRWNYd86ltsRr-hrVE0k391I3dDdn/s1600/dsc00957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45bkkTDcExVv3aBdC_Jwu0WM6LIv_dj5VgmCntPZqEKF6RmNK96N3le9xLvFJhIGifd4QwjSPOMl50EHwlpGlRUDXhqeBeYuoDdtT1u-wa1QgsgrTRWNYd86ltsRr-hrVE0k391I3dDdn/s640/dsc00957.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the river crossings on the road to the farm. There is also one without a bridge.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFY7puNPKZizAX0Cetsugw3TxIuttpvRUdR7VFTFjqj5JBFH-KwepWwFujvQWbl6XIokLX1MZjQyeu3sTn3IZ734vKKpFvtv7hJHkyE22mIqnm3kW5SYxERLKV60UVh0LTjXmoRe3WClUA/s1600/dsc00960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFY7puNPKZizAX0Cetsugw3TxIuttpvRUdR7VFTFjqj5JBFH-KwepWwFujvQWbl6XIokLX1MZjQyeu3sTn3IZ734vKKpFvtv7hJHkyE22mIqnm3kW5SYxERLKV60UVh0LTjXmoRe3WClUA/s640/dsc00960.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When returning from buying gas, the only car that could possibly come the other direction (Edmundo) actually came and I had to make space. I made a bit too much space and the ditch pulled the car to the side. It took us a bit to get back out but finally (once the tractor was in place) it was a matter of seconds. When driving remotely in Ecuador, a winch on the front bumper may make sense. I will keep that in mind, once I have my own car :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRVszAsVRc5MaKwyY5rxSaGf-sxG-yTEIxKL0O__89p2Im5GzoxQaIP4D4rIKJ-Y-23gl8WQrO5ykhk2H6Az0SMoh4Gggz0p84glJYSGGqWdv_LNyp1IErZl9gZz9-uXOhBokOO8MaDXf/s1600/dsc00961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRVszAsVRc5MaKwyY5rxSaGf-sxG-yTEIxKL0O__89p2Im5GzoxQaIP4D4rIKJ-Y-23gl8WQrO5ykhk2H6Az0SMoh4Gggz0p84glJYSGGqWdv_LNyp1IErZl9gZz9-uXOhBokOO8MaDXf/s640/dsc00961.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The next day, Sole's sister brought another two ducks for Thommy not to be too lonely. They were called Donald and Sole. They will have a few nice months before we will cook them. Yummy.... :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9y0iuA2OVt6ru0mrRzoET2OMqeGiz-DGRR8q3s8Q04x1b0Mp2DXyF57yAtbYQg1aiwv5ozjZGmeq2bTFlk0ZhoQ4w9K5kZp__PPH2H59I_fpHnyr23xt7Lrv2JJbzdR3bu3tIZ8xdZL1/s1600/dsc00995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9y0iuA2OVt6ru0mrRzoET2OMqeGiz-DGRR8q3s8Q04x1b0Mp2DXyF57yAtbYQg1aiwv5ozjZGmeq2bTFlk0ZhoQ4w9K5kZp__PPH2H59I_fpHnyr23xt7Lrv2JJbzdR3bu3tIZ8xdZL1/s640/dsc00995.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Left to right: Donald, Sole, Thommy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqcf1xmohNlwqBivG8CKM6OCOi21lyhyQxKVyfKRgwpYvPU0lPMZcJ8LDJYEHARLPt4ZxrADcR0up_KmgyUcmk6dTDphv-iUU_iwbs886zsJbn2CWkBC5bUQtDb1gmLygTEjUWFSe_0M4/s1600/dsc00997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqcf1xmohNlwqBivG8CKM6OCOi21lyhyQxKVyfKRgwpYvPU0lPMZcJ8LDJYEHARLPt4ZxrADcR0up_KmgyUcmk6dTDphv-iUU_iwbs886zsJbn2CWkBC5bUQtDb1gmLygTEjUWFSe_0M4/s640/dsc00997.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One the way back. </div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-86207475610711546262011-01-10T15:17:00.002-05:002011-01-12T22:42:04.002-05:00Strolling aroundHere are some pictures of the area where I currently live.<br />
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Painting a car in the middle of a dusty road. But the result looked really good. I was surprised.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKt_Bi7CtIALMToraugM8JOGHnpr7zzh71zMbLc98_pTo09mL_RiGRANoWsNwR1ejc9_3dEzD_N5QvI9hLgVoZnheYpwQ_SXzf1Jua0H8MGnmyq590OC3mYiX5QQSGsN4IYmuPh8-X0nc/s1600/DSC00832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKt_Bi7CtIALMToraugM8JOGHnpr7zzh71zMbLc98_pTo09mL_RiGRANoWsNwR1ejc9_3dEzD_N5QvI9hLgVoZnheYpwQ_SXzf1Jua0H8MGnmyq590OC3mYiX5QQSGsN4IYmuPh8-X0nc/s640/DSC00832.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Right opposite the house, there is Cuenca's police riding school - or something like that. Occasional, the site is also used to keep the horses before important events that require mounted police presence.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYv1Wv35wg0mZZO3qK2a2oz7Bf0HNKRi0yDngw6gWTLqiQFFoJv0ghOmndguInegQ2A2hKOrloUENVarsON9xpB_D4AuQlTyURKg0eBTX9pDhc8H1AC_xiNOETrpo9OT1QLuuViBOZlpIp/s1600/DSC00833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYv1Wv35wg0mZZO3qK2a2oz7Bf0HNKRi0yDngw6gWTLqiQFFoJv0ghOmndguInegQ2A2hKOrloUENVarsON9xpB_D4AuQlTyURKg0eBTX9pDhc8H1AC_xiNOETrpo9OT1QLuuViBOZlpIp/s640/DSC00833.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc78WSC83YxEg-R_ulrdXtFWOOGcKd4Ak4iDJbWGXa_YFWzfHGZ2yIJ21mBAaZMS32t82eN6tIXuMvrbdcHUI2MYXLzKgbOYSA4CtEax6jgsutSAQya55yn8dMihuNb_AKEtIodrCKlen5/s1600/DSC00836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc78WSC83YxEg-R_ulrdXtFWOOGcKd4Ak4iDJbWGXa_YFWzfHGZ2yIJ21mBAaZMS32t82eN6tIXuMvrbdcHUI2MYXLzKgbOYSA4CtEax6jgsutSAQya55yn8dMihuNb_AKEtIodrCKlen5/s640/DSC00836.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajOeYDGAsUFpaNBsTIcSJcGwbFxg6ZFhMlYgSg8NRdqqJyxe2b02ZRhVwJCrPPQxZfI4aKHSPQCz1ciYqSiQwxVChJJXapWl2KMSXZjYIJvGPo8cLWn9O3XdJkYWRjD9h2BMQfGyTvG1p/s1600/DSC00855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajOeYDGAsUFpaNBsTIcSJcGwbFxg6ZFhMlYgSg8NRdqqJyxe2b02ZRhVwJCrPPQxZfI4aKHSPQCz1ciYqSiQwxVChJJXapWl2KMSXZjYIJvGPo8cLWn9O3XdJkYWRjD9h2BMQfGyTvG1p/s640/DSC00855.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TkhpUEzsnA4fFikMW_4BcG3FfRoSYgml9Q8-8RX1NR_mB_SfspkvpyLChDcF32yVK8xjcojXjzToXs5-AKOQFv6QMKUeBA16LYMfbkOjSah9Q3rI5nl2NktQ3NoVqDnnR-uJ-gTUvEMN/s1600/DSC00861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TkhpUEzsnA4fFikMW_4BcG3FfRoSYgml9Q8-8RX1NR_mB_SfspkvpyLChDcF32yVK8xjcojXjzToXs5-AKOQFv6QMKUeBA16LYMfbkOjSah9Q3rI5nl2NktQ3NoVqDnnR-uJ-gTUvEMN/s640/DSC00861.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-84169685835383602182011-01-06T08:28:00.001-05:002011-01-06T10:27:48.845-05:00Business UpdateAfter more informal discussions about business options at the beach, we have started structured sessions. We believe that we will be able to start concrete actions in the next few weeks although I will still not write about those, as time to market is an important factor in our venture. And if I shared those thoughts on a public blog, others could still jump in and spoil our plans.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-71239656582204047772011-01-05T18:29:00.003-05:002011-01-06T10:27:33.261-05:00FurnitureJust before Christmas I decided that I wanted to have a little more storage room to finally unpack my last 2 suitcases of luggage.<br />
Sole took me and my drawing to a local carpenter and we discussed what I wanted to have, dimensions and the price. Today, I could pick it up and am really happy with it. The finish is perfect and it has enough room for all the stuff that I had planned to put in.<br />
Also, as it comes from the same shop as other furniture in Sole & Jim's house, it has the same look & feel and therefore they would be very happy to buy it off me should I leave again. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ51-sarhyphenhyphenZXI_T4sAgyPneM6PvbLskBzrINo1kzG8IEu-jrokZXif6G4oM7-RFA6dok_Jz-o0T2jHNbT2TNlRP7z-9KO4UYEwpYZEjFVsT-VRz559m6PZPiYsFKvInquA0uXiYAXLWXXA/s1600/DSC00838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ51-sarhyphenhyphenZXI_T4sAgyPneM6PvbLskBzrINo1kzG8IEu-jrokZXif6G4oM7-RFA6dok_Jz-o0T2jHNbT2TNlRP7z-9KO4UYEwpYZEjFVsT-VRz559m6PZPiYsFKvInquA0uXiYAXLWXXA/s640/DSC00838.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The shop looks extremely basic but the furniture they produce is really top notch. And if you can make sure that you don't pay Gringo prices, it's at about the same level as Ikea furniture in Europe. Ikea is not (yet) active in South America as far as I know, so there is only the alternative to have cheap and ugly furniture or something like the above. I think you'd agree that the option I took makes sense ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcytsV0P4dXrgVi1CgXn5n2Spz8BW4fKJUAGigPHFiHVAnfMOSnl7WPWFK89MGv3X5BSEomt8N1AI6HIcdcrDcc2e69MGWb6C3G_1kDkAQVZ6lhPrV6qyRBzICs7B7KjPgvNxrC2aPBbp0/s1600/DSC00842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcytsV0P4dXrgVi1CgXn5n2Spz8BW4fKJUAGigPHFiHVAnfMOSnl7WPWFK89MGv3X5BSEomt8N1AI6HIcdcrDcc2e69MGWb6C3G_1kDkAQVZ6lhPrV6qyRBzICs7B7KjPgvNxrC2aPBbp0/s640/DSC00842.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4BLQQCd1nAGaV6gihL41_xaRdw1glyuI63LuRxRlCQGtHGg4PW_yHJ4HbF2gyNV1DJevQTJHY3usrLkPO8YqvME4W9Eu_AXSO-IW5nmDViQexTpO2fOckKACCIOFv5VSELFucWg0aKBb/s1600/DSC00843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4BLQQCd1nAGaV6gihL41_xaRdw1glyuI63LuRxRlCQGtHGg4PW_yHJ4HbF2gyNV1DJevQTJHY3usrLkPO8YqvME4W9Eu_AXSO-IW5nmDViQexTpO2fOckKACCIOFv5VSELFucWg0aKBb/s640/DSC00843.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also had the picture that I took from Germany to here framed this week. It looks really cool and completely out of place which makes it even better :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDf7n9kRjL7NVRgGWjxlSYO8umRLqUrhLtAfFsL1J3VhTN1qypjPn9l7mZQC3SIar_Vt3tUljt94OEWKaKQFyJAtSaysSgb7yGu2xsIgFrwsjGVYOZfqRrNdxmeyixemKWRlIQcPqVf51Z/s1600/DSC00841.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDf7n9kRjL7NVRgGWjxlSYO8umRLqUrhLtAfFsL1J3VhTN1qypjPn9l7mZQC3SIar_Vt3tUljt94OEWKaKQFyJAtSaysSgb7yGu2xsIgFrwsjGVYOZfqRrNdxmeyixemKWRlIQcPqVf51Z/s640/DSC00841.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-60643435236234931712011-01-03T08:07:00.000-05:002011-01-06T08:25:01.726-05:00New Year's Eve & Return to Cuenca<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">The day started really relaxed with another nice breakfast and some relaxing time just after that. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkscEqWv3y8HDDytuE6R945q1zfui0Z3CvJDxaplsMxXCmlL9F1-j_S-cOqOtBzrWCIKflh-kDo6hOUqL_MHhuIjrVYtga7ICI9s9JzPME7szncB0jhkKrKDm9MEGsrbTzsxApt2Ua3pw/s1600/DSC00742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkscEqWv3y8HDDytuE6R945q1zfui0Z3CvJDxaplsMxXCmlL9F1-j_S-cOqOtBzrWCIKflh-kDo6hOUqL_MHhuIjrVYtga7ICI9s9JzPME7szncB0jhkKrKDm9MEGsrbTzsxApt2Ua3pw/s640/DSC00742.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After lunch I was presented with a birthday cake. And I think, I don’t have to tell you that it was really nice. Maracuja accompanied by some ice creams – yummy.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg16q0bqWb2Vlru2tKd3jHcd0Xms44aD1SNr3Lai8AFQ5rON67NaYNcEDH43U-qykVZ7bYYdZ78Oh5g-o-aXDZc-itA226hhAUx1IRsGugh0Ew31lKRlumOhsEa5Da4DwDKbwMybDoweNC/s1600/DSC00754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg16q0bqWb2Vlru2tKd3jHcd0Xms44aD1SNr3Lai8AFQ5rON67NaYNcEDH43U-qykVZ7bYYdZ78Oh5g-o-aXDZc-itA226hhAUx1IRsGugh0Ew31lKRlumOhsEa5Da4DwDKbwMybDoweNC/s640/DSC00754.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMPKlNopzxMFBShE9WS2rdzoShfmyTsjsyOcFf07LBoiUuC_gkteRTlegu2b33GD44nAiS18qdkOwYplSXPmpQPe9P05qRjnf56wvIi5eOvl7_Emf3jlzP2ItcUyXMV7nbZXBhcGR34Je/s1600/DSC00758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMPKlNopzxMFBShE9WS2rdzoShfmyTsjsyOcFf07LBoiUuC_gkteRTlegu2b33GD44nAiS18qdkOwYplSXPmpQPe9P05qRjnf56wvIi5eOvl7_Emf3jlzP2ItcUyXMV7nbZXBhcGR34Je/s640/DSC00758.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Of course, a birthday drink had to find time at some point. To my surprise, you can find Bavarian glasses in most houses of the family as they are all fans of the Bavarian beers. I like :)</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEive9lgUMcJB0EkgZUh-MxEkiy4kZC60Y8hDJ8BIvSmyAXi_U4qxyUUB0XvozRq_eo_TRrrzTydXihyphenhyphenr5Ylvlz15c9M_U9I-mI2gKby_twHPFRcGB-iD0nceWnIH92R49UiKLiVaNYwi6Ji/s1600/DSC00745.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEive9lgUMcJB0EkgZUh-MxEkiy4kZC60Y8hDJ8BIvSmyAXi_U4qxyUUB0XvozRq_eo_TRrrzTydXihyphenhyphenr5Ylvlz15c9M_U9I-mI2gKby_twHPFRcGB-iD0nceWnIH92R49UiKLiVaNYwi6Ji/s640/DSC00745.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After dinner, we went to the beach, together with a huge Manegote. Those figures are filled with fire crackers and then burnt. You can even blame the Manegote for all things that went wrong the previous year. I took that opportunity and got rid of a few thoughts. For those that are from Cologne, this may sound very similar to the Carnival tradition of “Nubbelverbrennung”. It works :)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3n8wknKbV7teVlE1cTTtRMl0KS0we2FSOjxieEhnNVWpvn6dcllNBywOukAxSy-03umKqivypC7LoCGQZ13BTGekbWasT61MdWjYKnUcSqTdRyy1I1qJGq9gMZRcQfColUYx871M_QdD/s1600/DSC00772.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3n8wknKbV7teVlE1cTTtRMl0KS0we2FSOjxieEhnNVWpvn6dcllNBywOukAxSy-03umKqivypC7LoCGQZ13BTGekbWasT61MdWjYKnUcSqTdRyy1I1qJGq9gMZRcQfColUYx871M_QdD/s640/DSC00772.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsnDohaHWx712lJWeGKb1CXayKRKdv12Xi0UCQ2fsjCc49gNYQBCrDu2OxxMODi_enMZFv5C24aMVoBP0yQHYsNoE2MDuySts4YGKTL65Y120tY-j1fSYcvvpidPzoPjwOQ_cwM4j-x1_/s1600/DSC00778.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsnDohaHWx712lJWeGKb1CXayKRKdv12Xi0UCQ2fsjCc49gNYQBCrDu2OxxMODi_enMZFv5C24aMVoBP0yQHYsNoE2MDuySts4YGKTL65Y120tY-j1fSYcvvpidPzoPjwOQ_cwM4j-x1_/s640/DSC00778.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The 1<sup>st</sup> of January was another sunny day of relaxation at the house. At the end of it, we had the nicest of many sunsets of our trip.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMIMyWgpCHsUAe_IiAgey_8rMk4-8CHIDir6fDV4A7zlAm8CmjhY5vYSGtrwdWtHpQP214trvt264bOaT3N8LeBkuNGNMTSLrJayCeZDwdetI6gbp0vUP1JBeOrSWWaAULyDcjbn2t9ri/s1600/DSC00826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMIMyWgpCHsUAe_IiAgey_8rMk4-8CHIDir6fDV4A7zlAm8CmjhY5vYSGtrwdWtHpQP214trvt264bOaT3N8LeBkuNGNMTSLrJayCeZDwdetI6gbp0vUP1JBeOrSWWaAULyDcjbn2t9ri/s640/DSC00826.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After 8 days of relaxation (and yes, some business talk as well), we drove the 6 hours back to Cuenca. I took the picture of Jim's truck on one of the very few stretches that are not paved yet. Just because I thought it looked cool ;)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5hxeaf-gJthQQNepsXCJTyguZumRvz1kd2qt9mtoeU8xkoSkyl-NBxEP8HfgabJBMCpYApIDMaeyB4itvnOsypadxMUdLnJCKIZ8JCMkrqX9HPYGbEhRHNpaqLK8zY5N94ZkZm0As-Vo/s1600/DSC00829.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5hxeaf-gJthQQNepsXCJTyguZumRvz1kd2qt9mtoeU8xkoSkyl-NBxEP8HfgabJBMCpYApIDMaeyB4itvnOsypadxMUdLnJCKIZ8JCMkrqX9HPYGbEhRHNpaqLK8zY5N94ZkZm0As-Vo/s640/DSC00829.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Just before entering Cuenca, I could manage to get a picture of one of the wild llamas living in Las Cajas, the mountain area west of Cuenca.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeyqcUDwCk-8tP03c3egoZGa6fhm0H8BgR2s5lwZlXEaPEcdzJJ-om0OJAMQFRNRpnhuzt3Ncbldurc-R50lvWoxXKY5da1AU0v5TkK4DMpzLzhOSuzjk8ralirxxD5AYvhFuuc2xlM1L/s1600/DSC00830.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeyqcUDwCk-8tP03c3egoZGa6fhm0H8BgR2s5lwZlXEaPEcdzJJ-om0OJAMQFRNRpnhuzt3Ncbldurc-R50lvWoxXKY5da1AU0v5TkK4DMpzLzhOSuzjk8ralirxxD5AYvhFuuc2xlM1L/s640/DSC00830.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-58389704421807708972010-12-30T22:38:00.001-05:002011-01-10T08:30:24.889-05:00Beach Break<div class="MsoNormal">Since it’s holiday time, we went on a trip to the beach. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kRBdxQzvHnQUodn7hcibAwzr7qP8_iG0aRhXvhMKKQSI7orRD2rsKcS5Lq5JuOcMgcp7G_0eH3cF8MDeRfok25IOWcMLw-XxsYzg1EobgT7HSqx4wnkOSXg9ea7s0LliSkjt0-mAbjch/s1600/DSC00700.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kRBdxQzvHnQUodn7hcibAwzr7qP8_iG0aRhXvhMKKQSI7orRD2rsKcS5Lq5JuOcMgcp7G_0eH3cF8MDeRfok25IOWcMLw-XxsYzg1EobgT7HSqx4wnkOSXg9ea7s0LliSkjt0-mAbjch/s640/DSC00700.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPt6MALsc5Cy1Lz1eD1UYtj8E6vWsccTX0LOyJE8YW-WUY0MoiX1KXMjQd5JHt7-9_DND80p3iaX3BgKQiwYxZplIlWozWtZaVu0oKMu6l92I5_BnO8cLrGmEC7YAfh6SDtEfAHWoRH2-a/s1600/DSC00699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPt6MALsc5Cy1Lz1eD1UYtj8E6vWsccTX0LOyJE8YW-WUY0MoiX1KXMjQd5JHt7-9_DND80p3iaX3BgKQiwYxZplIlWozWtZaVu0oKMu6l92I5_BnO8cLrGmEC7YAfh6SDtEfAHWoRH2-a/s640/DSC00699.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzak6-v8qLqjYP6hBmq40d1LiKeMt1FeL3p3-GcVsSeWUz3olCHjZl9oQWEosO2m627c-JGY56GiEkBw_SUV5LILreL5Yy3T4EN0YKh3-wiKUcGQ6IlR1R0iRtKr78AcsIYoLYblU-3fq/s1600/DSC00668.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzak6-v8qLqjYP6hBmq40d1LiKeMt1FeL3p3-GcVsSeWUz3olCHjZl9oQWEosO2m627c-JGY56GiEkBw_SUV5LILreL5Yy3T4EN0YKh3-wiKUcGQ6IlR1R0iRtKr78AcsIYoLYblU-3fq/s640/DSC00668.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> The beach is really nice. A little crowded maybe. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Having just arrived from really freeeeezing Europe, it was such a nice experience to feel the heat of the sun at sea level. It’s amazing, what 2.500m height difference make. Although the temperatures in Cuenca are really nice, 30 degrees is just something else. The nicest thing though at Ecuador’s beach around Montanita is that it actually cools down at night so you have no problems getting some good sleep. Having said that, Thomas (the 2 month old) occasionally had other plans for us. He likes to choose the very early hours of the day for his breakfast and doesn’t want to rest afterwards. To compensate for that, we went to bed early – well, at least some nights…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5tzyKVbtR8F77PgKXoHCM7Bpq9TXOh8Cj-fPwC4voU_N3avwQrNIFDEBTSIaBv6zwtrU3k_o6wQXEylPzfRnDVLokI5o2qAT-m2nu8DgWhvmHVtlIE5iIcZEomik9PQD0K_LBJA8J9oM/s1600/DSC00703.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5tzyKVbtR8F77PgKXoHCM7Bpq9TXOh8Cj-fPwC4voU_N3avwQrNIFDEBTSIaBv6zwtrU3k_o6wQXEylPzfRnDVLokI5o2qAT-m2nu8DgWhvmHVtlIE5iIcZEomik9PQD0K_LBJA8J9oM/s640/DSC00703.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> The kids found many starfish. After they presented them to us they were of course released again...</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We were guests of one of Sole’s uncles. He has an amazing house near the beach, about 15 minutes North of Montanita. The house is fabulous and has all you need for a great break. Since pictures say more than words, here you go.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuidH_x2LyKBgwkTSqY7tBTUuFyAUTMORqrrbfrRjnrdq-4bLVl3gXrcGtFF1sAMD_XitrtvJjsz4Ho4XKiFObwEfCmGTaK8qnTRymf8aTPEmct7WnargaVL3XKGjYIQePRdaOjhJhtIvt/s1600/DSC00737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuidH_x2LyKBgwkTSqY7tBTUuFyAUTMORqrrbfrRjnrdq-4bLVl3gXrcGtFF1sAMD_XitrtvJjsz4Ho4XKiFObwEfCmGTaK8qnTRymf8aTPEmct7WnargaVL3XKGjYIQePRdaOjhJhtIvt/s640/DSC00737.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjac40U966ABWusTZIlRm0bPukjGbD-UftKFgwjClxRAGjakt7ICvpm887lrfMXoa-Zdo-Oa3J64-Is4UyglkeSfrzPdHST6e_fiFVP_5HQ-Kx0wmGQ7yh80Lt80ykqo-MB3GSkMXs5euxJ/s1600/DSC00629.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjac40U966ABWusTZIlRm0bPukjGbD-UftKFgwjClxRAGjakt7ICvpm887lrfMXoa-Zdo-Oa3J64-Is4UyglkeSfrzPdHST6e_fiFVP_5HQ-Kx0wmGQ7yh80Lt80ykqo-MB3GSkMXs5euxJ/s640/DSC00629.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEp2PMyCf6-QMk5znHDCyJfriFfHFxqct5Px941GRxmTNtYUZdpAxGUXdcCksDhmg-c_3oBRxlEbovnNuX9zDPzwd6JCTOmAgmOBdW6extmFAPDO0jKf1DKoT88A6f-Apy2qunK_omaLN/s1600/DSC00821.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEp2PMyCf6-QMk5znHDCyJfriFfHFxqct5Px941GRxmTNtYUZdpAxGUXdcCksDhmg-c_3oBRxlEbovnNuX9zDPzwd6JCTOmAgmOBdW6extmFAPDO0jKf1DKoT88A6f-Apy2qunK_omaLN/s640/DSC00821.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Montanita is a buzzing beach town with many young people that like to hang out in the evenings in one of the many bars or cocktail stands and surf the waves during the day. We decided to stick to what we know – so no surfing for us.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVj6z0MI6k3XFrlFPQAYwSl9TboZ2-0F1CRLpmqDgzKgOBpRO-szvKee8zli_o59o1OVkr9GlYnE4Oyxfhe6lC8OGd-AJ1R8ooBdW75I0KBK9hINP-1z0PHTHViwZ8HO_Y_Dxx1P640wQ/s1600/DSC00637.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVj6z0MI6k3XFrlFPQAYwSl9TboZ2-0F1CRLpmqDgzKgOBpRO-szvKee8zli_o59o1OVkr9GlYnE4Oyxfhe6lC8OGd-AJ1R8ooBdW75I0KBK9hINP-1z0PHTHViwZ8HO_Y_Dxx1P640wQ/s640/DSC00637.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDwqZwIKJTX1jTHoilqe6KaUdVL717-ottpSPJzJLMd3crc1UtOOMMlX1ZBYI8e_R-iPn-VQ3M48O4iqzrwYhbHb04iIVYTylrd01QKZCdm9Sf_VfM2w7j4h9A1NzmmtLKJlSav4uespw/s1600/DSC00726.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmUubkXPJ6NAyVOhP4Dv-yQw7NH7-10xiB8rp31torBQ31zOmaC-q-AJeJDbd40OsIxm86mdmU3-TlKSRsi-asosl41NlpQ8eLvxQnkATO7PRo6D2GiwNlw_W0aeXgPudC6QNjmTLYNY8/s1600/DSC00607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDwqZwIKJTX1jTHoilqe6KaUdVL717-ottpSPJzJLMd3crc1UtOOMMlX1ZBYI8e_R-iPn-VQ3M48O4iqzrwYhbHb04iIVYTylrd01QKZCdm9Sf_VfM2w7j4h9A1NzmmtLKJlSav4uespw/s1600/DSC00726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDwqZwIKJTX1jTHoilqe6KaUdVL717-ottpSPJzJLMd3crc1UtOOMMlX1ZBYI8e_R-iPn-VQ3M48O4iqzrwYhbHb04iIVYTylrd01QKZCdm9Sf_VfM2w7j4h9A1NzmmtLKJlSav4uespw/s640/DSC00726.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Check out those birds. Those on the power line above the people. No-one seems to know why they are there and why they only stick to about 100 meters of that one road.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmUubkXPJ6NAyVOhP4Dv-yQw7NH7-10xiB8rp31torBQ31zOmaC-q-AJeJDbd40OsIxm86mdmU3-TlKSRsi-asosl41NlpQ8eLvxQnkATO7PRo6D2GiwNlw_W0aeXgPudC6QNjmTLYNY8/s1600/DSC00607.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmUubkXPJ6NAyVOhP4Dv-yQw7NH7-10xiB8rp31torBQ31zOmaC-q-AJeJDbd40OsIxm86mdmU3-TlKSRsi-asosl41NlpQ8eLvxQnkATO7PRo6D2GiwNlw_W0aeXgPudC6QNjmTLYNY8/s640/DSC00607.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVj6z0MI6k3XFrlFPQAYwSl9TboZ2-0F1CRLpmqDgzKgOBpRO-szvKee8zli_o59o1OVkr9GlYnE4Oyxfhe6lC8OGd-AJ1R8ooBdW75I0KBK9hINP-1z0PHTHViwZ8HO_Y_Dxx1P640wQ/s1600/DSC00637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And yes, catching up with friends and family also works thanks to the free WLAN at Hola Ola (open 24hrs).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDwqZwIKJTX1jTHoilqe6KaUdVL717-ottpSPJzJLMd3crc1UtOOMMlX1ZBYI8e_R-iPn-VQ3M48O4iqzrwYhbHb04iIVYTylrd01QKZCdm9Sf_VfM2w7j4h9A1NzmmtLKJlSav4uespw/s1600/DSC00726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjls2cTdHXF11xSgguU38N9kDz5hA6-iLMPHExBslrl5jE2sGJ1ZnyZxPEUqCPxTm4c2wsVYcV7gPsVnpCCY-8L_rEiy7S7qzGdUUJ4Pwb-9Srvu3HhWisu2rI01RhaGtUBtcnTwGyFsM4k/s1600/DSC00727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjls2cTdHXF11xSgguU38N9kDz5hA6-iLMPHExBslrl5jE2sGJ1ZnyZxPEUqCPxTm4c2wsVYcV7gPsVnpCCY-8L_rEiy7S7qzGdUUJ4Pwb-9Srvu3HhWisu2rI01RhaGtUBtcnTwGyFsM4k/s640/DSC00727.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> Fireworks sale Ecuadorian style - off the back of a pickup truck :)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Apart from a lot of eating, drinking and relaxing, we also got engaged in some physical activities. Well, we walked from the house to the beach through the forest. :)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqmokQj0PhESO1whier5g9DD3snbEkhC45kxKp21BpJCPCi84llK3yXXF-AVat3jaKeO2r7y7EVwjpuipTq7xZe9gtl4hsom4SP3OZUuGixhmUATSNRt0xXI_06xAMNechCwSTzGOmWq8/s1600/DSC00583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqmokQj0PhESO1whier5g9DD3snbEkhC45kxKp21BpJCPCi84llK3yXXF-AVat3jaKeO2r7y7EVwjpuipTq7xZe9gtl4hsom4SP3OZUuGixhmUATSNRt0xXI_06xAMNechCwSTzGOmWq8/s640/DSC00583.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvKk_aWAVO-1Zb5AbwoHN65PihiGvVSsysS94CIaVDxnPSZ6IDky0zTkQqMbZSmevuq5vEZt7FcouOVwOJMnKOV0vPa5Sd1hvRTfI_KArOXoecyhxNJP5rG88r_D92-13SaLrU5MdX_kI/s1600/DSC00589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvKk_aWAVO-1Zb5AbwoHN65PihiGvVSsysS94CIaVDxnPSZ6IDky0zTkQqMbZSmevuq5vEZt7FcouOVwOJMnKOV0vPa5Sd1hvRTfI_KArOXoecyhxNJP5rG88r_D92-13SaLrU5MdX_kI/s640/DSC00589.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7859_zNa6B1c5AP0Qf_j1DS6ljxnjf1YNt-e-YKKiAIU1RVkLABrYNO8XrP6TwZS6rAi53Of6ccB3pVNU_2RaYLXVQaZF5uBKMnBfHOIIWpaL1FTWyWFp999ajTvZ2IYpbSDOjnO8NkH/s1600/DSC00662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>An hour drive South you find Salinas. A larger town that feels a bit like one of the beach towns on the US East coast. Tons of seafood restaurants, bars and a beach drive. Also, it has one of the few yacht ports in the area: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7859_zNa6B1c5AP0Qf_j1DS6ljxnjf1YNt-e-YKKiAIU1RVkLABrYNO8XrP6TwZS6rAi53Of6ccB3pVNU_2RaYLXVQaZF5uBKMnBfHOIIWpaL1FTWyWFp999ajTvZ2IYpbSDOjnO8NkH/s1600/DSC00662.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7859_zNa6B1c5AP0Qf_j1DS6ljxnjf1YNt-e-YKKiAIU1RVkLABrYNO8XrP6TwZS6rAi53Of6ccB3pVNU_2RaYLXVQaZF5uBKMnBfHOIIWpaL1FTWyWFp999ajTvZ2IYpbSDOjnO8NkH/s640/DSC00662.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzak6-v8qLqjYP6hBmq40d1LiKeMt1FeL3p3-GcVsSeWUz3olCHjZl9oQWEosO2m627c-JGY56GiEkBw_SUV5LILreL5Yy3T4EN0YKh3-wiKUcGQ6IlR1R0iRtKr78AcsIYoLYblU-3fq/s1600/DSC00668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEp2PMyCf6-QMk5znHDCyJfriFfHFxqct5Px941GRxmTNtYUZdpAxGUXdcCksDhmg-c_3oBRxlEbovnNuX9zDPzwd6JCTOmAgmOBdW6extmFAPDO0jKf1DKoT88A6f-Apy2qunK_omaLN/s1600/DSC00821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-58668005928044553512010-12-24T16:50:00.000-05:002010-12-24T16:50:34.939-05:00Feliz Navidad<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Finally, it’s here. The days we have been looking forward to. Merry Christmas to all!</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since families are much larger here than we are used to in Europe, the Christmas dinner is usually split up into 2 or 3 sessions. The first we had yesterday at Jim & Sole’s house. We prepared a huge (11kg) turkey with all the traditional sides and quite a few drinks. Here are some pictures of a really great evening.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Tm7JdQVO0XwCHx7R0ciU8HVIoPVqAAoIkzmdQTQD1dZaBqNstK-R8YxnLlBcC6B7dqh-sSetTzdZ5jvw3nZHCRq96LdP7bBxxAcZ5U8t3Uheb1hPjeKVf3gCE_zhyphenhyphenrbXZ3li4M_WipxT/s1600/DSC00518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Tm7JdQVO0XwCHx7R0ciU8HVIoPVqAAoIkzmdQTQD1dZaBqNstK-R8YxnLlBcC6B7dqh-sSetTzdZ5jvw3nZHCRq96LdP7bBxxAcZ5U8t3Uheb1hPjeKVf3gCE_zhyphenhyphenrbXZ3li4M_WipxT/s640/DSC00518.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Don Federico </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkVa5WlArVpac6jWGAWygJEpN8nSEHADdagBxK3uPTYH1fUucj_LyQDfYU-6FmZWuZHglBN2yHUdYAW_BpqxVLLqjaqslE-md0Hs4G7FcxK0u97XQxbVrmgFPnjQaA7fMWOn2CIEWjybr/s1600/DSC00526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkVa5WlArVpac6jWGAWygJEpN8nSEHADdagBxK3uPTYH1fUucj_LyQDfYU-6FmZWuZHglBN2yHUdYAW_BpqxVLLqjaqslE-md0Hs4G7FcxK0u97XQxbVrmgFPnjQaA7fMWOn2CIEWjybr/s640/DSC00526.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU6H-Y_x9j7Lay6zEhGZxDayjUAC2BOTt_Rjw2oN8xt0voR0NzLE5pYsJSWgtHhLpBrDqbYjI9_0odENuyzUteJDdbhotjsPSWqsuwf7ru1goZ2iXU2ypS9SRf-D2sCSTXgb6HFQ_dRGG/s1600/DSC00541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU6H-Y_x9j7Lay6zEhGZxDayjUAC2BOTt_Rjw2oN8xt0voR0NzLE5pYsJSWgtHhLpBrDqbYjI9_0odENuyzUteJDdbhotjsPSWqsuwf7ru1goZ2iXU2ypS9SRf-D2sCSTXgb6HFQ_dRGG/s640/DSC00541.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tonight, there is another dinner at one of Sole’s aunties house.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The banking story is finally over. I received my account numbers and banking card today. So, should you want to transfer some money into my account, feel free to inquire for the banking details ;)</div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-8071511525575985202010-12-22T17:04:00.001-05:002010-12-22T17:14:53.689-05:00Banking - Part 2, Historic Town, Christmas ShoppingTo set up an account is after all not as easy. I went there yesterday again since the web-based app didn’t like foreigners in the first attempt. When I arrived at the agreed time, guess who wasn’t there. Yes, the customer representative. I was told to come back in half an hour, so I drove around the area a bit and made some pictures.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmk8pm8IrnQ25HKUZJIZuvHMWjgFaoU4zyOkTx8-UMqIccHUpngiRiEzItdCFeEF2imvYUnCC0R_D8Aw5zDdU7va9WAzyFZjmJy-WS4l-Prn7lgXxhAq5g23xgdTYDovU67KXAY8p8uRb/s1600/DSC00469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmk8pm8IrnQ25HKUZJIZuvHMWjgFaoU4zyOkTx8-UMqIccHUpngiRiEzItdCFeEF2imvYUnCC0R_D8Aw5zDdU7va9WAzyFZjmJy-WS4l-Prn7lgXxhAq5g23xgdTYDovU67KXAY8p8uRb/s640/DSC00469.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is one of the 5* hotels in town. It is in one of the nicest locations, directly at one of the 4 rivers overlooking the entire city.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_ecMKWpovExlBVUMOrG1We1LEV4SFqtA_9A6G9aRSSiTEKmj3tNS06GbbVor2wuHaM_XWXCXEz6ztiB6Xvtk5-mYUYKvXNDRBeny-c-wPajQ45X1srai0XdPq7WkIiPm7Bze3nD3sUMN/s1600/DSC00483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_ecMKWpovExlBVUMOrG1We1LEV4SFqtA_9A6G9aRSSiTEKmj3tNS06GbbVor2wuHaM_XWXCXEz6ztiB6Xvtk5-mYUYKvXNDRBeny-c-wPajQ45X1srai0XdPq7WkIiPm7Bze3nD3sUMN/s640/DSC00483.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> An old mill at the same river. I will tell you the name, once I get more familiar with the area ;)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gKeIIcJImjFIlExF23KsG-v8RkgUZDdQbXT6dikt490voLPvUyh3mSjIIXu7Vs7hmfORqPPPVA_jRIP2si6J7mbUTghYNOQG6T9Q4K-PoOdIxZ2MX3g20fFEOFfGu42DnF7F6FekzEHU/s1600/DSC00475.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gKeIIcJImjFIlExF23KsG-v8RkgUZDdQbXT6dikt490voLPvUyh3mSjIIXu7Vs7hmfORqPPPVA_jRIP2si6J7mbUTghYNOQG6T9Q4K-PoOdIxZ2MX3g20fFEOFfGu42DnF7F6FekzEHU/s640/DSC00475.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After I got back to the bank, the lady was still not there, I left as there were enough other things to do.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I went to the historic part of town with Sole to do some Christmas shopping. I got myself a nice Panama hat for the beach (10 USD) and some small gifts for the family. Here are some pictures of town.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQpASfhNE3Tvtg6gfB16m6ojBNx9rr0dggJ3FUiRNe0Wo3YwXHGgjcIPfCsgFPG1Z6K6f8ElzTFFJrE-3bt6f_8J276HmdhJRsqj3QR3az8prdox3JJC6xZPpM91niBuIQn2cYUtlVALr/s1600/DSC00489.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQpASfhNE3Tvtg6gfB16m6ojBNx9rr0dggJ3FUiRNe0Wo3YwXHGgjcIPfCsgFPG1Z6K6f8ElzTFFJrE-3bt6f_8J276HmdhJRsqj3QR3az8prdox3JJC6xZPpM91niBuIQn2cYUtlVALr/s640/DSC00489.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoAKd6Y4JCVfo6P_84XfQzGGgBrN3V64LoocPvob1Dq8nf7EupGD67A7u5DmTuyd97cv1UyB64j5VSx-PNQ-6C4-ud1BgUHB_JlmeM6ZASTGHWqaB719rHg1in5Qbq7PDRlleDkRRh5AT/s1600/DSC00490.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoAKd6Y4JCVfo6P_84XfQzGGgBrN3V64LoocPvob1Dq8nf7EupGD67A7u5DmTuyd97cv1UyB64j5VSx-PNQ-6C4-ud1BgUHB_JlmeM6ZASTGHWqaB719rHg1in5Qbq7PDRlleDkRRh5AT/s640/DSC00490.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today, after finally receiving my bank account details (at least for the savings account) Jim, Sole, Thomas and I went to finish the shopping for the Christmas dinner. As I was more support than active in the purchasing, Sole couldn’t resist to take the following picture. I guess it’s the first that shows me with a baby. I think Jim can be very proud of his little son. He is such a joy!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocuv0zeeAn5LQ6ObuJ5EDhkSHLfs8GkOnjb4pZhT8RR6-4VVlgHgag7_s9g192oaRhfyXMkftU9jQh5eMvmqr8u5HmzRrJBrcJqxJf0_UgABEMHzrW-pZo8KOz2rupkxckYBcTr28xPBe/s1600/DSC00499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocuv0zeeAn5LQ6ObuJ5EDhkSHLfs8GkOnjb4pZhT8RR6-4VVlgHgag7_s9g192oaRhfyXMkftU9jQh5eMvmqr8u5HmzRrJBrcJqxJf0_UgABEMHzrW-pZo8KOz2rupkxckYBcTr28xPBe/s640/DSC00499.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
After all that running around and facing the stress of many people on their last round of shopping madness, we are relaxing a bit at home. Jim and I will go out later as he wants to show me Cuenca by night.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-25481024377393646072010-12-20T19:37:00.001-05:002010-12-20T19:39:32.570-05:00Banking in EcuadorToday I went to the bank to open an account. Sounds easy and almost was, if there weren't the tricks software sometimes has in charge for us. The application was easy because I had a local person's reference - which foreigners need to open bank accounts. I had to sign about 10 documents for all sorts of things (check book, bank card, identity proof, general terms and conditions and so on). Once the lady at the bank wanted to enter all that into her laptop, a message popped up stating that head office in Guayaquil needs to approve, as I am a foreigner. A phone call couldn't solve this and no-one really knew what has to happen. So, tomorrow I will return and shall find all in order. We will see... :)<br />
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Apart from the hour in the bank this was a relaxed day. We dropped the car off at a local garage to have it tuned (it didn't burn it's diesel properly). It's great to see how real mechanics to their work. They don't just swap parts and connect their laptops to the vehicles but actually approach the issues like in the old days (after they are done with their laptops). <br />
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May I introduce Fredo and Lulu to you?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSFsatElhmsY7HE7t-8WVNtoWGXjR6gf0LsyI5HauBICrHGTxtzzd8tepX7Ua7KTU7LTK8ha7VA6Dj0C5MoG0Ou9I7RzERhYeLEBlrvK7VM6J6AXzAICO_7zCye2l8zIQHI-tBDiy3ioH/s1600/DSC00456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSFsatElhmsY7HE7t-8WVNtoWGXjR6gf0LsyI5HauBICrHGTxtzzd8tepX7Ua7KTU7LTK8ha7VA6Dj0C5MoG0Ou9I7RzERhYeLEBlrvK7VM6J6AXzAICO_7zCye2l8zIQHI-tBDiy3ioH/s640/DSC00456.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Fredo is an English Pointer and deeply in love with Jim. Lulu is only 6 months old and obviously a Golden Retriever. Both are fun to be with and only pretend to be guard dogs. Once the gate opens, they are full of joy about the visitor. Please don't tell any local thieves. But - as a taxi driver told me today - Cuenca hardly has any of that sort. After all, Cuenca is the best place to live. It's safe, most people have work and the weather is great. True, today we only had a few drops of rain and a really nice sunset.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpdRoT9OLPiKtS9SIrFs1fIDWbOBfviFkQhUOTSLQ1E6UBd8GqSAEwKgAMJjOjD8y_6sLIG5wLtIrR27Gc6Yc3rhzqKyNfEcow9AiOL8oPfXYER1C1zBt5anJCgjwcXLKAiUPFJtjhFbc/s1600/DSC00457.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpdRoT9OLPiKtS9SIrFs1fIDWbOBfviFkQhUOTSLQ1E6UBd8GqSAEwKgAMJjOjD8y_6sLIG5wLtIrR27Gc6Yc3rhzqKyNfEcow9AiOL8oPfXYER1C1zBt5anJCgjwcXLKAiUPFJtjhFbc/s640/DSC00457.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-40388970803092819592010-12-19T17:12:00.002-05:002010-12-20T12:52:07.687-05:00First Impressions<div class="MsoNormal">Most important fact first: I am happy and have a really great time.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yesterday Jim & Sole threw a welcome party for me. With friends from the States, England and of course Ecuador. We had a lot of fun with Karaoke, Forfeits and many interesting and fun discussions. Here are some pictures of the party.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLwIv1hsVAjRZIl9D5M_TNFvt7ZJQEb2eKPt1CpEn9OMYuIaYYhjC9Ss6kL-oXrR3AuYTNJL9UmjhecUPEowlV6p9OW1GSqoE-5v-1aNQHJ3JuDn9v7ZwtnqJhLVBEHIHqWXwVo8XvxOA/s1600/DSC00418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLwIv1hsVAjRZIl9D5M_TNFvt7ZJQEb2eKPt1CpEn9OMYuIaYYhjC9Ss6kL-oXrR3AuYTNJL9UmjhecUPEowlV6p9OW1GSqoE-5v-1aNQHJ3JuDn9v7ZwtnqJhLVBEHIHqWXwVo8XvxOA/s640/DSC00418.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0jyX7j3ubnxrOSCqYtwQbqlzKsEypqMMgxylfu9dHn2MgP0gS9H-_WHjniNUzrI8tz63HyA4jyxSqnV3BpLccEtfe24mEhaJncHmUwT8enC-Wg921cNC613TjfsVQ6aFqwVMS9Vptd-s/s1600/DSC00426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0jyX7j3ubnxrOSCqYtwQbqlzKsEypqMMgxylfu9dHn2MgP0gS9H-_WHjniNUzrI8tz63HyA4jyxSqnV3BpLccEtfe24mEhaJncHmUwT8enC-Wg921cNC613TjfsVQ6aFqwVMS9Vptd-s/s640/DSC00426.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBff3dM9EpbevhDsSkD02aVyVYWXKwJe7z0l-mDl5D89jJRFVOZO7V5qNL5Ep7wrhTzqRSoUQYissUo6MDartZ1cy4Q5SaLa1PrMK50OEobYd2kTWHfygERgqBy62M7iQZqKeEMM0pziTd/s1600/DSC00431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBff3dM9EpbevhDsSkD02aVyVYWXKwJe7z0l-mDl5D89jJRFVOZO7V5qNL5Ep7wrhTzqRSoUQYissUo6MDartZ1cy4Q5SaLa1PrMK50OEobYd2kTWHfygERgqBy62M7iQZqKeEMM0pziTd/s640/DSC00431.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jim & Sole </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnyUdEs-wi4CRh_5AA9B0UTO79XQcgyvvdoptqygUYeoJOcv5RWupOJsiGqEkIf2Vp4c4MheGK3INqy5jJ0O1I_IGzrlexiyZ-5xfAi-AdWyywZe1Y5FgnbJTBQ2jRm0RqRM36Jq7ejdL/s1600/DSC00436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnyUdEs-wi4CRh_5AA9B0UTO79XQcgyvvdoptqygUYeoJOcv5RWupOJsiGqEkIf2Vp4c4MheGK3INqy5jJ0O1I_IGzrlexiyZ-5xfAi-AdWyywZe1Y5FgnbJTBQ2jRm0RqRM36Jq7ejdL/s640/DSC00436.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The last beer was too much for him... </div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For the party shopping, we went to the local Supermaxi (supermarket). I was a bit surprised about the prices. Apart from some really cheap products, the price level is about 10-20% higher than I thought. A large steak for 2 is about 7 USD, so slightly more expensive than in the US or Canada. Compared to Switzeland about half price. In Germany I would imagine that you pay about 20% more. Or course, no-one needs to have a steak each day, so no big deal. I just wanted to find a benchmark. The basic food stuffs are much lower in cost, so no horror news here…</div><div class="MsoNormal">Prior to the party yesterday, I took some pictures inside the house and of the view out. It is a cozy place and I couldn’t imagine it much better.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElrE30Pn5mbsoT0AcVRURoChrWsEbBRoiQK8cUF8DTqy5qUOnMR69c2iFTnt9g6JHtOAdlSpvlRie1ofrbGW2cmyG1oatm4WXUyuJsPGB9kZD6KX35lG1dTjWrfdLTyI4jOJS6aI5PK1G/s1600/DSC00397.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElrE30Pn5mbsoT0AcVRURoChrWsEbBRoiQK8cUF8DTqy5qUOnMR69c2iFTnt9g6JHtOAdlSpvlRie1ofrbGW2cmyG1oatm4WXUyuJsPGB9kZD6KX35lG1dTjWrfdLTyI4jOJS6aI5PK1G/s640/DSC00397.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PbjRNzMd3DY7Dz30V6i6l781VGDO42zsnyL_8SKP-kVMnTSH8H-SJ6xLrLZr6W4d4BvThbTtwtoeblVlB7tNzQwzLalzKQA1rR3B90uk_vKwCXMr89DjyjUYTWyKyU6aKYuPBkJ-KaHB/s1600/DSC00399.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PbjRNzMd3DY7Dz30V6i6l781VGDO42zsnyL_8SKP-kVMnTSH8H-SJ6xLrLZr6W4d4BvThbTtwtoeblVlB7tNzQwzLalzKQA1rR3B90uk_vKwCXMr89DjyjUYTWyKyU6aKYuPBkJ-KaHB/s640/DSC00399.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqoTQ1x0I84I8vNXFlZZxMXJhL395l5VM66w6BkT_BZbxOscIJ2BeMMIM0om5c844WPz4S2cYtpFfa3O9XVJ22agFC9gI18VRDakUIhMAIlRqObpFXdApteH5-6bKICKrG11uq8ka5Tly/s1600/DSC00400.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqoTQ1x0I84I8vNXFlZZxMXJhL395l5VM66w6BkT_BZbxOscIJ2BeMMIM0om5c844WPz4S2cYtpFfa3O9XVJ22agFC9gI18VRDakUIhMAIlRqObpFXdApteH5-6bKICKrG11uq8ka5Tly/s640/DSC00400.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDt26ATAPoc671j5kPwt9PGbsjTwVQQK7DiW8Z7AI1jPfXlQeO1659VGAV7Iaz0RfkW_4N3hw17XTPW98RTrCwcztI_oYq9wWYUFKzU-VdZbUU0T16Wg6_F7imjJElPwNIAnyLWOEOfQeZ/s1600/DSC00403.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDt26ATAPoc671j5kPwt9PGbsjTwVQQK7DiW8Z7AI1jPfXlQeO1659VGAV7Iaz0RfkW_4N3hw17XTPW98RTrCwcztI_oYq9wWYUFKzU-VdZbUU0T16Wg6_F7imjJElPwNIAnyLWOEOfQeZ/s640/DSC00403.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Top: Spot the Kuckuck clock :) </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFvB2lrKDApHjFuFLvFU6j5RFRgQHumq35pDNgyiyo99PMFeieaouLzNkbPeiTrGQPIG-06nOjk5joIKTB5FhAfaO9YBrl9CvtD138MCEmuSO9Cx2XWIyAAIHrB6N7FjnsNbDXOfqG86o/s1600/DSC00408.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFvB2lrKDApHjFuFLvFU6j5RFRgQHumq35pDNgyiyo99PMFeieaouLzNkbPeiTrGQPIG-06nOjk5joIKTB5FhAfaO9YBrl9CvtD138MCEmuSO9Cx2XWIyAAIHrB6N7FjnsNbDXOfqG86o/s640/DSC00408.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsI-iiT9F6aA98VQ3Xe1aX33YhHHsbXQ-ITKkZil62Ual4f4BHFUJCxKFHwlszmciLl8M27eQTH3cYR3-Cltl5GMfOb4HywIidebO1CQ9TK1fUtk_k5MjrMeOPyQbL852XuYkAPZIebPX1/s1600/DSC00411.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsI-iiT9F6aA98VQ3Xe1aX33YhHHsbXQ-ITKkZil62Ual4f4BHFUJCxKFHwlszmciLl8M27eQTH3cYR3-Cltl5GMfOb4HywIidebO1CQ9TK1fUtk_k5MjrMeOPyQbL852XuYkAPZIebPX1/s640/DSC00411.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG9WRYXdPjG8lcjCNMm0bk8MZ_-PpctxZg673ndZKUaUvcKGKT7lHEc89VjoKC-19hDSg3UcLZsMl0By2XL7wgjiQwCrVDl67cfvoKq3-jP4d4SmfnFpQi1Yfl5zI0dcWl4gQhhyTyVqi/s1600/DSC00413.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG9WRYXdPjG8lcjCNMm0bk8MZ_-PpctxZg673ndZKUaUvcKGKT7lHEc89VjoKC-19hDSg3UcLZsMl0By2XL7wgjiQwCrVDl67cfvoKq3-jP4d4SmfnFpQi1Yfl5zI0dcWl4gQhhyTyVqi/s640/DSC00413.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rental truck (left) - Sole & Jim's on right</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today, we had a great family lunch at Sole’s parents. 3 generations around a large table, enjoying Ceviche and other local delicacies. But have a look yourself…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQGXcqlka_YBQY4wrJaA1-i7OVfPPxRv0FAoH2ZWsTaFeDKmbQOiXstd0mU8zkFLzsZ94SbZ3UvI4FpgKuunvVDiSqa4M21ffYb9H-crDi4Ku_QaX0am5fLPt_thl4cCtcLXLjfuYSV1n/s1600/DSC00440.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQGXcqlka_YBQY4wrJaA1-i7OVfPPxRv0FAoH2ZWsTaFeDKmbQOiXstd0mU8zkFLzsZ94SbZ3UvI4FpgKuunvVDiSqa4M21ffYb9H-crDi4Ku_QaX0am5fLPt_thl4cCtcLXLjfuYSV1n/s640/DSC00440.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVMw9M9TabThlok4EfUcEo-u_PB4mjVOezavwbk3YEqvOt5NP8GyHs1C7rGHg6KdNTgmoiVmXPm6rzHp0N6y5ydmzOnxEYpQzXfOgbucgWwpnN8T-fCaBRKaujYDXB63wTP18JmjBBhrE/s1600/DSC00445.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVMw9M9TabThlok4EfUcEo-u_PB4mjVOezavwbk3YEqvOt5NP8GyHs1C7rGHg6KdNTgmoiVmXPm6rzHp0N6y5ydmzOnxEYpQzXfOgbucgWwpnN8T-fCaBRKaujYDXB63wTP18JmjBBhrE/s640/DSC00445.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5UvwJK7Bi0m8m6TuVEOXTT2OgnvVO0oSNOssitpu-t8ilvfpRcrBG-QMxhJvdmZ4YPuhxI-lSRzRHXuZGQel3t5s_hs3cvwKi92o8uSzLvnfMV1GCf2zLO5Qy-FhJUS03KthfaZ6H5_h/s1600/DSC00446.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5UvwJK7Bi0m8m6TuVEOXTT2OgnvVO0oSNOssitpu-t8ilvfpRcrBG-QMxhJvdmZ4YPuhxI-lSRzRHXuZGQel3t5s_hs3cvwKi92o8uSzLvnfMV1GCf2zLO5Qy-FhJUS03KthfaZ6H5_h/s640/DSC00446.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Yes, you guessed right. Fish in wholewheat Corn Flakes ;)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">The weather is great. Especially if you just escaped the big snow chaos in Europe. I almost forgot already how it is to sit in the sun and feel the need to take off (almost) all your clothes because it’s too warm. Being aware that the sun is extremely strong (2500m above the sea and a sun right above you), I only stayed for a couple of minutes. Still, a great feeling!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tonight will be a relaxed movie night and probably early bedtime. Tomorrow, we want to start planning for our business ventures. I am looking forward to that.</div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-66999834208448786832010-12-17T21:06:00.002-05:002010-12-18T06:56:40.134-05:00I made it!Finally, i arrived. The flight of my last leg of the trip was canceled in the end due to an accident of the fire brigade in Cuenca during a training in the early morning. So I rushed to the car rentals and drove the last 180 km. Piece of cake ;). Luckily I caught some 5 hours sleep on the plane. I rented a double cabin Ford Ranger Pick Up, one of the kind that was on the potential candidates to be purchased here. The engine was a joke but the car drove quite well... Ups, I guess this is not a car blog...<br />
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Now, a quick shower and then some dinner for me - didn't have much food in the past 12 hours.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238691992135627060.post-52041595083004327732010-12-17T14:16:00.003-05:002011-01-09T18:28:05.463-05:00What a tripMy flight from Munich to Madrid was supposed to leave at 7:05PM on the 16<sup>th</sup> Dec. On the morning of that day, I received an automated call from Chile telling me that my LAN flight from Madrid to Guayaquil would have a new departure time “at 30AM". Although I am not American or English, I was pretty sure that this time format didn’t exist. So, I checked on the website. It told me that my flight was 13 hours late (so actually it was canceled) and thus I would have to spend a night in Madrid and one night in Guayaquil. But since I have experienced a lot of strange things when traveling, I decided to pretend as if all is great and head to the airport at the planned time and take it from there.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">Check in isn’t easy if you have 5 suitcases totaling 110kg. I was prepared to pay 200 EUR for the additional luggage, since that was what the LAN website stated. Well, I didn’t take into account that my first leg of the trip was on Iberia and thus had to pay by their scheme. To make a (actually much) longer story short, I paid 270 EUR but because of two mistakes of the Iberia Ticketing lady, I didn’t have to pay 360 EUR and my luggage was paid until Cuenca (which usually is not the case). So, check in was done after just 1.5 hours lol.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Because of the snow in Northern Germany, we had a delay of a good hour. No big deal given the fact that I had a planned layover in Madrid of 2.5 hours plus the unsecure situation with the flight itself. Even in Munich, no-one could tell me when it would leave. Anyway…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
The long-distance flight actually left at about 3AM although the plane was there all the time between the initial departure time. LAN couldn’t organize a crew on time – which funny enough they knew 20 hours before that. The flight was very full. No space in Business class. I was tempted to buy an upgrade as I have quite a bad cold. But hey, I had a very nice Ecuadorian student who studies in Bonn next to me and I am sure that this will not be the last contact that we had. He also helped me a bit through customs. Although I really didn’t smuggle anything, I felt a bit on the spot when I had to open the one suitcase that had my 2 NAS and a 2TB hard drive plus some other nice stuff in it. In the end, all was cool though. No payments required.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Since MAD-GYE was delayed, I was sure I missed my connection to Cuenca. But no. The plane was still there. After just 30 minutes, I could board and thought that this would be it. Again, 2 hours late but that was ok. I fell asleep during taxi. When I woke up, we were parking at a gate. I looked out of my window and immediately realized, that this was not right. We didn’t lift off…. And even had to leave the plane again. Now, about 3 hours later, I sneaked into the VIP lounge and even got hold of the WLAN password to write this blog :)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
The flight is now due in about half an hour – 5.5 hours after the original departure time (which, as I mentioned I would not have made anyway). So, in South American terms, I guess I should be quite happy. Could be much worse…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
I’ll keep you posted.</div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500835048704363986noreply@blogger.com0