Cuenca: The Revenge

This week we continued our main task of doing nothing much of anything, and we feel that we have successfully achieved all that we desired. While it is true that Rich continued to take a few Spanish classes, and Kendra took a few photos, the rest of our daily time was spent in a few new books, a few new recipes, and one or two new TV crime show episodes.

Toward the beginning of the week we ventured out with a few older expats to the edge of Cajas National Park for a trout lunch served with traditional Cuencan sides of habas with aji sauce (large gray lima beans with mild chili sauce) and mote pillo (large corn kernels cooked with eggs and various seasonings). The area was absolutely beautiful and we definitely have intentions to return to hike before we leave.

We also took a mandatory Christmas-time trip to the local mall, where we observed the following oddities: seven straight aisles of nothing but top-to-bottom toy cars, restaurant-grade deep fryers for sale at the JC Penney's equivalent, and live children enclosed in giant inflatable clear plastic balls – all of which are in our pictures for your viewing pleasure. Some things when you travel are just too weird...

Just as many of you have been braving the cold and snow to prepare for Christmas, we have been braving the horribly intense 75 degree sunny weather. Kendra sadly forsook her plans to make a paper Christmas tree when faced with a green construction paper shortage at the local libreria and we opted for an 18-inch mini fake tree and put our crafty skills toward popcorn strings and paper ornaments. We have already received some cards and packages which are now practically overtaking the tree, just as Christmas should be. Although, for some sick reason, we are still waiting for the snow... doesn't seem like December without it.