Cuenca

21.07.-17.08.11

On Thursday, 21.07.11 Michaela and Martin from Rosenheim gave me a lift in their rental car from VILCABAMBA to CUENCA. I was supposed to stay with the German Couchsurfer Ludger but as I arrived much earlier than agreed I stored my backpacks in the "Hostel Pousada del Sol". So I went for a quick sightseeing walk through CUENCA.

CUENCA is the third biggest city (approx. 470.000 inhabitants) of Ecuador and with its numerous colonial buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, beautiful plazas and domed churches a real tourist attraction and worthwhile staying for a few days.

After walking around only for a few hours I fell in love with this beautiful and tidy city. My plan was to stay in Cuenca for two weeks and taking some Spanish Classes. Claudia, another German Couchsurfer recommended me an Ecuadorian Spanish Teacher, Patricia....and after contacting her we made an appointment for the next day, Friday, 22.07.11.

The first two nights (21.07. - 22.07.11) I was very happy that I could stay with Ludger in his big, huge house. His wife and three kids were still on holidays in Holland and therefore I could sleep in the bed of his son. It doesn't happen a lot that I can enjoy my own room with a proper bed and a real good mattress and therefore I slept like a baby during the two nights.

On Friday, 22.07.11 I went to see Patricia to discuss a schedule for my Spanish Classes. But as I wanted to check out another teacher I met Maria-Luise in the afternoon. As she couldn't teach me personally and as I didn't like her office I decided to take four hours per day only with Patricia.

Patricia also recommended a homestay family and gave me their phone number. I phoned "Cheli", the host mum the next day and met her at her office right in town. She offered me to take me home so I could see the house, the room and meet the rest of the family. Que amable!

The house was 30 Min walking distance from the city centre which I didn't like first. As Patricia provided me with another number of an Ecuadorian girl who rents out rooms in her flat and I contacted "Flor" the same day. I went to see the apartment in the afternoon but the room didn't have a window and therefore I decided to move to the family "Paredes".

On Monday, the 25.07.11 after my first two hours of Spanish Classes I walked back to the Hostel "Pousada de Sol" where I stayed for three nights and packed my backpack. Later on I walked over to the "Museo of Sombreros" where I met Cheli. We both drove to their house where I settled straight into my room. Cheli introduced me to the rest of the family and we all had a delicious lunch together.

Cheli and her husband Patricio have four son's…..Fabian (34?) who lives in Quito, Estaban (32?) who lives with his wife Paula and his son Mateo in Cuenca and Andres (27) and Pedro (25) who are living with their parents.

I really enjoyed living with the Family "Paredes" for three weeks and I loved the common lunches we had every day. And at the end I got so used to the 30 Min. walk which was quite a good exercise for me anyhow after all the delicious meals.

In the beginning I was planning to take classes for two weeks but as I liked Patricia's classes and she made me a good offer so I agreed on staying for an extra week. Patricia and I became really good friends over the three weeks. She also showed me the apartment opposite her office which was for sale and I was very tempted to buy it……but as it is never good to buy things in a rush I declined.

During my time in Cuenca I caught up with sooo many different Couchsurfers. For example with Johan from Peru who is an artist and wants to live in Cuenca, Marga from Valencia in Spain who lives and works in Cuenca, Glady's who is from Cuenca and works in a travel agency, Joan who is a painter and a constructor and showed me around his beautiful city, Eduardor who lives outside of Cuenca and is a professional photographer and Xavier, who is not a Couchsurfer but we met a few weeks before in Vilcabamba……and all the other lovely Ecuadorian friends of this people.

On Thursday, 11.08.11 I had my last classes with Patricia. As I was also planning of living in Cuenca I was discussing a few job options with Patricia and my Chiropracticer…..but I was very confused as all jobs were either "dreams" or wouldn't pay enough.

The same day I moved to Claudia's (German Couchsurfer) apartment right in the city next to the "Plaza San Franzisco". Claudia was so kind to leave me the keys for her apartment before she went on holidays. How generous and I felt very special!

On Friday, 12.08.11 she came back from her holiday in Peru and Bolivia and the next two days we went shopping, sightseeing and had some really good conversations. On Sunday, 14.08.11 she took off again for her next holiday in Columbia and again she offered me to stay in her "penthouse" while she was away. The first day I couldn't really enjoy the beautiful and huge apartment as I felt pretty lonely and as I was still very confused what to do….."Should I stay or should I go????"

As I was really tense and stressed I decided to go to the Thermal pools in BANOS on Monday, 15.08.11. What a great decision…..I really enjoyed the 40 degree hot pool outside the "Hotsteria Duran" and relaxed there for the whole afternoon. Even though that I would have loved to stay in the beautiful city of Cuenca but I decided to move on and travel to the north of Ecuador and then Columbia.

On Tuesday, 16.08.11 I promised Claudia to call the "Gas Man" and install some new bulbs in her flat. For lunch I caught up with Patricia, my Spanish Teacher for the last time. After a three week intensive Spanish Course we knew each other quite well and she always had some good tips for me.

At 8pm I was supposed to have a "date" with Xavier but as he was still at work we managed to see each other at 9pm. We had some great conversations and a few too many glasses of wine….but it was fun!

Wednesday, 17.08.11 I finaly left CUENCA after more or less for weeks. At 9.30am I took the "buseta" to Guayaquil!!!