Yesterday morning, Mama and Dan headed out to the Rotary to look for some new household furniture and two unfinished desks. Plus, Mama was on the hunt for some local chachkies and Dan was looking to have some fun bartering for the items found.
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| The shelf they got me for $15.00US |
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| Inside the top section of my shelf :-) |
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| 1 of 2 of the Desk we got for $45.00US each including Delivery |
Once they arrived home they showed me all their purchases and my new shelf which they were able to bring it home in the trunk of their Taxi. The two desks and Mama's new nightstand were delivered about 2 hours after they arrived home.
While we were organizing the apartment Dan walked about 7 blocks (14 blocks round trip) to the Feira Libre open-air mercado to pick up some fresh produce. All around the city of Cuenca you can find mercados. Each one has a name that goes along with a major event in either Cuenca or in Ecuadorian history. Here are the most common outdoor markets in the city:
- 3 de Noviembre (Independence date of Cuenca)
- 9 de Octobre (Independence date of of Guayaquil)
- 10 de Agosto (Independence of Ecuador from Spain)
- 12 de Abril (Foundation date of Cuenca)
- 27 de Febrero (Independence date of Quito)
However, the biggest open-air mercado by far is the Feria Libre "Free Fair." The name was given because many moons ago the stalls were available for free. That is no longer the case, but the name carried on. The Feria Libre is where most of the local mercado's and tia's purchase their products. These mercados are a wonderful place for us to buy fresh veggies and fresh fruits. Note: we have to really be careful to clean everything really well to rid the items of parasites that are prevalent in the produce. They also sell various meats, fish, prepared for sale meals, some home supplies, some clothing. It is a wonderful place to shop and people watch. It truly is the real Ecuador and it is filled with many kind and friendly indigenous people. We are lucky enough to live so close. This should help us stay within out monthly budget.
On Dan's way back home from Feria Libre he stopped in a little bakery and picked up a few yummy surprises for Mama and I. I Love That Man! He has a heart of gold and I'm so glad dreams do come true. I should have never let him go back when we were 19 and 20 years old. I just wish my step daughters Danielle and Emma could be sharing in some of our experiences. They should be able to share time with there dad. We see little girls often and think how they could be enjoying some amazing experiences of a lifetime. Hopefully, in the future things will change. Danielle and Emma, we love you and think and talk about you all the time.
