Wednesday 11 July 2012
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10:29 Had an amazing drive to Cuenca… I was in the front seat of a car… The sun was coming up… The scenery was breathe taking.
I arrived to the visa office at 9:20…was finished by 9:50…. I now have return bus at noon which should get me in at 4:00
I took the bussetta ( mini bus) this morning because it is quicker the down side is you are usually jammed in tight. This morning I was lucky to get the front seat of a car… Almost a pleasant experience… Except for the performance muffler on the car… Which roared when downshifting or going up hill…. Which is most of the 3 hours between Cuenca and Loja.
The trip back to loja was different. I took an autobus ( coach) 5 hours…. The weather and views were great the seat was comfortable but the driver was so slow….
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10:46 Sitting waiting for the bus I have totaled what I have spent so far today
Minibus to Cuenca (140 km) $12
Taxi to visa office $2
Taxi to bus terminal $3
Visa application fee $30
Bus to loja $7.50
This is most of a weeks wages for me. I have budgeted for this so it isn’t a problem.
It is strange how you get used to the lower monetary structure. I was going to say standard of living, but I think I have a very decent life and a good, healthy life style. Maybe nicer and less stress than in Toronto. I am defiantly in better physical and mental shape then I was in Toronto.
If I didn’t have to pay for my storage unit in Toronto ( which is almost as much as I pay for rent here) I would be in very good shape.
I comes back to Stuff. Do I need the stuff that is in the locker… ★★★
Tuesday 10 July 2012
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16:14 Have this massive banging in my head. No wait, it is someone building something in the school above my head.
https://m.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150983918200674&id=504670673
by Glenn Specht via Facebook
Monday 9 July 2012
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15:46 I am a little tender today… Mostly my quads which makes sense
Posted a few images on Facebook and I am getting a nice response.
I have all my paperwork for my trip to the
Visa office on Wednesday. Not really looking forward to the trip.
Sunday 8 July 2012
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22:16 Had a great day today.
Went to Vilcabamba with Rene and two of his Australian friends. We climbed Mandango. I didn’t make it all the way… I was really huffing and puffing and they did have to wait for me ( seriously they are all half my age, and in better shape them I ever was)
There is a point about 2/3 of the way up that was good for me to wait for them. After a break for about 10 minutes I started taking pictures and enjoying the view
Then the climb down, dinner at a great restaurant, meet with some people and then back to loja. ★★★★
Saturday 7 July 2012
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19:30 cooking dinner while editing photos…
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by Glenn Specht via Facebook
Friday 6 July 2012
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10:27 I am getting really tired of the cold and rain…time to move to someplace a little warmer and sunnier…
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by Glenn Specht via Facebook
Tuesday 3 July 2012
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11:30 Today I got a cardio workout… All over $5
I went to to local immigration police office to get I form I need to renew my visa. The cost is $5
The office is on top of a hill…a very steep hill
I gave the officer a $20 bill…. But like most people in this city, he didn’t have change.
I had to walk down the hill to try and find change. I ended going back to my Casa where I knew I had a $5 bill that I had put aside as part of my rent.
Back up the hill to finish my transaction.
Next step of the process, find a colour photocopier.