SATURDAY, 5 November 2016

A day full of activities, as well as an issue involving one of the boys.

First, the issue involving a boy.  In an earlier post, I talked about a 16 year old who was in the hospital with psychotic issues - well, he seemed to be doing okay but after the incident yesterday, he apparently ran away!  As I write this late Saturday night, Kevin is no place to be found. Pastor Ken called the police, a special division that deals with run-aways so they are looking for him but nothing yet. Don't know if they notified anyone in the courts.

We had expected to have lunch with José and Ruth but did not hear from them so thought something had happened and they forgot to contact us. So, we went to El Centro to walk around and window shop.  While there, José called and wanted to know if we available for lunch; we agreed so he and Ruth picked us up and went with them to one of their favorite authentic Ecuadorian restaurants.  We had grilled pork, chicken, soup, two different styles of their corn, one mixed with scrambled eggs, the other cooked in pork fat.  While eating, we discussed our plans of things to do before we leave Ecuador so our desire to go to Chordeleg came up; we felt we may not make it up there because we actually, because of the trip to the Galapagos Island, have only a few days left in Cuenca.  Well, José offered to take us there! I tried to mildly protest but he insisted it would be a good time of fellowship. So, we agreed.  But, before we left for Chordeleg, we had to stop for some ice cream! :).

Once in Chordeleg, we parked a couple of blocks away from the square and walked, window shopping as we went.  When we got to the square, we went into our "family" jewelry store - lo and behold, there were Juan and Diane Moreno!  They had some relatives visiting so they took them there to get the best deals on silver jewelry. We had not expected to see them because they are very busy during the remaining time they have left here (they leave the 18th of November) so it was a very pleasant surprise to see them and talk with them while their relatives were shopping.

Chordeleg is the place to get silver jewelry! (Of course, we knew that already) We had priced some jewelry in Cuenca that would have cost over $100; we got it there for about half! So, I think we're through shopping for jewelry, except for a piece I had to pick up at the fiesta grounds in Cuenca.

José and Jenny needed another ice cream fix before we left Chordeleg then back to Cuenca.  On the way, we stopped by the house that José is having built; he is retiring in a year and a half and wants to live a little ways out of the city.  It's a very nice place with a terrific view!

A very good day spent with friends!