Interesting times in Ecuador

Hello all... here I sit writing a blog, on on what would normally be a full day in our field ministry in Cuenca ..... Why you ask? Well seems that the Policía Nacional went on strike today ..... that would not normally be a good thing, as the Policía normally are the ones who try to stop riots and problems such as these.... It seems from what is reported that the President supposedly "has tried to reduce some of the benefits" due to the police.... So their response is "lets see what happens when the police are not working" ..... Well you can imagine ... reports of 5 bank robberies in Quito were on the news wire, and most if not all the shops here in Cuenca are closed for the day... when we say closed that means they pull the steel door down that covers the window and entrances... the malls closed down and there is not much activity on the street... you hear an occasional siren in the distance... not sure if its from the problems or from the lack of traffic, so they stand out more .... but whatever it is, it's for sure, different..... These kinds of problems are common here from what the friends say.... one thing Carol read was that in the last 120 some years, the presidency has changed 100 times.... so we will see what happens this time....

They also shut down the airport in Quito as part of the strike ... and the American Embassy encouraged all Americans to stay indoors .... so here we are, indoors!

There is something missing ..... but not strangely missing ... Carl, Eslie where are you guys?...... Ooooooooh that's right your in the USA..... always missing the happenings while serving here in Ecuador... last month they were in the US for work, while we suuuuuuuuffered terribly through one of the strongest earthquakes in years here in Ecuador..... and now the police strike, with bank robberies, rioting and looting and general decay of society ...... and where are the formally known GC? .... NOT HERE!  .......You guys are always avoiding all the fun stuff! Have fun on your trip to places beyond. (You know I couldn't miss that opportunity Carl)

To buy or not to buy ..... That is the question....??????

Hello everyone ..... we hope that you all are doing well .... things right now are going well .... more on that later (another blog) ..... As we have mentioned in earlier blogs, here in Ecuador, things are on the cheep ..... rent, food, restaurants are very reasonable,  and transportation is so cheep sometimes you ask yourself why do they even charge..... for example to ride the bus from one side of the city to the other, it costs .25 (yes that is cents) imagine going from Mt. Rose Hwy to Verdi (if you live in Reno) for 25 cents .... ridicules right? Wherever the rest of you live,  imagine going about 15 miles for 25 cents)  No that is not an endorsement for the quality of the ride,  just the price..... Here we tend to use the taxis as they too are very inexpensive 2 maybe 3 dollars and you get from one side of the city to the other..... that as you can imagine, without a 1000 stops, like you have on the bus ... (I can hear that voice in my head saying, "if I told you once I have told you a million times don't exaggerate!")

In the past we have shared our experiences talking about the bible with the Taxi drivers and we have had tremendous success sharing the bible hope for the future.... Just yesterday we had 2 out of 3 conversations turn out excellent... in fact one of them (the taxi drivers that is) we took a ride again today and he invited us to his house on Saturday to start a bible study with him and his wife.... I'll keep you in the loop on that one, as to how it progresses .... so here is the question for your consideration .... should we get a car? (Give us your feed back) We have been talking about getting one for the "Freedom" ..... when we think of the benefits of having one they include the ability to "go where you want to go ... and do what you want to do" (I know there is an old song that has those lyrics) but then with the great experiences we have, we think about the opportunities to share the truth we will miss out on,  if we get one.... (we wont use the taxis) no need, as we can be behind the wheel and drive like a crazy Ecuadorian!!!!!!

Other consideration, used cars here are very expensive.... I mean crazy expensive .... for example there is a website here called "Gringo Tree" the foreigners  get all the low down on local events and can also post want ads or stuff for sale... a few weeks ago someone (hope it's not another brother) posted an add for a 1992 Suzuki Vitara for $9,400.00 ... (yes that's American greenbacks) 17 years old! .... the truth is you can buy a 2010 for $21,000 taxes included ... used cars here are ridiculously priced can't explain it, just the way it is. The Vitara is made here in EC and it a Chevy product but if you decide to go Asian, the import taxes are a killer, about 40% is added to the price you would pay in the US..... Crazy!

To buy or not to buy that is the question....?

Sample "Gringo Tree" ad.... You too can be a extranjero living in Cuenca follow the events here in Cuenca .... need a Pig?

WANTED: A spacious home for a sweet, affectionate and smart baby black pig. "Pig Floyd" was found along side the road and we wanted to save him from a short and/or unhappy life. He would do great out in the country with a caretaker who cherishes his company and who has no interest in eating him!  We estimate he's about 2 months old, and due to our constant attention, he is very socialized, and actually seems to like dogs and wants to play with them!  Please consider this lovely animal companion.  Unfortunately we really do not have the room to keep him for much longer. 

Please email primalgrace@yahoo.com

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