A Day Off Plus

We had a day off for the most part. We slept in and took breakfast at a small coffee shop near the hotel. We each had a breakfast of coffee, a cookie or bread, and yogurt for a total cost for all of $9 USD. It was enough food too. We then walked the streets looking and inquiring in many shops as to whether we could buy a battery charger for Aino's Olympus camera. The answer was consistent "No es posible en Riobamba."  "It is not possible in Riobamba."

While looking for the charger, we stopped in a handcraft shop to look. Antti made a big purchase of a sombero or hat. We now call him Tex Paananen.

Tex Paananen

 

While waiting for Milton to pick us up, we sat in a small park near the hotel and watched the people. Walt has been waiting for the opportunity to take a picture of children in their school uniforms. So when two girls came by, he asked them "Puedo sacar una foto a ustedes?"  "Can I take a picture of you?" They answered "yes" and immediately went to sit by Avis and leaned against her smiling and giggling.

Avis and the school girls.

 

Some more school girls each with a unique uniform for their school.

 

In mid-afternoon, we visited a very large and beautiful complex of buildings, which is available for rent. We found one building suitable for a group of about 60-70 people. There were buildings for nearly any size group. Available were bedrooms, game rooms, saunas, Turkish steam rooms, pools, hot tubs, basketball courts, and much more. I teased Milton that maybe this could someday be "la mansion de Milton" or the mansion of Milton. He answered while pointing skyward that he hoped one day to have a mansion in heaven.

Entrance to a high class rental facility and potential camp site.

 

A salon or conference room where we could meet.

Swimming pool and hot tub area.

 

The rent for one day for the conference room was quoted at $200, which is not so much. The setting is beautiful. It would include everything, including projector. The swimming pool and sauna are $4/day/person. Again not much by western standards. The food, however, was expensive: $7/breakfast, $15/lunch, and $15/supper. No reduction in price based on age of participant. Children and adults pay the same. It is a lot of money for the typical Ecuadorian. It is not possible to have 'box lunches' made up and brought in because of government rules and fear of poorly prepared food.

We briefly stopped in a shopping mall after our investigation of the 'camp site'. The malls are very modern as you can tell from the pictures which follow.

Above four pictures: From a very modern mall near Riobamba.

 

We have been able to visit very much with Antti and Aino, sorry, I meant Aino and Tex. They have become our friends. We know some of the same people in Finland and hope someday to visit their summer cottage and go fishing. We have at times asked them to bring special greetings to our friends in Finland. Today we especially remembered Walt's cousin, Pikku Serkku, who lives in Perho, Liisa Tynnela, and her husband, Antti.

Aino and Tex

 

The day off allowed us to catch up on some nagging but necessary details. Tomorrow the services will be at the Hacienda La Merced. Hasta luego! Que le vaya bien.

Walt and Avis