Settling Into New Apartment

Well, we have moved into our new apartment in an area called La Isla – because it is a small area between two Rios (the Yanuncay and the Tarqui) which eventually merge into one. We are located below Turi Cathedral in a newer “highrise” called La Atlantida. Lots of space, new fixtures, tastefully appointed, we are it’s first official occupants.

We also decided, since it was allowed, to get a pet – cat. After finding him and getting him altered and checked out at the vet, we brought him home. The search for a name began. We couldn’t decide and spent about a week+ working on options. One thing we noticed is that he loves to eat and he has a fascination with digging in the cat box. It sounds like he is digging to the center of the earth! With those two traits we came up with a spin on an Artemis Fowl character…Munch Diggums – Munch for short. It suits him and we both like it.

We are settling into the area slowly but surely. Andy has found a group of people that meet three times a week to play pickleball at the Coliseum. He also frequents the gym in our building. There is a basketball court and volleyball/tennis court as well as an outdoor playground for children and a large barbeque area. Andy plans to attach the basketball net (he already purchased a BB) so he can practice.

I have managed to find (there are a lot so it wasn’t really a search 😉) yarn and needles and have already knitted a pair of socks (which fit me!). Unfortunately I forgot about the type of yarn I purchased and my sock is now more of a banana cozy – they shrunk in the wash (I did NOT put them in the dryer) and could not be stretched back. Pictures below:

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Sock Into Banana Cozy

I have already purchased nonshrinkable yarn to try again! Also looking into a pottery class so keeping artistically active.

We had a young man make a table (to be used as a desk for computers) and a cat perch for Munch. He did okay but was not the craftsman he implied he was. We need two more small items but will wait until we find someone that can meet Andy’s critical eye!

There is a place about a mile or two away that is run by the city that takes food and yard waste for composting. They weigh what you bring in and issue you a voucher for compost that you get in return. We have made the trek once and will be going again next week. They also sell plants that are also used in the parks. We purchased an agapanthus and I have repotted it. Cannot wait for my blue flower! Also purchased from the Feria Libra a hummingbird feeder. There are lots of hummingbirds around and one fairly territorial one has already found it. Needless to say, Munch is VERY interested in watching the birds and that is why he stays indoors!

On another note, we were able to meet with our contact for our Ecuadorian Visa a couple of times. She received our apostled documents, bank statements, and with the POA we signed in front of a notary, took our passports so that she could submit everything to the powers that be… That was this past Friday, and after much back and forth about where exactly I was born, (they couldn’t find Gotemba, then thought it was a park, then needed the “state” [which in Japan is called a Prefecture] and eventually “found it”. Kelly was able to get both our visas processed and paid the fee for us (we, of course, reimbursed her) and met us to return our passports. So the visas are done, just waiting for the official form. Next is our “cedula” – basically Ecuadorian ID. That will be an end of the month to-do once we have the formalized paperwork for our Visas.

Going to close this particular post and will bring updates when there is more to report!