Cuenca Again

May 31, 2013

I’m back in Cuenca for a week or so to take care of on-going eye problems.
I saw my eye doctor yesterday and I am scheduled to have cataract surgery next Tuesday. Both of my eyes have cataracts, but the left eye is down to 20% vision, so that one will be operated on first.  This is the same eye that I had laser surgery on about 8 months ago to repair a torn retina, and because I had Lasik surgery done on my eyes about ten years ago, the surgery will be a little more complicated than normal cataract removal.

I have a lot of confidence in my eye doctor here in Cuenca, and looking forward to being able to see again.  I don’t know what cataract surgery costs in the States now, but the cost of this procedure here is going to cost $1200 - $1500, depending on what type of lens is needed (to be determined during the operation).

 



The Festival of Corpus Christi started yesterday. It is a weeklong celebration that includes fireworks, bands, a multitude of the stands selling dulces, and other festivities.  It’s always fun to wonder around El Centro and Parque Caldron during these holidays.

 

 

 

 

 

In fact, it seems like every time we are in Cuenca, there is some type of holiday celebration happening, generally rooted in some religious observance (during our last trip here, it was during Palm Sunday weekend), and I love that Ecuadorians embrace merriment at the drop of a “Panama” hat.*

Taken during last visit to Cuenca
during Palm Sunday weekend.

An Olon example of a "Castillo"

I had heard that the fireworks might be limited this year in Cuenca, because one of the “globos” (incendiary paper maché hot air balloons) set fire to the roof of the seminary that adjoins the Catedral Nueva in Parque Caldron last year, though the nightly “castillos” (firework castles) will still be allowed.  There has been some heated debate in Cuenca this year between the fire department and traditionalists regarding this issue, but my bet is on the fireworks contingent.

I heard quite a few fireworks last night from my hotel room (several blocks away from the park) despite a ferocious thunder and lightning storm that passed through during the evening.

I came to Cuenca alone a couple of days ago because Todd had to work, though he is coming in later today to join me.

Tomorrow is our third wedding anniversary and we are celebrating it at Joe’s Secret Garden (Fried Chicken Night!) – which is one of the BEST and most unique places to eat in Cuenca.
 

Taken during one of our passes
through Cajas National Park

This is now my 12th trip and my twenty-third time across the Cajas pass in the last year (a three hour drive from Guayaquil to Cuenca).

And it is still a beautiful – if hair-raising – ride through generally fog shrouded mountain passes, with sharp pin turns, high cliff drop offs, and the occasional sudden landslides onto the highway. 

These days, I just generally either nap or bury my head in a book, preferring not to see my life flash beforehand if we careen off the side of the mountain, figuring that those that are sleeping or drunk have a chance of surviving these things.

I mentioned this on one of my recent Facebook status updates, and had the funniest conversation with a friend of mine (Gayle Hill) who lives in Pennsylvania:

GAYLE:

Leigh, I decided to find some pics of the area known as Cajas Pass and it is quite spectacular. I read a hiker's experience crossing that area and she described it as treacherous because it rained heavily and hailed during the hike. Anyway, it is a beautiful place and you are lucky to live Ecuador and also lucky to be fit enough to walk in the mountains.

LEIGH:

Shit, Gayle – I didn’t HIKE across the pass....LOL... Not nearly that fit… LOL!
NOOOO.....I do something even MORE treacherous when I make the trip.
I take shuttle vans with lunatic drivers each time.

This pic taken by either Todd or me/off our camera.
Around our fifth time across the Cajas before
we actually got sunshine going across.

It’s funny because there may be many words to describe me, but “athletic” would not probably be one of the first descriptions that comes to mind (said as I am firing up another cigarette as I write this).

* I hope by now, most of you reading realize that the “Panama” hat actually originated, and are made in Ecuador.