Souvenir Photo Studio, by Al Bourassa: 2013

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Thursday December 26, 2013 Lunch

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Thursday December 26, 2013

I actually went down to Parque Calderon to support the hunger strikers of Coopera this morning and was surprised to see that the gazebo was empty. When I got home I found an article today in El Mercurio saying a hunger strike "truce had been declared.. http://www.elmercurio.com.ec/411244-afectados-de-coopera-dan-tregua-y-suspenden-huelga-de-hambre/#.Ury3HdJDvTo This is best viewed with Google Chrome so you can get a reasonable translation.

While I was downtown I bought a new leather wallet for $7 and spotted this one fellow in ceremonial dress like a North American Indian.

Then I picked up my lunch stuff at Coral, 37c for a large cabbage (enough for 7 lunches), and $1.19 for 6 large tomatoes.... That is one of the reasons that I will be staying in Ecuador...

Hope you enjoy the photos. That was the day's excitement, Cheers, Al

Look at the size of this cabbage for 37 cents

Yes Virginia, 37 cents for a huge cabbage

North American Indian costume??

Immaculate Conception is always a sight

The gazebo was empty of the Coopera hunger strikers

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Wednesday December 25, 2013 Christmas with Mark + Karen

Please note that you can SUBSCRIBE below to this Blog if you enjoy the photos and the accompanying stories.

I certainly hope you enjoy my work which is displayed here, perfect or not. Comments are graciously accepted at aljbourassa@gmail.com.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

Also please see my artworks for sale at http://saccc05.tripod.com/

All work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission.

Wednesday December 25, 2013 MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Mark and Karen kindly invited a group of people over for a magnificent Turkey supper with all the trimmings, some holiday cheers, and then we played Rummy Sticks. A good time was had by all.

Hope you enjoy the photos. That was the day's excitement, Cheers, Al

A gorgeous afternoon on Christmas Day in Cuenca

Eggnog & Champagne were the order of the day

A hummer kept us entertained on the patio.

The table setting was stunning

Waiting on Karen to show us how to snap open the Xmas Crackers

Digging in to all that scrumptious food

Xmas tree and Xmas music set the mood

I was fascinated with these napkin rings

Sitting down to play Rummy Sticks

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Tuesday December 24, 2013 Pase Del Nino

Please note that you can SUBSCRIBE below to this Blog if you enjoy the photos and the accompanying stories.

I certainly hope you enjoy my work which is displayed here, perfect or not. Comments are graciously accepted at aljbourassa@gmail.com.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

Also please see my artworks for sale at http://saccc05.tripod.com/

All work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission.

Tuesday December 24, 2013

MERRY CHRISTMAS Everyone!

I intended to attend the Pase Del Nino parade today, as I have in previous years, then head to Joe’s Secret Garden for Christmas dinner. But, the best made plans got waylaid.

I did manage to get to Parque Calderon and was frankly surprised to see that the hunger-striking Coopera members were still occupying the gazebo. I really expected the authorities to evict them prior to the parade… Later I heard that the Government is announcing another round of payouts in January, so I am hoping that we can recover our money before I leave on Jan 9.

I continued to walk west along the parade route, trying to avoid the crush of the crowds and to try to get a better camera angle without a lot of offending background. This is the third year in a row that the parade has generated a gorgeous sunny day and record crowds. Even though I was supremely conscious of the danger of pickpockets, I was an unlucky victim this day… Even a zippered pocket, covered by my shirt, did not stop these experts…. That ended my parade viewing very quickly as I rushed off to notify my banks of my dilemma. Luckily the thieves got little of any use to them, except some cash, so I am hoping there is a slim possibility that the wallet itself may show up yet…

So, after contacting the banks, I came home and began to reconstruct my identity card copies again. It is never recommended to carry any originals, so the only original they managed to get was my Canadian Driver’s Licence.

While my stay was short at the parade, I did manage a few shots…

Hope you enjoy the photos. That was the day's excitement, Cheers, Al

The Coopera group still occupies the gazebo at Parque Calderon

3 hunger strikers have been there for 6 days so far

Pase Del Nino parade # 1

Pase Del Nino parade # 2

Pase Del Nino parade # 3

Pase Del Nino parade # 4

Pase Del Nino parade # 5

Pase Del Nino parade # 6

Pase Del Nino parade # 7

Pase Del Nino parade # 8

Pase Del Nino parade # 9

Pase Del Nino parade # 10

Pase Del Nino parade # 11

Pase Del Nino parade # 12

Pase Del Nino parade # 13

Pase Del Nino parade # 14

Monday, December 23, 2013

Monday December 23, 2013 Nativity

Please note that you can SUBSCRIBE below to this Blog if you enjoy the photos and the accompanying stories.

I certainly hope you enjoy my work which is displayed here, perfect or not. Comments are graciously accepted at aljbourassa@gmail.com.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

Also please see my artworks for sale at http://saccc05.tripod.com/

All work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission.

Monday December 23, 2013

I made several trips out today and had to studiously avoid the sun, to let my swollen face return to semi-normal. I needed a running shoe and a fanny-pack repaired and that cost me a whole $1 each. Then it was time for groceries, but it still felt good to be out and about after spending a week cooped up at home.

Across the street, they are adding yet another storey to the new home there, more than 18 months in construction after 3 months of demolition. The workers must be getting paid by the hour....

Then a very special friend brought me a Christmas present, a local craftsman's nativity scene, no more than 2" tall, and it is just so very precious at this time. With no snow and no family, it is really hard to get the Christmas feeling, but this really brought tears to my eyes.

On top of that, my sister Leonie kindly sent me a photo she had taken yesterday with Mom, 97 years old, and that set the waterworks flowing. I will be seeing everyone in Canada very soon and am looking forward to that.

Hope you enjoy the photos. That was the day's excitement, Cheers, Al

Slow construction here...

This storey is going up fast though

Priceless nativity scene sets the mood here

Only 1" to 2" tall, they are just too cute...

This makes it feel more like Christmas

My sister Leonie and Mom who is 97

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Saturday December 21, 2013 Joe's Secret Garden

Please note that you can SUBSCRIBE below to this Blog if you enjoy the photos and the accompanying stories.

I certainly hope you enjoy my work which is displayed here, perfect or not. Comments are graciously accepted at aljbourassa@gmail.com.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

Also please see my artworks for sale at http://saccc05.tripod.com/

All work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission.

Saturday December 21, 2013

I was just doing my usual gig at Joe's Secret Garden tonight. Sorry if the quality is suffering a tad, it is hard to work with the eyes almost swollen shut.

Hope you enjoy the photos. That was the day's excitement, Cheers, Al