Souvenir Photo Studio, by Al Bourassa: February 2016

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Sunday February 28, 2016 Meet TURI

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Sunday February 28, 2016

Our little Lupe died on Thursday and poor Mariposa is moping around so we set about locating a new companion for her. There are many dogs for adoption or sale, and we reviewed many ads, but we wanted a good fit for Mariposa and a dog that would be good in the house.

I initially wanted a lap dog, somewhat smaller than Lupe was but we both were impressed with the photo of a dog that had most of a front leg missing, hoping that this would indicate a dog with courage, but dependency.

After a few calls we ended up south of Ucubamba at the home of the founder of Fundacion Peloditos and they had many dogs, mostly from the vet clinic where he works. Several dogs ran up to us, all but one initially barking at us. Even the one we came to see barked at us, but then went off to lay by herself, looking very sad. Unfortunately 2 sad dogs aren't going to make a happy house. At first I thought that he said that the amputee was the only one for sale, but he later said differently when I asked again.

The lovely dog that did not bark at us, but immediately was licking our fingers, was outstanding from the rest because of its absolute cleanliness and intelligent look. Even though this dog is a tad larger than Mariposa, she had captured our hearts and we figured that she would be a good companion for Mariposa.

So please meet TURI, ....yes, named after the Mirador south of Cuenca.

Turi has to get accustomed to being in a house rather than an outside enclosure, and Mariposa will teach her the ropes. We took them both for a long walk and they both behaved very well. Hopefully their friendship will form quickly and strongly.

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

Meet Turi #1

Meet Turi #2

Meet Turi #3

Meet Turi #4

Meet Turi #5

Meet Turi #6

Meet Turi #7

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Saturday February 27, 2016 Joe's Secret Garden

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THANK YOU to all the GringoPost readers who voted for me 3 years in a row!

Please see more of my artworks for sale at http://saccc05.tripod.com

Welcome….. Please note that you may SUBSCRIBE below to this Blog.

Comments or purchase requests are graciously accepted at souvenirphotostudio@gmail.com.

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Saturday February 27, 2016

We have started to look for a companion for our other dog, Mariposa, who is looking depressed and lost without Lupe. She is not accustomed to being the only dog, and she is bored without having someone to pester.

Mexican night at Joe's Secret Garden drew about 68 people who were treated to a delightful meal. I complimented Joe on the fantastic enchiladas and got a second helping for my trouble. Since I did not stay for the dessert, I did not feel bad about scarfing down a second....

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

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Friday February 26, 2016 Problems

Souvenir Photo Studio is now re-opened. Book your session now.

THANK YOU to all the GringoPost readers who voted for me 3 years in a row!

Please see more of my artworks for sale at http://saccc05.tripod.com

Welcome….. Please note that you may SUBSCRIBE below to this Blog.

Comments or purchase requests are graciously accepted at souvenirphotostudio@gmail.com.

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

Friday February 26, 2016

After a very sleepless night, we got up before the sun, borrowed a shovel from the neighbour, and went east to a quiet spot among the ancient eucalyptus trees. There we buried our sweet little Lupe in this lovely park-like setting and made our goodbyes.

Our next chore was to try to see our friend Regina C. who we were told was in the SOLCA hospital and that visiting hours were from 1-2. We get there and they say visiting hours are 2-3.... As we left, we got a call saying that Regina had been moved to the IESS hospital near our home.

Next I went to check on the progress with my PC repair. I gathered that he said that they had given the hardware a chemical wash and that, so far, it is operating normally but they want a couple of days to be sure. So I definitely won't see it before Monday.

Next I tried to buy a retractable leash at a place in El Vergel but they had none in stock. Come back tomorrow...

So we headed home and went to IESS around 2pm but visiting hours aren't until 4-7.... So we come back after the rain about 5:30 and are shuffled from here to there but Regina is not on any of their lists... After a few phone calls (Regina herself is not answering) we are told that she is somewhere in Emergency and we would not be able to see her until the following day...

Days like this are just too common in Ecuador and it is not always easy to maintain a smile and roll with the punches.

Sorry, no photos. That was the day's excitement, Cheers, Al

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Thursday February 25, 2016 Coopera

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Please see more of my artworks for sale at http://saccc05.tripod.com

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Comments or purchase requests are graciously accepted at souvenirphotostudio@gmail.com.

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Thursday February 25, 2016

The morning started off with my taking the PC to a place called TecMarket at the recommendation of one of the local computer repair experts. We need a place that can experiment with switching hardware parts to find out which one is causing the freezing problem.

Our little Lupe slept well through the night but was in distress in the afternoon again so we took her back to the vet. The main fellow was there and we left her there for 3 hours for tests and more x-rays. When we returned they had diagnosed anemia along with an enlarged spleen that was playing havoc with the other organs and affecting her breathing. An emergency operation was recommended so what were we to do,.. of course we want to save our baby.

Tonight, at a downtown hotel, all the affected Perjudicados de Coopera were called to attend a meeting/press conference by local Azuay Assemblyman Oswaldo Larriva, who was previously in charge of a Government commission investigating wrongdoing on several fronts including the Coopera fiasco. Last year he submitted his report and it was refused by the Government. He promised to give us a copy of that report but reneged on that promise. He is a nice guy who is either honest, or wants to be honest but, in the end, he is still a politician. He got removed as the head of that commission and now is effectively out-of-favor with the Correa government. For all the hoopla involved tonight, he only briefly mentioned Coopera at all and claims there is $60 million unaccounted for, which would pay off all the investors. The reason for this news conference (attended by other powerful politicians of the province) was to call for a provincial commission to get answers to many issues involving corruption, etc.

The meeting was effectively over around 8:15 so I took a chance on meeting up with the biker gang, because they almost never leave before 8:30, and was successful. 13 bikes were ready to go. We gassed up and headed through Misicata towards Banos again.

We were at the big Banos church when my phone rang and I got the bad news that our little Lupe had died on the operating table. It made me regret my prediction of yesterday. I made it home in 15 minutes flat and Cristina and I went to the clinic to retrieve our baby's body. This is very heart-wrenching for us so I am not going to say any more. It has been an especially hard month for us.

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

Some other Azuay bigwig to introduce Oswaldo Larriva

Oswaldo Larriva complaining about inaction over obvious corruption

He is calling for a Provincial commission to investigate

There were 13 bikes for tonight's ride

Banos is always a favourite stop

There is cheap food at vendors across the street

Lots of bikers come here

Many domes on this church

It is well-lit and can be seen for miles

R.I.P. our little baby Lupe

Wednesday February 24, 2016 Problems

Souvenir Photo Studio is now re-opened. Book your session now.

THANK YOU to all the GringoPost readers who voted for me 3 years in a row!

Please see more of my artworks for sale at http://saccc05.tripod.com

Welcome….. Please note that you may SUBSCRIBE below to this Blog.

Comments or purchase requests are graciously accepted at souvenirphotostudio@gmail.com.

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

Wednesday February 24, 2016

One computer expert now tells me that my PC freezing problem is most likely a hardware or driver problem, and the best thing to do is to try to replace hardware, starting with memory, to see if that solves the problem. He referred me to another expert who then referred me to a local shop to deal with the issues, so the PC will be going into the shop tomorrow.

I also figured that I should see my chiropractor about my unhealing shoulder before he leaves. Dr. Rob Annis is leaving for a while to open new clinics and recruit new chiropractors in an ambitious move. Whether he is franchising or not, I am not sure of his full intentions. I have to change my sleeping habits mainly to allow my shoulder to heal. I also have to keep rubbing at the shoulder joint whenever I stretch the wrong way.... I still have full mobility, so that is good.

While I was out in the west end I decided to see what is happening with the construction of the expanded roadway Ordonez Lasso towards the Cajas. They have 2 concrete lanes going westward, and 1 going eastward as far as the San Joaquin turnoff so far. It was interesting to note that Ecuadorians think it is OK to park on that single lane eastwards.....

Since I was at the entrance to San Joaquin I thought I would see if my buddy Marco was home to be certain that he knows about another Coopera meeting with Assembleista Larriva on Thursday night. He was at home, in the process of doing more renovations to this huge home and property that they have been trying to sell for about 2 years. It is the estate home of his dead Aunt and the family wants a good buck for it. Anyway, yes, he was aware of the meeting and will meet me there.

Our little dog Lupe continues to have distress of some fashion so we made another 10pm trip to the 24-hour vet, AustroVet. This is within walking distance so it is very handy in such emergencies. Another examination, injection and pills cost us another $6.

Lupe slept through the night well but still seems distressed Thursday morning. I fear for her life.

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