Souvenir Photo Studio, by Al Bourassa

Friday, July 7, 2017

Thursday-Friday July 6-7, 2017 Buzzer

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Please see more of my artworks for sale at my websites: http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/ or http://saccc05.tripod.com/

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Thursday-Friday July 6-7, 2017

Thursday:

Busy, busy, busy. Looking to get off the merry-go-round for a while. I get up to walk the dogs before 5:30 generally then try to cram in as much email, Facebook, and uploading 2 photos for sale time before 8am when I have to prepare to go to physio. Only one day left for that and I am looking forward to the break. I spoke to Diego, one of my former physiotherapists (twice) and discussed trying traction to find a solution. He said that it is 8 months since the operation so a mild traction could be tried but he hesitated to help me to get a doctor to sign off on this... I have to go through the mill to give that a try.

Then I ran off to get Buzzer because the mechanic said it would be ready by 8:30. Well, Ecuador hits again because he didn't finish the job, had some trouble with his kids and wouldn't be back until the afternoon... Ugh.

So, back home I go, finish up my photo uploading, have lunch and head out with Cristina to this Woman and Child clinic way out in the Industrial area. 2 buses to get there and back, and a nice little walk from the bus stops. Then 10 minutes to get copies made of the request documents, then another 10 minutes to get another appointment late Tuesday.

I cut off at San Blas to wander through a bunch of medical booths at the Artesanal Centre before going to check on Buzzer. The mechanic said it would be about 1/2 hour so I stayed to help him line things up right. I had understood that he wanted to buy my old luggage carrier but I was wrong, ..he just thought I was going to leave it there... fat chance... Is anyone interested in it? If not, I just may use it as a little safe...

I got Buzzer home and started working on the decals. The new front wind deflector (for lack of a better term), with lights, looks like a motocross front, so I had a thought.... dangerous... There was a new design shop opened up in our block so I went down to talk to them. After some discussion I had them print out a black number 5 (the number of local motocross champ Andres Benenaula) whose family own the shop where I just bought this equipment. Then they came over and helped stick on the number 5 and wouldn't take any money for it... I think they were just happy that somebody gave them some attention and a welcome diversion. Then I added a few of the Buzzer decals without going crazy and the result looks pretty darn good!

A few of us went on the Herederos ride to Tutupali to the southwest. I tried out my new lights along with my high beams along the mountain road and was pleased with the visibility. However, when I slowed down to wait for lagging buddies, Buzzer quit and would not start again without kick-starting. I was not a happy camper. The new light are hooked into the park lights as well as the low and high beams and that draws a lot of power. So I drove a bit in the middle of the pack without lights, left it run for a while, and then just used the park lights with the new lights, and had no trouble re-starting after a snack break on the way back.

Friday:

We had not much scheduled today so I hoped to catch up on some rest. This was not to be, even though Cristina did the unthinkable and took the dogs for their early-morning walk. I decided to go see my neurosurgeon who performed my operation at 8am before physio because he is only available a few hours per day but did not realize that this was restricted to Monday-Wednesday only, so I was early for my final physio. This IESS uncertainty is so upsetting when we both have current medical issues to get settled. That will be a project for next week....

Then I figured I would see my electrical fellow on Paseo de Los Canaris about my Buzzer problems but he only deals in cars so he sent me to an area west of the AlarmStop building to find a fellow who deals with motorcycles. After getting in the general area and going the wrong way down one-way streets to get there, and asking a couple of people, I did find Geovanny Rios. I was also early enough that he wasn't busy yet either. He even has a Herederos sticker in his window. I explained the issues with the new light hookup, the battery drain problem, the disconnection of my alarm and the accessory plug, and he dug down to work and fixed everything. The new lights now have their own separate switch like the accessory plug and he told me to use them only in conjunction with the park lights (just like I did last night). Then I had him help me secure permanently the new luggage carrier which was popping out of its built-in hold-downs. So he must have worked close to 2 hours, provided a relay and switches and supplies, and he asked only for $20... I couldn't believe it! I gave him $25 and told him to have a couple of beers on me. I had already agreed to post about him on my Blog and allowed him to put his decal on Buzzer, so everybody is happy.

I also asked him about a way to cover the inside of the wind deflector/lights because the backlight on those new lights is really hard on the eyes. He suggested I stop at a shoemaker for a piece of heavy rubber used for shoes, so I did stop at my shoemaker on Gonzalez Suarez... The gal at the counter couldn't grasp what I wanted so the shoemaker himself came out, understood, made a pattern with paper and scissors, then he came out with a piece of rubber which he proceeded to whittle to size with a carpet knife. He got it exactly the way I wanted and then refused to take any money.. I think I really made out like a bandit today and Buzzer is very pleased to have a new look and to have no further problems....

Now, time for that long nap....

I hope you enjoy the photos. That was the day’s excitement.

Cheers, Al

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If you want to borrow a picture for sharing with family and friends, PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

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

Buzzer with his new wind-deflector/lights

And he has a new larger luggage carrier

Yes Virginia, it is bigger than the old one

My new helmet fits inside, no problem

And this is even with the chin guard and visor down

The new wind-deflector gives a tiny bit more protection

And the lights turn with the handlebars

Now we are numbered among the champions..

I didn't go overboard. I like it...

We ended up with 6 bikes, 8 people tonight

I hope you don't tire of these Broken Bridge shots

It is just such a picturesque location

The Rogues gallery

I am now one of the Rogues

Trying out my new yellow jacket (with big alpaca sweater underneath)

High in the Andes at Tutupali (saw nobody wearing tutus)

Late night snack with the guys (and Isabel)

Highly recommend this bike mechanic!

This "buck" was lounging on the floor...

Newly secured luggage carrier

Before covering the new lights on the inside

The new cover will do the trick just nicely

The old luggage carrier. $20 anyone?

I will use it as a safe if I get no takers

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Wednesday July 5, 2017 Washer

Please see more of my artworks for sale at my websites: http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/ or http://saccc05.tripod.com/

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******

Wednesday July 5, 2017

Yesterday I decided to get cracking and pick up my share (and Bella's) of the latest Coopera payout. The paperwork required was only a copy of my Cedula (and I did the Passport for good measure) and a copy of the bank book, in color, and then get them notarized. A quick trip to Banco Del Pacifico and now the government crooks now owe us around $3,000 less. However, the chances of seeing the balance are now slim and none.

I called up our buddy Gustavo for recommendations for places to buy a new washing machine. He mentioned a few places in El Centro and offered to help us find them, so off we went. We must have stopped at 12 different stores and sort of made up our minds as we went. Near Gran Colombia and Luis Cordero we narrowed it down to two stores, salesmen and machines. We decided we wanted a big capacity machine for the big comforters, etc.

ElectrOfertas had the best price on a 19 kg capacity Samsung at $580, then a fellow at Almacenes Espana was offering us a 22 kg capacity Mabe with a 3-year warranty for $675. So I was leaning to the Mabe because of the warranty,... but something didn't sound right... I checked online and the manufacturer only offers a 1-year warranty... Hmmmm.

So this morning after getting out blurbs on the next OBG dance (July 19th) and after physio, I made a quick trip to the bank to deposit the Coopera money in mine and Bella's accounts, and withdraw enough money for the big washer. Then I zipped downtown on Buzzer and made a stop first at the Fuji store to get an enlargement made of a certain photo and picked out a frame to fit.

Next I went to find the salesman at Almacenes Espana but they said he wasn't there. I questioned the other salesmen about the Mabe warranty and they all said it is only 1-year, and went and brought over the manager to confirm. Just then the salesman miraculously shows up and says that yes, he is offering 3 years because of an available extended warranty, ...now at an extra cost, so the price is jumping to $745. I politely told him that I do not deal with people who lie to me and left.

So I went to ElectOfertas who have 2 stores in the same block on Gran Colombia. The manager, Luis, said the salesman Jorge was young, restless, and off somewhere but should be back in a moment. 20 minutes later they track him down and I buy the Samsung, as advertised and for the price offered. I was very happy with the service of Luis and the young man. They offered to deliver it after 4pm. Great!

So I wander back to the Fuji store and pick up my framed photo, and call Ken at Joes' Secret Garden to make sure he is home. He is just back from a painful dentist visit and yes, he is staying home. He had mentioned that he LOVED this particular photo that I took of wine glasses a week ago and would like a print. So, Happy Birthday Ken, you have your print framed and ready for your wall.

Then I beetled over to Gringo Visas to pick up their version of Gringo Yellow Pages for Cuenca and they gave me several books to pass around. If anyone wants one, send me an email.

Then the clock was running out on me so I met Cristina at her doctor's office for yet another appointment which meant a run for her to the big IESS office for another permission stamp which has spawned another appointment for tomorrow..

Speaking of IESS, I have read an interview with this Diana Calle who wants every gringo on IESS to visit her in an office downtown but has refused to respond to 3 emails with simple, direct questions. Ugh... I spoke to people on Monday who had been to see her and they intimated that she is anxious to get gringos to cancel! In her interview she complained of being yelled at....

Since I was passing right by, I decided to stop into the Benenaula family store, Mr Motorcycle, because Gustavo says they sell the fiberglass cases for the back of the motorcycles. Mine is just a hair too small for my new helmet so that is a pain you-know-where. So we checked, and sure enough, the one they sell is a little bigger, but the mechanic was away until 2:30 (my day for missing absolutely everybody when I want to spend money) so I went for a long-awaited pizza and came back. Naturally, while roaming and talking to Papa Benenaula, I also decided on a little windscreen complete with two additional bright lights... However this was going to take longer than 4pm so I left Buzzer there and took the #15 home.

The delivery guys called and showed up aroung 5pm and brought the machine up to our lavanderia but were not contracted for installation. No worries, I was sure that we could handle it, and we did. We checked the old machine and it was only a 12 kg unit (which Cristina hopes to repair and sell). It was no problem getting the new unit set up and we threw in a load which looked awfully small in that big machine. Oh, we are going to like this one.. and it has a 3-year warranty on the electronic panel... bonus! The wash just finished and boy does the centrifugal dryer ever work!! The clothes are almost dry..!! So we are happy with the decision.

While writing this the doorbell rings and I run down to talk to a fellow from Coopera. They want a short testimonial from me, with a photo for one of the newspapers, by tomorrow morning... Nothing like more pressure...

I hope you enjoy the photos. That was the day’s excitement.

Cheers, Al

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If you want to borrow a picture for sharing with family and friends, PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

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

This is the photo that Ken liked so much, so Happy Birthday Ken!

Amarasiri (KP) and Ken will be putting this up at Joes', so I am thrilled about that!

The new amazing Samsung washer

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Tuesday July 3, 2017 Ken's Birthday

Please see more of my artworks for sale at my websites: http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/ or http://saccc05.tripod.com/

Get these Blogs via email !! ... SUBSCRIBE to this Blog on the right >>>>>>>

******

Tuesday July 3, 2017

It is the 79th occasion of Ken Vix's birth and a celebration was held at Joes' Secret Garden, mostly put together by KP. The amount of food prepared was overwhelming.

I was asked to bring some chips and salsa so I made a batch of salsa from tomato sauce, lemon, oriental sauce and jalapenos. I only used 1/2 of the small jar of jalapenos and that was almost too much.. although several of us could not stay away (and paid for it later with a very sleepless night).

The weather was decidedly chilly so everyone huddled indoors and later had a romantic setting as candles had to be used for a while until they figured out that a loose connection on a breaker was the culprit. Better darkness than a fire...

The group was a delightful mix of about 1/2 gringos and 1/2 Ecuadorians. We made some new friends and had some interesting conversations with at least 6 different countries represented.

All the best to Ken, and we wish you many more to come.

I hope you enjoy the photos. That was the day’s excitement.

Cheers, Al

******

If you want to borrow a picture for sharing with family and friends, PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

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