Bus travel questions

My wife and I are in Cuenca for a couple of months and have (sort of) mastered the town buses and phones, etc., but we will be traveling down to Puerto Lopez in a few days. I have some questions about the buses. We used a driver to get up here from Guayaquil but it seems so much more expensive than the public buses.

Questions:
Is there a best line to use to Guayaquil?
Can/do you buy in advance (I read on one post to go to the bus station the day before)?
Do you buy a return ticket?
Do you simply go into Guayaquil and then buy a ticket to Puerto Lopez and likewise coming back?

Would appreciate any input from a more seasoned traveler.

Best,

John Lay

Stories from the Hogar

I get asked a lot of questions about what Hogar de Esperanza does. Aside from our work with HIV patients and others from area hospitals, we also have a program of outreach to at-risk youth. Every time you support MINKA or our Thrift Shop you are helping us give hope to those living on the streets through no fault of their own. We do what we can to help them make better choices and to give them opportunities.

Amazon Echo

Can I use an Amazon Echo (Ask Alexa) in Cuenca?

Robert: minervini@cableone.net .

City: Cuenca

Monthly Spanish classes at the “University for Seniors”

The Universidad del Adulto Mayor (UAM) / University for Seniors, a private, not-for-profit continuing education institute for seniors, will begin offering Spanish classes on a monthly basis beginning the last weekend of November. The initial, beginning-level class will meet two mornings a week and will be taught by an experienced bilingual (Spanish-English) teacher.

The UAM, which is the first institute of its kind for seniors in Ecuador and one of the first in all of Latin America, has existed for six years and offers core-curriculum courses of particular interest and value to seniors, for example, gerontology, computer science, and quality of life. It also offers English classes and workshops in tai chi, multisensory stimulation, movement exercises to prevent falls, guitar/singing, and memory exercises. The UAM also has a choir for seniors, which any senior is welcome to join.

6-month old pug for adoption

The building manager of some Ecuadorian friends of ours discovered they had a puppy and are not allowed so the Pug is available to be adopted.

Stephen: stephen@ac-plan.com .

City: Cuenca

Christmas Cookies Course

Christmas cookies workshop. (royal icing).
Cuenca - Saturday, November 17
Value: $ 25
Includes:

* Materials to decorate.
* Digital Guide.
* Attendance certificate.

Note: Each participant decorates 4 cookies.
Hours: 9 AM to 1 PM.
Duration: 4 hours
Place: Hotel Atahualpa
Address: Mariscal Sucre 3-50 and Tomás Ordoñez.
9 AM to 1 PM $25, Mariscal Sucre 3-50 y Tomás Ordoñez, Cuenca.

Hildamary Banks:  098 339 6680. Call after: 7 AM.

Film series at República Sur

Enjoy our movie selection at República Sur. We start this month with the same cycle dedicated to independent films.

Free entrance!

The schedule for this Tuesday, 13th:

6:30 PM: The Captain

8:30 PM: Under the Tree

Always in its original version with Spanish subtitles.
.
Address: Presidente Córdova 5-55 and Hermano Miguel, Cuenca.
Reservations: 098 770 6450

November 13th, from 6:30 to 10 PM, free, Presidente Córdova 5-55 y Hermano Miguel, Cuenca.

Jordi Garrido Monteagudo

"El Público," a play by Federico García Lorca.

We are happy to be back.

Wednesday, Nov. 14th: You can't miss our production of "El Público," a play by Federico García Lorca presented for the first time in Ecuador. We have been working incessantly on creating this spectacle and we invite you to come to Teatro Pumapungo, on Wednesday at 8 PM. The play is probably Lorca's most intimate and controversial work. With a cast of 13 actors (who play 34 roles), video mapping and more than thirty costumes, this play surely creates a show which is seldom presented in the city. The play is presented in Spanish. An English synopsis will be available.

You may buy tickets for the show beginning at 7 PM in Teatro Pumapungo (on Wednesday) or in El Tokte Restaurant, Sucré Sale Café, LibriMundi, La Guarida & Taita Panadería.

PLEASE KNOW that 'El público' is looking for financial contributions in order to pay all the professionals, actors and designers involved (which are more than 30). If you would like to sponsor this event please call 099 806 8071. Your help is invaluable to us in continuing to present these great plays which are essential for the city.

November 14th, from 8 to 9:15 PM, $7, Mariscal Lamar 22-23 y Luis Pauta, Cuenca.

Andres

Artist, Nancy Thornton’s “Different Strokes” opening today

Paintings, Drawings and Doodles
Snacks, cash bar and creativity.

Exhibition continues through Friday, October 16.
Regular gallery hours: 10 AM to 3 PM

About Nancy Thornton (in her words) . . .

Growing up in the 50s, in a preacher’s family, in a small town, and in the Midwest meant living in an orderly, predictable world with restrictive rules and specific unbreakable guidelines.