Digger and I spend quite a bit of time in La Paz and I realized you haven't seen the town. It is a major metropolis in the corridor between Cuenca and Loja, probably 50 families in a 6 mile radius. A regular tourist trap with three pigs being worked on every day and a fruit and veggie sales day on Sunday.
This is the whole town, busses run through town day and night from Cuenca to Loja and points south.
On the south end of town is the block maker - he's not making blocks today, he just butchered a hog for his wife who has a space in the middle of town selling pork. She goes through 2 pigs a week.
Heading north through town the hardware store is on the left with a dental office on the second floor. The hardware guy speaks some English and I speak some Spanish so I can pretty much get anything I need here.
My favorite convience store with a place to eat right next door - the mother runs the store and the daughter runs the resturant.
Across the street they are adding a forth floor to an apartment building, some one is moving into town.
At the North end of town is the school.
And across the street is the church.
Just out of town heading north is the gas station and a resturant. Digger's friend Lu Lu the Saint Bernard lives here. Lu Lu would like to have Digger for lunch, literally but they have a good time barking at each other.
That's the nickel tour, it really is a great place to live. As far as I know I am the only gringo around.
Happy New Year.
Ray, Great intro to La Paz, love the photos. Still can't find it on a map though...probably a good thing. And you're the only gringos, quite the pioneers, I'd say.
ReplyDeleteI like how the brick maker broke through the concrete "curb" to drain off his property. I'm sure he was saying "what the frick were you thinking...!!
And the photo of the 4th floor addition, looks like they're planning ahead for the 5th. I see rebar columns extending up above the 4th.
Keep on postin'
Mike
Hey Mike - you are pretty observant, almost everything in Ecuador is unplanned or unfinished. You have to break through the curb for a driveway even if there was a driveway there before they poured the curb. The rebar cages for the columns come in 18 foot lengths and they don't cut them. Thanks for the comments - by the way, when are you coming back?
ReplyDeleteHi Ray, We're hoping to make a trip South in Feb., but may have to put it off until March. I'll keep you posted. Would you like to meet up for a cup of coffee or a beer, that is if the still isn't up and running yet?
ReplyDeleteMike