We have been in Cuenca for a week now. We first arrived on Sunday and Monday and Tuesday were a big holiday - Carnival. Unfortunately we timed everything all wrong. A lot of people go to the coast for carnival and in Cuenca, Carnival is celebrated with a massive water and soap fight in the central park down town the Thursday before Carnival. So we totally missed it! Our first few days here in Cuenca the city was so sleepy and it really threw me off! After being in busy, busy Quito for 2 weeks the contrast was huge and had me really worried. The market was closed and we had a couple interactions with locals that wasn't very positive. But no worries, Wednesday everything perked up. The streets are busy and there are lots of people out and about.
So far, Cuenca has been good! It was very nice to go to church today and meet some people who live here. We spent yesterday with our new friends.
We are happy with our apartment. It's much cleaner than the last and has a big patio balcony. We have hot water in the kitchen (!) and the shower isn't so finicky although I do wish it would get warmer than it is. We seem to have landed in a good location too.
