Coopera

Our number one goal today was to make it to Coopera, and we finally did.  It has been on our list for these past two weeks, but the trip kept on getting pushed to the side against more pressing issues.  Coopera is Cuenca's organic market.  It isn't big, but what they do have is lush and gorgeous.  Mark was able to sneak a few pictures before he was yelled at by the security guard. 

                                                                                          

                                                                                 



















We bought:

1 liter of sugar free plain vanilla yogurt
2 liters of milk
organic local honey
apple butter
aji (hot) salsa
mint tea
Ecuadorian coffee
quinoa
30 organic eggs
6 large chicken breasts
@1 lb. steak
1 whole chicken
8 hamburgers
8 avocados
2 large green peppers
2 white onions
2 broccoli heads
1 head of spinach
4 beets
2 cucumbers
@ 1 lb. of grapes
1 pineapple
2 heads of garlic
3 tomato de arbol
3 tomatoes
4 peaches (when we got home we realized these were from California)
8 carrots
2 very large exotic fruits - I think one is a guanabana, but I don't know what the other one is.
2 ginormous mangos
5 granadillas
3 pears
2 bunches of oritos - A type of banana, but they are smaller and sweeter.

As we were unloading the cart Mark said to me that he hoped he had brought enough money because we had A LOT. 

Bill total:  $73  

Unbelievable.  With the organic meat and organic fruits and vegetables this bill would have been at least $250 in the states if not more.  Happy Campers here.

We had promised Finn and Tali that we would allow them to spend $100 each at the toy store, so after coming home and putting away our groceries we headed to Jugueton.  They also have a Home Depot like store called Kywi there.  We picked up a couple of things from Kywi first:  a scale (I got on it when we got home and it was not a pretty picture),  laundry basket, dustpan and a saw.  The kid's bedframes were delivered yesterday but the boards that they included to go under the mattresses were too long.  Instead of loading them up into the taxi and hustling them back across town for them to cut, Mark opted to buy a saw and do it himself.  Only the saw he would need to buy was $100, so he opted for a handsaw and right now he is in the laundryroom sawing the boards for the beds. 

We were disappointed that Jugueton only had 2 lego sets.  They will get more in September.  Along with trampolines, I guess.  So, Finn picked out a Yoda watch and he is pleased as punch.  We will hit Coral tomorrow because I'm pretty sure they have more of a Lego selection there.  Coral is like our Wal-Mart.  Tali picked out a Barbie and two Littlest Pet Shop sets.  She is on Cloud Nine.  Hopefully these toys will help to offset a little of the boredom that sets in during the week.  This weekend they were so busy they didn't have time to be bored. 

Yesterday they played all day with the downstairs kids.  They played volleyball, went out for ice cream with Belen and then had a bonfire.  Finn said that he wants to play volleyball for his sport.  He really liked it.  Gotta see if they have classes or lessons here. 

This morning I got through to both STRS and Great American Life, my annuity.  GAL cut my check on Friday, so it should be in the bank by the end of the week or early next week.  STRS is making a note to release the money ASAP, so it looks like we will be okay as far as having enough time to apply for our visa.  It was a relief to hear that news, but I'll believe it when I see it. 


Here is a picture of the granadilla that I mentioned yesterday.  It looks slimy and gross, but it is really sweet and delicious.  You swallow the slimy stuff and the seeds whole.

Well, it looks like the sky is clearing up.   This afternoon it rained quite heavily for the first time since we've been here.  Maybe we can still hit Sukasa before dinner.  Sukasa is a higher end home supply store.  Kind of like a Bed, Bath and Beyond, I guess.  The kid's need sheets for their beds.  I would like to have their bedroom put together soon.  They both picked out reading lights, now we just need a table to put them on.  :)