Fulbright Fellow, Cuenca Ecuador, August 25 2007-December 22 2007, What a blessing!

Page 1: August 25 to September 30

My project: Developing Computer Instrumentation Capabilities in Latin America, was accepted by the Fulbright Commission and the US Dept of State and here I am! I am here to teach computer instrumentation, help develop instrumentation infrastructure and a new major in Engineering Physics and possibly a national Physics Teachers Association. Above is my first class. We had a mini-course for 40 hours during the last two weeks of September. In October I start two regular courses for the rest of the fall.

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I flew into Quito and waited there for a few days to get things organized, and start a savings account. After I got to Cuenca I requested a ATM card. They charged me and then sent it to Quito. {;o} I got them to send it to Cuenca, but it was mistakenly sent to a different province. She asked me with a straight face if I wanted to buy another? I still don't have it . . .

Here is a nice mural and a very tranquil park:

On the first Sunday I found a really nice church, Iglesia Bautista Universitaria, right across from the Central University of Quito:

Down the street is a Baptist Seminary:

I found the Cuba Embassy, but I didn't visit.

I also went to my favorite place, the Basilica:

And Condor Tower at the back end:

And the views from the different directions:

Now Finally on to Cuenca! Here it is from the Air:

I stayed at the Hostel Casa Del Barranco

The first day, God gave me a fantastic apartment! Very comfortable and great landlords:
Outside:

Inside:

We have an open-air Courtyard:

Here is the view of the building from the other side of the river. Our building is the top center. I have no windows in this direction, but I spend a lot of time on the very top terrace:

Here are some of my views from the terrace:

Including a great view of Turi and the national park: El Cajas

I am attending classes at Sampere to keep building my Spanish:

On September 15 we had an excursion to Chobshi near Sígsig

A gorgeous trail into a dead-end canyon:
 

Pre-Incan ruins:
 

A nice town, Piggies!

The black cave with pre-ceramic artifacts (~2-10k years old)

I got to go to a really cool dance show: Ballet Andino Humanizarte, It talks about the birth and domination of the indigenous people in this region.

My first class at the University of Cuenca:

This is on the main door to the College of engineering. It says: First God, and then y'all. (Primero Dios y Despues Vos.)

My Class:

For the class photo: Back row: Gabriel, José Luis, José Geovanni, Patricio, Darwin, Freddy, Oswaldo, Andrés
Front row: Me, William, Edwin, Professor Viteri & Professor Bermed.

Around Cuenca:

On September 29 we had an excursion to Susudel near Oña (south of Cuenca on the Panamerican Highway.)

A quick stop at La Paz to try Torched Pigskin, Yummmmmm.

Our goal is that extinct (Hopefully) volcano in the distance:
 

Our guide had horses if we wanted to return to ride, two days, one night, full board and 5 hours on horses, $40, not bad. Maybe in a future excursion.

At the Volcano; Here is what is left of the mouth:

On top was a great Cañari Throne. What a view!

Now we are going to head way down to the village:

Guess what I found?

The town Cathedral had an attached Manor-House, both around 450 years old:

Including the quarters for the Indian-Servants:
 

On the Pan-American Highway going home:

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All pictures above are "thumbnails." Click on a picture to see a bigger copy, afterwards, use your browser's back arrow to return to this page. If you see any pictures that you want a higher resolution copy, just email me. Most pictures have 3-4 Mbyte originals