444 Steps Up

Santa Ana Hill

The stone stairway to Santa Ana Hill is 444 steps up. We didn't go. But the hill certainly makes for pretty pictures from the city of Guayaquil. Apparently there are charming cafes and shops and such as well as the rustic and colorful houses.

Priced Out of the Housing Market Again?

Interesting article, which answers nothing.
We didn't have the stomach for the risk of buying a pre-construction apartment last year, even though the 3 bedroom, 3 bath apartment that we loved was priced at $87,500. Actually the one we really wanted was on the top floor and included, in addition to the 3-bedroom apartment, an enormous roof terrace with another sala, so it actually was twice the square footage of the main floor. At $105,000 it seemed fantastic, but again, the pre-construction thing scared us off. And it was way over our budget. The building is nearly completed now, and of course those two are sold. There is one apartment still available in the building though. It's priced at $126,000. Now what?

Our Home for A While

By popular request - here's our apartment for the next month or so. Teensy & cute - with huge terraza overlooking the city. Fun!And yes, that really is a fireplace in the corner of the bedroom, but I'm thinking it doesn't really work. There is, however, a working parilla on the terraza.

Apartment Hunting

over morning coffee with empanada

Buying a Home in Peru

So we're thinking of buying a pre-construction condo in this project:

   http://www.enriquepalacios630.com/

What do you think?

History of the Apartment Search So Far

So first thing as soon as we got here, we discovered that a new apartment building is going up on one of our favorite little streets - Esperanza - just a block off Parque Kennedy. There are a couple of older buildings on this street that I started coveting when we were here last year. But they're so small and so cute that I'm sure there would never be anything available - either for rent or for sale. So this was exciting. But at $116,000 US for a 2 bedroom 2 bath, that clearly was not going to happen, even though it included a "study" and a parking space. I've since learned that a normal price would be about $92,000 since it's 92 sq meters, but of course we're talking location big time for this one. There was a 3/2 for $125,000. I adore the location, but the building didn't impress me. A few tiny balconies and none of it looked very special. Too bad on that street corner.

There's more, but you have to click on the line below to see it - and then you have to click on the back arrow to get back here. It's a pain in the ass. Sorry about that!

This House Needs Me

So I'm trying to pay a very busy waitress for my lunch when I get into a conversation with a charming woman who is doing the same thing. Turns out her Mom has recently passed away and she has her house up for sale. Off we go for a walk. I love this house! A beautiful, classic old house on a lovely quiet street near where we are now. A large entryway opens into a good sized living room and large dining room which opens onto a ta-ta! - patio! Outside, off the patio is the ta-ta! - artist's studio - with it's own bathroom (this area was probably originally a maid's room). Did I mention that the ground floor also has a large kitchen with window opening to the patio! And a small work room off the kitchen, with a door to the patio! Up the stairs at mid-level there is a small bedroom overlooking the street side. Further up, on the actual top floor are 3 more bedrooms, which are accessed by a separate private stairway in front of the building, and which I did not get to see since they are renter occupied by 3 lovely young women. I can so see us in this house - Gene painting in his studio, me working on my laptop on the patio, Gene grilling fish for a candle-lit dinner on the patio, entertaining in the large living room and dining rooms, me painting the walls new and interesting colors, room for my books and Gene's paintings. This is the house that has been waiting for me my whole life. Oh, by the way, did I mention that the price is at least twice what we can afford? Well, anyhow, I had a great day dreaming about it. And I met a new friend. Beatrice and I are going to meet for coffee one day next week.

So Guess What We Did this Morning

Laurie Says: But thanks to our wonderful new friends Isabel & Ernesto and to the good people at Clinica Good Hope, I think he is doing better this afternoon - but I'm going to let him tell the rest of this story!

Gene Says: I've had a bout with Inca's revenge. I'm taking antibiotics. Our new friends Ernesto and Isabel took me to hospital and cut through the red tape and acted as interpreter with the doctor. They gave me an IV of liquid for dehydration, 2 bottles of electrqulitos to drink and a prescription. The doctor visit, hospital, pharmacy and the rest came to around 200 soles ($75).

I hope I'm able to get back to normal by Monday. Laurie is giving me chicken soup and "poor babies". While Laurie was out having lunch today she got talking to a nice lady. Seems the lady has her mother's house up for sale so Laurie went to see it. She fell in love with it. Only down side, It's too expensive. But a gem of an older home with a great patio. Even a room off the patio for my studio. Laurie will fill you in with pictures and all. The Tall Guy (a little under) :-(

January's Apartment-Dos de Mayo

My Next Apartment

So we found the apartment.Amazing terraza. Anybody taking bets on whether Gene's gonna get it for me?

BTW - if you click on the photo you can make it bigger

This House Needs Me

It seems no one lives there but the turtles...