Need house sitter for Cuenca, Ecuador from about July 22, 2021 to about August 5, 2021. We can be a little flexible (one or two days) with your arrival and departure dates, but we will be flying on July 24th and leaving Florida on August 3.
We'd like a chance to meet you before we leave and show you around a bit. 3 female cats, 6 years old and spayed, require food, fresh water, love, and companionship as well as regular cleaning of boxes and their living environment. They are not allowed outside, but they have an enclosed patio and an enclosed balcony where they love to play.
Our house is large and has ample space for them and you. We offer a guest room for your use with a queen size bed and private bath with shower. Cable TV (English programs) and Internet via cable connection or WiFi are available. House has alarm system and electric fence. Floors are wood or ceramic - no carpets. The house has 3 floors and kittens pretty much run around on all of them. You will need first floor for general living. Bedroom and shower on 2nd floor - no bathtub. We have a full sized washer and hang the clothes under a glass roof in back to dry. We also have a gas dryer, but prefer to hang them in back.
You can connect a Windows computer via cable on all 3 floors - we have a special connector for a Mac jack. WiFi is available in some areas of the house but because the house is reinforced with re-bar, the signal isn't available everywhere.
Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as its only currency. Credit cards are welcome in larger establishments such as the grocery store, though many small shops require cash.
Bus service is about 1- 2 blocks away and so far only costs 30 cents (USD) a ride. You will need a bus pass - cash is not accepted. It was $1.75 for the pass, plus however much money you want to put on the pass. Most taxi rides were about $2-$4 and we will provide the contact information for the reliable companies we use. The city center is about half an hour away, walking maybe 3 kilometers. Bus and trolley require a pass - you can't pay cash.
Cuenca is at an altitude of approximately 8,200 feet (about 2,500 meters). It is surrounded by mountains and 4 rivers flow through it. The largest is the Tomebamba River which goes right in front of our house.
Flights to Cuenca (CUE) are available from UIO (Quito) or you can fly to GYE and drive about 3-4 hours up to Cuenca. It is about 8-10 hours by road from Quito. Flights to Cuenca fall under national rules and the luggage allowance is less than on international flights.
Our Vet is just a few blocks away and can be reached He makes house calls in an emergency. He speaks limited English and knows exactly where the house is. He also provides transportation service to and from his nearby office for a small fee.
Our previous housesitters ate many of their lunches in various restaurants in Cuenca for around $3.00 - $4.00 a meal and enjoyed themselves quite a bit. More recent housesitters cooked more in the full kitchen, enjoying the opportunity to try new tastes.
Organic vegetables are sold next door twice a week, along with organic chicken and eggs, milk and cheese, and a variety of breads and other products.
Cuenca is known as one of the safest cities in the world. Entering Ecuador, a free 90 day visa is stamped in your passport. If you have been vaccinated for COVID, rules have changed so that you may enter freely (as of Mar 22, 2021.)
We look forward to your reply.