Cork Proctor checks in from Ecuador & This and That

Well, gang, as many of you know, Cork Proctor, my former roommate for a year, has moved and has been living in Ecuador since last December. I emailed, Carolyn (the ex-wife), to have him scribble a few paragraphs of how things were going in his new residence. So, gang, behold the scribbles of my buddy Cork Proctor, just as written: 

 

Hola amigos,

Rio Yanuncay River
Rio Yanuncay River

Greetings from South America, in the beautiful Andean city of Cuenca, Ecuador (8,400ft). Year-round weather is like Lake Tahoe in the summer. The chamber of commerce says “There are four seasons every day” because you can never tell when it will rain. We have fallen into the Garden of Eden and planning to stay hasta muerte

We live in a lovely modern 3-bedroom/2 bath apartment with a great view of gorgeous mountains surrounding the valley. $400/mo. plus $50 building fee for security and sensor lights in the building. Our power bill runs $12/month and gas is about $5. Our building is brick and cement, about 10 years old, and I have yet to find a crack in the construction, and you know I’ve looked! 

In the neighborhood there’s one giant rooster who wakes us up most mornings at 5:30 A.M., and some yappy little dogs that bark in unison on occasion.

We shop at open markets with free-range eggs for $1/dozen. As many of you know I’m a Californian by birth so I love avocados and they’re the best here. The tap water comes from the Cajas Mountains and some American water experts say it’s better than 90% of the cities in America. Chicken, beef, pork tastes like chicken, beef and pork; no additives to the meat.

Hotel Santa Lucia Bar
Hotel Santa Lucia Bar

We live in a convenient environment, 1 block to the (English-speaking) doctor who charges $20/visit. There’s a pharmacy on just about every block. We can walk to several great restaurants ($10 full course dinners, $3 glass of Chilean or Argentinian wine), our bank, a wonderful art gallery, a gym, a spa, the main native outdoor market Feria Libre, parks, the Riobamba river, a scrapbooking store and Curves.

Cuenca is also the home of Jefferson Perez, Olympic gold-medal winner for race-walking. He can be seen on occasion walking in Parque de la Madre where there is a big bronze statue of him. 

The entire country seems to be under construction. President Corrao is doing wonderful things with the infrastructure. Our neighborhood roundabout is having its cobblestones paved over, which makes the taxi drivers happy. He’s hired more police called transito who are responsible for traffic control and minor incidents. 

Cork's Panama Hat & Wine
Cork’s Panama Hat & Wine

Now you probably wonder “how we communicate with the natives and how we clean the dirt floors”… this is a very sophisticated city of about half a million with a gringo population of about 3,000, some of whom are on the lam, I’m sure. There are six universities and lots of schools that teach English.

We have lots of new friends, both gringos and Cuencanos, and wonder how “retirement” got so busy.

We wear Panama hats a lot because the UVs are 3 times stronger than in Vegas. 

I’ve been looking to find fault with the country but after 8 months I cannot.

See you at the media lunch October 21st where I’ll be rambling on in greater detail subject to your questions.

Hasta luego, 

Cork

 

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:

Watch and Wager Sports Lounge
Watch and Wager Sports Lounge

The new Watch and Wager Sports Lounge, located inside the historic Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino, accepted its first wager at 10:56 a.m., Thursday morning, Aug. 15. Railroad Pass is located on US 93/95 freeway–the gateway to Boulder City. The William Hill operated Sports Book is all new, with comfortable seating for 40 people, 12 technological odd boards, and 11 flat screen television sets which feature the NFL Sunday Ticket package, and the Major League Baseball ticket. Official Grand Opening will take place this Thursday, Aug. 22, at 5:00 p.m., with officials from William Hill and the casino on hand to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. In addition, there will be free T-shirts for the first 50 people placing a bet, and the Bud Girls will supply free Bud Light giveaways and appetizers.

 

Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson

Golden Nugget Las Vegas has announced that Willie Nelson & Family has been added as the final headliner to join top names in country music in the Grand Events Center during the 2013 WNFR on Dec. 10 & 11 at 10PM. The iconic musician and Texas native, Nelson, will join country music’s finest acts during the Golden Nugget’s annual NFR headliner performances. The creative genius behind recordings like “Crazy,” “Hello Walls” and “Red Headed Stranger,” Willie boasts more than 200 albums, and every conceivable award and honor to be bestowed in the country music world. Tickets to see Willie Nelson in this intimate venue are on sale now. Ticket prices start at $99 plus tax and fee, and there will be a limited number of VIP hotel and show ticket packages, that include a one or two night stay in a deluxe Rush Tower guest room and two front row seats to the show. Additional prices vary. Tickets can be purchased by calling 866.946.5336.

 

The property will also welcome Gretchen Wilson, Dec. 6 & 7, into its intimate 600-seat showroom, followed by Dwight Yoakam, Dec. 8 & 9, and Merle Haggard, Dec. 12 & 13, in the property’s 1000-seat Grand Events Center, with all shows beginning at 10PM. Ticket prices for all headliners vary, depending on the show, and VIP seating with an artist meet and greet are available for select headliners. Tickets may be purchased by calling 866.946.5336 or at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas website.

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My Healthy Meal, a provider of all-natural, organic and pre-portioned meals designed to keep customers healthy, balanced and in control of their nutrition, has opened a new location in Henderson. Known for offering meals for health-conscious individuals on the go, My Healthy Meal launches its second location at 9500 S. Eastern Ave.  The new Henderson store will also feature My Healthy Meal’s first ever Smoothie Bar. Fresh fruit and vegetables are blended to offer a variety of options for customers. My Healthy Meal features 14 smoothies to choose from, including, Eat Your Veggies, Las Vegan, Orange Dream, Rise & Shine, Detox, Piña Colada, Peanut Butter Cup, Green Apple Pie, and Pumpkin Pie.  “At our Summerlin location, we’ve been able to help many people change their eating habits by offering great food in healthy portions at a fair price,” Candace Bailey, owner of My Healthy Meal, said. “In fact, we were noticing many people were traveling from Henderson, so it was just natural that we open a location there. We’re so happy to be a part of the Henderson community.”

Founded by Bailey as a way to remove the stress of planning meals, My Healthy Meal opened in Summerlin in January 2012, and creates portion-controlled packaged meals; breakfast, lunch, dinner, as well as snacks, that cater to individuals always on the go. Customers select their favorite items from categories that include salads, seafood, beef, chicken, flatbreads, vegetarian, desserts, and raw foods to take home or dine-in. For those with specific dietary and nutritional needs, My Healthy Meal offers gluten free, low carbohydrate, high protein, low calorie and vegetarian options.  My Healthy Meal offers convenient online ordering, allowing customers to pre-order meals and pick up in-store. Customers can also dine in and enjoy the upbeat and casual dining environment complete with inspirational quotes on the walls and Candace Bailey’s “10 Commandments” tips to lead a healthy and happy life. Stay up-to-date with My Healthy Meal and receive special offers by signing up for the newsletter at their website. For information on My Healthy Meal in Summerlin, call (702) 605-6757. For Henderson location, please call (702) 272-1800.

 

Well, gang, that’s about it for this week.

I’m outa here!

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