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How prepared is Ecuador for a major earthquake? Not very, say officials, including President Rafael Correa, who last week ordered a review of emergency procedures that would respond to disasters similar to those suffered in Haiti and Chile. In the aftermath of those deadly earthquakes, offic... [More]

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Although it’s been open for less than two months, Kookaburra Café on Calle Larga, has established itself as a favorite gathering spot for Cuenca expats, tourists and Cuencanos. A labor of love for Jenny And Chris Bluefields, Australian artists attracted to Cuenca by i... [More]

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Although Carnival continues through Tuesday, Sunday was the centerpiece of the five-day festival in most of Ecuador. Celebrations in Cuenca, Paute, Gualaceo, Sigsig and other nearby towns, featured costume parades, native dances and plenty of food. The highlight in every venue, though, seeme... [More]

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The following is an invitation extended to all Bristish citizens living in the Cuenca area to attend a meeting to be held Feb. 24 at Café Eucalyptus on Calle Gran Colombia. Dear British Community in Cuenca: The British Ambassador, Linda Cross, and we would like... [More]

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Cuenca city government has announced that garbage recycling will become mandatory in March. The municipality it will impose fines on users of the city’s waste collection system who do not separate organic, inorganic and plastic waste after Mar. 1. The ordinance establishing the recycli... [More]

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A team of scientists has documented that Yasuní National Park, in the core of the Ecuadorian Amazon, shatters world records for a wide array of plant and animal groups, from amphibians to trees to insects. The authors also conclude that proposed oil development projects represent the ... [More]

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Volcanologists and government officials are keeping a close watch on Tungurahua, in the central Ecuadorian Andes, making plans for evacuations if volcanic activity increases. Scientists and officials gathered at Tungurahua over the weekend to assess the situation. Along with thousands of loc... [More]

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Something that Ecuadorian expats learn early is how difficult it is to get accurate information in their adopted country. Anecdotal information, often wildly inaccurate, seems to rule the day for expats and locals alike. Ecuador Fact Checker is an occasional feature of Cuenca ... [More]

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Cuenca’s holiday festivities continue tonight as 25,000 are expected to observe and participate in the annual Day of the Innocents. The event, highlighted by a parade and performances on Av. Solano, features thousands of men and boys in drag, theatrical and musical acts and various other&nbs... [More]

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For several days last week, Ecuador turned its concern from drought to flooding, as heavy rains in the Andes caused damage in areas north of Quito and near Cuenca. The rains are good news for the country’s power grid, as hydro-electric producing reservoirs filled to levels approaching ... [More]

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Ecuador's initiative to protect the climate and the rainforest of Yasuni National Park by leaving its largest oil reserve in the ground will be supported by a new multi-donor trust fund to offset lost oil revenue, Ecuadorian and United Nations officials announced last week in Copenhagen. ... [More]

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The director of Cuenacaire, Rolando Arpi, says that Cuenca’s air quality has held steady in 2009 and has shown slight improvements in some areas despite an increase in the number of vehicles on the roads. Cuencaire, created in 2007 to measure air pollution, maintains two dozen monitori... [More]

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The World March for Peace and Nonviolence passes through Cuenca on Friday, Dec. 18, on its way to a conclusion in northern Argentina, Jan. 2, and local organizers are asking the community to join in. The march began in New Zealand Oct. 2, and has passed through more than 90 countries. I... [More]

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The government says it may not be able to deliver on its promise to end the rolling electric blackouts after today. In a short statement on Monday, Ecuador’s Electricity Minister Esteban Albornoz said that continuing drought conditions near the country’s largest hydro electric plant at... [More]

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A shaman blows a bull's horn on festival day and pivots to clouds of burning incense in a purification ceremony, all shot on video. The snapshot of native American life in Latacunga, opens "Nukanchik Yuyay," a twice-daily newscast in Quechua, the language spoken by millions of ... [More]

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Cuenca recorded its highest temperature in 30 years Thursday, when the thermometer hit 27.5 Celsius or 81 Fahrenheit. The city’s all-time high temperature, 29.5 celsius or 85 Fahrenheit, was recorded in November 1979. Marcelo Narvaez of the meteorology station at Cuenca’s Ma... [More]

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Torrential rain has washed away the blood where the family fell under a hail of wooden spears. But memories of what happened this summer are still fresh in the minds of those who live and work here. At first the security guard inside the perimeter fence of the oil drilling station is nerv... [More]

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Cuenca is revising rules to protect historic buildings and will have a new comprehensive plan in place by summer 2010, according to officials. Mayor Paul Granda says that because of weak and poorly enforced ordinances, a number of buildings that should have been protected have been demolishe... [More]

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The government of Peru announced Friday that it will transfer as much as 1,200 megawatts per hour of electricity to Ecuador beginning next week. The transfer is intended to provide relief to Ecuador’s drought-stricken hydro-electric production system. Ecuador’s government last week ord... [More]

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Ecuador's worst drought in 45 years is forcing restrictions on electric power use as federal officials announce a series of blackouts aimed at reducing consumption by 5% to 10%. Most of the country's energy is hydro-electric and water levels at the largest generating station on the ... [More]

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The popular travel guide Lonely Planet has named Cuenca one of the 10 top cities for travelers in its Best in Travel 2010 guide. The annual snapshot book focuses on the world's hottest travel trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the year ahead, Lonely Planet says. ... [More]

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Panama hats have made the leap from the heads of Hollywood icons and intrepid jungle explorers to the fashionable masses of Europe and the United States. Models are wearing them on catwalks and teenagers are sporting them at clubs. But no matter how stylish, each of these hats has simple ori... [More]

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Latin America has long enticed budget-oriented travelers with its low prices, and as the global economic crisis lingers, the bargains are increasingly tempting — especially when it comes to a luxury vacation. Meals are often half the cost of their European counterparts, hotels are gene... [More]

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Note: The following is a blog post by experienced trekker, RoundPicture. As he points out, hiking the Cajas can be strenuous and is often dangerous. Trails can be poorly marked and weather is unpredictable with temperatures falling well below freezing at night. Prepare well before hiking. &nbs... [More]

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Although new statistics show a modest annual increase in crime throughout Ecuador, they also show rapid growth rates in several cities and in northern areas of the country. On Oct.1, the government announced that it was taking emergency measures to stem the crime tide in Quito, Manta and Gua... [More]

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Ecuador officials review earthquake vulnerability; Cuenca is in less danger than other cities but still in 'Ring of Fire'

CUENCA FOODSTUFF
Kookaburra Café on Calle Larga has proven an instant hit with expats, travelers and Cuencanos

Craziness highlights Carnival as water and foam fights break out everywhere; gringos fight back in Quingeo

Calling all Brits! Britain’s ambassador to Ecuador visits Cuenca Feb. 24 and wants to meet British citizens

CUENCA DIGEST
Cuenca garbage recycling becomes mandatory in March

Ecuador's Yasuni National Park is one of most biodiverse areas on earth, according to recent scientific studies

Officials keep close tabs on Tungurahua and say a major volcanic eruption is possible; evacuation plans readied

ECUADOR FACT CHECKER
Tracking down accurate population figures for major cities

Thousands of men and boys in drag highlight Cuenca’s Day of the Innocents celebration tonight on Av. Solano

CUENCA DIGEST
Flooding replaces drought as top concern; electric rationing eases as hyrdo-electric reservoirs fill

Effort to protect Ecuador's rain forest from oil exploration to be supported by multi-national trust fund

CUENCA DIGEST
Despite increase in number of vehicles, Cuenca air quality holds steady in 2009; use of cleaner diesel fuel credited

World March for Peace and Nonviolence visits Cuenca on Friday; March concludes in Argentina in January

Government may renege on promise to end blackouts as drought persists; Paute reservoir level continues to drop

Ecuador's first Quechuan language television station aims to keep ancient traditions alive

CUENCA DIGEST
A hot day in Cuenca: the mercury hits 81F, 27.5C, on Thursday, the highest temperature in 30 years

In Ecuador's Amazon jungle, oil production exacts a heavy toll on people as well as the environment

New plan to protect Cuenca's historic buildings is in the works; officials say it will be in place by summer 2010

CUENCA DIGEST
Agreement with Peru should relieve Ecuador’s power crisis

CUENCA DIGEST
Drought forces government to restrict electric power use as Ecuador's hydro plants suffer record low water levels

Cuenca named one the world's top ten cities by Lonely Planet travel guide, one of several recent rankings

Although Panama hats are exported from Cuenca, the weavers live in small villages of the Andean countryside

Low costs are attracting travelers and retirees to Latin America; Ecuador is becoming a top destination

DAY TRIPPING
Three options for exploring Parque Nacional Cajas for experienced hikers

CUENCA DIGEST
Ecuador taking measures to curb crime in three cities; new crime stats show Loja and Cuenca remain the safest cities