Culture

With the mountains of Cuenca – Ecuador's third-largest city and a United Nations World Heritage site – serving as a backdrop, children run energetically up and down the Calle Miguel Escalinatas, a long concrete staircase, around the cones, and back again. They are part of... [More]

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Although Cuenca has one of the lowest rates of serious crime, per capita, in Ecuador (only Loja has a lower rate among cities with populations of more than 100,000), petty and property crime are ongoing problems and rates are increasing. According to 2009 national police statistics, overall crime ... [More]

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The Galapagos Islands, colonial cities, the Amazon jungle, and beach resorts are not the only reason that foreigners visit Ecuador. Tourism officials say the fastest growing attraction may be the country’s dental care. Although it is hard to nail down accurate statistics, tour operator... [More]

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I’ve barely stepped off the plane when the stories about the Valle de Longevidad — Valley of Longevity — start. My cabdriver asks what I’m doing in this small town in southern Ecuador, and I tell him I’m in search of the legendary old people of Vilcabamba. The cabbie ... [More]

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Referred to by a travel magazine in 2008 as Cuenca’s version of Rick’s Café of Casablanca movie fame, the Eucalyptus Café is easily the city’s best known restaurant and bar among tourists and foreign residents. Lonely Planet rates it the “Pick of Cuenca&r... [More]

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Editor’s Note: Frank and Shel Drake scouted Ecuador in February and March looking for a retirement and expatriation destination; the story of how and where they found it is told in 10 installments on CuencaHighLife.com. This is the second installment of a new series on getting ready to ... [More]

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On a recent day, the man known in Ecuador as the Gringo Chief wore a traditional black smock and a necklace strung with jaguar and wild boar's teeth, perfectly suitable for the Cofan Indian ceremony marking the acquisition of yet another slice of rain forest. With his fellow Cofan listen... [More]

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Editor’s Note: Frank and Shel Drake scouted Ecuador in February and March looking for a retirement and expatriation destination; the story of how and where they found it is told in 10 installments on CuencaHighLife.com. This is the first installment of a new series on getting ready to move t... [More]

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If you’re looking for the best home cooking, U.S.-style, in Cuenca, check out California Kitchen. Many of those who have say the cooking is not only the best in Cuenca but better than anything they’ve had the States as well. Opened in April by California family George, Carol... [More]

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“In the U.S., this would be illegal,” John Schnelling tells a friend standing next to him Thursday night in Cuenca’s Calderon Park. Errant sparks fly in all directions from the make-shift wrought iron fireworks launch pads less than 50 feet away as one rocket after another s... [More]

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Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from Vagabonding Down the Andes by Harry A. Franck. Published in 1917, the book is a travelogue of the author’s 1912 journey, mostly by foot, from Panama to Buenos Aires. The following selection and the three that follow describe Franck’... [More]

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You’ll get no argument from serious eaters about where to find Cuenca’s best hamburger. It’s at the Inca Lounge and Bistro. If there’s a downside to Inca’s hamburger crown, it’s that it overshadows the fact that the restaurant may also serve the best chick... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the final installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Shel and Frank Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel is a professional travel photographer. After breakfast at the sushi joint, we took a cab to the airp... [More]

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It's fitting that Chris and Jenny Bluefields named their business Kookaburra Cafe. As they reflect on why a couple from Queensland with almost no hospitality experience would set up an eatery in southern Ecuador, Jenny's cackle demonstrates the comedy of it all. "I waited tables... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the ninth installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Shel and Frank Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel is a professional travel photographer. We took our leave from breakfast and off we went to the fresh... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the eighth installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Shel and Frank Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel is a professional travel photographer. In 2008 Stern, Germany’s version of Newsweek mag... [More]

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Editor's note: The following is a sample of opinions of Cuencanos about the foreigners living in and visiting Cuenca. They were compiled by University of Cuenca graduate student Silvia Lara for an article about international immigration. The comments refer to all foreigners considere... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the seventh installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Shel and Frank Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel is a professional travel photographer. The plane touched down at Cuenca’s Mariscal... [More]

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Cuenca is making plans to reopen one of city’s oldest and most historic streets. Actually an alley way, Calle Santa Ana, which runs between the cathedral and Raymipampa restaurant on Calle Benigno Malo, has been bricked shut for decades. City, church and civic leaders envision S... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the sixth installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Frank and Shel Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel Drake is a professional travel photographer. We found Ibarra to be a heavy-duty Ecuadorian city, nin... [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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Editor’s note: This is the fifth installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Frank and Shel Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel Drake is a professional travel photographer. I’d made reservations at Casa Sol in Quito for Ca... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the fourth installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Frank and Shel Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel Drake is a professional travel photographer. The International Living conference en... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the third installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Frank and Shel Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel Drake is a professional travel photographer. The next morning, Wednesday, the Interna... [More]

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Editor’s note: This is the second installment of a multi-part series chronicling the adventures of Frank and Shel Drake on their first visit to Ecuador. Frank is a travel writer and Shel Drake is a professional travel photographer. We went to Ecuador, initially, to attend a f... [More]

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While Cuenca's 2,000 Colombian refugees struggle for acceptance, the children find relief in sports

Staying safe in Cuenca: a former criminologist offers some advice about avoiding street crime

Ecuador's low costs make 'dental tourism' a growth industry, especially in Cuenca, Guayaquil and Quito

The claims for its centenarians may be 'grossly exaggerated' but Vilcabamba retains its charm

CUENCA FOOD
Expat-owned Eucalyptus Café is still getting the headlines

FRANK'S AND SHEL'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
Your huddled couple yearning to be free

Cofan 'gringo chief' helps natives thrive in their jungle communities -- and in the political and economic arena

FRANK'S AND SHEL'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
Plenty of reasons to leave the surreal New World

CUENCA FOOD
Hungry for home cooking? California Kitchen does it best

With bombs bursting in air, Cuenca's annual Setenario celebration is noisy, dangerous ... and exciting

CUENCA A CENTURY AGO
Good weather, ‘dreamy loafing’ and meeting the locals

CUENCA FOOD
For the best hamburger in Cuenca, and the biggest portions too, it’s Inca Lounge and Bistro

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
Cuenca -- the dream is real: EcuADORE

From New South Wales to Cuenca: Calle Larga cafe reflects a passion for informality and simplicity

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
Cuenca -- the dream is real: Getting to know the city

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
Cuenca -- the dream is real: A place for us in Cuenca?

What Cuencanos have to say about gringos: 'they enrich the local culture, bring in more business but need to lose some weight and learn Spanish"

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
Cuenca -- the dream is real: feeling right at home

Reopening of one of Cuenca's oldest streets will provide access to historic buildings, create an artisans' market

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
One thing leads to another in Ibarra, then back to Quito

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

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
Crafts, leather, guinea pigs ... and barbed wire

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
Northern Highlands: The road to Otavalo

SHEL'S AND FRANK'S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
First impressions: The International Living confab ... and an Ecuadorian at heart

SHEL'S AND FRANK’S EXCELLENT ECUADOR ADVENTURE
First impressions: Date with destiny and incognito in Quito