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Cuenca city officials say that elimination of parking spaces on six historic district streets has improved traffic flow. They say that the full impact of the changes won’t be felt until roadwork, especially on Calle Simon Bolivar, is completed in September. According to city parking co... [More]

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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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The following is by Charles R. Phillips, an Ecuador resident. He is the author of Blue Book for Grassroots Politics, published by Thomas Nelson & Co. Phillips is retired and lives in Cuenca. One of the most difficult decisions for new expats -- after deciding to make Ecuador their home -... [More]

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The owners of bars, liquor stores and gas station convenience stores are up in arms about new nationwide restrictions on the sale of alcoholic. They say that tens of thousands of job will be lost and that the new rules are a draconian response to problems that could be solved through better law en... [More]

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Minister of Electricity Miguel Calahorrano says that last week’s start-up of the new hydro electric facility at Mazar signals the beginning of energy independence for Ecuador. He added that it also means that the type of electric blackouts experienced in the country during last fall’s ... [More]

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The Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador’s central Andes continues to show signs of increasing activity, forcing an early end to the school year for hundreds of students in the town of Baños. The school closings were announced shortly after civil defense authorities ordered mandatory e... [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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Ecuador’s Geophysical Institute reported early Sunday morning that activity at Volcan Tungurahua continued to subside. "There has been a decrease in the activity of the volcano,” the institute said in its morning bulletin. The statement emphasized, however, that the danger was not... [More]

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The eruption of Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano has forced the evacuation of a dozen towns and villages in the central sierra and has blanketed parts of the coast in ash. The ash cloud, moving in a west, southwesterly direction, was also disrupting national and international air travel as the Gua... [More]

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Editor’s note: Curves Gym is one of Cuenca’s growing number of expat-owned businesses. Owner Jon Wright, a three-year Cuenca resident and former personal trainer, explains his approach to achieving positive exercise results – and why a program like Curves can help women live heal... [More]

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Ecuador’s National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, (INAMHI) says that May in Cuenca may be wetter than usual. INAMHI makes the prediction based on water temperatures in the Pacific that are slightly higher than normal but says more rain is needed to overcome the deficit from last fal... [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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Almost a month after the $1.3 million robbery of a government run pawn service at Cuenca’s Social Security office, small crowds continue to gather to protest repayment terms for lost jewelry. The heist, which remains unsolved, occurred over Easter Weekend but was not di... [More]

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Parades, crafts shows, races, fireworks and a thanksgiving mass at the new cathedral highlighted the 453rd anniversary of Cuenca’s Spanish founding on Monday. Several thousand attended a mid-morning parade in the historic district. Marching bands and dance troupes from city schools wer... [More]

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Pending final approval from Ecuador’s Civil Aviation Council, AirCuenca will take to the skies April 12, expanding Cuenca’s air travel options. Ecuador’s newest airline will offer daily service between Cuenca, Quito and Guayaquil and twice weekly service to Macas and Santa ... [More]

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A group representing the rights of pedestrians and cyclists is mounting a campaign for tighter enforcement of traffic laws. According Luis Arpi, an advocate for cyclists, the streets are not safe for anybody except those traveling in cars and buses. “We believe the situation is deterio... [More]

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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 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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Azuay provincial police chief Fuasto Tamayo has issued his annual pre-Carnival warning to the public: watch out for airbourne water balloons. The balloons are already flying in Cuenca’s historic district, he says, with tourists being favorite targets. Carnival is officially celebrated from F... [More]

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CUENCA DIGEST
New city rules reduce street parking in El Centro

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

Shipping your household goods to Ecuador: by following some simple rules you can avoid major headaches

CUENCA DIGEST
New national restrictions on alcohol sales stir opposition

CUENCA DIGEST
Officials say that new hydro electric plant on the Rio Paute will reduce the possibility of future blackouts

As Tungurahua activity increases again, officials voice concern for the safety of Baños; local schools let out early

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

Tungurahua eruption subsides but danger remains; ash cloud dissipates and Guayaquil airport reopens

Tungurahua eruption causes evacuations and sends ash cloud toward the coast; in-country air traffic disrupted

Women face more barriers in establishing an exercise routine; personal trainer explains how to overcome them

CUENCA DIGEST
Cuenca weather forecast: April showers give way to more showers in May; annual rainfall is still below normal

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

CUENCA DIGEST
Social Security jewelry heist continues to spark discontent

CUENCA DIGEST
Cuenca foundation celebration concludes with a busy day

AirCuenca is set for an April launch; after months of delays, new airline will increase in-country passenger options

CUENCA DIGEST
Advocates for pedestrian and cyclist rights push for tighter law enforcement; health officials warn of high UV levels

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

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

Watch out for the water balloons!: Carnival is coming and the 'the little devils' are armed and dangerous