Dave Nelson

Like many people, I have gotten caught up in the fuss, furor and vitriol that has dominated the political headlines in the United States since the election of Donald Trump. I have read a lot of serious work covering everything from the danger of fascism, the possible failure of democracy,  the changing attitudes of the...

A few nights ago, my friend Tom went out to catch a taxi to go to dinner. The new tram line that is under construction runs along his street and he was aware of the narrow and deep concrete ditch but as he turned his head to hail a taxi he took another step and….oops!,...

A quiet, sunny and warm Saturday afternoon. Quite a contrast to last Saturday, the third day of the four day celebration of the 197th anniversary of the freeing of Cuenca from the rule of Spain. Exhibit tents spread out more than a quarter of a mile up and down the river and in several other...

My eye and I are ready for the surgery to remove the oil so I can once again have vision in both eyes. However, without mentioning it earlier, my doctor has decided to take a long overseas trip and if he does the surgery now, he won’t be available for the follow-up afterwards. So, I’ve...

On a recent Sunday I was on my usual walk along the Rio Tomebamba when I was stopped by three young people, characteristically nervous. Sure enough, they were college students wanting or, perhaps having to, interview a gringo for a class assignment. The young woman’s English seemed pretty good so I sat down on a...

On February 19 we had a presidential election which brings to mind a number of observations. In Ecuador, at age 16, you are eligible to vote; from age 18-65 voting is mandatory; over 65 it’s not mandatory; even if you’re not a citizen, if you have permanent legal residency, you can vote. The political parties...

Perhaps, maybe, quizas, I am back to normal. After a two-week bout of flu over Christmas, I am feeling great!! My legs are better as I am able, much of the time, to walk up the escalinatas without having to stop to catch my breath or rest my legs. Saying that my brain is better...

I have learned that the improvement in the vision of the left eye is not on an unbroken linear upward line but can regress a bit which is no cause for concern, my doctor reassured me. The slightly blurry vision of the right eye that comes from time to time is normal, caused by the...

Life is having its way with me lately, which is to say that it has been an interesting and difficult two months. In late August, following my cataract surgery, vision in my cleaned out left eye was steadily improving when one day it suddenly went bad. Into the doctor’s office I went to receive a...

On July 18, I was fresh from cataract and lens replacement surgery on both eyes, very happy with not needing glasses any more, getting ready to leave for the States on the 24th to visit family and friends. But . . . on the 20th I was back in surgery, having a sudden and ferocious...

It may not seem like it to a younger extrovert but for this older introvert there is a very special flow to life in Cuenca. I am coming out from two or three month long doldrums, due mostly to some health issues, and feeling alive and on top of the world once again. For example,...