By Constance Gustkenov Rick Cloud, 68, knew that he wanted to stay in his home in Austin, Tex., as he aged. But Mr. Cloud, who is divorced, was not sure how he could do that without relying on his two daughters. Then he ran across the idea of virtual retirement...
Expat Life
‘Workcations’ may be here to stay: The pandemic showed us that we can combine work and leisure
By Bryan Lufkin We’ve been taught to keep work and play apart. Yet more of us are still taking workcations, three years into the pandemic – and reaping the benefits. Even as the pandemic is ending, it looks like the trend could be here to stay. “After working from...
Health and medical myths you should ignore
By Christine Clark "Don't swallow your gum, it'll take seven years for your stomach to digest!" "Ah, just pick it up off the floor — five second rule!" Most of us grew up with wives' tales such as these, and probably believed them. But, as we've gotten older and...
New paint job on the fountain in Parque Central
(Yeah I know ... not much happening here in the pueblo today.) Sprucing up for the celebration of the founding of the parroquia de Vilcabamba. I was curious as to how the colors were chosen so I chatted with one of the municipal workers on site. He said basically...
The deficiency of a key enzyme explains why people become more fragile after 65
By Raúl Limón A new study demonstrates how a deficiency of coenzyme Q10, which charges our biological batteries, reduces mobility and the capacity for the generation of this vital molecule as you age. The Q10 coenzyme is vital. If cellular mitochondria are the body’s...
Buying Property in Ecuador: Here’s What You Need to Know
Buying a property in Ecuador, if you are in love or smitten with one, can be a WONDERFUL idea, so long as you are aware of the possible pitfalls that might dare to rear their ugly head(s). This is because, firstly, unlike in places such as the US, Canada, Europe and...
Opening a small business in Ecuador
For any new (or possibly not so new) expat who has moved to Ecuador, the question that often arises is what to do with one’s time. Unless one plans to devote their energy, time and investment towards a preexisting organization (i.e. a charity or other not for profit...
The 4 (or 5..) Best “Ecuador Visa Types” for Residency in Ecuador
By Sara Chaca To borrow a page from the great American poet, Robert Frost, and his possibly most famous poem known as “The Road Not Taken”, when moving to Ecuador, virtually all Expats are plagued with the very necessary decision of, WHICH RESIDENCY VISA PATH SHALL I...
Enjoy a good meal and help women escape domestic violence at Mujeres con Exito
By John Keeble Training options for women escaping domestic violence have taken a step forward with a new range of food options being offered by Mujeres con Exito, the Cuenca organisation offering support and sheltering to women and children in danger. The new range –...
Are you thinking of buying property abroad? Here are 14 often-overlooked issues to consider
By Lee Harrison I’ve bought a number of overseas properties — both for personal use and as investments — and I find that evaluation of a potential property always comes back to a few simple basics. It’s a safe and secure process when you follow the rules, and use the...
Baby Boomers and the death of jazz: The music of our youth sucks
By Jim Gala Jazz is the big brother of Revolution. Revolution follows it around. —Miles Davis Jazz is not just music, it’s a way of life, it’s a way of being, a way of thinking. —Nina Simone. Art has a great mission. Through great art lower feelings, cruelty, and...
Tips for exploring Latin America on a budget
By Suzan Haskins Now that the Covid-19 pandemic is finally on the decline, it’s time to start planning that trip to Latin America. Whether you’re looking to check out the region’s many retirement hot-spots or just enjoy a laidback, low-cost vacation, there’s no better...
What Cuencanos say about expats: They’re good for business and the culture but should learn Spanish
Editor’s note: The following is a sample of Cuencano opinions about English-speaking expats living in Cuenca. They were compiled by University of Cuenca graduate student Silvia Lara for a research project about immigration. The comments were translated into English by...
The guitar-making tradition of San Bartolome is dying but a few aging craftsmen still ply the trade
By Egle Gerulaityte Bracing against the cold air at an altitude of 2,650 meters, I made my way down a foggy, narrow mountain road in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes. Its switchbacks were slick with moisture from the mist, vegetation slowly creeping up the cracks in...
Evolution of expat communities: From ‘adventurer’ to ‘early adapter’ to the ‘saturation’ phase
By Lee Harrison Expat hot spots around the world go through a fairly predictable cycle, morphing through a number of stages between their initial discovery and their maturity as a mainstream destination. The specifics of this evolution vary, but the general principles...
British study finds that a plant-based diet doesn’t reduce the risk of heart disease but some disagree
By Sandee LaMotte Eating a plant-based diet has been shown to be good for your heart and your overall health, as well as that of the planet. In fact, a recent study found a young person could live an additional 13 years by eating more vegetables and legumes, as well...
Calorie reduction helps immune response and improves metabolism, especially for older people
By the Pennington Biomedical Research Center staff Calorie restriction improves metabolic and immune responses that help determine both how long a person lives and how many years of good health they enjoy, a new study shows. The improvement is particularly notable in...
Bolivia’s Isla del Sol is the crown jewel of Lake Titicaca — and it’s not overrun by tourists
By Nathan Strauss On Bolivia’s scenic Isla del Sol, terraced hillsides and ancient ruins offer otherworldly vantage points over the seemingly endless expanse of Lake Titicaca, South America’s largest lake. The mythological birthplace of the first Incans, Manco Cápac...
Pandemic obsessions bring issues of conscious living and conscious dying into focus
Back in late 2018 I wrote a series of articles on Conscious Living and Conscious Dying. It seemed rather appropriate to do an update given the increased attention on life and death during these past two years. I would guess that almost every man and woman, and even...
A moment when the world changes: Cuenca expats give Cajas mountain schools tools for the future
By John Keeble Every now and again, if you are lucky, you experience a moment when you can see the world changing and you know the future will never be quite the same. Just such a moment happened in the Cajas Mountains as a disparate group of good people came together...