Posts:
By Stephen Vargah Many foreigners move to Ecuador to retire. “I moved because I was dissatisfied with my life in London,” said Ned Cresswell. A good number of foreigners end up residing in Cuenca. Others move to the coast of Ecuador while some set foot in smaller...
The brick, cinderblock, concrete and rebar looks the same whether you’re in Morocco, Mexico, Peru or Ecuador. Provisional, half-finished brick and cinder block dwellings. Lone structures slouching in patches of prickly pear along the highway, jagged villages clinging...
By Jim Smith Stepping into Cuenca's Kolo restaurant, I was immediately welcomed by Milena Lopez, the vibrant Cuban-born owner and single mother of two. Despite the busy atmosphere, Milena greeted me with a warm smile, instantly making me feel at home. Kolo has been a...
By Alice Callahan Name a common condition — heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, dementia, irritable bowel syndrome — and chances are good that following a diet high in ultraprocessed foods has been linked to it. But the ultraprocessed food category is large and...
By Sylvan Hardy A long-time expat tells the story from 2008 of a man from Texas who wanted to build a townhouse development in Cuenca’s northeast suburbs. The Texan wanted to partner with a prominent Cuenca developer in the project and made an appointment to present...
By Rachel Fairbank Lower back pain is one of the leading causes of disability, affecting an estimated 619 million people worldwide. For many people suffering from lower back pain, their condition is cyclical, and their pain returns even after recovery. Nearly 70...
By Frances Hogg Lochow When Juan Estrella was a boy growing up in Cuenca, he didn’t have television or the internet. He’d read about magic in books, but he’d never seen a magic trick performed until he was 14 years old, when the father of a friend showed him a card...
I may have been too enthusiastic in my recent column celebrating the glories of the world's favorite language. Upon further reflection, I now think English, a mishmash of slang and exceptions, is just a big hodge-podge. How can anyone master the incomprehensible use...
By Jim Smith Moving to a new country like Ecuador can be both thrilling and challenging for expats, particularly when it comes to staying connected, finding local resources, and adapting to a new culture. Fortunately, social media apps can help bridge these gaps,...
By Phillip Martin When we arrive in Ecuador from northern climes it gradually dawns on us that sunrise and sunset come at just about the same time every day, all year long. While we almost universally enjoy the moderate, year round climate this brings us, some of us...
By Brian Handwerk Chicken soup. Half a grapefruit. Steaming hot tea. When you’re sick everyone from grandma to the next-door neighbor has a helpful suggestion for food that will put you on the road to recovery. What should we make of this wisdom — do some foods really...
By Kayla Hana From calling flip-flops slippahs to eating the most SPAM per capita in the U.S., Hawaii sure has its share of quirks. (We don’t wave: we give shaka.) That charm doesn’t end with our people, our funky flora and fauna (protea and Happy Face Spiders, to...
By Lottie Limb Before visiting Ecuador, the eponymous equator wasn’t the most eagerly-anticipated moment on my bucket list trip. There were giant tortoises to meet, cloud forests to climb and Indigenous markets to explore. But the Quitsato Sundial, 50 kilometres north...
By Jim Smith In today's world, expats face many challenges when living in new countries, like dealing with language barriers, cultural differences, healthcare, and managing money. AI, or artificial intelligence, is becoming a key helper for expats, offering solutions...
By Fernando Pages Ruiz In the United States, we live under a host of consumer protections and seemingly inalienable rights that can feel as universal as the air we breathe. Nothing makes you realize you're no longer in Kansas like running into legal difficulties...
By Jan Hoffman The message emblazoned on a walkway window at the airport in Burlington, Vermont, is a startling departure from the usual tourism posters and welcome banners: “Addiction is not a choice. It’s a disease that can happen to anyone.” The statement, part of...
By Stephen Vargha With a heated political season upon us, many U.S. citizens in Cuenca are concerned about their voter registration. Others want to register to have their voices heard on November 5. Then, there are those who are concerned about being eligible to vote...
By Monica Humphries Stepping inside TapOut Sports Zone Bar and Grill in Boquete, Panama, is like stepping inside suburban America. The menu features American staples like cheeseburgers, barbecue chicken sandwiches, and Philly cheesesteaks. Flat-screen TVs sit above...
By Jim Smith Stepping into Chula Birria, I was immediately enveloped in the vibrant energy of the place. The restaurant, which opened its doors in November 2021, has quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. As I entered, I was warmly greeted by Juan...
By David Wallis Some call themselves “senior gypsies.” Others prefer “international nomad.” David Law, 74, a retired executive recruiter who has primarily slept in tents in several countries in the last two years, likes the ring of “American Bedouin.” They are...
