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Within a five-block radius of San Sebastian Plaza are two saddlers, at least five furniture makers, a knot of tailors, a sprinkle of goldsmiths, a colorful stained-glass studio, a thriving farmers market, more bakeries than I can count, and twice as many restaurants...
By Larry Welch I was an expat for six years — first in Spain and later in Cuenca — but I am no longer an expat. Having said that, I have to add that I have absolutely no regrets about my seven years living overseas. My wife and I had a blast and our lives are...
By Jancee Dunn Last year, my husband Tom received this memorable text from his father: “FYI, getting brain surgery tomorrow. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” This was the first we had heard about his brain surgery. When Tom phoned his dad and asked why he wasn’t told...
By Stephen Vargha Expats who have lived in Cuenca for several years are telling Kelbert Bortone, “Welcome home.” “People were very happy when they found out I had opened a restaurant,” said Bortone. “It’s so good to see my friends again.” Bortone is talking about...
By Tom Larsen What is Transferencia? Transferencia: Impressions of Our City, is the brainchild of Janda Grove, a North American artist now living in Cuenca. The project began in May of 2022. As Janda wandered and explored her adopted hometown, she decided she wanted...
By Jay Ratliff Recently, airlines have seen a drastic increase in the number of wheelchair requests. In fact, 25 passengers requested wheelchair assistance on one recent Southwest Airlines flight. And these numbers are growing. As we study the question of why more...
By Stephen Vargha A career in Rolfing for Roosvelt Rojas began by accident. Literally. "I was living in Loja at the time, and I was rushing to Catamayo City Airport as I was late for my flight,” said Rojas. “I crashed and had major injuries as I could not move my...
One of the many joys of living in Cuenca is meandering through centuries-old neighborhoods on Sunday mornings. Booming cannons call people to prayer as streams of families pour onto sidewalks worn to bedrock by shoe leather and bare feet. Little girls, clutching...
By Tom Larsen Transferencia (Sp.) — an act, process, or instance of transferring. March 2023 in Cuenca will see the culmination of nearly a year’s work as local women showcase their art to benefit Mujeres Con Éxito, the Cuenca organization that plays a critical role...
By Stephen Vargha Owning the popular restaurant, La Yunta, was not the original goal of Sole Riquetti. Nor was it the long circuitous global route Riquetti took to end up at Ave. Primer De Mayo. “My dad wanted me to learn English. I always hated English as a kid,”...
I watched quietly as the swollen Paute River carted away dirt, stone, and scoured human debris from a recent rainstorm. It was a strong reminder that the gods of Fertility and Loss, when absorbed in their enthusiasm for being unequalled, will occasionally flood...
By Jan Dynes Books were the stepping stones of my life, they became each decades touch stones and they formed me. My choices were an education that allowed me to become and embrace being everything from a queen or princess to being a slave, angry militant, migrant...
By Rick Snyder It’s time to enjoy some famous comedies at An Evening of Short Plays, opening Friday, February 17 at 4 p.m. at the Azuay Community Theater. Following ACT’s first 2 first success productions of the 2022-23, It Had To Be You and It’s A Wonderful Life, the...
By Stephen Vargha In the last ten years, Cuenca has become more of an international city with its restaurants. A decade ago, the choices were very limited. Since then, the choices of food and drinks have exploded upon Cuenca’s culinary scene. “When I came back to...
Martin Deschenes describes the cuisine of his new El Centro restaurant, Resto Maple Bar & Lounge, as mostly North American but with a Canadian accent. In fact, Martin just brought back 15 liters of North Country maple syrup from his native Ottawa / Gatineau. “We...
I spent the entirety of one day last week visiting with old friends and enjoying the parade of people strolling by my traditional haunt, Casa Azul Galeria Cafe on San Sebastian Plaza. I arrived shortly after noon for lunch and left for dinner at Raymond Huntley’s...
By Stephen Vargha The Municipal Museum of Modern Art has a long and colorful past. Of course, the Catholic church had a big part in it. It started with Cuenca’s Archbishop Bishop Miguel León y Garrido, who saw a lot of people were drinking and lying on the streets,...
We live in a pleasant house on an obscure unnamed dirt road; a pencil thin scar that also portions patches of farmland a couple of thousand feet above the Paute River. The homes here have no addresses. The route we give to first-time visitors includes carefully...
By Bob Brody I never wanted to live anywhere but New York City, much less outside the United States. I planned to always rent our apartment high above the ceaseless traffic on Queens Boulevard, a short walk from all the fresh bagels anyone could ever want. Yet last...
By Olivia Nolan Cuenca’s supermarkets are a thing of wonder. Their convenience is unparalleled, and if you squint, they might as well be your local Stop & Shop or Safeway. For a peanut-butter addict like myself, I was thrilled to discover that they carry Jif, and...
