Posts:
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...
By Jan Dynes I enjoy word-jams bursting free into a deluge of unrelated thoughts...they increase my gratitude for my life in this beautiful country. I like my simple life and have made peace with all the roads that I took to arrive here. Gypsy spirits roam in wonder....
By Stephen Vargha Less than a decade ago, most Cuencanos did not know what a bagel, the doughnut-shaped yeast-leavened roll that is characterized by a crisp and shiny crust with a very a dense interior, was. “Cuencanos asked me if they were doughnuts. They wanted to...
By Kathleen Wong Lee Harrison never thought he'd retire at the age of 49 – 13 years earlier than when he had planned. He definitely didn't expect that he'd be retired in Ecuador of all places. But at 70, he's happier than ever with his decision, he said. "My father...
Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part series about Wilson Suquitana, Paute’s favorite facilitator. To read part 1, click here. When Wilson Squitana’s father turned his back on him, he knew that the family would never again be whole. He was as confused as the...
By Liam Higgins For both expats and tourists, Ecuador provides an adventure in colorful and often exotic cuisine, some of which is older than the Incas. Here are a few of the traditional foods of Ecuador and the entire Andean region of South America. In Cuenca, if...
It’s 6:04 AM. I’ve been up reading the wonderful anthology of travel essays: Unforgettable Journeys: Great writers on great places,” wherein I discovered two bookmarks, one a photographic print of an abstract image I had created ten years ago that I like less now than...
By Rosemary Rein Since our first article appeared in CuencaHighLife about (FAAN) Familia Amor Animal Foundation in October, the expat community of Ecuador has demonstrated not only their love of animals but their generosity. For 8 years, FAAN has served as a sanctuary...
Editor's note: This is the first of a two-part story about Wilson Suquitana – Paute’s favorite facilitator. Part one: Loss It was a very special December morning for the Suquitana family of Paute, Azuay Province -- a perfect day for welcoming Wilson, the third of...
By Gideon Lasco “Do you eat guinea pig?” I asked Leonardo. We were perusing the menu in a restaurant in Lima, and I wanted to know what my Peruvian friend thought of the practice of eating cuy (the Spanish term for guinea pig used in parts of the Andes mountains)....
By Stephen Vargha One could say the French neoclassical former home of one of Cuenca’s most famous residents has a huge story to tell. Or a hundred. “The museum is 75 years old and that is why we did this exhibit,” said Ximena Pulla, Coordinator of the Remigio Crespo...
A friend of mine recently failed the government-issued test to become a citizen of Ecuador. Tim Broward (not his real name), 61, is an eleven-year resident of Ecuador who holds a Ph.D. in Educational Development from a prestigious university in the U.S. He scored 58%...
By Kristen Rogers You may know that being adequately hydrated is important for day-to-day bodily functions such as regulating temperature and maintaining skin health. But drinking enough water is also associated with a significantly lower risk of developing chronic...
By Stephen Vargha Cuenca’s garden secret is on pace to triple in size. “I'm amazed at how few people know about the place,” said an American expat who has lived in Cuenca for several years. The American expat is referring to the Cuenca Botanical Garden. Located on the...
By Nicolas Caram Like many travelers, the first time I visited Ecuador, my itinerary included Quito and the Galapagos. Fifteen years later, in November 2022, I returned to the country – this time as an Adventure Travel Trade Association representative joining a...
Editor's note: This is the fourth article in a four-part series "Saving the World – One Ecosystem at a Time." By John Keeble Rene Rivas is an expert in repairing the damage that waves of human agriculture have done to wildlife habitats and ecosystems. Under his...
Editor's note: This is the third of a four-part series "Saving the World – One Ecosystem at a Time." Next, Article 4: "The human dimension of successful conservation." By John Keeble The beauty of nature affects people deeply – especially Ecuador’s rare and stunning...
Editor's note: This is the second of a four-part series "Saving the World – One Ecosystem at a Time." Article 3: "A trip among ecosystems and species brought back from the edge of extinction." By John Keeble A tangle of forest near Ecuador’s border with Peru closed in...
By Stephen Vargha Cuenca appeared to have rebounded from the Covid pandemic with its Christmas celebrations and decorations. And Christmas was a huge and welcomed source of revenue for Cuenca businesses. The city announced that visitors to Cuenca for the Christmas...
