Posts:
By Andrew Miller California residents are fleeing to Portugal and in many cases bringing problems that have made life more difficult for natives, according to the Los Angeles Times report. A story titled "Welcome to Portugal, the new expat haven. Californians, please...
By Slow Train I was eight, maybe nine. I was glued to the TV. On it, in that crazy time before streaming, was a show about someone who had been traveling the world for months. My little mind was blown. I thought people only went on vacation for a few days at a time, a...
By Joshua Summers Outdoor activities and discovering the landscape of Ecuador may be fun things to do when you visit this nation in South America, but traveling to this country without experiencing its unique traditional festivals will not make it as colorful as it...
By Einna Búho Sacred Plant Medicine Ceremonies are a staple in Latin America. You probably have heard or even participated in a Cacao Ceremony or sacred ceremonies with Ayahuasca, the Grandmother, Huachuma, the Grandfather or maybe even Huilco, the Mother Medicine....
By Jan Dynes My mother would be 104 this month if she was still with all of us. Mother's Day always followed just after her birthday. So she is on my mind. Mary Jane Seibertz was born during the Spanish Flu Epidemic in 1918. She brought 3 daughters into this world,...
By Julia Buckley It's time! Travel restrictions are easing, Covid infection rates are settling, you're fully vaccinated, and you're finally thinking about going on vacation. This is the year to make up for the holidays you didn't enjoy over the past two years. You've...
By Robert Bradley Casa Azul Galeria Cafe, on San Sebastian plaza, was my first favorite cafe in Cuenca. Several mornings a week I would wander down, plop into one of their comfortable chairs, and read for a couple of hours while sipping coffee, or dawdling over...
The news of late has been as gloomy as the weather. Eduardo Stein, the special representative of the UN refugee agency, International Organization for Migration (IOM), recently referred to Venezuala in this way, “The IOM has never faced such movement of refugees out...
By Stephen Vargha A city with a university is usually a big cultural arts center for a region. When there are four universities, it makes it easy to become an arts capital. That is what Cuenca is as it has been called by native Ecuadorians and expats, “The Arts...
By Kevin Gilbert Growing up, for me, the Easter period meant family time interspersed with Mum’s visits to church, playing ‘‘conkers’’ with Dad, and learning how to make hot cross buns as well as how to dye eggs. And then there was feeling ill after eating what should...
By Sylvan Hardy Ten years ago, there were only three restaurants on Cuenca’s Parque Calderon, with most diners opting for comida tipica at the venerable Raymipampa, next to the cathedral. Things have changed. With the opening of Calle Santa Ana, the alleyway between...
By Leita Hulmes I know I have already written a few stories about the Hearts of Gold Foundation but today I want to tell the story about a man with a heart of gold. David McDevitt has started his own campaign to help, not just Hearts of Gold and the Cuenca Soup...
By Heather Conley Let’s say you want to open a small business in Cuenca. Why not? It’s a great city, arguably the best in Ecuador, and you want to contribute. ou have dreams, you have skills – you want to give back. But if your business idea depends on staff, STOP!...
By Jeremiah Reardon At a March rehearsal for Azuay Community Theater’s first fully-staged play since the Covid-19 pandemic began, How The Other Half Loves by Alan Ayckbourn, Director Bob Fry and ACT President Paula Bailey outlined the play for me. The action takes...
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...
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...
(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...
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...
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 –...
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...
Week of September 20
Ecuador turns to industrial power cuts to protect Mazar and keep homes from going dark.
Ecuador raises its 2026 growth forecast, but El Niño could spoil the outlook next year.
Cuenca retirees challenge medical and therapy changes at IESS senior center.
