Posts:
I’m sitting at one of my favorite cafes, waiting for a friend to show up. I notice two of Cuenca’s finest arrive and walk toward my table. Policeman: “Stand up please.” Me: “Is there a problem officer?” Policeman: “You’re under arrest for trespassing.” I’m then...
I've seen a lot lately about more brick-and-mortar stores closing in the United States. Today, The Bon-Ton Stores, after filing for bankruptcy in January, announced it is heading into liquidation. For those who don't know, the 160 year-old company has 260 stores in...
Editor's note: This is the second in a two-part series on vegan and vegetarian dining in Cuenca. Here, Cuenca chefs Giovanni Cambizaca and Yasu Umet talk about their culinary development and their philosophy of food preparation and service. Although both serve fish,...
As a member of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, I’m privileged to have as colleagues some of the most accomplished Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). Our guest columnist this week is an expert dietitian/nutritionist who is… “on a mission to serve the...
A few nights ago, my friend Tom went out to catch a taxi to go to dinner. The new tram line that is under construction runs along his street and he was aware of the narrow and deep concrete ditch but as he turned his head to hail a taxi he took another step...
Editor’s note: Writers on Writers in an on-going series in which Cuenca expat writers interview each other about their their work. Here, Lee Polevoi and Jean McCord talk about why they write and what they write. Writers’ Q&A (Part 1): Jean McCord asks Lee...
Have you ever seen something that caused your common sense to question your vision? I remember, while working in Baltimore, driving along a street near the downtown area. There was an old dilapidated building, something I’d seen countless times before. But to my...
OK guys. Prepare yourselves for an over-the-top review . . . Do you have an anniversary coming up? A graduation? Mother's day? In need of a romantic evening out? I have the place: La Caleta, Estevez de Toral 8-17 y Mariscal Sucre, just a block and a half from Cuenca's...
Everyone doesn’t need the same amount of calories, so why would everyone need to consume the identical amount of water? How much water is enough depends on you, and your environment. All our biochemical reactions are dependent on water. Water is the key ingredient...
As a lifelong real estate developer, my career began on the job site as a carpenter, evolved through business education into project management, and eventually running the company. Nowadays I am as good with spreadsheets, computers and paperwork as I was back in the...
Most people don’t get to see Volcán Tungurahua the way I did. The geographical location is often shrouded in Andean mists. But, surprisingly, there it loomed in all its grandeur on an early October morning. Encircled by a ring of cumulus clouds, it seemed unreal to...
It is difficult for me to describe the moment. It was like being doused with hard rain while hurrying home before a building thunderstorm. Or, like the moment you realized while reading the second-to-last chapter of a novel, that this story will not have a happy...
In America, if you happen to be a foreigner who doesn’t speak English, you may find yourself in an uncomfortable and humiliating predicament. Some unknown stranger may shout the words, “Learn to speak English” at you, or, “Go back where you come from!” Now not knowing...
As a member of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, I’m privileged to have as colleagues some of the most accomplished Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). Today's guest columnist is Jeanne Petrucci, MS, RDN who has shared this article from her weekly Test...
Red and Yellow and Pink and Green Purple and Orange and Blue I can sing a rainbow (I can sing a rainbow) I can sing a rainbow too – sung by The Dells By Derek Hatcher I love colors in all their hues and shades. It’s interesting how the use of the word is embedded in...
After an exhaustive two-year search, Cuenca’s expat theater finally has a place it can call home. “We walked almost every street in Cuenca looking for the right place and we’re thrilled that we finally found it,” says Deana Culp, Azuay Community Theater (ACT) board of...
Well, as some of you know, CuencaHighLife.com was down for a few days last week. We had a big problem with our hosting company. They said we had a code problem that was causing the issue. We called BS on that because we hadn't changed it from the day before when it...
Editor’s note: Writers on Writers in an on-going series in which Cuenca expat writers interview each other about their their work. Writers’ Q&A (Part 1): Abby Osman asks Frances A. Hogg about her writing. Franny, most gringos know you as an author because of...
Over the top of the school’s locked gate, tumultuous sounds of children shouting and laughing spilled out then up and down the dusty rock-strewn road as I pressed the buzzer for the fourth time. “I hear Jhon laughing,” I told Edie. The blaze of a late morning Andean...
My mother's moving soon. Before my next column. So I need to say what I need to say here this week. I'm proud of her. Very proud. She's been struggling for the last couple of years since my father died. They had been together for over 50 years and even though he...
Week of August 23
Ecuador’s economy grew 2% during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to new Banco Central del Ecuador data.
Cuenca gets a prime view of next week’s deep partial lunar eclipse.
Ecuador’s economy grows 2% in the first half of 2026.
