Posts:
By Robert Bradley My favorite haunt, Casa Azul Galeria Cafe, reopened last week. What a relief! I love dropping in for early morning cafe con leche and greeting the day with my neighbors while sharing a few minutes before the calendar crowds us into little boxes of...
By Jane Brinton The Waterbearers co-founder and executive director When I moved to Cuenca in 2013, I wanted to experience something different, but not to retire. As a second-time expat and world traveler, I’m no stranger to adapting to new lifestyles and cultures. For...
By Markku Sario If you go up Luis Cordero to where it crosses Las Americas, the name of the street changes to Abelardo J. Andrade. One block further, there is a traffic light at a 5-way intersection. Take a hard right at the light onto Cumana. The road widens...
Editor’s note: In February, Cuenca expats Edd and Cynthia Staton launched the first of three books about their decision to move to Ecuador and the frantic rush leading up to their departure from the U.S. Today, they discuss the second volume in the series, "Letting...
The other morning we were coming back from Yunguilla quite early; we had three dogs to bring to the vet. Two to be spayed and one because we couldn't keep her out of our sight ... she was in heat (and still is)! Anyway, because the two getting fixed had early...
Everyone loves Cuenca!! Or more often than not it seems like it. Several weeks ago on my usual Sunday walk along the Tomebamba I came upon four vans together in a parking area, sliding doors open and several young people and a couple of children on the grass, on...
The shrill whistle of the majorette signaled the resumption of the energizing rhythm after a measure’s rest. The drum major, drum-line and band were working together, switching between the drum cadence and a marching roll-off. Up front, the baton had been wielded...
I got up with the sunrise. I didn't do it on purpose. But, the noise of some parrots that live in the trees across the street from us left me no choice. The little flock (I think that's what you call a group of parrots) numbers about eight birds. They really are...
My computer is being repaired so I was unable to write to you this week. Instead, I relied exclusively on my camera. This is what caught my eye. I love the play of light on street art, how the sun and weather contribute to the painting itself. I love how current, or...
A reader asked me, “Is white rice good or bad? I rarely touch the stuff, but my Ecuadorian friends keep telling me it’s good for you.” Yes, Ecuadorians do eat a lot of white rice, compared to North Americans. However Ecuador’s consumption pales in comparison to Asia....
I was a rebel in high school. The year was 1970 and Virginia Beach had largely avoided the upheavals of the 1960s, but we were making up for lost time. We grew our hair long, wore tattered jeans with American flags sewn on the butt, and talked in lingo: a cool guy was...
I was 12 and on my first "date" with my next-door neighbor. Her name was Cindy Oksanen and she was 13. We were at the drive-in, in the back seat of her dad's station wagon. He was in the front seat. So, obviously having my arm around her was about as brave as I...
The following article is a paid advertorial. Taking control of your aging and making a choice about how you look and feel about yourself can make you feel excited, empowered, and confident. You may have been considering getting some “work done,” and have been putting...
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) in the world! Our guest columnist this week is Ranelle...
Exploring. I do lot of it. On foot in the high mists or behind the wheel of my truck taking on some rock-strewn and rutted clay road, I’m out there in it all the time. I am living in, performing photography and writing about Ecuador. This is a portion of my grand...
Friday, February 23 will be the first anniversary of my living in Cuenca. Following is a letter to a dear friend describing my flight and early impressions of Ecuador, which also became my first article for CuencaHighLife. I have yet to find the words to thank the...
Some urban legends refuse to die. According to Dictionary.com, an “urban legend” is a modern story of obscure origin and with little or no supporting evidence that spreads spontaneously in varying forms and often has elements of humor, moralizing, or horror. Although...
Kimberly Wood loves paper. She began importing exotic paper to Minnesota 25 years ago, then decided she wanted to make her own. Kimberly took classes at the local university, studied paper-making, sculpture, binding and making paper vessels. She quickly rose in the...
St. Valentine’s Day is a global celebration. In the U.S. it’s chocolate and flowers; in the Philippines, it’s become a tradition for thousands of couples to wed in massive public ceremonies. Here in Cuenca, restaurants are promoting their special dinners for lovers,...
Alba and Viviana grew up together along the banks of the Río Yanuncay, west of Cuenca. Their meager casas were separated by five minutes of steep and broken path that passed near the river. Lives were simple yet difficult with hard work and long hours filling the days...
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.
