Posts:
“Gringos!” I turned around and looked. She was behind us and across the street, dressed in a school uniform, mid-teens, surrounded by laughing friends – all girls. My wife and I were strolling on a Cuenca side street, not far from El Centro. “Gringos!” She yelled it...
“Watch your feet!” That is perhaps the best advice newbies get in Cuenca. Sidewalks often have uneven surfaces and potholes, even new tile sidewalks can be dangerous when wet. I move like I’m 99 years old when going down the hill at B. del Padron…the extension of...
Where I used to live, in the Midwestern United States, folks often had one room with rattan furniture, shells, and tiki lights to remind them of far-off paradises on warm sandy shores. I secretly loved these rooms, because gray, Midwestern winters last so long and the...
By Joanna Bender Ecuador is known for producing fine coffee, and yet most of that good coffee is exported to the United States and Europe. Locals often have to be satisfied with a basic coffee that is not fresh and filled with additives or preservatives. Owner Jairo...
By Fernando Pagés Ruiz Latinos are not afraid of close contact even with strangers There's no "three foot" rule. Why waste the space? Same goes for sound. Why would you turn down the music? Lonely beaches exist because Latinos prefer the crowded ones. My wife, from...
By Doug Stanglin I found Halloween in Ecuador. Well, to be exact, there was a sign in a bar — in English, of course — announcing a Halloween fiesta. In truth, this was a gig largely aimed at foreigners. Even for seasoned travelers, it is always a shock to realize what...
Life is having its way with me lately, which is to say that it has been an interesting and difficult two months. In late August, following my cataract surgery, vision in my cleaned out left eye was steadily improving when one day it suddenly went bad. Into the...
Images of paradise often include white sand beaches, palms, breezes, and aqua blue waters. Perhaps not for those finding Shangri-La in the cool altitudes of Cuenca. Yet it’s certainly, what expats settling Salinas, Olon and other coastal gringo-magnets imagine when...
One of the more popular resources on the overseas life - International Living- held one of its destination conferences in Quito, Ecuador recently. That means that yet another enthusiastic group of aspiring retirees signed on to look seriously into what it’s like to...
By Joanna Bender When Pete Breckinridge and Michelle Bakeman, the husband/wife team behind the popular Popacuchu Café, closed and sold their thriving business recently, locals mourned the passing of the café. This 2-part series looks at how Pete and Michelle ended up...
By Joanna Bender When Pete Breckinridge and Michelle Bakeman, the husband and wife team behind the popular Popacuchu Café, closed and sold their thriving business recently, locals mourned its passing, especially Michelle’s one-of-a-kind desserts. The couple is still...
Yes indeed, living abroad can definitely be an adventure. After five years in Ecuador though, you’d think that my husband and I would’ve already acclimated pretty completely to the cultural differences between here and the States. We thought we had — until about month...
You may have seen the image on Facebook: a poster on a “Wholefoods” storefront window asking customers and employees to avoid “gendered” speech, such as “Hello Sir,” and “Thanks Brother.” It’s actually misleading. The Whole Foods Market in the United States does not...
By Rob Gray I was up before 5 a.m. as I knew there was a lot of work ahead of me. Our Wednesday mornings at Gran Roca look a lot like a game show. How much produce can you get ready for sale before the time runs out? At that point, I have to leave with what I have and...
I don’t know where I heard this story but I’ve always loved it. Soraya Esfandiary was a beautiful girl studying in Zurich when the Shah of Persia saw a picture of her and decided he wanted to marry her. Although the marriage was a happy one at first, the Shah needed a...
You’ve weighed every pro and every con, and you’ve finally come to a decision. You’re moving overseas! No matter where you’re heading, it’s definitely both exciting and daunting at the same time. Stepping away from one era of your life to settle into a new one is even...
By J.D. Ellis First, I would like to say that I’m a big fan of Scott Fugit’s contributions to CuencaHighLife. His articles are a joy to read and his creative talent is impressive. I wish he would write more often. Second, In the future, he should channel that creative...
Upon my arrival at the Quito airport for my first scouting tour of Ecuador, my first cultural surprise was awaiting me in the bathroom. You see, in my mind, the toilet is the place where one places all things related to, well, poop. Yes, poop, poop accessories and...
For more than 60 years, Seguros Suárez has offered friends, neighbors, and businesses peace of mind with quality insurance products. The company is still run by the Suárez family and has offices in Cuenca, Quito, Guayaquil, Ambato and Puyo. “My grandfather started...
It was one of those rare conversations that starts innocently enough. As we waited at the crosswalk for traffic to zip past, I said something about the bicycle he was pushing. He immediately responded in English, having worked in the US for several years. We crossed...
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.
