Expat Life

Have you identified your end of life wishes?

By Miriam Drake It’s not morbid, it’s practical! Have you told your loved ones how you want to be cared for at the end of your life? Are you content […]

The shrinking plastic dollar and why cash is still king in Ecuador

If you ever wonder why the senora behind the counter at your favorite panadería looks as asustada when you reach for a debit card as if you had pulled a gun, […]

The power of the pyramid magnifies cosmic energy

By Louis Bourgeois The essence of my mission of service I call Conscious Living. And this whole teaching is predicated on the evolution of consciousness. In a nutshell, we are […]

The Mann Act and the man in the mirror: The rap on Diddy Combs

Now and then, a news story from the United States filters down to Cuenca that’s so strange it feels imported from another planet. Last week’s comes wrapped in fur coats, […]

Your sense of taste declines with age; Experts weigh in on what you can do to mitigate the effect

By Simar Bajaj Q: I’m losing my sense of taste as I get older. What can I do about it? All senses decline with age, but taste loss is surprisingly common. […]

Travel fatigue, a trip to the ER and back to the party, as a family shares good times and bad

In May 2022, my wife Belinda and I flew from our home in Cuenca, Ecuador to San Francisco, California, for our nephew Matthew Reardon’s wedding. “Belinda, it’s great we’re gonna […]

Holiday events agenda includes crafts and food fairs, indie, rock, hip hop and reggae at Rotofest; Padre Matovelle exhibition; Garbage bills are detached

Bored? Following is the agenda for activities this holiday weekend. AGENDA 10 de octubre: 9:00 to 17:00 – Tour en Complejo Patrimonial Todos Santos – call 593 99 592 4649 […]

Past Its prime: Charlie’s guide to the Amazon jungle

Now and then, I try to order something on the internet and wonder when it all turned to sludge. Once upon a time, you could look up a product, read […]

For expats end of life planning and having a power of attorney is essential

By Miriam Drake As an expat, do you need a power of attorney in Cuenca? Absolutely! Actually, I recommend you have three powers of attorney: one for healthcare and two […]

A walker’s guide to historic Cuenca: The pleasures of life on the hoof as well as the hazards

By Deke Castleman and Sylan Hardy In his articles about Cuenca, former New Yorker editor, poet and food writer Calvin Trillin describes the joys of walking in the city’s historic […]

Why Cuenca doesn’t need Uber

Every now and then, someone says what Cuenca really needs is Uber. Seatbelts buried in upholstery, meters that people say spin like slot machines, drivers who watch soap operas while […]

Blind watchmakers and Rolecks in El Centro: Charlie Larga’s Field Guide to Life in Cuenca

You can buy a Rolex wristwatch in downtown Cuenca. At least, that’s what the dial insists. The word ROLEX appears neatly below the little crown logo, though the finish suggests […]

Even during times of duress, we can still choose to feel good about ourselves, to try something new

By Karla Freeman During my career in the healing arts, I dreamt of being an actor. I joined improv groups, went to acting classes; I performed; I auditioned, all while […]

Why Cuenca needs Uber

By Ray Horsley For a walking town Cuenca certainly has its share of riding options. We have buses, taxis, bike rentals, that new train, even our own airport. Still, we […]

Is 3I/Atlas the catalyst we’ve been waiting for?

By Louis Bourgeois There have been many predictions about events in 2025 providing the “tipping point” for our collective awakening and transformation.  I had a vision which I put in […]

The safest Latin American cities where expats can buy a house for under $250k

By Ognjen Pavlovic The American dream of homeownership has become increasingly elusive, with the average home price now exceeding $500,000 across the United States. Rising mortgage rates and stagnant wages […]

How to talk to your Spanish-speaking landlord, maid, plumber and doctor: A guide to WhatsApp translation

Some mornings in Cuenca I think the most popular language isn’t Spanish or English, but “confused WhatsApp.” Gringos tap, swipe, and stab at their phones, muttering things like “why won’t […]

A favorite in Samborondon, Mantraa now offers its Indian specialties in Cuenca’s Puertas del Sol

It is difficult to exclaim which ethnic foods are the most favorite in the world. The most popular ethnic foods vary by region, but analysis of Google Trends data showed […]

An advisor to potential expats warns against misinformation: ‘It’s not as cheap as you think’

By Cepee Tabibian In 2015, I packed up my life in Austin, Texas and moved to Madrid. I was 35 and it wasn’t my first attempt. I had spent more […]

In search of awe in the ‘High Holy Days’

By Emma Goldberg There’s a type of awe that surrounds the Jewish High Holy Days that is solemn, fearsome. People beating their chests, dressed in all white, lying on the […]

Quinta María – Beautiful Furnished Apartments and Studios for Rent

Penthouse Features Without the Penthouse Price!

Modern 2br 2bath apt Edificio Concord, La Cuadra