All posts by sylvan hardy

Azuay provincial police chief Fuasto Tamayo has issued his annual pre-Carnival warning to the public: watch out for airbourne water balloons. The balloons are already flying in Cuenca’s historic district, he says, with tourists being favorite targets. Carnival is officially celebrated from F... [More]

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One of Ecuador’s most colorful --and bizarre-- traditions, is the year-end burning of the dummies. When the clock ticks over to 2010 on Friday morning, an observer with a good vantage point in Cuenca will behold an other-worldly sight of thousands of burning dummes and a ... [More]

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“Is it as cheap to live in Ecuador as they say?” The question came from an English friend but it’s one I’m asked fairly often. What he's referring to are the claims made by a number of publishers and web services, particularly International Living, Gary... [More]

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Since I moved to Ecuador a dozen years ago, I’ve made a point of visiting my friends in Vilcabamba at least once a year. I was enchanted with this peaceful, isolated valley the first time I saw it in 1998 and even considered settling there until business considerations – I need to be c... [More]

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“In the U.S., this would be illegal,” John Schnelling tells a friend standing next to him Friday night in Cuenca’s Calderon Park. Errant sparks fly in all directions from the make-shift wrought iron fireworks launch pads less than 50 feet away as one rocket after another streaks ... [More]

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Deportivo Cuenca made history Thursday night defeating football powerhouse Boca Juniors at Alejandro Serrano Aguilar Stadium. The 1 – 0 victory before a packed house of 25,000 marked the first time an Ecuadorian team has defeated the Argentinians, considered by many to be the top team ... [More]

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Lan Ecuador Airlines announced it will begin in-country service to Cuenca in early May. Eduardo Ramirez, executive director of the Cuenca airport authority said a start-up date will be announced by early April. Meanwhile, Aero Cuenca, a new airline, has received authorization to provide Quit... [More]

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Cuenca old-timers will tell you that Carnival is not what it used to be. They’ll also tell you that it’s not as bloody, either. “It has always been fun,” says Patricio Sanchez, “but years ago it was also a time when people settled grudges and there were many fig... [More]

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U.S.-based developers have announced plans for what they are calling “a first of its kind residential community in Cuenca.” Daryl Lassiter, project spokeman for Cuenca Casas, said that community will be designed to appeal to both foreigners and local residents. “The concept... [More]

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Like other major art centers, Cuenca has always depended on outsiders to enrich its heritage. One recent contributor, Liza Gafitanu Wheeler, caught the town's attention in February with a presentation of mosaic glass art at the Interamerican Center for Popular Art... [More]

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One of the best sources for travel tips, especially for discovering off-the-beaten-path jewels, are travel blogs. The following is an entry posted earlier this year in Nancy and Chuck Watson’s blog. The Watsons have homes in Cuenca and in Washington state, where their children and gran... [More]

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Watch out for the water balloons!: Carnival is coming and the 'the little devils' are armed and dangerous

Ecuadorian tradition, the New Year's Eve burning of the año viejo dummies, clears the slate for a better 2010

SYLVAN HARDY
Sure, Ecuador is cheap, but not as cheap as most of the advertisements claim

SYLVAN HARDY
Is Vilcabamba being overrun by the 'ugly Americans' or is it just business as usual in La La land

With bombs bursting in air, Cuenca's annual Setenario celebration is noisy, dangerous ... and exciting

Cuenca scores historic victory over football juggernaut Boca Juniors; advances in Copa Libertadores play

Lan Ecuador begins Cuenca service in early May; Aero Cuenca authorized to fly but has not announced dates

Carnival is wild and crazy but not as bloody as it used to be

Developers announce plans for Cuenca residential community; cite the city's popularity with foreigners

Romanian artist Liza Gafitanu Wheeler brings the ancient craft of mosaic art to Cuenca -- and makes a major donation to the Tadeo Torres Home for Infants

Do you like orchids? You´ll find thousands and thousands of them in Gualaceo