Culture

Although it’s been open for less than two months, Kookaburra Café on Calle Larga, has established itself as a favorite gathering spot for Cuenca expats, tourists and Cuencanos. A labor of love for Jenny And Chris Bluefields, Australian artists attracted to Cuenca by i... [More]

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Although Carnival continues through Tuesday, Sunday was the centerpiece of the five-day festival in most of Ecuador. Celebrations in Cuenca, Paute, Gualaceo, Sigsig and other nearby towns, featured costume parades, native dances and plenty of food. The highlight in every venue, though, seeme... [More]

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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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Coming to Ecuador after living in Mexico for several years was a bit of a culinary shock. "Oh my God, I thought, how am I going to live without chilies?" Well, there is an Ecuadorian chili, commonly known as "aji" (accent on the "i"). Even what we knew in Mex... [More]

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Cuenca’s holiday festivities continue tonight as 25,000 are expected to observe and participate in the annual Day of the Innocents. The event, highlighted by a parade and performances on Av. Solano, features thousands of men and boys in drag, theatrical and musical acts and various other&nbs... [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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Ecuador's initiative to protect the climate and the rainforest of Yasuni National Park by leaving its largest oil reserve in the ground will be supported by a new multi-donor trust fund to offset lost oil revenue, Ecuadorian and United Nations officials announced last week in Copenhagen. ... [More]

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A shaman blows a bull's horn on festival day and pivots to clouds of burning incense in a purification ceremony, all shot on video. The snapshot of native American life in Latacunga, opens "Nukanchik Yuyay," a twice-daily newscast in Quechua, the language spoken by millions of ... [More]

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Cuenca is revising rules to protect historic buildings and will have a new comprehensive plan in place by summer 2010, according to officials. Mayor Paul Granda says that because of weak and poorly enforced ordinances, a number of buildings that should have been protected have been demolishe... [More]

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Tucked away in downtown Paute, Corvel (Simon Bolivar 8-37 y Lumtur) is a charming little restaurant that lives up to its motto, “The art of good service.” Not only does it offer comfortable seating, both indoors and on the terrace and patio areas, but it contains a museum of indi... [More]

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I have been intending to write about La Parrilla de Hector (formerly Mama Cuchara) for several weeks but I have a problem. Each time I go there I have so much fun I forget to ask my questions and to take notes. Finally, I have my act together ... at least as far as telling you about La Parr... [More]

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How do Cuenca and Quito compare? It's a question in the minds of many foreigners considering relocating to Ecuador. The short –and probably the best-- response is, ‘come down and see for yourself.’ There are, however, similarities and differences that the pros... [More]

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Panama hats have made the leap from the heads of Hollywood icons and intrepid jungle explorers to the fashionable masses of Europe and the United States. Models are wearing them on catwalks and teenagers are sporting them at clubs. But no matter how stylish, each of these hats has simple ori... [More]

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First, an explanation of the name. Tiestos are the clay platters on which food is cooked and served. This is not a novel idea, of course, as cooking on clay (barro in Spanish) is an ancient tradition, practiced in many cultures. Just think about it. Would you rather eat off ear... [More]

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Note: The following is a blog post by experienced trekker, RoundPicture. As he points out, hiking the Cajas can be strenuous and is often dangerous. Trails can be poorly marked and weather is unpredictable with temperatures falling well below freezing at night. Prepare well before hiking. &nbs... [More]

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Well, we have yet another nicely decorated Italian restaurant in Cuenca. It has been open for seven months but I haven't been around to review it. Situated in the Posada del Angel Hostal, with the entrance on Estevez de Toral, it makes a welcome addition to the family of Italian restaura... [More]

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I'm happy to report that Cuenca is home to yet another good international restaurant, this time with a distinctly German flavor. Located in the residential Chirimoya neighborhood just northeast of the historic district, Stein Haus (Stone House in English), is owned and operated by two bro... [More]

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Cuenca’s new Director of Cultural Affairs, Diego Carrasco, believes improved planning of department projects will result in better service to the public. Carrasco, a professor at the University of Azuay, has served director of culture for Azuay Province and as cultural counselor to the... [More]

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One of the great pleasures that many of Ecuador’s expats discover in their adopted country is art collecting. Even those who were not collectors back home take up the habit, smitten by the quality, variety, and sheer emotional force of the talent in this small Andean country. Anoth... [More]

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Sixteen years after one of Ecuador’s greatest natural disasters -- the landslide that blocked Rio Paute, northeast of Cuenca -- geologists warn that it could happen again. Commonly called the Josefina landslide, named for a nearby village, the collapse of a mountainside on March 2... [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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Reporting on his visit to Cuenca last year, Times of London travel writer Joshua Wellesey remarked, “I think I can safely claim that this charming little city has more culture per square inch than any place in the Western Hemisphere.” One of Wellesey´s notable Cue... [More]

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Despite a looming budget crisis, officials of Cuenca’s new government say they will not postpone their efforts to reduce traffic in the city’s historic district. Improving traffic conditions and making the district more pedestrian friendly were two of Mayor Paul Granda&... [More]

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The men and women listened to the pitch intently. Ecuadorean immigrants, each had made sacrifices to make the journey north, to live the American dream. Only now, there was a new call - the Ecuadorean dream? "Welcome home," said Pablo Calle, an Ecuadorean government represent... [More]

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As sister cities, Cuenca and Tempe, Arizona, may seem like an odd couple but organizers of the new alliance say that it is a great deal for both communities. According to Richard Boroto, Cuenca representative in organizing the new partnership, Tempe is an excellent choice for Cuenca. “... [More]

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CUENCA FOODSTUFF
Kookaburra Café on Calle Larga has proven an instant hit with expats, travelers and Cuencanos

Craziness highlights Carnival as water and foam fights break out everywhere; gringos fight back in Quingeo

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

CUENCA EATS WITH SUMANA
Checking out the local chilies and the comida tipica scene

Thousands of men and boys in drag highlight Cuenca’s Day of the Innocents celebration tonight on Av. Solano

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

Effort to protect Ecuador's rain forest from oil exploration to be supported by multi-national trust fund

Ecuador's first Quechuan language television station aims to keep ancient traditions alive

New plan to protect Cuenca's historic buildings is in the works; officials say it will be in place by summer 2010

DINING WITH PENNY
The next time you visit Paute, be sure to sample the great food and service at Corvel

CUENCA EATS WITH SUMANA
Argentinian grill, La Parrilla de Hector, is great fun despite some flaws; micro brewery opens in the historic district

Quito vs. Cuenca: Checking the similarities and differences of Ecuador’s top colonial choices for expats

Although Panama hats are exported from Cuenca, the weavers live in small villages of the Andean countryside

CUENCA EATS WITH SUMANA
Tiestos is a festive --and highly entertaining-- new eating option in the Centro Historico

DAY TRIPPING
Three options for exploring Parque Nacional Cajas for experienced hikers

CUENCA EATS WITH SUMANA
Mangiare in Posada del Angel shares its family recipes

CUENCA EATS WITH SUMANA
Stein Haus brings a taste of Germany to Cuenca

Cuenca’s new cultural affairs director faces financial pinch but promises tighter management and better planning

Ecuadorian art: a tradition of ancient themes and modern conflict offers a treasure trove for collectors

Josefina landslide disaster of 1993 could see a repeat, experts warn, if stabilization work doesn't continue

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

Cuenca's cultural calendar is a veritable moveable feast of shows, exhibits, concerts and festivals

New city government says plans to reduce traffic in the historic district won't be delayed by budget problems

Ecuador urges its immigrants to come home but the new program in the U.S. is a tough sell

Tempe, Arizona and Cuenca establishing a sister city relationship; organizers looking for volunteers