People

I’ve barely stepped off the plane when the stories about the Valle de Longevidad — Valley of Longevity — start. My cabdriver asks what I’m doing in this small town in southern Ecuador, and I tell him I’m in search of the legendary old people of Vilcabamba. The cabbie ... [More]

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Referred to by a travel magazine in 2008 as Cuenca’s version of Rick’s Café of Casablanca movie fame, the Eucalyptus Café is easily the city’s best known restaurant and bar among tourists and foreign residents. Lonely Planet rates it the “Pick of Cuenca&r... [More]

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On a recent day, the man known in Ecuador as the Gringo Chief wore a traditional black smock and a necklace strung with jaguar and wild boar's teeth, perfectly suitable for the Cofan Indian ceremony marking the acquisition of yet another slice of rain forest. With his fellow Cofan listen... [More]

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Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from Vagabonding Down the Andes by Harry A. Franck. Published in 1917, the book is a travelogue of the author’s 1912 journey, mostly by foot, from Panama to Buenos Aires. The following selection and the three that follow describe Franck’... [More]

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It's fitting that Chris and Jenny Bluefields named their business Kookaburra Cafe. As they reflect on why a couple from Queensland with almost no hospitality experience would set up an eatery in southern Ecuador, Jenny's cackle demonstrates the comedy of it all. "I waited tables... [More]

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Editor’s note: Curves Gym is one of Cuenca’s growing number of expat-owned businesses. Owner Jon Wright, a three-year Cuenca resident and former personal trainer, explains his approach to achieving positive exercise results – and why a program like Curves can help women live heal... [More]

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Editor's note: The following is a sample of opinions of Cuencanos about the foreigners living in and visiting Cuenca. They were compiled by University of Cuenca graduate student Silvia Lara for an article about international immigration. The comments refer to all foreigners considere... [More]

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[Editor's note: An exposition of the work of Cuenca cermacist Eduardo Segovia opens tonight at CIDAP and continues through April. The theme of the exhibit, according to organizers, is a celebration of the popular fesitvals of Ecuador. CIDAP is located at the Escalinatas (Call... [More]

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Something that Ecuadorian expats learn early is how difficult it is to get accurate information in their adopted country. Anecdotal information, often wildly inaccurate, seems to rule the day for expats and locals alike. Ecuador Fact Checker is an occasional feature of Cuenca ... [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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Patricio Matute is building his dream house in the Ecuadorian Andean mountains near Cuenca, thanks in part to the 10 years he spent working at a boat canvas factory in Ronkonkoma, New York. The two-story, Swiss-chalet-style house will have a swimming pool, a soccer field and an outdoor kitchen she... [More]

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A demographic study of global growth patterns by the University of Barcelona predicts that Cuenca, Quito and Manta will rank one, two and three as the most popular Ecuadorian destinations for expats over the next 25 years. The report, released in April, says that smaller communities exp... [More]

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Hey ladies! Need to shed a few pounds? Or just shape up? The recently reopened Curves, at the corner of Unidad Nacional and Gran Colombia, just below the Las Cuadras condominium complex, is the place to do it. Besides scrubbing and buffing the facility, new majority owner and Wyoming native ... [More]

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Police estimate that more than 20,000 gathered in Parque Calderon, Friday, Aug. 29, to honor Cuenca native son and Olympic hero Jefferson Perez. The celebration featured live music, dancing, food, reverly and an evening fireworks display. Perez won the silv... [More]

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The claims for its centenarians may be 'grossly exaggerated' but Vilcabamba retains its charm

CUENCA FOOD
Expat-owned Eucalyptus Café is still getting the headlines

Cofan 'gringo chief' helps natives thrive in their jungle communities -- and in the political and economic arena

CUENCA A CENTURY AGO
Good weather, ‘dreamy loafing’ and meeting the locals

From New South Wales to Cuenca: Calle Larga cafe reflects a passion for informality and simplicity

Women face more barriers in establishing an exercise routine; personal trainer explains how to overcome them

What Cuencanos have to say about gringos: 'they enrich the local culture, bring in more business but need to lose some weight and learn Spanish"

CIDAP exhibit by Cuenca ceramicist Eduardo Segovia celebrates Ecuador's popular festivals

ECUADOR FACT CHECKER
Tracking down accurate population figures for major cities

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

Cuenca and Azuay Province popular with Ecuadorians returning from the U.S. to build their dream homes

Population study predicts Cuenca, Quito and Manta will be the most popular destinations for future expats

Do you need to shape up? Cuenca's Curves reopens under expat management with new programs, big plans

Thousands gather in Parque Calderon to welcome home Olympic hero Jefferson Perez