I made appointments to see three apartments today. I found them all on either Facebook or on GringoPost, and most everyone responded quickly to my requests for a showing through the WhatsApp app. EVERYONE–even businesses–use WhatsApp in Cuenca.
Each taxi ride cost about $2, plus a tip, and I also stopped and had a “Tasty” burger at McDonalds. Don’t judge me. It’s always fun because every country has their own local offerings that are not on US menus. So the whole day cost me about $20, and the weather was perfect all day.
This is the apartment I settled on:
It has a washer / dryer combo, lots of closets, a patio, a full kitchen (but no dishwasher), and a magnificent view! There’s no application process here; it’s more like the 80s: If they like you, you’re in! So I just signed a yearlong contract, gave them my $500 deposit and prorated rent for May, and I move in on May 12! So excited! It’s a brand new building, and the $500 a month rent covers all utilities–water, sewer, gas, Internet, electric, everything.
ECUADORIOUS 