My Cuenca Anniversary

On May 5, it will be one year that I have lived in the lovely city of Cuenca. I’ve learned a lot in that time. 1. There are no quiet places in Cuenca. It’s just a matter of finding a neighborhood that has the types of noises that don’t bother you. Hate loud explosions? Maybe […]

New home, new job

I have found a job! And just in time, too. I’ll be editing and refreshing content for a US real estate website, probably about 30 hours a week. Thank the fucking baby Jesus. I found a cheap room for rent too–with a tub!–in a large house closer to El Centro. But here’s the thing: My […]

It’s a miracle

Way back in 1999, I incurred about $26,000 in student loans. I have gone through years of paying when things are flush, to years of deferment when things are not, and by the time I got to 2023, the deferred interest had compounded making my new total $48,000. Yup, fo’ real, $48,000. I’m like, “I […]

I’m a resident!

I got my temporary resident Visa! Now I must stay in Ecuador for the next 2 years and at the end I can apply for my permanent resident visa. I believe I’m allowed to leave the country for 90 days in total during those two years, but I have no intention of going anywhere. I […]

CERTIFIED AND APPROVED!!!

If you don’t know, I have been waiting for almost four months for Senescyt–Secretariat of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation here in Ecuador–to certify my degree so that I can take that with me to my Visa appointment to get my temporary residency visa this morning. By law, Senescyt has 60 days to complete […]

The day of the dead

November 2 is the official holiday, but because it is also paired with Cuenca’s Independence Day, it’s like four days of festivities. Banks and businesses close, and Cuenca is filled with events, parades, traditional foods … and so many people. And there was so much art! This painting is magnificent. That is the artist, on […]

What’s up, doc?

I have been needing to get some updated labs done–all of them, actually–so I asked around on Facebook in my expat groups here for everyone’s favorite doctor. A Belgian woman was recommended to me, so I sent her a message on WhatsApp. And yes, that’s how it works here! You don’t call some understaffed office […]

Life is good

As quickly as I became a real estate agent, my career has ended. I rented out one of her properties to a language student from France. I was about to rent out the second unit, when Susana, the owner, called to say the student had a friend who needed a place to stay and that […]

Hmm

While the US swelters, we’re enjoying delightful spring temperatures every single day. I’m out on my patio in my pajamas, having a delicious cup of coffee and contemplating what I want to write about today. It’s been hard to find the time and motivation recently, and I’m not sure why. Maybe because I’m back into […]

Love, romance and family

I’m finding they are all super important in Ecuador. Within a few minutes of meeting a new person, they will ask me: Are you single?Do you have a boyfriend?Do you have children? And this is because Ecuadorians cannot imagine a life alone. Finding that special someone is everything! So, if you respond that you are, […]