The power of Ecuador's volcanoes; 5-star restaurant in an unlikely place; EcuadorHighLife launches

Spectacular eruption in Chile is a reminder of the power of Ecuador's volcanoes; 'Beast of the Andes' is due for a blow

A retired U.S. volcanologist says the eruption of Chile's Volcán Calbuco should remind Ecuadorians of the tremendous power that surrounds them. Although he lives part-time in Baños, at the foot of the active Volcán Tungurahua, he says much of his interest these days is on Cotopaxi, south of Quito. Quiet for more than 70 years, the magma is rising in what German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt called the "Beast of the Andes."

To read the article, click here.  

 

This five-star restaurant is located in the least likely of places
but exceptional dining and low prices make it worth the trip

You would not expect to find a sophisticated continental restaurant in this proudly indigenous town, with meals prepared by a European-trained chef, but that's part of the charm. It's an hour-and-a-half drive from Cuenca, but is well worth the trip.

To read the article, click here.
 

Announcing the launch of EcuadorHighLife

CuencaHighLife announces the launch of EcuadorHighLife, a website dedicated to reporting the news of Ecuador, in English. In addition to covering nationwide news, EcuadorHighLife will focus on communities where tourists visit and expats live, with links to Quito and Cotacachi, Loja and Vilcabamba, Guayaquil, the coast, and Cuenca. The site will include original reporting, not translation program output, offering news commentary, opinion and features of interest to English-speakers living in, or interested in visiting or moving to Ecuador. The EcuadorHighLife eletter is independent of this eletter.

To go to the website, click here.

A Cuencano's journey to U.S. and back; Tram and bus fares to be the same‏

Fear and loathing, then success in New York; a Cuencano's quest for the American dream and his happy return home

It began as a high-stakes journey that had been taken

by thousands of Cuencanos before him. Arranged at a high fee by a "coyote," it involved rides in bus luggage compartments and leaky boats, a dangerous trek across the Mexican desert and then, the final dash for the U.S. border, all the while dodging immigration police. After a nightmare start, and with the help of an "angel," this Cuencano made it in New York -- for five years, anyway.

Today, he runs one of Cuenca's most successful gyms and says he's happy to be home.

To read the article, click here.

 

Officials say tram fare will be the same as for public buses; city begins ambitious public education program for the tranvía

Responding to claims by its critics that Cuenca's new light rail system will require fares of 75 cents or more to cover expenses, a city official says the ticket price will be the same as for city buses, currently 25 cents. Partly to counter what it considers misinformation, the Cuenca transportation department is launching a series of information fairs to educate the public about the Tranvía de los Cuatros Rios, scheduled to begin operation next year.

To read the article, click here.

What do Cuencanos think about expats? Dog torture investigated; Senior center opens‏

What do Ecuadorians think about Cuenca's expats?

In 2009, University of Cuenca student Silvia

Lara surveyed 100 Cuencanos about their impressions of North American expats moving to Cuenca. Six years later, Lara, who is now studying international law in London, revisits the question. Although she says that Cuencanos generally have very positive views of expats and their impact on the city, they also have some complaints.

To read the article, click here.
 

Was it dog torture or just a 'terrible misunderstanding'

When a picture of a dog being dragged behind a car in Tosagua went viral on social media, it sparked outrage not only in Ecuador but around the world. President Rafael Correa, among others, demanded that the perpetrators be punished to the full extent of the law. Those responsible, identified on Wednesday, say it was a "terrible misunderstanding." Authorities continue the investigation. 

To read the article, click here.

Mayor inaugurates Cuenca's first free senior day care center; city plans to build eight in neighborhoods around the city

On Sunday, Cuenca Mayor Marcelo Cabrera opened the first of eight senior centers in the El Vergel neighborhood. Called El Hogar del Abuelos, the center will provide day care service for ambulatory seniors.

To read the article, click here.   

Expats too quick to sue, attorney says; Prostitutes want same rights as housewives‏

Sue the bastards? Not so fast, says an attorney who believes expats need to get over their litigious North American habits 

An attorney who has law degrees from Ecuador and the U.S., says expats are too quick to seek legal remedies to their problems. He claims that North Americans don't spend the time necessary to learn about the civil law legal culture in Ecuador and would save lots of money and aggravation if they did. He compares the U.S. legal system to a lottery, and says too many expats bring an instant-gratification mentality with them to Ecuador.

To read the article, click here.
 

Prostitutes want same Social Security rights as housewives

Only days after a new law included housewives in Ecuador's

Social Security pension program, Ecuador's legal prostitutes are demanding that they be added as well. Meanwhile, representatives for the housewives complain that they are not included in the system's health care program.

To read the article, click here.  

Cuenca Among Top 25 Latin Aperican Citites; Opposition Assemblyman Blasts Correa

Cuenca ranks among top 25 Latin American cities for sustainable growth, basic services and quality of life

The Inter-American Development Bank includes

Cuenca in its top 25 Latin American cities in its most recent study. The IDB, which considers 144 categories in its analysis, reports that Cuenca has the highest per capita GDP in Ecuador, the best water supply and reliable public services. The city also received high marks in safety, air quality and environmental controls. Other cities included among the top 25 were Montevideo, Uruguay, Panama City, and San Jose, Costa Rica.

To read the article, click here.
 

Opposition Assemblyman says Correa dodges human rights violation charges by criticizing international organizations

Andrés Páez Benalcázar, a member of Ecuador's National Assembly, claims that President Rafael Correa deflects criticism of his human rights record by blaming the U.S. and international organizations. Benalcázar says that Correa wants to control the Inter-American justice system in order to manage the "conversation."

To read the article, click here. 

CuencaHighLife's Greatest hits

CuencaHighLife's greatest hits

Though CuencaHighLife.com has covered news, events, and trends in Cuenca, Ecuador, and Latin America for nearly seven years, the redesigned website is barely four months old. In that time, however, we've posted several hundred articles, stories, and features.

A look at the top-20 posts as measured by the number of page clicks reveals the issues and concerns that are most meaningful and conspicuous to current and prospective expatriates.

For example, the reasons why expats abandon their foreign residencies, the popularity of marijuana, common law versus civil law, the potential regulation of the expat influx, and the reasons why expats remain in their adopted lands are the top-five stories, logging between 4,000 and 10,000 viewers each.

CHL.com lists its 20 most-read pages; to get a gander at what's on expat minds in Cuenca and Ecuador, click here. 

The faces behind CuencaHighLife

CuencaHighLife.com was launched in June 2008 by David Morrill, a self-described news hound, former newspaper columnist, and book and art reviewer, who moved to Cuenca in 2004. Today, the website is the longest-running English-language site in Cuenca and one of the longest-running in Ecuador.

CuencaHighLife has come a long way since then. Click here to see what has changed and who has partnered with David to make CuencaHighLife the number one English website that it is today!

The evolution of expat communities; New Supermaxi to open by year's end‏

How expat communities evolve: The five phases of development from 'discovery' to maturity and 'saturation'
 

According to an expert observer of expat

communities, they follow a fairly predictable cycle of growth and development. In the early stages, they attract adventurers willing to adapt to a new culture, as well as those running from the law or looking for love. In later phases, they attract more real estate investors and those planning to start businesses focused on growing numbers of expats. They also attract those who are "along for the ride" and who are often resistant to accepting a new culture and learning a new language.

To read the article, click here.

 

New Supermaxi and shopping mall to open by year's end

According to its developers, a new Supermaxi and small shopping mall will open by the end of 2015. Currently under construction, the center will provide convenience to an under-served part of Cuenca, its owners say.
  To read the article, click here.