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Exploring Ecuador, beginning in Cuenca

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lookingfortroublewifewonttravel

[b]My name is George and a northern suburb 15 miles west of Manhattan is where I call home.  I am a retired high-school educator having taught Spanish for twenty-one years and worked as a guidance counselor for nineteen.  I have made three journeys to Spain, two to Italy, two to Mexico, four to Canada, six to the Caribbean and one to Costa Rica.  My wife and I have traveled together on fourteen of those eighteen trips.  The two of us have traveled extensively throughout the USA, including Alaska and Hawaii.

My dilemma is that I have always wanted to tour Ecuador, but my wife, for several reasons, has no desire to go there with me.  I have done a bit of internet research on Ecuador with an emphasis on Cuenca.  I have read about the solid presence of a strong ex-pat community in Cuenca.  As of now, I am thinking of spending about a month in early 2018 based in Cuenca.  My wife is not thrilled about it, but she is still at the stage where she thinks it's a pipe-dream.  I am getting more serious about it every day.

I would love to hear from members of this forum who have chosen to be based in Cuenca.  What comments, advice, warnings would you offer me?

See also

Living in Cuenca: the expat guideMoving with my dogsThe negatives about retiring in EcuadorFinally made itMoving to Ecuador
vsimple

I’m a Quito expat but nevertheless I’ll share a bit of wisdom and experience with you. If your wife is not on board with your idea then simply visit Ecuador without the expectation of being based in “Cuenca”, and which I understand as living there.

Your dilemma is not in the least about Cuenca or Ecuador but more so about the conflict you and your wife have over Cuenca/Ecuador. Living in Ecuador can be a happy experience considering all factors, but especially when both people in the relationship want to live in Ecuador.

For some women, Ecuador is just not good enough, especially when they’ve visited and lived in “better”, countries.

lookingfortroublewifewonttravel

Thanks so much for your response!  How do you think I would be received if I came to Cuenca as a married man staying for a month  alone?

rsymington

lookingfortroublewifewonttravel wrote:

How do you think I would be received if I came to Cuenca as a married man staying for a month  alone?


I think you would be well received. I've been here for 4 years with my wife living in Oregon and making trips here for a month, or two, every year, or so. That could be a marriage breaker for many, but my working life was spent working industrial construction projects and being away from for 2 to 3 years at a time sort of conditioned us to that life style. I've made many friendships since being here and the issue of acceptance has never been based on me being married, but living here alone.

With that said, deciding to stay and live here one must keep in mind the old adage: A happy wife makes for a happy life :-)

symo

lookingfortroublewifewonttravel

Thanks for your comments and good advice.  Right now I'm thinking of making Cuenca my base for a month, stay in a good (not luxury) hotel, take day trips, and socialize with the ex-pat community in Cuenca.  Back to the wife after thirty days.  Does this sound sensible to you?

vsimple

That sounds very sensible. And for your sake stop thinking about how you will be perceived by expats and simply focus on having a nice experience. You’ll only be there a month, anyway. The gossipy expats IMO are the ones that enter your social circle or you enter theirs and I don’t think that’s possible within a month, especially with the traveling you might plan. In short don’t worry about what other’s think.

And perhaps  think about maybe renting a nice AirBnB apartment instead of a hotel room for a month. You can probably find a one bedroom that is fully and nicely furnished that is in every way better than hotel rooms and cheaper as you're paying a monthly rate. I think doing so will give you a better experience, as you can live like some expats do, rather than always feeling like a tourist.

rsymington

vsimple wrote:

And perhaps  think about maybe renting a nice AirBnB apartment instead of a hotel room for a month. You can probably find a one bedroom that is fully and nicely furnished that is in every way better than hotel rooms and cheaper as you're paying a monthly rate. I think doing so will give you a better experience, as you can live like some expats do, rather than always feeling like a tourist.


I agree with vsimple on this point, particularly if possible relocation is in the future. Staying in a hotel, you will be just one of the tourists. Staying in an apartment will get you much closer to "the people" and experience day-to-day life (going to the Mercado, local restaurants, street vendors, etc.).

My attorney has an apartment he rents in Centro (half a block from the New Cathedral). I'll PM his information to you so that you can contact him if you wish.

symo

lookingfortroublewifewonttravel

Mil gracias, Symo.  Le agradezco muchisimo.

lookingfortroublewifewonttravel

Thank you.  I am not really concerned about fitting in/being accepted, but I'm a gregarious, outgoing personality and would like to find some type of group with whom to eat and drink , and perhaps to share mutual interests

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