TheExpatJournals.com

In no particular order:

1. Cuenca feels and looks like a European city, not a Latin American one.

2. The gorgeous colonial architecture with a thriving downtown that is the most walkable since I left NYC, all surrounded by glorious views of the Andes and rushing mountain rivers.

3. The incredible low prices of everything (except cars) here. Food, housing, medical, travel…everything is about half the price of Panama (in the case of housing even less). I looked at an apartment with a friend the other day that made me want to get rid of my dog just so I could live in this place. It is the ultimate NYC dream loft…just under 2,000 sq. ft, 2BR’s, 2 baths, wood floors, gorgeous laurel built ins, tons of light, living dining area had one crescent shaped wall, high end porcelain floors in the kitchen and baths…oh God, I think it may be the prettiest apartment I have ever seen. $380 a month. In NYC, it would be $15K a month, in Panama City…minimally $2000 a month.

4. The quality of hospitals, medical and veterinary care here, not just in terms of equipment and knowledge, but I love how doctors and vets still doctor here. You don’t get treated like faceless cattle. Doctors still seem to take a personal interest and go above and beyond.

5. The climate. I LOVE that we have beautiful warm sunny days and chilly nights that equal sleeping under a comforter. No AC or heating bills. Every evening is sweater weather.

6. The modern amenities and the old world craftsmanship. From tv’s to ipods; from hand forged iron tables and copper pots to hand carved wooden furniture; from broadband to an old world face to face culture…it has it all. Wood, ceramics, iron, copper, leather, tailors, bakeries, etc…it’s all old world artesanship created, marketed and sold by individuals.

7. The value people here place on art, education and culture. This place is its own world. They’re not out to compete for power or wealth. Rich has a different meaning than it does elsewhere. Education is not just a means to an end, it’s personal enrichment. They’re not out to out-Jones the Jones. Between the universities, the galleries, the museums, it is very much in sync with what I value…unlike the US (or Panama) which is a culture of money and greed.

8. The safety…both my personal safety as well as the rights I have as a foreigner-equal to a citizen with the exception of voting and running for office. The constitution doesn’t even differentiate between legal foreign residents and locals.

9. The civility. The people here are so very nice and don’t walk around with their hand out like exists so much in Panama.

10. The cleanliness of the streets, town, and city in general.

11. The ethnic pride, the ethnic abundance and the fact that unlike Panama, indigenous here smile and laugh a lot and have bank accounts and work very, very hard.

12. The work ethic here is far superior, stereotypically speaking, to Panama, yet people are not slaves to work here like the US. It’s far more European actually in that they value life equally and know how to prioritize personally, not just professionally

13. The diversity of the country for exploration purposes: from the long coast to the markets and culture of the Andes to the Amazon Basin. For me, the learning and awe I gain from exploring is reason alone enough to expatriate. It’s like a second childhood and that, as the MC commercial goes, is priceless.

14. The very cool expat culture. People are not ghettoized into American communities here. They aren’t out to outdo you nor drop names of locals they know nor any number of things that equal pursuing the American dream outside the US. Here, expats either speak or are learning Spanish and do not have the arrogance of thinking the locals should learn English instead of them having to bother to learn Spanish. It’s still an opportunity to have somewhat of a Paul Bowles type expat experience…where you support each other and learn from each other rather than try to screw over each other.

15. The lack of George Bush except in graffiti where he is usually called a murderer and, yet, that does not turn into an anti-American sentiment. In that way, it is like the US. People distinguish between us and our government.

16. The shopping, especially the markets, downtown boutiques, modern grocery stores and malls. I love that I can get my Lancome mascara, my (French) Phytologie shampoo and conditioner as well as handmade recycled tin cupcake tins or $9 handmade rugs from natural fibers here! And the fruit and vegie selection puts even Panama to shame in both selection and price. Hand crafted leather purses that would cost $300 or more in the US are $30-$40 here. You can’t even have leather in Panama due to the mildew. Large handmade scented candles with the largest and brightest burning wicks are $6. And this list could get endless.

17. The ability to have anything delivered for the price of a taxi, be it food, medicine, groceries, etc. You don’t have to leave your home unless you want to…and in that way, it reminds me of NYC only better.

18. The unwillingness of the government to cowtow to Bush.

19. The financial prospects of the country in terms of oil, mining, and agriculture. Ecuador’s natural resources will bring it into a solid financial future.

20. The ease of getting a Visa relative to other countries.