TheExpatJournals.com

One thing I do miss a lot about Panama was spending New Year’s Eve in Portobelo at the home of my friend, Sandra Eleta .  Being the great lady that she is, it was always fascinating and since I spent a one night with her when I was in Panama a couple of months ago, missing it was felt all the more.  Her Portobelo compound was always filled with the most interesting people no matter when you visited, but New Year’s Eve was special.  It instilled in me an appreciation for new spiritual traditions.  The custom of burning a muneco (doll in English, but almost a life-sized scarecrow-like rendition in real life or as most foreigners here call them: effigies.) of someone you dislike was something I adored in Panama, so I was very glad to see it’s just as much of a custom here in Ecuador.  In Panama, they’re called munecos.  In Ecuador, they’re called ‘Ano Viejos’.   (more…)

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Been a little busy here folks. Went away to Quito (again) for a week and went up to Cotacachi and Otavalo for the weekend. Had no time to do anything but work and sleep in Quito, but had a wonderfully relaxing weekend in Cotacachi…I even left my computer in Quito so I wouldn’t be tempted. Must get some photos so you can see for yourself. Cotacachi, about 2 hours north of Quito, sits right in the center of two huge extinct volcanoes, Cotacachi and Imbabura. Pretty amazing views when the clouds let you have a peak. (more…)

When I first came to Ecuador to peruse from the perspective of a possible move here, I had done almost a year of research, felt as though I no longer wanted to live in a big city and was certain I didn’t want to live that close to an active volcano that has already once caused the city to be evacuated due to ash cover…so I can’t say I’ve ever been very focused on Quito. (more…)

Yesterday, I was invited to have lunch with an Ecuadorian family. It was quite an experience for me as we spent roughly 4 hours together between lunch and conversation afterwards…in Spanish. While quite a bit of time was dedicated to American politics, quite a bit of time was also dedicated to discussing various events and tragedies in various powerful families in Cuenca. (more…)

The question was posed: OK, turn about is fair play! I have seen this same question about the Ecuador women asked, in one form or another, a few times, what about the men? I know they are of a macho culture, but how do they behave around women who are alone? For instance, as an example, my daughter and I feel that the men in the Bahamas are too ‘fresh’. They look at you too personally and make you feel a little uncomfortable. (more…)