TheExpatJournals.com

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. Read the rest of this entry →

It took two days of bureaucracy to finally get my Ecuador driver’s license. The main reason for me to do this was two-fold: A. A driver’s course is mandatory and cost $160 up until May 1 when it was rumored to shoot up to $900. B) My US license expires in July and I’m not so sure I’ll be back in time to get it renewed. So the double whammy added up to ‘just do it.’ And boy did I ever break it in! Read the rest of this entry →

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. Read the rest of this entry →

In no particular order:
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Because I lived in Panama for a few years and because I tended to be somewhat outspoken about my observations of life there, I was recently queried by a Panamanian the following: “On foreigners: Ok Leslie, so I will ask you personally. When you said that you would prefer if Americans (not sure if you said Americans or foreigners) would NOT move there, what prompted you to say that? My apologies for putting you on the spot.” So I thought I would share my response there…here: Read the rest of this entry →

I attended the most wonderful Art Fair at CIDAP  last weekend. This was apparently the ‘masters’ show and considered the best of the year here. While much of what was sold was too ornate for my taste, it did not mean I could not admire the work. What was right up my alley and excited me in a way I haven’t felt excited by visual arts in years was this hand painted fabric by the Shipibo tribe in Peru. Read the rest of this entry →