Our COST OF LIVING in CUENCA, ECUADOR - Two Years Later!!!!

COLORFUL CUENCA COSTUMES

Is it really two years later?   I clearly remember that day on December 5th, 2012 when we landed for the first time in Cuenca, Ecuador (No, we didn't do an exploratory visit prior!).  We didn't have a clue about how our life in Ecuador would unfold.  All we knew was that we wanted to simplify our life, retire early while we still had our health, move somewhere with mountains, rivers, warm weather and less rain than the Willamette Valley, and where the medical care and cost of living was affordable to allow for our early retirement.  This was the list of priorities as we researched and read about the best places to retire in and out of the USA. There were and continue to be many challenges and frustrations living in a new land away from the familiar and predictable lifestyle of a culture we knew - but it's worked for us and we are both in agreement to stay here and call this "HOME."

This "Oregon to Ecuador" BLOG was created a couple months before we finally left for Cuenca, while we were still living in the family room of our empty house, waiting for renters and attempting to get all of our necessary documents apostilled and ready for our entry into Ecuador.  Our journey had just begun, and I started this blog as a way to stay in touch with family and friends so they could read about our ex-pat adventure.

Never did I imagine that our Ecuador Blog (NOW OVER 101,000 HITS) would be read by so many people wanting to know all they can about Cuenca before taking the same steps to possibly make this their city and home.  Through this Ecuador Blog we have met so many people - many just leaving their kind comments, and others whom we've personally met once they've arrived here. Some have been for a reason, some for a season, and others have become dear and intimate friends that hopefully will be for a life time.  

Lots of changes have taken place in the past two years living in Cuenca.  We moved 5 times in the first 4 months before we found our longer-term home.  It's okay to move a lot.  Is it fun?  Not if you have lots of stuff to move.  We didn't!  The first 4 places were furnished and we just had to roll our suitcases down the streets of El Centro (we always seemed to move just within a few blocks from the last place).  We've stuck with this last apartment and it's become our comfortable, affordable, and lovely little apartment .

The greatest and most difficult change for me was when we sold our Oregon home in October.  It was the BIG "burning of the bridge" - one that we had talked about for a few years, but this time it really happened.  I actually went through a huge grieving process - lots of tears and sobbing the day I received the "good news" from our dear realtor that said, "Congratulations!  It is finished!"  Such final words to read and digest for me.  Yet, I was so grateful we were able to sell our home and no longer have that burden - dealing with a 100 year old renovated farm house while living thousands of miles away. Am I glad?  Yes!  Am I sad?  Yes!  I am still adjusting to the fact that my Oregon country home of 40 years is no longer in my life - but I still have my years of precious memories.  

The greater challenge for Bo has been the language barrier.  He's the one in our family who has always been the spokesperson for any challenges that may arise. He's also a "people person" who loves to share with others.  It has not been easy for him to have to depend on me to  be his translator.  But, we've made it work. I have been enjoying watching Bo learn Spanish and go out there and speak it more and more two years later!  He has conversations with the locals, has become more familiar with our small community where we live, and is now able to communicate with our Ecuadorian family of friends.  He continues to purpose to learn the language, takes weekly lessons, and is DOING IT!!  Has it been easy? NO!  Is it possible that he will speak fluent Spanish the longer we live here? ABSOLUTELY!  His desire to learn the language is what makes it happen!!

The second greatest challenge for Bo that required getting used to was being "jubilado."  Retirement for an ex-corporate guy ain't easy.  "Now what do I do with my time?????" Two years later, Bo has to schedule free time for himself to get caught up on personal things because he's out there doing stuff, has met some great "guy" friends, and then has his wife to hang out with (that would still be me!!!!).  So, lots of changes for Bo, but HE'S DOING HIS RETIREMENT LIFE IN CUENCA!!!

The reality is that there have been many challenges and "suddenlies" in ex-pat life for both of us, individually and as a couple.  But, we have purposed to make this journey work together because all the pros outweigh the daily life challenges and frustrations we would be facing anywhere - it's a part of life!!   We either figure it out or we allow life's challenges to steal our joy and take us down (and they have, but we've climbed back up).  I often wonder how other couples are doing?  Did they come here thinking it was going to be like the USA?  Did they come here together, or did one want to come and the other followed along because they felt they had to or they'd be left behind?  I wonder about individuals living here.  Are they here feeling bitter because they couldn't financially make it back in the states, and would they go back if they could?  Or, did they come because they are adventurous souls and love to travel and aren't attached to their STUFF (if they even have STUFF)? If we listen closely, we can tell who is here with an open heart embracing the culture and loving the Ecuadorian people and lifestyle, and we can hear the bitter, negative, complaining from those who don't really want to be here but believe they have no other choice. 

I continue to see more and more ads for garage sales and ex-pats now liquidating their STUFF here because they are returning to their previous country.  LOTS!  Some say it's because of health reasons, others say it's because they ran their course here and are moving on (or "back"), or they miss their family, they don't like the weather, the culture is too frustrating for them (one guy we met disliked the people and pace here), and so many other reasons.  Some leave after a few months and others leave after several years of living here completely settled in.  I imagine that those who are planning to make their future transition from their USA comforts to a new life in Ecuador must question if they themselves will be able to adjust to another culture, language and lifestyle when they read about those who don't make it here.  Personally, I know it is not an easy transition, but it is worth the adventure, experience and blessing of how it has changed the way I view life and live now.

We just returned from three weeks back in "chilly" Florida - going back with the purpose of selling our two vehicles and Bo's Valkyrie motorcycle.  We also had to go through years of family photos, saved cards, letters, and some sentimental keepsakes.  Because we don't have children, it was another emotional "letting go."  I mailed select family photos to my younger brother, and I threw away 60 plus years of keepsakes.  Sentimental people save those things - that would be me!!!  So, more tears (sentimental people cry a lot too) and heartache of tossing and shredding the most important of my STUFF.  Yet, it's finally done and I have another sense of freedom because I don't have to cart around boxes of papers and photos anymore.  I can now treasure and enjoy the ones I kept and will have with me in Ecuador.

Do we miss the USA?  Sometimes we think we do until we journey back there and go into reverse culture shock.  The cost of food seems like it's doubled in two years. One afternoon Bo and I walked out of a not-so-fancy Florida restaurant because lunch for two (hamburgers) was going to be $40, and that was without the tip!  We cooked and ate most of our meals at home, and there was little to do without it costing a lot in the way of arts, culture, and exploring.  Florida is not an area that we would even visit if not for our dear friend who is truly family to us.  We are thankful the weather was "chilly" and we didn't suffer the Florida heat and humidity during this trip back. 

It's always an eye-opener for Bo and me to return from the USA and re-evaluate our Cost of Living in Cuenca, which is a huge reason why we enjoy living here.  We continue to keep a DAILY spreadsheet of every cent we spend, and it's an accurate way for us to make adjustments so that we can be wise with our retirement funds and still live comfortably and affordable.  For those contemplating retiring in Cuenca or those who are newly arrived, I hope this gives you insight to how we as a couple who do not live extravagantly budget our monthly expenditures.  It's changed from when I've shared past "Cost of Living in Cuenca" posts (by about $500) - but it continues to stay within an affordable lifestyle that has allowed us to retire early while we're still IN THE YOUTH OF OUR OLD AGE.

Our "COST OF LIVING" IN CUENCA - TWO YEARS LATER!!!

RENT - $280 Monthly.  We have been in apartment #5 for 20 months now. (Remember, we moved 5 times in our first 4 months in Cuenca.)  We are always looking for the next "WOW" place, but every time we weigh the pros and cons of leaving here, we stay.  Mostly because we love our location, but paying such an affordable monthly rent allows us more money to travel and to save.  Also, after hearing about how much money other ex-pat friends of ours have poured into their rentals with no chance of reimbursement from their landlords, we are grateful that our place was clean, had no leaks or mold, and our landlord has been kind and generous to us.

ELECTRIC - $25 Monthly.  When we first moved into this apartment, our utility bill was $10 or less.  Well, we didn't have the luxurious appliances and lamps and electrical drawing units that we now have.  At first, we thought there was an error on the bill, but after a visit to the Electric Company and personally checking out the meter in our building, we were able to rest in the fact that this is our personal usage here.  We were spoiled paying only $10.  Yet, $25 is a lot less than what we paid in Oregon during our cold damp winters or air-conditioned summers.

PHONE - $41 Monthly.  That's for an internet plan for the two of us through Claro.  At first, we used to buy minutes, but we decided we wanted to have the least expensive internet plan with enough monthly minutes for calls and texting.  This has worked out fine for our personal usage.

INTERNET - $28 Monthly.  Our internet is through ETAPA.  We live in El Centro, so this works for us.  We have had few problems with losing internet or slow speed, so again, this works for us.  Don't listen to all the horror stories you hear or read about when it comes to internet issues here.

FOOD - $300 Monthly.  We both like to cook!  We like to eat most of our meals at home.  Bo is the main cook!  I LOVE to eat any meal prepared by Chef Bo!  So, our daily expense for food comes from shopping at the 10 de Augusto Mercado one block from our apartment, and shopping at the tiendas around our neighborhood.  We go to SuperMaxi if we need specialty items such as capers, and that is only about once a month.  We visited Feria Libre a couple of times, but it doesn't pay for us to go that far out of our way when we have everything we need for our gourmet cooking right around the block from us.

DINING OUT - $150 Monthly.  We figured this high because it allows us to meet friends for special dinners and special occasions.  We enjoy going to the $2.50-$3 Almuerzo (lunch) places, but we also like eating at some of the nicer restaurants around Cuenca.  More friends makes for more occasions to eat out and celebrate the good life together.

HOUSEHOLD - $30 Monthly.  This covers paper and cleaning products, and toiletries.

TRANSPORTATION - $25 Monthly.  We walk to most places because our apartment is centrally located.  However, sometimes we take buses and taxis when visiting friends who live outside of El Centro if it's too far to walk.

IESS INSURANCE - $82 MONTHLY.  This covers both Bo and me at 100% for any medical emergency that might arise.  We are also covered for any outpatient needs for medical, eye, hearing, physical therapy, prescriptions (if they have it in stock) etc.  Dental is not covered for free until we reach 65.  Our family doctor who is not in the IESS pool charges us $10 per visit and is available for a same-day appointment.  So, all of our medical needs are taken care of, and we have had positive experiences whenever we've had to use any of Cuenca's health care facilities.  Back in the USA, our monthly medical premiums were already up at $600 for the two of us, and that was for catastrophic coverage only.  

MEDICAL EXPENSES - $200 Monthly.  These expenses are outside of the IESS coverage for dental, medical, prescriptions, and eye. 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - $300 Monthly.  This covers attorney fees, Accounting fees, Computer repairs, Spanish lessons, and any other professional services that we might incur.

MISCELLANEOUS - $300 Monthly.  Monthly, I have an iHerb package coming from the USA for special purchases such as vitamins, teas, herbs, food items, etc.  This also covers entertainment, travel expenses, clothing, donations, Gym, Yoga classes, Massages, Haircuts, USA Mailbox expenses, and more.

TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES:  $1,761.

In two years, God has blessed us with every need and lots of wants in Ecuador!  We love that our cost of living is still so affordable here and has allowed us to retire early.  Mostly, we enjoy the many relationships and genuine friendships we have that are already golden!  What's not to love about LIVING IN CUENCA?

RANDOM PHOTOS OF OUR 

LIFE IN CUENCA, ECUADOR

Each morning comes with renewed hope.

Market Grains along the street of Santa Teresa near the Mercado.

Some of my adorable students who come to our apartment every Tuesday night for English lessons.  They are the joy of our week.

Cuy (Guinea Pig) is a delicacy in Cuenca - and very expensive! 

Christmas is a big deal in Cuenca - and vendors are lining the streets with their christmas wares.

A young child enjoying his magazine.  Is he reading or just looking at the photos?  Families work long hours with the hope of being able to afford to give their children an education.

My dear friend and flower vendor, Anita with her daughter, Patricia.  They bring joy to my heart whenever I see them.

Our neighborhood girls - sisters and cousins.  Family is priority here!

It's MANGO season again, my favorite fruit!  The  wheelbarrows filled with ripe fruits are delivered daily in the early mornings, right below our apartment.  Vendors will arrive and wheel them away to sell the fruit along the streets of El Centro!

Farmland with abundant produce outside El Centro

The San Francisco Flower Market is three blocks from our apartment.  

We enjoy riding the buses of Cuenca.  

The University of Cuenca Campus

A group of cyclists pedaling through the heart of El Centro along Simon Bolivar

Cuenca always has a parade!

Someone's home along a country road in Cuenca

Cuenca is never lacking for year-round colorful flowers

A family name plaque over the door says, "God Bless Our Home"

My favorite dessert in all of Cuenca - Almond Chocolate Torte!

A cherished photo of Sr. Diaz shaking Bo's hand and thanking him for another meal.  We are sad that Sr. Diaz is no longer living on his corner.  His family took him to their home because of his failing health (he is 94 years old).  We miss seeing and talking to him.

I hope you continue to enjoy my photography and reading my blog about our life in Cuenca Ecuador!!

DENTAL CARE IN ECUADOR - Our Cuenca Dentist experience!

Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth. 

~Mallory Hopkins

Yes, we've been to the dentist here in Cuenca!  Good experience or bad experience?  Great experience!  So, how does one know who to go to for medical or dental care - and if they're reputable, and if they're going to do an excellent job and if they are honest and all about their patient's care?  Bo and I ask our Ecuadorian friends for recommendations.  One Ecuadorian family who are well-connected here in Cuenca and who are like our family here are a fabulous source of information for us.  We found our family doctor and dentist because of their recommendations.  We trust this family and who they know.  That makes it very easy for us because we know they will only refer us to the best.

It was time for our cleanings.  We always went every 6 months back in the states when we had dental insurance through Bo's employment.  Without insurance, a cleaning and mandatory x-rays would cost each of us close to $200 a visit.  A friend back in Portland, Oregon told me that she recently paid $300 for her cleaning and x-rays - and she is NOT insured.  CRAZY!  So, when we made our appointments with Dr. Emerson in El Centro, we were happy to learn that our cleanings would cost us $30 each.  Who does the cleaning?  The dentist, of course.  Bo went first.   I watched.  Nothing fancy about Dr. Emerson's office.  It actually had a lot of that old-fashioned outdated dental equipment.  We had to spit into the bowl, and there weren't fancy TV's or sound systems going on in the office.  It was quiet, and Dr. Emerson talked to us and patiently worked on Bo's teeth while I asked him lots of questions about his practice and his education.  He was open and happy to share with us.  

Dr. Emerson does it all - from making the appointments to cleaning his patient's teeth.

Then came the news.  Bo needed a filling.  He could do it right there at this same appointment, and it would cost $20.  En Serio!  My question, "Do you give novocaine?"  He said no, it wasn't necessary.  But, if Bo wanted the novocaine, he would be happy to give it to him.  Only an extra $5.  Dr. Emerson reiterated it would not hurt, he would drill slowly, and if Bo decided he wanted the novocaine during the drilling, he would stop and inject him.  He said it wasn't necessary in several different ways.  Was Bo convinced?

Was that sweat I saw forming on Bo's brow??  Novacaine or no novacaine - that was the question?  What was his answer?

So Bo decided to trust Dr. Emerson and go for it - no local anesthetic.  Drill away........Yikes!

I stood close by and watched Dr. Emerson gently and slowly drill out the decay while Bo finally relaxed and trusted that it would not hurt.  And, apparently it didn't.  Bo said only at one point he felt a slight twinge of pain, but all in all, it was painless and went surprisingly well.  Dr. Emerson filled the cleaned out area, and in less than 15 minutes, Bo was out of the chair with a sparkling smile and a new composite porcelain filling.  

So, we saved $5 because of the "no novocaine" decision - and we left Dr. Emerson's office after paying $80 for two cleanings and one filling.  What's not to love about dental care in Cuenca??

There are many dentists who are well-trained and brilliant in Ecuador - and they have all the up-dated technology and resources, as well as speaking English.  Dr. Emerson's office was not fancy, and it had more of an older equipped appearance, but he knew what he was doing and he did it carefully and with expertise.  Bo and I don't need fancy.  What we do need it excellent care and from someone we trust.  We trusted Dr. Emerson 100%.  

Here are some prices I researched for dental services and procedures in Ecuador:

Cleaning - $30-45

Fillings - $20-35

Partial plates - $325

Complete set of dentures - $900 

For the plates and dentures, it includes all office visits, fittings, lab work and impressions.

Root canals - $125

Teeth bleaching - $25

Porcelain crowns - $250

USA Dentists are denying services to patients who do not want routine x-rays taken - which are now required by the American Dental Association.  In Ecuador, dentists allow patients their right to determine their own care and treatment, so they don't take set after set of x-rays on their patients.

Many come from the USA just to have their dental-doctor vacation because it costs 80-90% less to have dental work in Ecuador.  I spoke to a vacationing ex-pat who had extensive dental work done while she and her husband were here for a 6 week vacation - and she said not one time was novocaine used, and she sailed through several appointments painlessly.  The work she had done here would have cost her thousands of dollars back home, and she was able to have her Cuenca Ecuador vacation between her appointments.  

So, go ahead and make your dentist appointment - and when you are told "no novocaine" - don't be scared!!!

STILL LIVING IN CUENCA ECUADOR - 20 MONTHS LATER! We burned the bridge.......

"BURNING THE BRIDGE" 

TO OUR BEAUTIFUL OREGON HOME - and returning to Cuenca Ecuador

So, we decided to make the BIG DECISION to return to our Oregon home and BURN THE BRIDGE!  By that, I mean - we still had our home and enough of our STUFF to go back to if things didn't work out as we expected it to here.  When we originally landed in Cuenca on December 5th, 2012, it was with the intention of staying - of course.  But unlike most who decide to ex-pat, we did not do any exploratory visits, had never been to Ecuador, and we moved here with 6 suitcases and 2 carry-ons.  Yes, we did sell LOTS of our STUFF before we left on our ex-pat adventure.  However, because of timing and also the thought, "What if we don't like it?" - we ended up renting our home and then storing in our property sheds the remainder of a household of 40 years of treasures that we weren't ready to let go of.

Here we are 20 months later and comfortably settled into a South American culture and lifestyle, and our simplified way of living - loving our retirement and freedom.  Of course this CHANGE didn't happen without frustrating challenges (Bo calls them "opportunities to grow"), moments of panic attacks, melt-downs, and questioning ourselves in the beginning, "What in the world have we done?"  Yet, because of the amazing people we immediately began to meet and the loving Ecuadorian people who continued to embraced us and welcome us into their lives and families, Cuenca grew on us and  challenges became victories as we began to feel more and more like this was HOME.

Living thousands of miles away from the familiar, from family and friends, and from all the luxuries and conveniences of the USA is not an option for many who might dream about leaving their country and retire somewhere else.  Not knowing the language is also a big part of the decision not to leave your comfort zone.  Yet, so many take the big leap, get out of their box, and go for it.  After a year or two, they sell everything and return back to their country and families.  Did they fail?  I THINK NOT!  I admire anyone who takes a chance and makes the leap to brave a new adventure.  We've talked to so many people in our 20 months here who have come for different reasons - some for an adventure, some for economic and financial reasons, some for political reasons, some are even here to save money and then plan to return to the USA and continue their retirement.  One couple lost everything in a flood and chose Cuenca as an affordable area to start all over again.  I could go on and on.............

Why did we come?  Our main reason was to find a new location out of the Oregon Willamette Valley 8 months of rain.  Summers were beyond beautiful and the weather was perfect, but 8 months of overcast, damp, LONG winters was a continual yearly struggle for Bo.  In the end, it became a struggle for me too.  Our second reason was to retire early and enjoy our 60's free to travel and enjoy life together NOW while we still have our health.  Our third reason?  The changing political and economic atmosphere of the USA inspired our decision in a big way to ex-pat.  Oh, there's lots of other reasons why we made such a change in our lives, and we are still learning how to adjust to a completely different culture and lifestyle - but we are back in Cuenca, happy to be home, and ready to continue our ex-pat adventure.

After our recent return to Cuenca from the USA - and weeks of selling and giving it all away - we admit that if we knew it was going to be such a difficult, heart-wrenching, letting-go-of-everything task, we may have never done this.   Garage-selling our beautiful household treasures for practically nothing was a hard one for me.  Bo sold a 25-year accumulation of his shop tool treasures, and the first day he struggled big time.  By the second day, he was blessing people and ready to sell and give it all away. When we were ready to let go it became easier and easier, but the work part of it was exhausting and draining.  Our weeks in Oregon were not a vacation.  It was a time of purging and selling and letting go from morning until late evenings.  I could not see a light at the end of the tunnel.  A few generous friends blessed us with their precious time and helping hands, making this exhausting task a bit easier (Thank you dear ones - you know who you are!!).  Emotionally, it didn't end for me until the day when I was able to walk away from our empty cleaned out property and head for the airport.

So, IT IS DONE!  Bo and I are back in Cuenca and we both feel like we are on vacation.  I have an even greater appreciation for our simple lifestyle here, for our small but lovely apartment that is truly home, and for the many friends that have embraced us since our return.  This few weeks' journey has inspired me to reflect on the last year and a half of living in another country and my reasons for wanting to go "BURN THE BRIDGE" and return back to Cuenca to call this HOME.

1 - COST OF LIVING - Isn't this THE BIG ONE for so many who have left the USA?  We noticed it even more this last visit - hearing that the cost of everything has gone up.  Well, we were in "reverse" culture shock after living in a country that allows us to live such an inexpensive affordable lifestyle.
The COST of groceries and eating out (which we did a lot of because of the hours of work and exhaustion) put us both over the edge.  We finally had to accept that this is the USA not Cuenca when it comes to the cost of anything.  Homeowners and auto insurance, and gas and auto expenses were also things we dealt with there that we do not have, need, or want here.  Yes, maybe we will have an auto down the pike - but for now, walking, buses, and taxis suit us fine.  One day, while in Florida, my girlfriend and I were in a shopping mall.  There were two stores we needed to go to a few stores apart.  I wanted to walk to the next store, she wanted to drive there.  I said, "It's right there!"  She replied, "Yeah, they look close, but it's a mirage.  Besides, driving saves time."  Here in Cuenca we have TIME, and we walk miles and miles and love it.  Bo said that  the most walking he did in the States was walking from the door to the car.  I agree!

2 - HOME IN THE COUNTRY vs CITY LIVING - I must say that being back at our beautiful Oregon home had it's allure.  I loved hot-tubing every evening after a long day of purging and selling, and I loved the summer country smells and quiet country life.  I loved being surrounded by trees and having no traffic zooming by (we lived in a very isolated area).  Yet, I looked at all that work - yard work, big house to keep clean, old house to keep updated constantly, and imagined STUFF once again pouring out of every room and shop and shed.   Then, I thought about our Cuenca apartment in the city, so cozy and comfy and beautifully furnished with EVERYTHING we need, near our market, pharmacy, and every other store we need something from, including walking distance to the Tomebamba River, Parque Calderon, Parque De La Madre, and so many other fabulous beautiful sites.  Knowing that this season of our lives is for living in the city and not the country made me want to leave it all behind and return to our Cuenca city life!

3 - FAMILY AND FRIENDSHIPS - It was such a non-stop working time for me in Oregon that I was only able to spend time with friends that came by the house to see us and/or help us.  I didn't realize how much time and how difficult a task this would be for me - my emotions and energy were low during this working trip.  I'm grateful for the friends I did get to see, but sad I didn't get to say goodbye to others.   I am thankful for the friendships we now have in Cuenca, and I realize how much time we are able to spend here with the people we love.  Retirement life isn't as busy and all-consuming where we are constantly working and unable to spend time with the people we enjoy.  Being retired ex-pats is a good thing for us.  More time to play and be with our friends - and we have some quality and wonderful friends here.  For this I am so thankful to my God.

4 - HEALTH - I must say, when Bo and I go back to the USA, we become foodaholics.  Eating healthy and exercising are a big part of my life.  So I always return from our trips back home feeling fat and sick and tired of food.  Do I enjoy my garbage-gut meals and zillion Starbuck's White Chocolate Mocha's, and on and on?  You betcha!  That's what you do when you're on vacation - eat out and pig out.  Well, 6 weeks is a long time to be pigging out for me.  So, I'm happy to be back in Cuenca where I'm home and able to eat healthy and exercise again.  What a joy to go to the market and get those amazing fresh fruits and vegetables and organic eggs, and fresh meats.  I LOVE IT!  Since we've been back, I've been enjoying my daily market trips even more - with a greater appreciation for the quality and inexpensive cost of food here.  Oh, it's the little things.........

5 - MEDICAL - While we were back at our house, Bo was spraying a mold remover solution on his shop ceiling, and he got some in his eye.  It required a visit to a 24-hour care clinic where they flushed his eye out and gave him a prescription for antibiotics (which he never filled - who could afford it??).  There went $160 of our meager garage sale money.  We are so grateful for the excellent and inexpensive medical care we have and continue to receive here in Cuenca.  It's a big question for many planning on moving here, and we have both personally experienced nothing but the best of medical care here.  We now have the IESS government insurance for $80 a month - and we are covered for all of our medical, dental, eye, and pharmacy expenses.  We've heard about the pros and cons of this coverage, and some choose to use the IESS for catastrophic coverage and continue on with their already established medical physicians.  Our excellent family physician whom we have been patients of for a few months now charges $10 for an office visit (and spends as much time with us in that visit as it takes!).  We've had x-rays, dental work, and eye care here.  Every out-of-pocket expense is crazy-affordable-inexpensive!  We always laugh when we leave an appointment - for joy!  Back in the USA, we paid over $500 a month for our medical premiums and that was for a $10,000 deductible and catastrophic coverage ONLY!  What's not to love about our medical care and caring physicians here???

6 - HOME - Last and best of all - We're home!  Coming home was a long long journey.  To fly back from Oregon to Guayaquil is beyond a long journey.  Well, this time Bo and I stopped in Florida to be with friends until our return.  So, we flew from Tampa to Miami and were supposed to have only an hour layover, ready to arrive in Guayaquil at 7 pm - where our driver would be waiting to pick us up and drive us to our Cuenca home that evening.  We should have been in Cuenca by midnight.  Unfortunately, our plane had mechanical difficulties and they had to board us on another flight, landing us safely in Guayaquil at midnight.  Our driver patiently waited for us (what a guy!!!) and drove us safely home by 4 am.  Now, that was a LONG journey.  When we opened our apartment door and I walked in and saw my lovely place, I was SOOOOOOOO HAPPY!  It was as though we had been gone for months.  I have come to love our home and Cuenca more and more the longer we are here.  As tired as we both were, Bo managed to haul our 8 suitcases up 3 flights of stairs.  We fell into bed by 5:30 am, and slept most of the day.  Yes, we had arrived home at last!

 It takes time to readjust to the altitude, food, and lifestyle upon returning, but we are now settled back into our daily routine, eating healthy, exercising, and enjoying our beautiful city.  The worst is over - BURNING THE BRIDGE - and the best continues - LIVING IN ECUADOR!

What I Missed About my Cuenca HOME!

It was a joy to walk back into our cozy colorful apartment in Cuenca after being gone for several weeks.

Seymour was waiting to greet us - with all our lovely lush green plants. I missed our colorfully splashed walls.......

I missed our spacious organized kitchen.......

.........where we love too cook healthy gourmet meals.......

......and I missed having special friends around our table for delicious dinners or weekly English classes.

I missed opening my curtains every morning and seeing our beautiful Historic Cuenca view and letting the hustle bustle of city life sounds into our apartment.

I  missed taking care of my beautiful lush green plants (thank you to my three ñañas for taking care of my home).

I missed hibernating in our TV room and watching a knuckle-gripping Thriller movie.

I missed cozying up in our living room, lighting a Yankee "Midnight" Candle........

....and just relaxing and reading a good book.

I especially missed spending time in my "girl cave" with my photography and other artsy pass times.

.......and at the end of a "City Life" day of retirement - I missed cozying up in our comfy KING bed and resting for the next day's adventure!

.......

Yes, it was a couple months back in the states of working and purging and letting go - but what a blessing of an apartment and home to come back to.  Not bad for $280 a month, hey??? 

RETIRING IN CUENCA ECUADOR - "So, what do you do with your days?"

New Cathedral (Catedral de la Immaculada) - called "New" although it was built in 1885!

"So, what do you do with your days......"  This is a recurrent question we are personally asked by those we meet who are contemplating a move away from their familiar comfortable and predictable lives in North America - those who are seriously thinking about or are already in the decision making process of becoming USA ex-pats.  Everyone whom we've met (and we meet MANY people just through this blog) is here for a different reason.  Yet, there is a commonality of reasons many of us share for having left the USA and everything and everyone we knew and loved (especially family) to relocate to Cuenca.

One major reason is Cost of Living!  I know some acquaintances who express bitterness because they feel as though their retirement dreams have been shattered, financially.  Others are here because they see the outcome of the USA politically, economically, and spiritually.  Then, there are those who have never had an attachment to their lives in the states, they have no clue what is truly going on in America, they are financially comfortable, they are adventurous and already have traveled the world, and they are now ready to settle in Cuenca, Ecuador because it's another country and area to experience.  Some come here because of their health issues.  They can no longer afford medical insurance for their retirement years and after much research, they have come to an area of the world that has excellent and affordable medical care.  One of our major reasons was the weather!  After 40 years living in the Willamette Valley rains, we wanted to retire in an area that was sunny and warm (not humid and hot) year round, and Cuenca weather was it for us.  Some come here and find it is too rainy and cold for them, but it all depends on what you're used to from the area you are leaving.  Then there are some who are running away - from their debts, from their past, from something - and they come here to escape and hide and start all over. I'm sure I've missed other reasons why some have or will flee from the USA, but remember - wherever you go, THERE YOU ARE! 

Once here, and because many ex-pats are new to retirement, some find it difficult to fill their time and to feel like they have a life here.  En Serio!!  Especially some men.  Bo never imagined he would be living in another country (though ex-patting was his idea way back in 2009 when I was perfectly content with my princess lifestyle in the USA). Then to step away from any chance of returning to Corporate America and to no longer have his fabulous income and career identity as a Financial Advisor - well, that's been a big adjustment and change in his life.  He was nowhere near what he thought would be his retirement age when we arrive here in early December 2012.  As for me, work has never been my passion nor my identity.  I've had a wonderful life of being home more than working thanks to my husband (which is why I didn't qualify for a pensioner's visa, by a mere $2 - though now my Social Security has been increased!), and because I'm an artistic, creative, and somewhat adventuresome woman, I've never been bored or unfulfilled by not working or having a career.

All this to say, my days are full here in Cuenca now that I'm truly retired.  Life is so full here that some days I want to turn off my phone, hibernate in my office, and not go anywhere or talk to anyone just to have some alone and down time - that's how rich my days are.  I've made WONDERFUL friends here, some ex-pats and many Cuencanos, and we both know how blessed we are in this area of our "Cuenca" life.  For us, the word FRIEND means more than for others.  I don't do Facebook (please don't hate me) and so I have no friends there (thank God).  Some people think that being "friended" is having friends (but watch out, because you can get "unfriended" just as quickly).  I find the Facebook "friend" thing beyond funny.  Many of them are cyber friends and people you'll never meet.  Others are people who are mostly curious about your life and accomplishments.  No real intimacy there!  Hey, if it works for you, great.  But not for me.  FRIEND - if you can count your true friends on the fingers of one hand, you are blessed.  Because of the true friendships Bo and I have made here, we are truly blessed.  It's a big part of why our days are filled. 

After 16 months here, let's see how I spend most of my days:

1 - Reading and studying my Bible - my faith draws me to daily quiet times of prayer and spending time in the Word to know and hear from my Heavenly Father.

2 - Decorating and keeping my tiny Ecuadorian flat organized and clean - Bo and I have lived in our El Centro apartment for ONE YEAR as of April 1st - can I hear a drum roll!  Yes, we're the couple that moved 5 times in less than 4 months when we first arrived.  When we finally got this "white empty shell" of an unfurnished place, it took months of creative decorating and frugal purchases to transform and make it our simplified home.  Now, we love it!  We don't have a "maid."  I'm the maid - because I have LOTS OF FREE TIME!  Besides, no one would be able to clean it like I do since I'm quite anal, compulsive, organized, and a neat freak.  I enjoy taking care of our little city rental.  Interior decorating is such a passion of mine, but now that this place is completely decorated, I dream of another place to take from white walls to COLOR and artistic BEAUTY!  Ummmm...... Would we move AGAIN?????

3 - Shopping - Daily, some of our time is spent going to our Mercado and buying our produce and meats - fresh and in small quantities.  Market food doesn't last long here because it's not chemically doused nor refrigerated (no, they DON'T refrigerate their meats), so daily shopping for FRESH is good!  We love going out our door and in just 1/2 a block we're in "vendedora-landia."  Everything we need is within our neighborhood square (even our wine supplier).  We absolutely love the convenience of our living and shopping location.  Our special vendors know us, and we love them and love supporting them with our daily purchases.  We receive lots of "yappa" and loving favor - and that always makes me smile and warms my heart.  

4 - Cooking -  Daily, Bo spends more time in the kitchen than I do.  HE LOVES TO CREATE AND COOK!  I also love to cook but not to be in the kitchen every day and for hours.  So, I'm thankful for a husband who not only loves to cook but one who is health conscious, and his creations are to die for (ask anyone who has eaten at our home)!  Because of this, we don't eat out every day and most meals like some ex-pats prefer to.  Shopping and cooking, the way we do it, takes thoughtful planning and precious well-spent time in our day.  When we do eat out, it's a wonderful treat and experience.

5 - Photography - I have more photos of Ecuador and Cuenca than one could ever imagine.  The first year here, my camera went every where with me, and I was constantly photographing the people, the city, and every place we explored.  Though I still love doing this, I'm more selective now when I decide to take my camera (how many times can one photograph the flower market, city parks, etc. - though I still manage to do so because of the beauty).  Now, I am spending more time at my computer organizing the best of the best, and editing and preparing my 5-star photography for......?  I don't know.  I sometimes think of doing a gallery display or making a coffee table book, or making postcards, or.......  Or nothing!  Just enjoying them for me!  I'm jubilada and I really don't want to work!  I LOVE photography and every area of shooting, editing, and creating.  It's one of my greatest of passions.

6 - Spanish Classes - This is now top-priority in both our days.  You'd think after living here for 15 months, we'd be speaking Spanish perfectly!  NOT!  Though many ex-pats here think I do (and compared to some, I do), I HONESTLY DON'T!  I certainly have gotten much more fluent and my vocabulary is greater from when we first arrived, but it's time for me to study the grammar context which is critical now for my own personal understanding and my desire to speak accurately and fluently as the locals do.  I'm going to the next level with commitment and determination.  Taking four hours a week and studying daily is yet another commitment of time in each day.  Bo has signed up for 6 hours a week, every other day - so I'm praying he will learn quickly, building on what he already knows (thank you mom for always speaking to your Bosito in Spanish) - and this will lessen his frustration in not being able to communicate like he would like to.  I see Bo studying daily, and that makes me smile!  We have been blessed with an amazing precious teacher whom we both appreciate!  Thank you Rosa for this recommendation to us.  Our new instructor is gifted and passionate and knows how to teach!

7 - Spanish-English Classes - On top of our weekly "paid" Spanish lessons, Bo and I have one evening a week where several Cuencanos come to our home to learn English and help us with our Spanish.  It is an evening we both look forward to because these "jovens" are adorable and truly want to learn.  The blessing in giving is what we're receiving.  They are respectful and easy-to-be-with young men whom we enjoy having over and spending a few hours with.  There are so many locals who say they want to learn English - but saying and doing are two different things.  As long as they keep coming, we'll be here for them!

8 - Girlfriend times - I have been blessed to meet some very special sister-girlfriends here.  We try to spend one day a week together with lunches, shopping, and sharing intimately.  I am not a woman who likes to have a lot of acquaintances - but I love to have one, two, or three dear and special sister-girlfriends who I truly call FRIENDS.  My Father has heard my prayers and blessed me with more than I could ever have asked or hoped for here in Cuenca.  Not only do we share the same faith, but we share the same passions - eating and shopping!  It doesn't get much better than this.......  Thank you mi ÑAÑAS for blessing my days, for making me smile and laugh, and for being true friends - friends whom I can be myself with, friends that I can trust and confide in and know you will be honest with me and pray for me, friends whom I respect and who respect me, and friends with a likeness of mind, heart, and spirit. You know who you are, and I love you dearly. 

9 - Bo times - I've met many women here who are single and spending their retirement years without a husband. One of my girlfriend's who is retired here has never been married and still dreams of that special someone to share her days and life with.  It's never too late!  As for me, I'm thankful that I have someone dear to my heart to come home to, someone special and interesting to spend my days with, and a strong man to love me, care for me, and protect me.  Many hours in my day are spent walking the streets of Cuenca with my husband and exploring this quaint, rustic, historic town - whether it's taking care of our errands or just enjoying the culture and beauty together.  Every day we run into someone we know, or we discover new hidden shops and meet new vendors and locals who embrace us and add to the joy of our day.  Sometimes we just sit in one of the parks to watch the world go by!  Whatever it is, an important part of my day is to share time with Bo!

10 - Activity Times - Cuenca is a cultural city of fabulous Arts and Entertainment!  Weekly, there are art exhibits, museums, concerts, parades, celebrations, races, and more!  One never has to be bored or living in a rut here because there is ALWAYS something to do.  I've heard a couple people lately tell me they feel bored now that they are retired.  Whew!  Well, get a "Cuenca" life!  I can't imagine being bored here.  The beauty of this artistic, holistic, and athletic area is that most of the "happenings" here are FREE!  Some are not, but even they are very affordable. There are no excuses why one would be bored here.  From French to raw foods cooking classes, to art galleries, workout facilities, and spa-mineral baths in Baños, to 25 cent (12 cent) bus rides to local towns, and on and on - please don't tell me you're bored!  There are enough tour groups, group activities, and daily local entertainment for one to fill their fleeting hours.  So, like I said, "It's your time to get a life."

11 - Travel Times - There's a lot of Cuenca and Ecuador we have yet to see.  We may spend an entire day riding a bus to the end and exploring a nearby parish of Cuenca.  Or, we may go overnight to another city or town in Ecuador.  That is going to take a lot of our time in the near future.  We've already had some wonderful exploratory adventures in the 15 months we've lived here.  However, for now, our weeks are full with Spanish classes, friendships, and just being settled in and living here.  Finally - we're settled in!!  We're looking forward to our next adventure out of area!  I wonder where we'll go???

12 - Bible Study times - Once a week, Bo and I spend an entire day in a home fellowship with other like-minded truth-seekers we've met here in Cuenca.  We share our faith, pray together, have a fabulous potluck meal together, and spend the entire day with a few special people we consider family.  It's a day we look forward to every week to share our relationship (not "religion") with our Father in heaven.  I look forward to meeting more believers living or moving here who will one day be a part of our home fellowship.

Yes, your new life in Cuenca can be viewed and expressed in one of two ways:  Seeing the glass half full or half empty!  Ask yourself honestly:

- Am I busy being fearful and worrying about the future or enjoying each day NOW - living in the moment and seeing my blessings?

- Am I making choices towards a life of adventure and freedom or staying where I am and living a stagnant dead-end nowhere life?

- Am I living my dreams and checking off my "BUCKET LIST?"  Do I even have dreams and a bucket list???????  OR, am I living in the paralysis of FEAR and continually making excuses why I CAN'T!!

- Is my BUSY LIST keeping me from time to do what is truly most important and meaningful each day?

- Am I living in and expressing my passions and touching other lives with my God-given gifts and talents.....

- .......OR, am I continually WISHING and HOPING I coulda, woulda, shoulda - and making excuses why I can'ta!!!!!

I say, "BLOOM WHERE YOU'RE PLANTED" - I mean REALLY BLOOM and you will embrace Cuenca, it's beautiful people, culture, and lifestyle, and your life will take on a new meaning that will touch lives and make hearts soar.  Think about it!!

The longer I'm here, THE MORE I LOVE CUENCA!!!

Con Amor,

Linda

HOW ABOUT AN UPDATE OF:  The Ugliest Shell of a Kitchen.......

Remember?  No color, no cabinets, no appliances, and that UGLY useless aluminum window!

Every day, I'm thankful for the ability to have a decorator's eye and vision and that I was able to accomplish this frugally and tastefully!  It's just like I envisioned!

Let's take a closer look - Is this ugly and bare, or what?  What I liked about this apartment was that it was clean and had lots of warm wood throughout!  More than clean and wood, I LOVED that it was under $300 a month.  I looked and I thought, "I can do this!"

Hey, it's even classier now!  This picture was taken before I added colorful ARTESA plates, hanging greenery, and more - but you get the picture!  Beautiful cabinets (paid for by our landlord - horray!), a new stove with oven (paid for by us), and a side cabinet that we had made and paid for, to fill the hole.  Ya like it???

BEFORE (talk about boring and blinding - I don't do white)......

....AFTER!  Another cabinet we paid for!  Hey, most landlords would not have put in all the other cabinets.  This one is removable for when - I mean if - we move again!!  I love my little kitchen!!  it still needs some over-the-cabinet greenery and baskets, and a few more touches - stay tuned!!

I'm so glad Juan trusted Bo and me when Bo asked him to get that UGLY window out!  Oh, and that hideous stove hood also had to go!!  Sometimes I can't believe we even tackled this place and did so much!  After all, it is a rental - but it's our home for now and worth every penny we've spent to make it ours.  Besides, not many places this nice rent for $280 a month.

Now I keep plants or fun art along that wood shelf.  I also rag-rolled a rojo color over the mustardy painted hallway, and now it's warmer and delicious to look at!

So, cook away esposo mio.  The kitchen is all yours!  See, I told you Bo likes to cook.  This is one of his simple creations, and it is healthy, colorful, and delicious. 

City living gardening is a bit different than when I lived on an acre of land surrounded by a 20 acre filbert orchard.  I still have a green thumb, love having plants, and now our terrace is abundant with lots of flower boxes filled with colorful geraniums and trailers and fragrant herbs.

I like this simplified life - less work and stress but still surrounded by beauty!  

My plants have grown twice the size since I photographed these.  I think they like their new home!

Yes, I admit - sometimes I long for and miss my country home in Oregon - especially sitting outside on my wrap-around porch and basking in the country silence.....

......but home is where the heart is - and CUENCA and it's people have truly captured my heart!!

I think Cuenca's captured Bo's heart too - ya think??