Cuenca, Cuenca, Cuenca. Where to begin. Perhaps we should begin with the fact that we've been reading about this place for a long time, and how it is International Living's number one rated place to retire overseas for Americans. Perhaps we should let you know how the climate is almost perfect year-round; that there are no pesky bugs; there are 4 beautiful rivers that run through the city; most of the city is walkable; the Andes surround us on all sides; there are hot spring baths nearby; a major airport just a few kilometers away; and a very cosmopolitan and international city full of fashionable, professional people. The entire historic area that we are staying in is a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site due to the abundance of colonial buildings, churches, and plazas. It is very picturesque. As tourists, this is a very tourist friendly town with plenty of sites, history, excursions, excellent restaurants, and hotels. For an expat residing in Cuenca, it is inexpensive with a great expat support system, and access to all the modern amenities and culture that any large city has to offer. No wonder we've met plenty of Americans who are living here, or who have been here multiple times to "check it out", and possibly move here for good. Apparently, $500/month rent can get you a 2000+ sq. ft. house near the center of town. If the average Ecuadorian income is $250-$350/month as we've been told, you would be living a very comfortable life on a typical American retiree's budget.
So, yet again, we find ourselves falling in love with a place and we don't want to leave. We gave Baños de Agua Santa an 8 (out of 10) on the "We can live here" scale. Cuenca is about the same. We need to get the heck out of Ecuador before we end up staying here! Oh, right...we ARE leaving Ecuador tomorrow for Peru...whew.
But, before we leave Cuenca, here's a few photos that capture the city.
There are LOTS of churches, every which way we look. [The domes of Catedral Nueva]
Interesting artwork on old buildings...
Lush plazas and parks to relax in.
Clear rivers that run through the city. [This is the main one, Río Tomebamba, where people have built communities around it since the ancient Incan times.]
Museo del Banco Central with an informative collection describing the various (and very different) regions of Ecuador (coast, sierras - Andes, and Amazons).
An Incan archeological site right in the heart of Cuenca by Río Tomebamba called Pumapungo - a former administrative and religious center of the Incan town of Tomebamba.
...and of course, the food. Viee the post on Cuenca Eatin' and Drinkin' for more.
Well, hasta luego, Cuenca! Until we meet again...
View the entire Ecuador Photo Album.
