Myth: There are no dishwashers in Cuenca for less than $2000. Fact: Dishwashers are available here for around $500. There several detergents available for automatic dishwashers, Dish-lav, Cascade. This is ours; we've had it over 2 years and when it dies, there'll be another one.
Myth: Cuenca is the land of eternal
spring. Fact: It may be an Alaskan
eternal spring. During winter, the lows
can be in the upper 30’s; most of the
time it’s cloudy in Cuenca. It's a
rarity to have a beautiful starry night; go outside the city and there are
usually stars. In summer I’ve seen it as
high as 85.
Myth:
Summer is June, July, and August.
Fact: Cuenca is south of the equator. If you’re in the southern hemisphere, the
seasons are opposite of the northern hemisphere; therefore, the first day of
winter is June 21. It is now spring.
Myth:
Hospital Monte Sinai is not a
hospital; it’s doctor’s offices. Fact:
Hence the name, Hospital Monte Sinai, it is a hospital. It offers all the services of a full-service
hospital, surgery, maternity, overnight stays, etc.
Myth:
To get driver’s license if you’re a gringo you have to go to driving
school because the government wants to make it hard for you to get driver’s
license. Fact: Everyone, INCLUDING
Ecuadorians, is required to attend
driving school. This requirement became
law 3 or so years ago; therefore, for those Ecuadorians who have yet to renew
their license since this law came into effect, they must attend driving school
prior to their next renewal.
Myth:
You can live comfortably on $500 per month. Fact: Maybe in your dreams. Things are less expensive here than in North
America and Europe; however, not THAT inexpensive. Our expenses and extras are around $3000 per
month which is considerable less than in our previous life. Our plan was to live as well, if not better,
than in the US. We can do that for the
amount previously quoted and consider it to be better, in that now we have a
housekeeper 5 days a week versus 3 days per week previously. Additionally, we don’t work. Yeah!
Myth:
All sweet potatoes here are purple.
Fact: You can find regular sweet potatoes. These came from Coopera.
Myth: Corvina is Chilean sea bass. Fact: Corvina is applied to pretty much any kind of fish that the vendor wants to sell you. I have seen a dozen distinctively different fish, all called corvina.
Myth: Cooking is the same here as at sea level. Fact: There is a huge learning curve with cooking at 8500 ft. Anyone that makes that statement, has never really done a lot of cooking in their previous life nor here. Water boils at a lower temperature; therefore, even though you’re “boiling” something, you’re still cooking at a lower temperature. Because of the longer cooking time, more liquid is required. Additionally, with a change in altitude, there’s a change in density. If you make a recipe once and it’s dry, try it while increasing the liquid by 1.4; this is a good starting point.
Myth: The Ecuadorians love all the gringoes. Fact: Remember when you lived in the US and Canada; how did you feel about all the East Indians, Hispanics, and Middle Easterners? ….. Same thing here. They hate the fact that many don’t speak Spanish and in actuality, don’t want to learn. When I began weaving, the shop was filled with Ecuadorians and there were only a couple of gringas. It was great! My Cuencano Spanish improved so much! However, when someone who did not speak Spanish spoke English, the Cuencanas would tell her, “Spanish only”. The number of gringas increased and the number of Cuencanas decreased. The entire atmosphere changed. The Ecuadorians are afraid that they’re culture will change as a result of our presence. We’re afraid of that also. If you have Ecuadorian friends; you met them, more than likely, as a result of some business transaction. Money was involved. Think about it.
Myth: Gringoes don’t by cars. Fact: Sure they do. We, as well as most of our friends own vehicles. As previously stated, we did not want to live less than in NC. If you’re planning on buying a vehicle, but are planning on purchasing a used one, “buyer beware".
Myth: There are no insects in Cuenca. Fact: There are flies, spiders (small ones and an ocassional tarantula), silver fish, ear wigs, extremely large beetles, flying cockroaches, and although not an insect, there are also scorpions. All of these I've either killed or seen dead in various and sundry places. The picture of the guy below was taken at a popular restaurant.
Could this be the next President of the United States?
Myth: There are no insects in Cuenca. Fact: There are flies, spiders (small ones and an ocassional tarantula), silver fish, ear wigs, extremely large beetles, flying cockroaches, and although not an insect, there are also scorpions. All of these I've either killed or seen dead in various and sundry places. The picture of the guy below was taken at a popular restaurant.
Myth: After his defeat in 1968, Alfred E. Neuman is
is running for president again.
Fact: Many gringoes love to
discuss politics in general, however,
specifically, the presidential election.
We over heard that Alfred E. Neuman is in the running, and apparently
this is true, but as a write in candidate.
The amazing thing is that he hasn't aged a bit! I'm suspecting cosmetic surgery.
Some may
think we’re being negative. Neither of
us has ever owned rose-colored glasses.
Mick is naturally skeptical and I’m a realist and a bit skeptical. Therefore, this is our view. For those who tend to wear the glasses of the
rose-colored variety, so be it. We’re
just always amazed at what we hear.
Until next time,
Mick and Kathy
