Monday, May 23, 2011

Strange Little Things About Living In Cuenca

Now that Pam and I have lived here for a total of 6 weeks, we have some observations- strange little things - that may interest those of you who are thinking of moving here:

1. The cost of Kleenex is astronomical here (If you can find it.) Bring your own!

2. You don't have to be in conflict regarding which way to put the toilet paper in the holder (roll from the top or from the bottom?)! Their paper holders only allow you to unroll from the top.

3. Don't move here if you are thinking of starting certain businesses such as (a) heating and A/C (they don't have any); (b) exterminator business (again, there ain't none); (c)  swimming pool cleaning business (haven't seen a pool yet), (d) window screen business- don't have em,  (e) dishwasher sales (don't exist).

4. Be prepared to walk a lot. Great for your health. Pam and I will sell both our automobiles in Orange County if we move here and we don't intend on buying another. If you don't like to walk, you can take a bus almost anywhere for $.25. Taxis are another option....anywhere in the city for $1.50 to $3.00 depending - and they are everywhere. Pam said that she counted about 1000 that went past our apartment in two hours. (unless it is raining; then, you can't find even one). Conversing with Taxi drivers is a great way to learn Spanish; they frequently are very motivated to talk to you to improve their English. Some have relatives in the United States or have lived there themselves, so they are are very motivated to talk to Americanos.

5. Many Andean women sell beautiful baskets and other items right on the street, dressed in their village costumes  including Andean hats which identify which village they are from.

6. Doctors here actually make house calls. Remember Marcos Welby, MD? He may live in Cuenca now and apparently has trained many other doctors. Almost like the 1950s.

7. You can purchase DVDs here for $1.50 (4 for $5) that play in English (with Spanish subtitles). Blockbuster Video - eat your heart out!

8. If you get homesick you can visit a huge mall called Mall de Rios which has many American businesses (or franchises) such as Burger King, KFC,  Pendleton Clothes, New York Pizza, and Payless Shoes, to name a few.

8 comments:

  1. Many Andean women sell beautiful baskets and other items right on the street, dressed in their village costumes including Andean hats which identify which village they are from.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Many Andean women sell beautiful baskets and other items right on the street, dressed in their village costumes including Andean hats which identify which village they are from.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Many Andean women sell beautiful baskets and other items right on the street, dressed in their village costumes including Andean hats which identify which village they are from.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Many Andean women sell beautiful baskets and other items right on the street, dressed in their village costumes including Andean hats which identify which village they are from.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Many Andean women sell beautiful baskets and other items right on the street, dressed in their village costumes including Andean hats which identify which village they are from.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Many Andean women sell beautiful baskets and other items right on the street, dressed in their village costumes including Andean hats which identify which village they are from.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Many Andean women sell beautiful baskets and other items right on the street, dressed in their village costumes including Andean hats which identify which village they are from.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It is true that Some have relatives in the United States or have lived there themselves, so they are are very motivated to talk to Americanos.

    ReplyDelete