What if the “New World” conquered the “Old World?” Instead of European conquistadors colonizing the Americas, what if explorers from the Americas sailed east and subjugated the natives of Europe? How would history have been written by the victors? These are the questions that inspired Smoking Mirror, an exhibition by Quito artist and graphic novelist […]

The Superintendent of Communication and Information (Supercom), reports that in 2018 there were only two cases filed against media and journalists in the Azuay province, a trivial figure compared to the 103 cases filed in 2014. “There is less fear to inform” say journalists and academics. This does not mean that there is less control […]

Of all the people who die from cancer each year, more than 30 percent of them could have avoided the disease had they done one thing: quit smoking. And that’s not just cancers of the lungs and throat. Seventeen cancers are strongly linked to cigarette smoking including kidney, cervix and colon cancers. That percentage increases […]

I have written previously about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, one of its principal manifestations. The focus was on the role of dietary changes in reducing (and potentially preventing) the onset of dementia with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease. Today’s focus is on providing some positive news and providing some relevant information focusing on the continuing research […]

This past Saturday and Sunday, Ecuador recorded two earthquakes registering  4.9 and 3.5 respectively on the Richter scale. Saturday’s earthquake, which occurred at 4:11 AM at a depth of 4.48 kilometers,  was centered in Esmeraldas province, 29.3 kilometers from Quininde. Newly install Vice President, Otto Sonnenholzner reported via social media that there were no reported […]

They say that home is where you hang your hat, and that’s certainly true for many of us expats. Grandparents and parents have passed away, and children are scattered around up north, starting their own families, creating their own homes and generating their own traditions. My hat is hung here in Cuenca with Jackie. We […]

Every Friday at 3 p.m., Mishelle Calle and María Belén Quintanilla walk the streets of the center of Cuenca, followed very closely by 10 or 15 foreigners eager to know more about the city.  The girls, law students at the University of Cuenca, started this entrepreneurial social event in February, 2016. Three years later, their […]

Stan Young, who has been living the good life in Cuenca for the past four years, belies his age. He’s 85 and demonstrates an exuberance and passion in pursuit of interests that would make younger individuals bend at the knees. In constant motion and with a zest for life, Young is fascinated with exploring other […]

Like almost every other country in the world, deaths or injuries due to traffic accidents in Ecuador are caused by a variety of different factors, such as chance events, mechanical failures, disrespect for traffic signals or lack of competence of the driver. But studies have shown that the use seat belts reduce the chance of […]

The Council of the judiciary has announced that starting on January 15, along with the increase in the basic salary, the values of the Single System of Alimentación Pensions (SUPA) will be increased as well.  SUPA alimentation (food) payments are similar to child support payments made in North America (with the exception that they are […]

Cuenca’s efforts in the management of water quality, sewage, solid waste and green areas where among the reasons is was accredited as Ecuador’s first “Healthy City.  This past week, Mayor Marcelo Cabrera received a certificate of accreditation from Carlos Durán, Ecuador’s Vice Minister of Health. According to María José Vázquez, director of the Cantonal Health […]

The Jupiter Park, located in the Huayna Capac parish, was inaugurated on Saturday, December 22, in the “Phase II Recovered Parks” program being carried out by the Municipality of Cuenca through the Municipal Public Cleanliness Company of Cuenca. According to an official statement, this work was completed with a budget of $130,000, and complied with […]

This year my niece’s husband missed Thanksgiving dinner with his wife and new 4-week old son, because a serious threat to U.S. National security reared its ugly head.  You see, he’s an Army pilot.  After serving two tours in Iraq as a helicopter crew chief, he was able to re-enlist straight into Officer’s Candidate school […]

Rami Ridam left his native country, Syria, at age 17, fleeing civil war, poverty, and bombings. “When I was a child, I saw my family and neighbors die in front of my eyes. I still think it was a dream, “says Ridam. Nine years later, he left Venezuela due to the high level of insecurity […]

The Cuenca Dispatch and CuencaHighLife are pleased to announce the winner and runners-up in our first annual Christmas Photo Contest. First prize goes to Evelyn Johnson and the two runner-up prizes both go to Mary Kelly. Our picks were made from dozens of entries and all three of them are of children, which seems appropriate […]

In the diet world, a new buzzword is emerging: lectins. Have you heard of lectins? Ten years ago, you probably hadn’t heard of gluten, either. Going “lectin-free” is primed to become the next big thing in dieting, but this diet seems more fad than fact. Lectins are a type of protein found in many foods […]

Ecuador has made significant progress in “re-establishing” a political climate that supports human rights, according to the international non-profit group Human Rights Watch (HRW). During the administration of former president Rafael Correa, HRW had criticized government policies it claimed stifled dissent and restricted freedom of expression. “We are pleased to see the progress made by […]

The international police agency Interpol has rejected an Ecuadorian court request that it issue an international arrest warrant for former president Rafael Correa. Correa is under investigation in Ecuador for the alleged kidnapping of an opposition politician. Interpol notified Ecuador’s Court of Justice of its decision Wednesday morning saying that it could not justify a […]

Ecuador voted with other Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Friday to reduce oil production. OPEC members and 10 oil-producing allies, including Russia, agreed to a 1.2 million barrel-per-day reduction in hopes of stabilizing the oil market. Oil prices have dropped by 30 percent in recent weeks but have rebounded somewhat since Tuesday. Following OPEC’s […]

Daniel Avila arrived at the bus station early. His entire family joined him, but only as far as the station. He held the only tickets that would allow him to travel to Ecuador via the Venezuela/ Colombia highway. Hours later, when his bus arrived at the Colombia border, he joined his fellow travelers in walking […]

I am constructing a warm and secure shelter composed of infinite wonder and shaped by the intricate carpentry of language. It is deeply rewarding. I love sharing with you my hammering away, or more often, quietly sanding burrs smooth and crafting the beams to support my dreams. Oftentimes, I will take long walks photographing Cuenca, seeking […]

In my former life, I travelled the world for work.  A lot.  And I got to taste a lot of amazing foods prepared by a lot of amazing chefs.  With the freshest and best ingredients.  So I like to consider myself a foodie.  Someone who enjoys food for pleasure. That does not mean though that […]

Señora Cecelia Toral Vasques, seventy-two years into her Cuenca life of privilege and tragedy, reigns in her forty-two-room family home surrounded by the story of her life. On Calle Larga, just across the street from Calle Luis Cordero, is a splendid patrimonial house still in private hands. You enter the door under the sign that […]

Addressing Ecuador’s National Assembly following his confirmation, Ecuador’s new vice president acknowledged that his name is hard to pronounce for Spanish-speakers. “My suggestion is that you just call me Otto,” 35-year-old Otto Sonnenholzner told the assembly Tuesday. Sonnenholzner, whose heritage is German and Lebanese as well as Ecuadorian, was confirmed overwhelmingly in the assembly, supported […]

Quick! Don’t think about it, just answer. What is the very first item you should read on the Nutrition Facts label? If you said calories, you’re wrong. Fat grams? Nope. Carbohydrates? Wrong again. The most important piece of information on the Nutrition Facts label is the serving size. Know that, and you know everything you […]

In some New York neighborhoods, wearing yellow and black with a golden crown symbol can get you killed. But in Quito, Ecuador, clothing representing the Latin Kings is no cause for concern, nor does it peg you as a criminal. The Latin Kings are one of several gangs that will celebrate their 11th anniversary as […]

We had eaten ramen at this place in the past (It was great, in huge bowls at a very reasonable price), and decided to try out their sushi with a couple of our friends. What a wonderful treat it was! Osaka Ramen is located across the street from the San Sebastian church at Coronel Talbot […]

On November 7, Mayor Marcelo Cabrero inaugurated the Patrimonial House Palacios Abad Therapeutic Center to provide care for people with disabilities.  The property, located on located on Av. 3 de Noviembre near Plaza del Otorongo,  was recently renovated. According to Cabrera, the new center is one of two patrimonial houses restored this year, amounting to […]

The editors of CuencaHighLife and Cuenca Dispatch cordially invite you tto join our first photography contest and exhibit, Christmas in Cuenca. Please submit up to four of your personal photos expressing the holiday season — black and white or color — to robert@cuencahighlife.com before December 15. The editorial and photographic staff will choose honorable mentions […]

Ecuador’s Vice President Maria Vicuña announced her resignation on Tuesday, one day after President Lenin Moreno relieved her of duties amid an investigation into payments she received as a legislator years ago. Vicuna’s resignation was the second time a vice president left since Moreno took office in May 2017. Moreno on Monday assigned Secretary General […]