Hope To Change Any Negative Trend

by Larry Schunk
(Cuenca)

My wife, Karen, and I are in the final stages of completing our long awaited move to Cuenca! We have our Visas and just got our Cedulas. What an interesting and - at times - frustrating process.

That said we are happy to have purchased a nice condo in a building with only one other gringo owner. We have been told that a much larger condo building near us is occupied by 80 percent gringos! Sure glad we missed that one.

Our interest in Cuenca certainly included the cost of living and all that, but more than that it was in search of a different culture and way of life. We search out Ecuadorians to befriend and associate with. One young gentleman that installed my Internet service is now a friend and a valuable resource in helping me learn Spanish and seeing many things I would not find on my own.

Our Spanish so far is very poor, but once in Cuenca permanently it will be our highest priority. Dr. Dubs is exactly correct about TRYING to speak Spanish even if you have learned only a few words. Ecuadorians will help you learn more. They will smile or even laugh at your stumbles, but in the end they will help you IF you want help.

Please, please let's not create little America here in Cuenca or anywhere else. Some of us flee because we disagree with what is going on in America or wherever we are from. Becoming part of a new culture and a warm and friendly country and city is absolutely refreshing.

Knowing other gringos is a good thing. If they have been here longer they can provide valuable advice and assistance. We all need that, especially in those first days and weeks.

But please let us all broaden ourselves by becoming good Cuencanos and becoming, in whatever way we can, useful and productive members of this great community.