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Noise Levels

by Mariana
(WA)

Are the noise levels around Cuenca as high as we have heard they are in Cuenca itself. Barking dogs, crowing roosters and car alarms are things we have moved away from several times. We just want a quiet place to grow a garden in.

What about somewhere in the Yunguilla valley for example. Do all the small towns have barking dogs and crowing roosters, or does it depend on your particular neck of the woods.

Any responses will be most appreciated!

*****

Hi Mariana.

Great question. You won't like the answer though.

The only place you won't find barking dogs, crowing roosters and car alarms is on a boat about 5 miles out to sea.

There won't be as many car alarms in the country, but the dogs and roosters will make up for that particular form of peace.

You also won't have the traffic noise in the country (or the air pollution), but you'll likely have a lot of cherry bombs going off, as well as all night celebrations for weddings, etc.

I'm a heavy sleeper, and none of it bothers me. Lulie's a light sleeper, and she's learned to use earplugs.

Jeff

Comments for
Noise Levels

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Mar 07, 2013
 Relaxing Melodies
by: Carmen

Hola! Thought I would add my two cents.

I am a very light sleeper who hates to have anything in her ears. I play the Relaxing Melodies app on my iPhone all night and it does a GREAT job of drowning out the undesirable noises with desirable choices.

Best of luck to you!
Sep 23, 2011
 Noise Levels
by: Mariana

Thank you both for your prompt replies.

I already use the Bose noise cancellation headphones when the need arises.

I have had special (rubber) earplugs made too - years ago - but they do not provide the tranquility I seek from simply being outside in the garden, enjoying the peace and quiet and listening to the sounds of birdsong or water flowing or other sounds of nature.

Ah well...
Sep 22, 2011
 Noise Is Joy, If You Are Ecuadorian!
by: Anonymous

Lulie here.

Yes, I struggle with the noise level just about everywhere I've lived or visited in this country. Maybe Vilcabamba, where it's all gated and gringos living together outside town, might be better.

Ecuadorians LOVE noise, the louder the better. The neighbors don't seem to mind the one who has the music blaring at all hours, and we don't feel it's our place to come in and demand silence. It's something they don't even hear!

The buses are noisy, and the movies the long distance buses play at night are usually a visual and auditory assault, but most riders just sleep on while I'm trying to close my eyes and plug my ears.

Ahh, the curse of not sleeping "like a log" (Jeff!).

Anyway, be prepared if you can, and forewarned is forearmed -earplugs!

Best to all,
Lulie

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I just want to thank you both soooo much for creating this web site. I am originally from Cuenca but moved to New York 11 years ago and have not being back since. My husband and I are planning on visiting Cuenca over the Summer and this web site has helped me a lot.

When I came to the US we still had the "sucre," the bus ride cost 1,000 sucres and a pack of trident gum would cost 3,000 sucres. I am very nervous to go back, but thanks to your web site I now know what to expect.

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Thank You both so much! I cannot wait to visit Cuenca!!

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