Trying To Make a Decision

by Sherriel
(Houston, TX)

I'm glad I read the article by Dr. Lee Dubs before making a decision to relocate. During most of my research regarding this city, all I've read is financial reasons for moving to Cuenca.

I have to be honest I became familiar with Cuenca by mistake, when I was researching for a trip I was going to make elsewhere.

I was motivated to research this country as a possible place to relocate when I saw that the cost of living was so low. I am on Disability and have scratched by trying to live in the USA on this monthly income. I believe Cuenca would offer me a chance to get out of the rat race and live like a decent human being.

However, as a single black woman, I am concerned about whether or not I will face racism in Cuenca. My intention is to learn Spanish right away.

*****

Hi Sherriel.

Unfortunately, there is racism here. In Ecuador, there are the people of pure Spanish blood (usually the very rich and their families). Next are the mestizos, of mixed Spanish and indigenous blood. Finally, there are the indigenous.

The Spanish ruled the country and owned all the haciendas. The mestizos became the managers of the haciendas and used the indigenous basically as slaves. So there's a fair bit of bad blood between the mestizos and the indigenous.

African Ecuadorians are considered even lower than the indigenous. It's not an in-your-face type of racism, though.

I've met a few African Americans here, and none have mentioned having to endure any type of racism.

If you can afford to come for a visit, I suggest you do that and see for yourself.

Jeff