Podcast: Studying Spanish in Cuenca, Ecuador
[Audio clip: view full post to listen] [Download MP3 | Add to iTunes | Subscribe to Podcasts] Cuenca is a UNESCO World Heritage city, founded in 1557 by the Spanish, about 10 hours south of Quito in Ecuador. I chose to study here following my Spanish studies in Guatemala as Guatemala and Ecuador are the [...]
Studying Spanish in Cuenca, Ecuador
Having got over the trauma of my bag slash, I found some Spanish classes in Cuenca, Ecuador through a recommendation on the Lonely Planet forums. I’ve just completed a week of 4 hours/day one-on-one lessons here – at the Abraham Lincoln Cultural Center (pictured below). I’ll be studying for another week here and also publishing [...]
Video: Hervideros organic mud-baths outside Tumbes, Peru (Spanish/English)
When crossing the border from Ecuador to Peru I lost my bus onwards to the Hare Krishna village north of Lima. This meant I had to spend the night and the whole next day in Tumbes. At first I was a bit annoyed because I really wanted to move downwards towards the Hare Krishna sanctuary. [...]
Train ride down the Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s nose)
The train ride down the Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s nose) is a tourist trap. Honestly – only tourist will pay 10 $ for a 45 min tourist train ride from Alausi to the Devil’s nose. And then having to pay an extra 2 $ to sit on the roof. The so-called devil’s nose looks nothing [...]
Video: Cuenca, Ecuador
Cuenca is a beautiful colonial city in Ecuador. Although not as grand as Quito, it has another advantage – it is a lot safer and that makes it as charming as Quito. With its narrow cobblestone streets and whitewashed red-tiled buildings, its beautiful plazas and churches, and its setting next to the Rio Tomebamba it [...]
Bag slash robbery on Quito – Cuenca bus
I arrived in Cuenca, Ecuador a few days ago, having taken a bus from Quito. The journey was meant to take about 10 hours, but I arrived in Cuenca exhausted, 13 hours later. The first bus broke down after 2-3 hours, and we ended up sitting beside the road for about an hour and a [...]
Video: Quito – the most beautiful capital in South America
Quito is possibly the most beautiful capital in South America. Spread across a spectacular Andean valley with volcanic peaks in the background, Quito’s setting alone is enough to leave you speechless. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978 and is incredibly beautiful. All the churches and colonial buildings have been restored [...]
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