The 4 Types of Awesome Expats You'll Meet in Cuenca Ecuador
Cuenca, Ecuador is home to some amazing expats. They're lively, fun, and friendly - and if you don't believe me, just come check it out for yourself.
With nearly 1500 full-time expats, Cuenca's local community is like a closely-knit small town. You can find a social circle to suit almost any temperament and people from all around the world to swap stories with over a beer or hiking trail. However, to make the most of your new life in Cuenca, look for expats from these four groups.
#1 Adventurers
Cuenca is home to some amazing adventurers. These people are always up to something, going here, running there, and trying new things at every turn. Share a moment of conversation with them and you can't help but be inspired to do something new and different in your own life.
Their attitude of "Why Not?" is contagious ... seek them out and catch the spirit as soon as you can.
#2 Young Souls
The young souls in Cuenca know that age is nothing but a number ... and a pretty worthless one at that! They may not be spring chickens, but don't you dare try to write them off as boring old people. Their show's not over yet, not by a long shot.
Talking with these people will make you feel alive again and give you hope for a vibrant life all the way to the final stop. As George Jones so eloquently put it in the unofficial theme song for this group of expats - "My body's old, but it ain't impaired, and I don't need no rocking chair!"
#3 Business Owners
Expat-owned businesses in Cuenca showcase the spirit and personality of their owners. These are people who left everything they knew before to move abroad and start a whole new life - and what's not awesome about that? They took a big risk, and it's working out for them. Talking with this group will fill you with ideas for your own business in Cuenca and remind you that there is no traditional path to success.
Some of the expat owned businesses in Cuenca that I know and love include rental agencies, real estate firms, relocation services, cafes, and bars. Just drop in the Inca Lounge, the Local 5, San Sebas Cafe, California Kitchen, or the Kookaburra Cafe for a taste of what life's like running a business here, and use your insights to get your own international dreams up off the ground.
Books By Cuenca Residents
#4 Writers & Artists
A number of wonderful writers and artists call Cuenca home. Some came to Cuenca as a part of their personal retirement plans, while others feel inspired by Cuenca. Almost all of them provide stimulating and interesting conversation, and many of them produce exceptional work.
For authors, you have everything from nutritional guides to thrillers and mystery. Several of Cuenca's authors meet regularly, and if you're here, you can even attend monthly poetry and chapter readings.
Artists and artisans include noted woodcarvers, jewelry makers, and painters. You'll find photographers here in abundance, given Cuenca's picturesque blend of rivers and mountains. And the longer you stay, the more in-tune you may feel with your own creative side - always a good thing!
Whether you're here to retire in Cuenca or just checking out South American living for a while, be sure to look up some of Cuenca's awesome expats. They're a vibrant contrast to run-of-the-mill travel encounters, and they may just inspire you to do something totally new with your life.