Cuenca Expats Magazine Issue 2 | Page 7

meet your neighbor Expats Magazine up and running. Since we are not retirement age, we need to make an income in order to live here and, as anyone who has attempted it can attest to, it is not easy. Currently Sherry, my wife, comes down every three months or so. She brings some of our household goods with her, so we are slowly moving the important things down here and making our house a home. At Christmas, my daughter Lauren (21-years old) will come down with Sherry for the Holidays. Sherry and Lauren seem like it Would be diffiCult to be separated from your family, hoW are you Coping? Sherry and I are very happily married. We’ve been together for 26 years (married 23 of them) and we have supported each other’s dreams the entire time. About 10 years ago, she worked for Cole Haan Shoes and her boss moved from the Maine office to the Manhattan office. She had always wanted to work in New York City so I encouraged her to do it. She worked there for a year, didn’t like it and moved back to Maine. Dave and Andrew Moving to Ecuador was more my dream, but she loves it here, too. In fact, we’ve moved up our time table to have her here full-time from 18 months to 12 months. Of course, a lot of things have to happen in that time frame, but if everything goes well, she will come down to live here permanently in June or July of next year. And besides, my 17-year-old son, Andrew, came down with me so I am not completely alone. We keep each other company, and living in a foreign country is a great experience for both of us. On top of that, we adopted a dog (Gizmo) a few months ago and she keeps Sherry’ side of the bed warm. What adviCe Would you share With neWComers to CuenCa? That’s a difficult question as I feel like everyone has to experience this great city in their own way. What works for me, may not work for someone else. Because of Facebook, people have grown accustomed to sharing their opinions with others whether or not they want to hear them and, as we all know, one person’s good advice is another’s disaster. That said, I would encourage people to “chill out”. The pace here is much slower, more tranquillo. Instead of trying to bend the natives to your way of thinking, why not try it their way? Most expats come here to retire, so slow down and enjoy your new life. Also, remember this is not the United States and never will be--just because you are accustomed to life there, doesn’t mean it is better. In other words, embrace—and enjoy--the differences. All expats prefer us. All expats prefer us If youIf you areare looking Insurance Policies in lookingto to contract contract Insurance Policies in Cuenca,Ecuador, Ecuador, you you are rightright placeplace Cuenca, areininthethe Gizmo 2 for 1 DRINKS with this coupon Not valid with any other offer. Limit one coupon per customer per visit. Valid until 10/15/15 We withthe the best Insurance Companies Wework work with best Insurance Companies not only localy but worldwide not only locally but worldwide “Cuenca’s Best Dinner with Entertainment” Call Us Today! 098-395-8876 | 074-049-039 [email protected] | www.blueboxinsurance.com Gran Colombia 8-86, between Benigno Malo and Luis Cordero 0989855505 | 2840334 | FB-cuchara Magica Hours: Mon-Sat 12 pm - 11 pm • Sun. 12 pm - 3 pm Call us today! 0981 085 571 - 074 049 039 [email protected] - www.blueboxinsurance.com - Gringo Post, 2015 www.cuencaexpatsmag.com| page 7