Real stories from the Hogar

He fell three floors, but survived. He was rushed to Cuenca, where after numerous operations, rods, pins and screws, they put his legs and arm back together. But his problems were just about to start. From blood tests, they discovered he had other health issues. He was not from Ecuador, had no family here to help him. Completely immobile, alone, no clothes and no money. The hospital called us for assistance.

Expat volunteers helped him with exercises, changed bandages and kept him company. It was quite a chore to move him as it took three people so as not to bend his legs or arms. Esperanza Thrift Shop was able to provide clothes from our donations and our wonderful donors helped provide for his needs. After three months, he was able to get around a little on his own. Double D's donated a special cane and his family arrived to take him for the long journey back home.

He is doing well, taking his medications and although his life will forever be different, he is thankful for Hogar de Esperanza and all the incredible expats who make our work possible.

Garry Vatcher: info@hogaresperanza.org 096 896 2015. Call after: 6 AM.

City: Cuenca

3 very fun puppies

These puppies desperately need to find homes.

There are 2 boys and 1 girl available from a litter of 5, they are about 2 months old.

They look to be part Lab but their mother is on the small side of medium so these will be no more than medium sized. The smallest of the litter will for sure be on the small side of medium.

Their mother is very friendly but also an excellent protector, she's a farm dog.

Want a healthcare insurance provider you can trust

Megabrokers has the answer. Megabrokers is the largest insurance brokerage house in Ecuador with English-speaking agents to answer your questions and handle all your paperwork. And the good news for expats is Megabrokers understands the value of great customer service. Call for appointment today.

Juan José Carrasco +593 99 277 0911
María Mercedes Malo + 593 98 351 2978
Maribel Crespo +593 98 484 7855

Email: expat@ec.megabrok.com

Maria Malo

City: Cuenca

Fabulous paintings at fantastic prices for the holidays

Renowned artists, Claudio Alberto Soriano Vitorino and Maria Teresa Eusebio (Maité), are hosting a Holiday Open House at their lovely new location at idiomART in Cuenca's el Centro.

Come and celebrate their new Estudio de Arte Soriano-Maité space and add some holiday cheer.

Plus, there will be beautiful paintings exhibited at special holiday prices -- a great gift to any art lover.

Exhibition continues through
Friday, December 21,
Monday through Friday,
from 10 AM to 6 PM or by appointment.

Tuesday, December 11, from 4 to 7 PM, free, idiomART is located at President Córdova 1-77 y Manuel Vega, Cuenca.

Sara: studio@idiomart.net .

Burt Johnson's photography on exhibit this Thursday

See the excitement and joy of Ecuador via the lens of Burt Johnson.

You are invited to the opening of Burt Johnson's photography exhibition. Ecuador y Más:
Su tierra y su gente, (The land and the people) at the Miguel Illesdas C. Galleria de Arte. He will be exhibiting his amazing work along with photographers Michael Hamilton and Evelyn Johnson.

About the photographer . . .

Burt Johnson is an avid world traveler, along with his wife, Evelyn, and draws his inspiration from their journeys. Burt has won many photo awards in the United States, at local and regional level competitions. He was also featured as an expat photographer recently in Vistazo, an esteemed Ecuadorean magazine. He is a landscape and travel photographer, though his first love is studio macro photography. Recently, he has delved into drone and time lapse photography.

Burt came from California and has been a resident of Cuenca, Ecuador since 2013. In 1984, he and his wife, Evelyn, formed MindStorm Photo, which produced 52 instructional art videos, that are still sold on Amazon today. Their photos are regularly sold in more than a dozen stock photograph agencies worldwide. Burt also writes a Travel Blog with their photos, which is read by 2000 persons a day.

Burt's Website:
www.mindstormphoto.com

Opening Reception: Thursday, December 13, from 5 - 8 PM, free, Miguel Illesdas C. Galleria de Arte at Calle Larga 1-209 y Miguel Angel Estrella, Cuenca.

Sara: sara@zeroenterprises.com

Everything you need to know about Bitcoin but were afraid

Hola,
You are cordially invited to attend a casual informative presentation and Q. A about Bitcoin the future of money and the Bitclub mining collective.

While the price of Bitcoin is low, there’s a winter season going on, and it’s the perfect time to get going. Don't hesitate because you feel intimidated by this new technology. We can learn and benefit from this. Le’ts come together, share and educate ourselves. Our little get together will be
Friday, December 14th at 4 PM.
Place Cuenca
Directions at the end of this post

Free and fun language exchange

Come join an enthusiastic group of native Spanish and English speakers as we converse in each other’s language in an encouraging and supportive environment.

All levels of ability are welcome; don't worry--even if you don’t speak a word of the language you want to learn, you will be helped by those that do.

The topics of conversation are based on the arts, movies, culture, Cuenca, or anything else that you and your fellow table mates want to discuss. The important thing is that you will be able to practice a language while meeting people from around the world.

We meet in a comfortable restaurant which we have all to ourselves. Food and beverages are available for purchase at a reasonable cost. So come hungry and thirsty for not only what the restaurant has to offer, but for knowledge of language and new tidbits of information about your world.

No need to confirm your attendance; just show up and enjoy.

Every Monday at 6 to 8 PM at Minka restaurant. Gran Colombia 9-69 y Padre Aguirre.

December 10th, from 6 to 8 PM, Free, Gran Colombia 9-69 y Padre Aguirre, Cuenca.

Bruce Peterson:  099 109 4835. Call after: 1 PM.

Looking for this book: “The Purpose Driven Life”

I’m looking for the book, The Purpose Driven Life. I don’t mind if it isn’t used. I would like to buy it.

Thanks in advance,

Roxi: guerrerotita_rox@hotmail.com .

City: Cuenca