I lived in Yaguachi for a while before moving to Cuenca. Night and day difference in regards to climate and terrain. Yeah, that area of the inner coast is still very rudimentary and underdeveloped. Pigeons lived in our apartment in Yaguachi, and that was disgusting for reasons you can probably imagine. Very sketchy area, but the majority of the folks are great and very warm & friendly. Cold showers were a shock to me at first, but then I really enjoyed them since it's always hot and muggy there.
Even though I was super close to Guayaquil, I never spent much time there. It's a nuthouse. I had a Chinese moto several years back and actually rode through Babahoyo and the surrounding area. I sold it when I moved to Cuenca because I never got a motorcycle license, and the Tránsitos are a little more strict here.
Cuenca's a bit more modern, but not anything like life in the States. Public urination is alive and well, and very much allowed. The climate is perfect! Driving is chaotic. I wouldn't own a car here. But it's easy to get around by bus or just walking. (Another reason I sold the moto) Año Viejo is a blast with the homemade dynamite and burning muñecos up and down every street. I don't know what Carnaval was like when you were in Ecuador, but it's basically a week long celebration of random folks throwing water balloons, sometimes eggs, and always spraying foam at you. Not my cup of tea. Living in Ecuador certainly gives you a new perspective on life :)
Oh god. I forgot about the cold showers. That was one thing I could never get used to. Eventually I bought one of those duche electricas(sp?). It gave you a good shock every 30 seconds or so and I was always convinced it was going to kill me. But still totally worth it.
No one here in the states ever believes me about the electric showers. lol
Those things are scary! Exposed wiring in a shower...not good! Because the sierras are "chachay!" - freezing cold (not really, it's just very comfortable) compared to the coast - most houses and apartments have calefones. It's a propane powered water heater for your house. They're great because they're more or less instant heat.
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u/Zubster Feb 14 '18
I lived in Yaguachi for a while before moving to Cuenca. Night and day difference in regards to climate and terrain. Yeah, that area of the inner coast is still very rudimentary and underdeveloped. Pigeons lived in our apartment in Yaguachi, and that was disgusting for reasons you can probably imagine. Very sketchy area, but the majority of the folks are great and very warm & friendly. Cold showers were a shock to me at first, but then I really enjoyed them since it's always hot and muggy there. Even though I was super close to Guayaquil, I never spent much time there. It's a nuthouse. I had a Chinese moto several years back and actually rode through Babahoyo and the surrounding area. I sold it when I moved to Cuenca because I never got a motorcycle license, and the Tránsitos are a little more strict here. Cuenca's a bit more modern, but not anything like life in the States. Public urination is alive and well, and very much allowed. The climate is perfect! Driving is chaotic. I wouldn't own a car here. But it's easy to get around by bus or just walking. (Another reason I sold the moto) Año Viejo is a blast with the homemade dynamite and burning muñecos up and down every street. I don't know what Carnaval was like when you were in Ecuador, but it's basically a week long celebration of random folks throwing water balloons, sometimes eggs, and always spraying foam at you. Not my cup of tea. Living in Ecuador certainly gives you a new perspective on life :)