From Craig´s List Cameron made an incredible contact, Tony, born in NYC of Ecuador parents and now living back in Ecuador with his beautiful wife and family.  He showed us an apartment he listed, then said he was doing freelance real estate and could give us a private tour with his Toyota of various neighborhoods in Cuenca where Cameron may want to live.  He took us to see his own beautiful home near "the three rivers" on the outskirts of downtown, where we met his family and maid - affording it all on a pension from the U.S. government. Cameron saw many apartments she could picture herself living in.

Tony said he could really make his dollars stretch here, which is precisely why Cameron is interested.  Weather is also high on the list of benefits - eternal spring.  Right on the equator, but 5000 feet high, it is never winter or summer - but always mild.  We are now in the wet season, but only see some hours of cloudy skies alternating with sunshine; no rain yet.

Cuenca became a UNESCO historical city because of the 30 Spanish colonial Catholic churches! They are gorgeous stone and marble and spectacular when lit up at night.  Tony said the powerful influence of the church keeps morals high, and crime and vice low.

We felt very comfortable in this lovely, lively and colorful city of 300,000.