Giving a Tiny Bit Back…
Already into the first week of a new year and much to catch up on here amid the halls of TL. A report on my recent spin around neighboring Colombia of course (Bogotá and Cartagena), but first a quick report on my (12th!) Christmas here in my beloved Cuenca, Ecuador.
Santa stopped by Casa Dyannita…
No snow of course (as in my U.S. Illinois childhood), but trust that I’ll take 70° blue-sky sunshine here atop this 8,400+ mountain on Christmas in lieu of a blizzard – even if Bing Crosby croons otherwise.
I did put up my little Christmas tree though, along with a trail of twinkly lights along the window (and on my patio railing), plus I (again) made a boatload of holiday sweets to give to local friends and neighbors.
And my favorite gift from “Santa” (by way of a fellow expat chum from China who managed to snag one from Guayaquil)) was a (long-lusted after, but couldn’t for-the-life-of-me find for sale in Cuenca) BAMBOO STEAMER! So needless to say – there’s going to be a steady stream of tasty dumplings, bao and such at Casa Dyannita in 2026.
Dulce too got a little something from jolly ol’ St. Nick: a new (PINK!) set of food/water bowls which… actually was a most welcome treat considering – her original bowls (bought nearly a dozen years ago) were festooned with cartoon DOGS all these years b/c that’s all her newbie Cuenca expat adopted mama could find back then.
I also enjoyed a most extraordinary multi-course tasting menu lunch in a magnificent 16th century church here in Cuenca a few days after Christmas. But (naturally) I snapped photos of each dish, so will save all that for a separate future TL post.
All-in-all, a most lovely holiday season for this permanent expat (my 15th away from my native land). But what I popped in here to share about this one in particular is…
The absolute HIGHLIGHT of my Christmas ’25 was a simple volunteer gig – my privilege of helping to serve Christmas lunch to more than *300* of my dear Cuenca, Ecuador neighbors. Such a small gesture – my way of giving but a tiny bit back to a community that has welcomed this “extranjera” (foreigner) with open arms for more than a decade.
Indeed, turns out – ’tis true what they say about “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” as my Christmas Day proved ten-fold more memorable as a volunteer helping to serve a delicious holiday meal to hundreds of hungry souls – than a sleigh-full of presents from Santa.
From the “tercera edads” (seniors/3rd age) to the sweet “niños”, to all the dear folks in-between…
Cheerful fellow gringos working frantically to keep up with our hungry guests (a.k.a. “SIETE MÁS, por favor!) and even a visiting traveler pitching in w/ the chores.
Mountains of “papas” and (everyone’s fave!) piles of crispy “cascaritas” (bits of succulent fried pork skin) – a most delicious Christmas Day lunch for a crowd of 300! All thanks to the kindly folks at “Hogar de Esperanza” (Home of Hope) in their new digs at Hostal Pichincha (muchas gracias, Gary and the gang!)
P. S. New here and curious who I am? Check my bio to learn more! Better yet, subscribe to my email list (so you never miss a single post) and get a pdf of my 30+ Best Travel Tips (trust me, at least one is sure to be a revelation).
About the Author
Dyanne Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion,and I’ve always lived life “like-a-kid-in-a-candy-store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been: This ain’t a dress rehearsal, folks!
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Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion, and I’ve always lived life “like a kid in a candy store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been:
Great post , thank you for sharing.