[JOHN RUSCICA]

Hostels are great for budget travelers.  I have always had good luck relying on Hostelworld.com for people’s evaluations and the online reservation service works well.  However, be aware that a high score on “fun” factor and a great bar can translate into noisy nights.  Hostels are good for getting recommendations from visitors on the local sights.  Some of my best times have been meeting good people at the hostel and enjoying the location together.  People running the hostel are often very helpful.  Again, you can read these and many other elements on Hostelworld.com.  Hostels, especially the larger ones, sometimes coordinate convenient and economical excursions.  You might also want to check-out Reservas.net in South America which is usually a step-up from hostels.  Go for it!

[JOHN RUSCICA]

I suggest you keep valuables (trip cash, credit cards, passport) in an Eagle Creek Neck Wallet hidden under your arm which is never seen in public.  Inside zippered, SPF clothing from Tilley is good for securing cash and some items that need to be accessed during your day trips.  Be very careful with daypacks that can be knifed on the floor of a bus or on the streets.  They should always be locked.  Los ladrons (thiefs) have never gotten to me.

[JOHN RUSCICA]

Mark, I don’t know how much time you have before departing but if possible, sign-up for local adult education spanish classes in your town or classes at your local community college. Radio Lingua Network’s Coffee Break Spanish has very entertaining Spanish content. You can download all their audio lessons for free on iTunes but consider a membership. I also recommend Pimsleur. I puchased all four levels through Audible.com. Level One would be good for a beginner. News in Slow Spanish can also be downloaded on iTunes for free. I purchased a membership which is well worth the access to the transcripts and exercises. However, this program is directed more to people with a fairly good Spanish background. I have studied Spanish for the past five years including five college classes. one month in Montevideo, Uruguay and one month in Cuenca, Ecuador. News In Slow Spanish is right on target for me. It wouldn’t hurt to try their free downloads. I hope this helps.

[JOHN RUSCICA]

Yes, I attended Simon Bolivar School in Cuenca five days a week for four weeks.

[JOHN RUSCICA]

Hola. I highly recommend Simon Bolivar. I attended one-on-one lessons for four weeks, five days a week, four hours per day. I also participated in many of the evening activities. If you chose hostel rather than homestay, I also recommend that you have Alexandra at the school make a reservation at Hostal La Castellana which is located next to the school. The hostel is more like a hotel, has a great staff, nice breakfast, is clean, has internet, etc. Fausto, the school director, does a great job. The staff is very professional and there is plenty of opportunity to practice spanish with faculty and students. My spanish is “high-intermediate” level. I was really able to accelerate my learning with the one-on-one, four hour per day sessions. I’ve taken group lessons before and although they are more fun, you will learn much more by constantly speaking and having a custom learning plan. The Simon Bolivar learning materials are excellent. I plan to return. By the way, you will find it hard to return to the US after living in Cuenca. Have fun!

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