{"id":7078094,"date":"2026-10-06T12:18:22","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T12:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7078094"},"modified":"2026-10-06T12:18:22","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T12:18:22","slug":"proof-that-youre-never-too-old-to-slap-on-a-backpack-and-follow-your-dreams-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7078094","title":{"rendered":"Proof that you’re never too old to slap on a backpack and follow your dreams."},"content":{"rendered":"


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Expatn<\/a>
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\n Published on<\/b> January 4th, 2026 <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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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 (Bogot\u00e1 and Cartagena), but first a quick report on my (12th!) Christmas here in my beloved Cuenca, Ecuador.<\/p>\n

\"My<\/a><\/p>\n

Santa stopped by Casa Dyannita\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

No snow of course (as in my U.S. Illinois childhood), but trust that I\u2019ll take 70\u00b0 blue-sky sunshine here atop this 8,400+ mountain on Christmas in lieu of a blizzard \u2013 even if Bing Crosby croons otherwise.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

And my favorite gift from \u201cSanta\u201d (by way of a fellow expat chum from China who managed to snag one from Guayaquil)) was a (long-lusted after, but couldn\u2019t for-the-life-of-me find for sale in Cuenca) BAMBOO STEAMER! So needless to say \u2013 there\u2019s going to be a steady stream of tasty dumplings, bao and such at Casa Dyannita in 2026.<\/p>\n

\"Kitty<\/a><\/p>\n

Dulce too got a little something from jolly ol\u2019 St. Nick: a new (PINK!) set of food\/water bowls which\u2026 actually was a most welcome treat considering \u2013 her original bowls (bought nearly a dozen years ago) were festooned with cartoon DOGS all these years b\/c that\u2019s all her newbie Cuenca expat adopted mama could find back then.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 But (naturally) I snapped photos of each dish, so will save all that for a separate future TL post.<\/p>\n

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\u2026<\/p>\n

The absolute HIGHLIGHT of my Christmas \u201925 was a simple volunteer gig \u2013 my privilege of helping to serve Christmas lunch to more than *300* of my dear Cuenca, Ecuador neighbors. Such a small gesture \u2013 my way of giving but a tiny bit back to a community that has welcomed this \u201cextranjera\u201d (foreigner) with open arms for more than a decade.<\/p>\n

Indeed, turns out \u2013 \u2019tis true what they say about \u201cIt is more blessed to give than to receive.\u201d as my Christmas Day proved ten-fold more memorable as a volunteer helping to serve a delicious holiday meal to hundreds of hungry souls \u2013 than a sleigh-full of presents from Santa.<\/p>\n

\"Volunteer<\/a><\/p>\n

From the \u201ctercera edads\u201d (seniors\/3rd age) to the sweet \u201cni\u00f1os\u201d, to all the dear folks in-between\u2026<\/p>\n

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\"Cuenca<\/a><\/p>\n

Cheerful fellow gringos working frantically to keep up with our hungry guests (a.k.a. \u201cSIETE M\u00c1S, por favor!) and even a visiting traveler pitching in w\/ the chores.<\/p>\n

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\"Volunteer<\/a><\/p>\n

Mountains of \u201cpapas\u201d and (everyone\u2019s fave!) piles of crispy \u201ccascaritas\u201d (bits of succulent fried pork skin) \u2013 a most delicious Christmas Day lunch for a crowd of 300! All thanks to the kindly folks at \u201cHogar de Esperanza\u201d (Home of Hope) in their new digs at Hostal Pichincha (muchas gracias, Gary and the gang!)<\/p>\n

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\"Dyanne\"\/<\/p>\n

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P. S.<\/b> New here and curious who I am?\u00a0 Check my bio<\/a> to learn more!\u00a0 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).<\/p>\n

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About the Author<\/h4>\n
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Dyanne<\/a> Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion,and I\u2019ve always lived life \u201clike-a-kid-in-a-candy-store\u201d \u2013 eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been:
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\nThis ain\u2019t a dress rehearsal, folks!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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