Is Ecuador a Good Place For a Single 60-Year Old Woman?

In regards to cuy, it is not eaten in all parts of Ecuador. I live on the coast & am married to an Ecuadorian. I have yet to see cuy on the menu here, & asking my wife if she would try it, I got a definite NO. So there is cultural regionalism here as well...

Damon.

Cuy is an Andean mountain rodent used by indigenous poeple for protein for thousands of years, just like people ate rabbits in the US or Europe.  In time it happened to become a pet in other countries.  I live with an indigenous family next door.  Cuys are riased by many but usually only eaten on special occasions such as marriages, baptisms, etc.  They are by no means daily food.  Daily food is chicken and fish, a bit of ground beef and the odd very skinny pork chop, plus lots of rice, potatoes and pasta.  However, in large stores like Supermaxi you will find a very wide range of foodstuffs including many options for people who are lactose or gluten intolerant.  Separately in markets a very wide range of vegetables and fruits mostly produced in Ecuador because there are very diverese growing zones. Some produce is organic but by no means all  (I happen to live very close to a large broccoli farm).  As for market bought meat like chicken, etc. that is where you may wish to check carefully.  Some will be country raised on small properties, that is not raised in enclosed buildings, so fairly humanely raised.  They often have a bit higher price.  Most fish is wild ocean caught but tilapai, trout and shrimps are often farm raised.  As long as you like to cook you can eat very well in Ecuador.

As for dogs, people are discovering that dogs can be pets not simply property guardians which they have been.  \Whether a dog is friendly or not depends very much on its owner.   I have a friend who has pit bulls and these are actually quite nice.  Plus there are now lots of veterinarians to help and teach.  You will see dogs on leashes wearing jackets!

Mostly I suspect you will find that Ecuador is more civilized and trying to be progressive than you may have thought.  It is certainly a country to explore.  I happen to be a single woman living in a non-expat area in the Andes but have found it not difficult to adapt.  You may not love everything but then your home country also might not be perfect.  And there is no question that life here is more affordable.