$5 Fine Dining | How much money we spend on food in a month as an expat couple | Life in Ecuador

[@BPe-ie9je]

can you two feel the love ? 700 views + in 24 hours ? Great work! truly appreciated.

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Yes, we can feel the love all the way here in Ecuador. Thanks for your continuous support. ☺️

[@afrospiritart]

Another beautiful video. Totally enjoyed watching this.

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and commenting 🙏🏾

[@karlberry6702]

Very helpful and easy to follow. Encouraging me to step up my Spanish game so we can have fun in the markets.

[@naturesweety]

The prices of food there always blow my mind! I messaged my daughter and told her the price of the ground beef and she was shocked as well haha It’s nearly $10lb where we live. I would most definitely buy as much as I could from the markets not only because you’re supporting local farms and such, it is also more affordable. Those cereal prices are similar to here. Expensive and I never buy them anymore. Right now with the way the food prices are here, and if I could actually afford to buy what I need/want, it would be around $200 a week for 1 person. Canadian food prices are atrocious. I watched a video a few months ago about a woman living in Japan buying her groceries and avocados were only .70cents each. Imported from Mexico. They’re nearly $3 each here in the cheap stores and from Mexico as well. It isn’t about the cost of importing them clearly as Japan is much further away from Mexico than Canada is. It’s about greed. I cry every time I go to the grocery store because I know I cannot get everything I need. Not even close. I have to be extremely picky on what I can actually buy. I leave with one bag that cost close to and sometimes over $100. Another lovely video! Thank you for sharing 💖💖

[@TheXplorasDiary]

I can't believe the price of a pound of ground beef is $10bucks. That's insane. I can only imagine how shocking it is to see the prices here, compared to Canada. A friend of ours in Canada (Toronto) said his go to grocery store was selling 1 bell pepper for $4. I couldn't believe my ears. I thought that must have been an exaggeration. But based on what you're telling me now, it must be true if an avocado is going for $3. The corporate greed is insane but I'm sure they'll just blame it on "inflation". It's crazy! Thanks for contributing and sharing the realities in Canada. Some people especially in the "third world" have no clue how expensive food and life is becoming in the first world.

[@naturesweety]

@@TheXplorasDiary $4 for a bell pepper sounds about right! It’s a treat to find a bag containing 4-6 for $6. That is at the cheap big chain grocery store and they are the labeled as the not so nice looking ones. So they can sell them for cheaper. That is a sometimes thing though for that price. I haven’t bought apples in over a year from that store because they are $10 for 8 apples. $14 something for 4 chicken thighs… Our minimum wage might be higher than a lot of countries, but the prices of everything have been jacked up to meet the wages and we still cannot afford food and rent because the increase in prices have gone up too far. Everyone is happy when they hear minimum wage is going to go up, but I bring them back down to earth when I explain that it means the cost of living is going to go up again. We will never get ahead in this economy ever. I’m certain that people who live in third world countries would be shocked and sent to hospital if they actually knew how it is in our countries. You’re very right! I’ve taken photos of food prices and posted them to FB to show other countries just how expensive food is here. My friends in England are shocked. Even with the currency exchange our prices are at least double theirs. Sometimes three times as much. Idk how it will all change to be better if we end up with a new PM next year. How do you lower prices? Looking forward to your next video!!!! I cannot wait to find out which rental place you end up choosing! My heart is set on the house! Hee hee Hugs and enjoy your week 😊💖

[@danielashbeck7638]

We love your videos! You both are so stylish and beautiful ❤❤

[@TheXplorasDiary]

I'm happy to hear you enjoy them. Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words. We appreciate you ❤️🙏🏾

[@bettermoodmusicambience]

Awesome! Road to 1k!!!

[@GenXerInMexico]

This channel well deserved to get to 1k and more 🎉🎉🎉.

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Awww thanks for your support Vuyo. Upwards and onwards, we go! The long hours of editing are paying off.

[@thezaragreen]

​@@TheXplorasDiaryYour content is amazing, I've been binging.

Bravo my friends another exceptional video, I can't wait to try all the place you're taking us. Thanks guy's for getting me through my week.

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Awww. Thank you too for your continuous support. We appreciate you

[@MYTYIAALLEYNE]

That Vegetable 🥕 Market is Beautiful 🤩

[@lindabuck2777]

Lovely video beautiful streets and YES the Mercado reasonable, so varied one can get everything they need in one place. The western style grocery store had high prices almost identical in America. It’s outrageous truly. $45.00 for a dinner, a component for breakfast, a few staples-milk, flour a few other components to stretch the little I have and that’s it! $10.00 at the Mercado I imagine and last a week! 🤦‍♀️😩. Love your music choice too. Such a colorful city full of life and kind people. Thank you🙏🏻❤️

[@TheXplorasDiary]

You're absolutely right. We love shopping at the Mercado because of how affordable and fresh the produce is. Thank you too for watching and commenting.

[@YYume74]

me encantan sus videos una mujer realmente linda ☺

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Gracias por tus amables palabras amigo. Te aprecio

[@YYume74]

@@TheXplorasDiary gracias a ti me encanta verte eres muy hermosa

[@YYume74]

@@TheXplorasDiary yo mas a ti hermosa pocas veces se ven mujeres así de hermosas como tu

[@mrwelch2004]

Just found your channel. We've been interested in Cuenca for awhile and your videos are both informative and artistic in a way that just draws you in. Great work!!

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Thank you so much. I appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@MYTYIAALLEYNE]

The Oxtail ALONE would have been $45 over here!!! 😮

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Oh Dear Lord?! I can only imagine how much oxtails cost now.

[@abiyah3176]

Right, the cost of oxtails are insane

[@MYTYIAALLEYNE]

Wow- in the U.S. the Gold Leaf in that Almond Soup would have probably cost an Extra $50 😄

[@1FairyGothMother]

Curu is the restaurant I am most excited about. I’ll be there in 3 weeks!

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Oh, it's for sure something to look forward to, especially considering that the menu changes daily. What you get there is always a surprise. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ameliaberton4411]

I’m envious of you guys! What a beautiful city! You can see the slow pace and peace! I feel trapped in the USA! Enjoy your life in Ecuador. In spite of all the bad things happening in SOME parts of the country one can see that you can still live comfortably.

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Thank you so much. Cuenca is indeed a beautiful and peaceful city. I also hope for you that you're able to get out of the USA even if it's just for a while. Wishing you all the best. We appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@angelad1843]

Your videos are are as gorgeous as the two of you are. Thanks for this!

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Our pleasure! Thank you too for watching and commenting. We appreciate you ☺️

[@thezaragreen]

Coming from 🇨🇴 I cheered when I saw the panela! 🥰 I'm so glad I get to keep enjoying it. Looking forward to the market and more vegetables.

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Yaaay, I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying the videos. The markets are some of my favorite places to visit because of all the colorful and abundant foods. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@dkyeboah1]

Enjoyed watching and rewatching this! brilliant!

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Thank youuuuuu☺️☺️☺️☺️ Your support means a lot. 🙏🏾

[@estelamino6356]

Thanks for visiting 🇪🇨

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Thank you too for watching and commenting. 🙏🏾

[@SoulWhisperer]

Your videos are so lovely! I love the music you choose. Which mercado did you shop at? I've not seen potatoes like that before. So nice to see your explorations. Keep shining!

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Aww thanks so much. I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. The mercado in the video is called El-Arenal (Feria Libre). And just ask for "papa chaucha" at the markets. Those small golden potatoes are in abundance here. They're very creamy and delicious. I hope you get to try them.

[@estelamino6356]

Thanks for sharing enjoy all the best for 2 of u..🇪🇨

[@thezaragreen]

Your video style is beautiful (and so are you!). New Subbie. I've been in these nomadic streets several years now, and you just helped me decide that Cuenca is next! Maybe our paths will cross. Thank you. 🥰

[@TheXplorasDiary]

For sure. Cuenca is a gorgeous city. I'm glad you've been inspired to visit. I'm sure you'll love it. Thank you too for watching, subscribing and commenting.

[@larry1754]

At 5:28, what market is that? I would say Supermaxi is basically an upscale Walmart, if that makes any sense. They do carry a lot of items u can't find elsewhere, but their prices are higher than local mercados. My gf has lived, basically, in Cuenca for 9 years now, and she does most of her food shopping at local markets, She actually lives not far from Super Aki Narancay, an easy walk for her, so she finds a lot of what she needs there, cheap. For more, Coral Centro is two bus stops away, it does have a lot more things. Otherwise, when in centro, she hits 10 de Agosto, or any of many small vendors she knows there. Point is, yes, one can eat very frugally in Cuenca, if you are willing to search out these places!

[@TheXplorasDiary]

You're absolutely right! It's possible to eat very frugally when you shop at the local markets. The market is called El-arenal (Feria Libre) It's one of the largest mercados in Cuenca. Thanks for watching and commenting. We appreciate you ☺️

[@longbeach225]

1 pound of beef for $ 2.30 WOOOOOWWWW!!!! Here in San Francisco, CA , USA 1 pound of ground beef cost $ 10.99

[@troystevens2377]

just returned from Cuenca, such a pity we did not have coffee or lunch together, guys

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Yes. All the same, I hope you enjoyed your trip to Cuenca 🙏🏾☺️

[@BPe-ie9je]

Mercado. I liked it was a little bit longer. Wonderful video. Love the ladies of the market. Did you buy bags you put your items in in EC ir bring ? Great size.

[@TheXplorasDiary]

We brought only one bag from the US but the others are from here, actually from the Supermaxi. You can definitely find those bags here

[@robertgavrich286]

Your videos are awesome, BTW.

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@tonyortiz1890]

Hi guy's hope all is well just❤ checking on my family..

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Hi Tony, Yes, we're all good here. Last weekend there was no video because we had to work on some other stuff. But we'll have a new one this weekend. Thanks for checking in on us.

[@MrJrweir]

Again, it was late to your party, but enjoying the content. How long have you guys been in Ecuador?

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Oh welcome to the party 😂.. I'm glad you're enjoying the content. We've been in Ecuador since 2021.

[@MrJrweir]

Kk, tops on my list of places to retire🎉

[@robertwright1782]

Beautiful awesome vids. I want to be there so much❤

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Thanks so much. Glad you're enjoying our videos ❤️

[@GenXerInMexico]

11 bucks for first meal for two is 😮. Does that include tip? What is standard tip in Ecuador?

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Yes, very decent price for two meals, especially considering that it was multiple courses. Typical Ecuadorian lunch (Almuerzo) ranges from $3.50 to $5. Tipping culture is not mandatory like the US. It's totally at the customer's discretion.You can tip if you want to, and any amount that works best for you.

[@GenXerInMexico]

@@TheXplorasDiary nice!

[@TheDtfamu89]

You had me at “ Oxtails “ for 3.50…. 😂

[@TheXplorasDiary]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 I understand

[@deonb.9018]

Is it possible to enjoy without knowing Spanish and how is the medical?

[@fabianserrano9371]

Do You see the colors.variety. freshness. This is small a Very small country but we have everything . We are rich and maybe we cant SEE it.....cuenca. Azogues near that zone. ...are the large amount of people who migrante to Usa ...Spain ...young people the most...if You go from Cuenca to Chordeleg. You can SEE in the mountains. Big Nice new empty houses..with similar gringo designs...look .their siblings send money to the family and photos of usa houses and they try yo build the same....

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Yes, Ecuador is a very blessed country. Abundance of food, good growing weather all year, beautiful landscapes and a colorful vibrant culture. I pray the country is able to sort out it's internal issues so that the country can even flourish and prosper more. It's definitely an under-rated travel destination here in South America. And thanks for the suggestion, I have put Chordeleg on my list of places to see. I appreciate your contribution

[@FallingRayne]

What is a Cuenca Auntie? I’ve never heard the term 😊

[@TheXplorasDiary]

😂😂😂 I think you may be over thinking it. Like an older lady (auntie) who always checks in with us, and makes sure we're good.

[@FallingRayne]

@@TheXplorasDiary ohhh 😂😂

[@ericdixon627]

1200 is bit higher just on food?

[@TheXplorasDiary]

1,200 is our monthly expense as a couple- food and rent included.

[@gregoriopuro]

You guys got style... Those Oca look like baby fingerling potatoes... How do they taste ?

[@TheXplorasDiary]

Awww, Thank you so much for your kind words. The Oca's are sweet, and I believe they're in the potato family, so the taste is not too far off from a potato.

[@gregoriopuro]

A sweet potato 😂​@@TheXplorasDiary

[@paigewhitlow9945]

Where is this mercado?

[@TheXplorasDiary]

This Mercado is El Arenal(Feria Libre), one of the biggest here in Cuenca

[@paigewhitlow9945]

@@TheXplorasDiary Thank you - it looks really nice. We walked right by there but didn’t go inside. Love Cuenca so much. Really enjoying your videos! You should check out the shrimp burgers at Capitan sometime - delicious!

[@robertgavrich286]

Not cool to eat or buy/sell shark. They are apex predators. Eat from the bottom of the food chain up, please. Let's be responsible.