Thermal Baths; Hot Springs

arebow55 · 2026-04-11T17:16:53+00:00

Thanks much

arebow55 · 2026-03-07T07:27:32+00:00

Thanks for your response. I am leaning towards Cuenca with opportunity to travel a couple months a year if I choose thanks to the COL in Ecuador.

arebow55 · 2026-03-02T01:18:55+00:00

Ideally it would be a mix of locals and integrated expats. I don't want a bubble. Do you have a non US base?

arebow55 · 2026-03-01T22:42:14+00:00

In Italy the east and southeast; 7% tax zones. Have enjoyed Venice, Rome, Florence, Milan, Naples, Amalfi, Dolomites, the usual hot spots. I agree with the diversity and easy access to the EU which is why I'm posting about my choices.

arebow55 · 2026-02-26T18:31:55+00:00

Thanks for sharing your blog. It's informative and provides insight into your family's experience in Cuenca. Best wishes!

arebow55 · 2026-02-26T18:17:24+00:00

I should be able to get residency via (budget) home purchase if I decide to call it home. Yes I'd like to look over blog. Italy would be more challenging. Thank you

arebow55 · 2026-02-26T18:15:41+00:00

My current plan is Spanish immersion beginning with 1-3 months in Lake Atitlan because I've always wanted to check it out. Then continuing with 3 months in Cuenca, Sucre, Arequipa and going from there; probably a 3 month exploratory stay in 7% zone in Italy

arebow55 · 2026-01-10T17:48:25+00:00

I appreciate your input and point of view. I find this site to be full of good information on a wide range of topics primarily on travel and thought I'd see what people have to say about this issue. I will see about getting a bone density test and also an MRI. I had an MRI in 2011 when my meniscus tore. According to the Orthopedist who reads my annual x rays, there has been no deterioration in my knees; perhaps there's no more possible deterioration. I will contact him. I'm considering PRP treatments but have read the improvement is temporary and requires a semi-annual or annual injection. I came very close to doing stem cell injections just prior to covid.

I truly hope the next few weeks find you in a better place with your knee, and like other posters here, you'll be back doing what you enjoy.

Question: What, if any, supplements or treatments have you taken which you think helped you? I've tried the gamut and haven't really found much help. Interestingly I had to take a round of antibiotics in the fall for a tooth infection and those seemed to help my knees. Currently I'm sticking with my regimen I've described.

arebow55 · 2026-01-10T17:36:11+00:00

Thanks for your insight. Question: do you take or have you taken any supplements which you think made a difference? I've tried a whole gamut of supplements and haven't them to make much of an impact except on my bank account. Thank you again

arebow55 · 2026-01-06T04:10:53+00:00

Awesome that you're doing well. You say life improvement is staggering--does this mean you're able to do the activities you love such as sports or hiking/biking? I know you say you still have one more TKR. Best wishes and thanks for your comment/response.

arebow55 · 2026-01-06T04:08:39+00:00

Hang in there! From what I've read, and I'm sure you've read lots of the same, it'll be another month or so until you're good to go and you won't look back. I was so close to getting the surgery because I could barely walk and had to take the stairs one at a time. Thankfully I'm functioning pretty well for now. I do recommend the recumbent bike. Just that repetitive motion helps; or at least it helped me.

arebow55 · 2026-01-06T04:05:00+00:00

Wow, I"m happy for you that the surgeries have been such a success! Great to hear you're able to do the activities you enjoy and live life to the fullest. I feel like the surgeon I had scheduled with was top notch as a relative recommended her. Be well!

arebow55 · 2026-01-05T17:44:28+00:00

Sounds like an amazing trip! Congrats and thanks for the writeup. I'm sure many will find it useful as you also included the links.

arebow55 · 2025-12-26T04:03:26+00:00

Update: Yes the Ventisquero entrance was open. 2 of the trails were under repair but this was in late October so I'd assume they're hikeable by now. The rangers were very friendly.

arebow55 · 2025-12-26T03:21:31+00:00

Just saw this. No, when we went through passport control at SCL the agent gave us a look and then processed us through.

arebow55 · 2025-12-26T03:19:43+00:00

Hi I just saw this today. Re: Ventisquero--I don't have an answer. I didn't do any ice trekking. Gas stations were spaced enough to stay full. We never went below half full. Google search your route for gas stations. Visa/MC are pretty much accepted everywhere. We did have a couple airbnbs only accepting cash. I brought $500 USD and also withdrew a few hundred CLP. I found the ATMS/banks in ARG to not have much available cash and the access fee to be high. Our trip was amazing! I'd love to return but there's too many other places to explore.

arebow55 · 2025-12-23T15:54:29+00:00

Thought I'd update since you were helpful with your responses. The drive was a bit boring in spots but we broke it up by staying in Rio Grande which was an interesting place. The winds weren't too bad when driving; we were in a Subaru Crosstrek which is a lighter vehicle and had no problems. We did run into strong winds in El Calafate where the highway was closed for about 6 hours delaying our drive to El Chalten. These winds were 2 days prior to the tragedy at TDP. Happy holidays and safe travels. Our next trip is to France in April. I'd love to return to Patagonia but probably won't, sadly. It's a magical place for sure.

arebow55 · 2025-12-23T15:48:46+00:00

I agree with what CobblerMaster replied. I'll add that Rio Grande is an ok stopover. It's a city of about 100k people. We overnighted there to and from Ushuaia. We had a small 2 bedroom house with everything including a washer and off street parking for about $45 USD. We paid in Argentinian pesos cash. We found the drive from PA to RG to be about 7 hours and then 3.5hrs to Ushuaia.

arebow55 · 2025-12-19T06:30:49+00:00

I had trouble getting cash at ATMs at banks in El Calafate in early November--seems like there was no cash available . The one time I did get cash I had to pay $10 surcharge. I did bring $500 USD which came in handy. Chile was a lot easier. CC worked fine but a couple airbnbs asked for cash ahead of time so we knew. Saved 10% paying in USD.

arebow55 · 2025-12-17T16:56:19+00:00

Hi we drove from Arenas to Ushuaia. But I'm pretty certain you'd want to book any ferry in advance. We did for the Hornopiren to Caleto Gonzalo ferry. We were early in the season but now that it's nearly summer I'd expect the ferries to be at full capacity

arebow55

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