Papa Jefe (AKA James Whittall)

Call Me Papa

Some years ago – never mind how long precisely – having little or no money in my pocket, and nothing particular to interest me in Canada, I thought I would pack up my arts marketing consultancy and retire with my wife to Ecuador.

Papa Jefe (AKA James Whittall)

Call Me Papa

Some years ago – never mind how long precisely – having little or no money in my pocket, and nothing particular to interest me in Canada, I thought I would pack up my arts marketing consultancy and retire with my wife to Ecuador.

New Stuff

New Stuff

  • 26 August 2025 at 11:11 am ET5.6 min
    26 August 2025 at 11:11 am ET

    My final post. After six years, I have decided to end my blog. WARNING: This story includes content some readers may find disturbing.

    My final post. After six years, I have decided to end my blog. WARNING: This story includes content some readers may find disturbing.

  • 23 November 2024 at 3:55 pm ET6 min
    23 November 2024 at 3:55 pm ET

    Wherein I describe the tasty little off-grid solution I'm putting together to get us through Ecuador's daily nationwide power outages.

    Wherein I describe the tasty little off-grid solution I'm putting together to get us through Ecuador's daily nationwide power outages.

  • 18 April 2024 at 2:29 pm ET5.7 min
    18 April 2024 at 2:29 pm ET

    What is it like to drive in Ecuador, where two-thirds of its motorists purchased their permits from a friend? Let's find out, shall we?

    What is it like to drive in Ecuador, where two-thirds of its motorists purchased their permits from a friend? Let's find out, shall we?

  • 26 March 2024 at 4:49 pm ET4.6 min
    26 March 2024 at 4:49 pm ET

    In Canada and in the United States, the cheap plastic chair is a sure indicator of poverty, and a barometer of bad taste. Not so in Ecuador.

    In Canada and in the United States, the cheap plastic chair is a sure indicator of poverty, and a barometer of bad taste. Not so in Ecuador.

A Nasal Tour of the Coast

My neighbour Dennis once described Ecuador to me as a “land of many aromas.” What he meant is that Ecuador smells, in ways to which we are quite unaccustomed.

A Nasal Tour of the Coast

My neighbour Dennis once described Ecuador to me as a “land of many aromas.” What he meant is that Ecuador smells, in ways to which we are quite unaccustomed.