El Cafecito Travel Talks
El Cafecito Travel Talks is a travel and cultural podcast hosted by Tony Lloyd, a travel planner, hostel owner, and community builder who has spent more than 25 years living and working in Latin America.
Each episode features real conversations with travellers, expats, backpackers, cultural explorers, community leaders, and people who have chosen to step outside their comfort zone and explore the world in their own way. From short adventures to life-changing moves abroad, these stories highlight the experiences, challenges, connections, and discoveries that come from seeing the world through different eyes.
Along the way, we’ll explore travel, culture, community, identity, and the unexpected moments that connect people across borders. Many conversations focus on Latin America, including the stories, experiences, and contributions of Afro-descendant communities throughout the Americas, but the lessons and connections are universal.
Whether you’re an experienced traveller, dreaming of living abroad, planning your next adventure, or simply curious about the people and places that make our world interesting, there’s a seat for you at the table.
Grab a cafecito or a tea and join us for the journey.
Travel. Culture. Connection.
El Cafecito Travel Talks
#63 What Does an Ecuadorian Look Like?
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Douglas Chang was born in Ecuador, but his family story began thousands of kilometres away in China.
Three of his grandparents came from China to Ecuador with very little, eventually settling in small communities near Guayaquil. Douglas remembers stories of his grandmother, his father leaving school at 12 to work, the family running small businesses, and the importance of cacao at a time when it represented some of Ecuador’s greatest wealth.
Growing up Chinese-Ecuadorian, Douglas knew he looked different from most people around him—but he says he never questioned whether he belonged.
Then he started travelling.
As a teenager, Douglas left Ecuador to study in the United States. His journey would eventually take him to Israel, France, Switzerland, Canada, South Africa and many other places around the world.
And when people ask where he’s from?
Ecuador.
In this episode, Douglas and I talk about what happens when nationality doesn’t necessarily match what people expect to see. We explore his family’s journey from China, growing up Chinese-Ecuadorian, travelling the world, discrimination, belonging, why he has never visited China, and his decision to make Cuenca part of the next chapter of his life.
But our conversation eventually moves beyond nationality.
Douglas talks about being a good citizen wherever you find yourself, remaining curious about other people, and something that has become increasingly important to him: legacy.
After a lifetime of travelling, what can we learn from others—and what can we leave behind?
Grab a tea or coffee and join us for another conversation at El Cafecito Travel Talks.
In This Episode
- His family’s journey from China to Ecuador
- Growing up Chinese-Ecuadorian
- Building a life through hard work, trade and cacao
- Leaving Ecuador as a teenager
- Studying and travelling around the world
- Telling people abroad, “I’m Ecuadorian”
- Identity, stereotypes and discrimination
- Why Douglas has never visited China
- Choosing Cuenca as a new home
- Being a good citizen wherever you live
- Travel, belonging and legacy
Connect info:
Questions, comments, guest suggestions, or story ideas:
email: cafecitotraveltalks@gmail.com
El Cafecito Hostel - Cuenca Ecuador
email: admincafecito@gmail.com
Travel Advisor - Latin America:
WhatsApp: +593 99 99 39 550
LinkedIn: Tony Lloyd Wilkinson
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New episodes are released every Tuesday.
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