Some things are different here. Some not so much.

  It isn't unusual to see junglers in the streets or someone bouncing a soccer ball on his head at an intersection in the middle of the road while the traffic light is red. No, they are  not auditioning for Ecuador's Got Talent or hoping to be discovered by the Ecuadorian version of "Ringling Brothers".This is how they are making a living. I don't know how successful they are or if they do this because they can't get a job but you see this more often then someone with a sign that reads "homeless, give me money". There are people here who just stand with a hand held out, palm up and look sad and helpless and I am sure there are some who are just that. Some people find things to sell and will approach a car stopped at a traffic light offering everything from soft drinks to popsicles. Some will even get on the public buses and tell a sad story about their poor hungry children and their poor health while  selling candy bars or a trinket of some kind. Just as in the states some of these people are scamming the public and just don't want to work.
  There is another type of entrepreneur  here that is more creative and much more entertaining. These entrepremuers are similar to those you will see on the streets of the bigger cities in the U.S. playing musical instruments or doing a mime routine. Always there is a hat or box or instrument case nearby for the deposit of coins by appreciative passersby.
  On, Mariscal Sucre, the street that runs along one side of the new cathedral and Parque Calderon you will often see people trying to make a buck. Some times there is a group of musicians playing traditional music featuring the pan flute. Sometimes they will be doing a Celine Dion number, also with the pan flute prominent.
  There is one man who is often there who is levitating above the side walk. He wears a gold robe and will capture your attention for sure.

The Angel..with palm up

Another that will capture attention is the puppeteer who is playing loud rock music and has skeleton puppets. He is really pretty entertaining and draws a crowd of onlookers.

  So when in Cuenca keep your eyes open because "Some things are different here and some things not so much".