About victorhelsing

Currently Lives:

Citizen of:

Some Forum Posts:

Ecuador: requirements for Ecudorian drivers for a foreigner ?:

Do you take a different test for the motorcycle license? Is it combined with the auto license? I have a combined auto/motorcycle license from the US.

Ecuador: New Family Moving to Ecuador:

Public schools in Costa Rica are superior to Ecuador, taught in Spanish. Since your timeframe is relatively short (just another six months) it is unlikely you will get a better result by adding the expense of moving to another Spanish speaking country. With higher import taxes recently in Ecuador, you won't find things enough cheaper to compensate for the cost of moving. Find some Spanish speaking (immersion) educational opportunities for the summer in hopes of improving your children's Spanish and enroll them in a Spanish speaking public school in the fall.

Ecuador: If Not Cuenca....?:

I have read a lot of posts by Hector over the past years - and make a special effort to do so, because his posts are more likely to contain useful information. I have no idea how he makes money from anything that he posts, and this is the first time I have seen anyone insinuate that he is dishonest. Even assuming, for the sake of argument, that he makes money by selling, that is (by itself) a perfectly legitimate occupation. I will continue to read his posts with a heightened level of trust until he gives me a reason to distrust him. I presume those impugning his character have their own motivations or agenda. If they have something more (like specific evidence of his misbehavior) they should state that directly, rather than smearing him by implication or association. By the way, I am not sure Hector is all that qualified to be called a "gringo", meaning no offense to him if he holds that title dear.

Ecuador: Unique request for Medical procedure during visit.:

Assuming your aortic aneurysm is abdominal, which is most common, and less than 5 cm (also most common), the chance of rupture is very low. It would be unusual to need more imaging sooner than a year (although if you have only one CT of this aneurysm, your doctor may want another to assure its stability.) The short (3 month) interval suggests something may be more unstable - perhaps the diameter is >= 5cm, pushing you into the range for elective repair. Be sure to go to an imaging center/hospital in Cuenca that will provide you with a CD of your images to take home with you. Most of these can be easily viewed on any PC. This is smaller and less expensive than films and can be compared by your radiologist in the states when you return. The interpretation from your Ecuadorian radiologist will be more useful if you provide your most recent CT/MRI for comparison. If your aneurysm is dissecting, that's a different animal.

Costa Rica: Renting a car without buying insurance?:

I am interested in renting a car for an upcoming visit to San Jose, but notice that all of the rental companies charge a huge daily amount for "required" insurance. I have full insurance including collision damage waiver on one of my credit cards, and have written documentation of that card's insurance. (I also have coverage under the auto insurance I carry with State Farm for rentals.) Even so, I suspect most of these agencies will ignore the fact that I am already insured in order to charge additional $10/day or more. Has anyone managed to rent a car in CR without paying that "required" coverage in the way I have described?

Costa Rica: Moving to Escauz:

I understood it is allowable to work for (run) your own business in CR. Is this not true?

Ecuador: Moving:

Although the cost of living can be lower in Ecuador, it may still cost more to live comfortably* than you can earn here. A lot of Americans seem to enjoy Ecuador from their perspective as relatively wealthy. The view might be different if you are competing with native population for low income jobs to support yourself. Even so, if you have special skills(@) that allow you to perform work that natives cannot, you may enjoy the adventure at this time of your life. * - what passes for the "simple life" for the average American may not be simple if you earn enough in Ecuador to support it. @ - you might wish to teach English, but without special qualification to do this, your pay may not meet your needs. Without intending to be discouraging, I raise the question whether other destinations might be more attractive or practical for an adventurous young soul.

Ecuador: Quito Airport lodging vs. all nighter?:

This will be my first flight back to Cuenca through Quito since the new airport. My international flight arrives near midnight - has there been any reasonable nearby lodging built, or am I best to spend some hours in the airport and take the 6am flight? (A 4 hour round trip to Quito proper is just not an option for me.)

Ecuador Welcome Forum: Cuenca Landing Guide and Frank and Angie?:

Their landing guide is excellent and has helped me a lot. I like their philosophical approach to living in Cuenca among the locals and trying to integrate into the culture. Finding good properties to buy/rent at a good price is becoming more challenging in Cuenca as lots of people are turning out to "help" the "rich" expats. At least with Frank and Angie, you know what you are paying for their help.

Ecuador: Moderation of ths site:

I have found Omega's comments to be consistently thoughtful and often helpful. If they sometimes wander off topic, well, nothing forces me to continue reading. I have never believed he was attempting to sell something to me. Some appear to be more helpful but have an obvious desire to sell something - which is fine, by itself - but their helpfulness may be less than it appears. Some in the expat and wannabe expat community are easily upset or offended. How functional is that disposition in Ecuador? I disagree with many but try to avoid suppressing their expression unless they are wantonly deceptive.

Date Joined:

7/15/2012

Total Posts:

46

Posts/Day:

0.03