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Ecuador: Help me figure out the police.:
First you admit to being the “loud American”, secondly fair or unfair you are in a bar at 2:30 in the morning and asking a police officer to settle a civil matter. I never expect police in any country to side with a gringo against a local. Lastly this could have occurred in any country. I do not make it a habit to walk the streets of any large city at 2AM regardless of country. Maybe I sound old and that is because I am------but I am still alive after 71 years.
Ecuador: Correa and the question of Free Speech:
I stay the hell out of Ecuadorian politics but for my small opinion I like Correa. I have no problem living in a socialist country at all, and the rich Ecuadorians that don’t like Correa simply don’t want to pay any taxes. I wish he had not made a deal with China in the Amazon but the world had the opportunity to let that not happen, but chose to look the other way. We have been back in America since May 26 due to business details but I have been ready to come home---Ecuador----since May 27th. America is full of greed, hates maybe the best president in my life time, and is probably as oppressive as China. For the gringos who hate Obama that live in Ecuador, I would ask, “why did choose a socialist country to move to”?
Ecuador: Black Man From USA And Family Looking To Move To Ecuador.:
I would say the first 2 responses are pretty much dead on, and I have a good friend who happens to be black in Cotacachi. It is inaccurate to say there were never slaves in Ecuador as the Spanish brought them in the 16th century. Having said that, there are basically 3 classes here besides us old gringos----the indigenous, which are the real owners, what one might call Castilians, and mestizos. But coming from the South(US) where racism is a way of life, Ecuador is a fine place and that is one big reason we chose it.
Ecuador Welcome Forum: Kitchen ware-to bring or not:
Cast iron you will not find unless antique shop. Good stainless is very expensive and quality like Allclad is simply not available. Pressure cookers and slow cookers are available everywhere in a larger city like Ibarra. Most everyone I know has trouble coking rice where we live, 8100 ft and I use a rice cooker, also available. Towels are expensive and cheap compared to U.S. and easy to pack. Most anything imported is expensive like brand clothes and cheap knives. Unless you are a very good knife sharper suggest you bring carbon steel as easier for me anyway stainless is hard to sharpen. If you have special seasonings I would bring. We are returning home to EC in 9 days and bringing sheets(more for us and one friends) 6 rain jackets (specialty) cannot be found and several spices for other friends. By flying business class we get 3 extra bags each up to 70 #. We could do w/out any of this but as Ecuador is and will be our permanent home we want some of our things. We moved last year and took 2 backpacks---our form of travel---and one hard case and were very comfortable so you can be happy with what you bring and what you have. It is the country and people and after 2 months in America I am more than ready to "get the hell out".
BTW I have ans sev people that sent me PM's and they get returned?????
Ecuador: No conspiracy theory here, this is real!:
Here is my suggestion----and as some know I don’t offer that many: Go out, look up at the big mountains, the sea, enjoy the rain, the children; go for a hike or a beer and remember your death is waiting and when it comes you must go. If you wish, you can spend time with fear, or anger, or just boredom-----death comes anyway.
Ecuador Welcome Forum: Quito to Cusco & back:
Here is another way to make the trip and really get a feel for Ecuador and Peru. Ride the bus. My wife and I did that from Columbia 3 years ago and that way you get to see Banos, Cuenca and other spots in EC and Peru. In Peru you can ride buses that are much nicer thn business class on airlines and you get to see Peru instead of flying over it. If you are going to Cusco certainly you will go to Machu Picchu and you may want more than a few days as Cusco is higher than Quito.
Ecuador: Resident Visa and Extended Visa:
Like always on this forum you get different answers, so here is simply one, make that 2, things that happened personally. In 2011 we returned to EC for a 4 month trip thinking we could do the Col border run as the year before but we got too many different answers. Since our T-3 was going to expire we got a lawyer for the extension for $750. In 2012 we moved to EC and when we got our paper work done at the consulate in Atlanta we were told we had to get a 6 mos visa so we did. Our lawyer had told us we really did not need one but later in email conversation said it might be better. We were through the residency and cedula before it expired. BTW it costs about $100 ea.
Ecuador Welcome Forum: Never seen this asked before.:
I think without summed it up quite well. We have had to be in the States for sev months and I cannot wait to return home----that is Ecuador. The US is not only boring, the consumerism, the shallowness, is overwhelming to my wife and me. DO NOT move to Ecuador because it is cheaper as that usually does not work out. If you are a tea party fan and angry you will really hate living in a socialist country. The cost of living is important to all of us "fixed income" people but it is down our list of why we chose EC to live. The beauty of the country, people, and charm of the Latin world is why we love it and also because we have made some great new friends, Cuenca is a great city as well as spots on the coast but we prefer a small village. Without also is correct about learning the language and although we are not very good we try--- and smile and get smiles in return. Put a value on that!
Ecuador: Ham Radio:
We are returning home to Ecuador in August and bringing the "last of it". I have an old TS-50 Kenwood and hve not used it in 10 years since moving from sailboat. Just wondering if anyone is active. I have not been active in a long while and not even sure what the tech is today but thought it might be a good hoby in the next years.
N4VGP/KN4HUG in 55
Ecuador: Quito to Otavalo:
Not sure how many people posting about Otavalo have ever been in Otavalo but having spent a total of 5 months there I can tell you there are a number of hostals (hosterias) plus a couple of more upscale hotels. Most hostals are around $10/per person and they are clean and nice. Look in the Lonely planet, or google and you will find many. The Indo mentioned seems nice but you very rarely see anyone eating there which is always a question. If you are looking for some sort of city hotel as in America you will not find it in this area. You can always go to La Mirage and maybe get a room for $3-----to 400. But very nice.
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