Sunday, October 1, 2017

Boo:) -"13 Spooky South American Haunts"- SUN 01 OCT 2017


--"Halloween is just around the corner – and it’s time for the creepy and the scary.

In Latin America, this time of the year is also when the veil between the world of the living and that of the dead becomes so thin, that the living and the departed may communicate with each other. The holiday – celebrated on November 1, All Saint’s Day, and November 2, All Souls Day – is collectively known as El Día de los Muertos or El Día de los Difuntos.



But Latin American traditions, with pre-Hispanic roots, are much different than those the Northern Hemisphere celebrates. Especially in areas with large indigenous populations (Guatemala, southern Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and northern Chile and Argentina), families gather in the cemeteries to clean and repaint their family graves, and decorate them with flowers. On November 2, they will gather at the tomb with the dearly departed’s favorite food and drink, and perhaps even a bit of live music. It is a wonderful cultural experience to witness. 



Still, if you are in the mood for creepy and scary thrills during this time of the year, here are some places to add to your South American itinerary. There are witches, vampires, demons and other creatures, as well as many tortured souls. Many of these sites are tied with horrid chapters of the region’s history, and carry potent vibes of those who suffered. Others are infused with legends of mythical beings and mysterious events. Most of these places you can also visit in the off-season, and still have quite a riveting experience....


5. Quito, Ecuador
Quito has many haunted places – not surprising for a city as ancient as it is, predating the Spanish conquest.
But when I asked a close friend about places he would suggest I include in this article, he stated, “The Eloy Alfaro monument in El Ejido, where he and his compadres were bludgeoned to death. Walking past that always gives me shivers up the spine.”
Over the years, I had heard about the death of then-President Eloy Alfaro, who served 1895-1901 and again 1906-1911. According to the tales, he was drawn and quartered, then burned on 28 January 1912. But searching online provided few details about what precisely happened. I decided to ask don Marco, a native-born Quiteño historian, born and raised in the Centro Histórico. What he recounted to me, much of it told to him by his older relatives who witnessed the event, is worthy of a Hallowe’en terror movie.

Shortly before he was arrested, a woman read Alfaro’s tarot cards. She warned him not to return to Quito. He said he must fulfill his destiny. In Guayaquil, he was detained by those who opposed his plan to increase property taxes (by a mere one-one-thousandth of a percent). He and six of his supporters were sent by train to Quito. Upon arriving at the Chimbacalle station at 9 a.m., they were transported to the García Moreno prison (on Calle Rocafuerte near the San Roque Market) where they were killed. At 10 a.m., Alfaro was shot in the chest and in the throat (to prevent him from screaming) and fell to Rocafuerte Street below. Still a cry could be heard – and residents of that barrio say that on the anniversary, you can hear it at that hour.

Three horses then were tied to his limbs to tear his body apart. But the one holding his hands suddenly, mysteriously died. The other two horses dragged Alfaro’s body and the third horse to Plaza Santo Domingo. At Bolívar and Guayaquil streets, La Pájara – a woman believed by locals to be a witch – cut off Alfaro’s testicles and penis and hung then from the portico on that corner.

The entourage of Alfaro enemies continued the procession, dragging the bodies of Alfaro and the six others to El Ejido Park. But something strange happened along the way: Alfaro’s body disappeared – just disappeared. To this day, no-one knows what happened to it, or where it may be hidden.
The other six were burned approximately in the vicinity of where the Eloy Alfaro Monument now stands in El Ejido Park. I asked don Marco why, then does my friend always gets shivers up his spine when he walks past it. He is feeling the anguish of the common people, he said.
Address- Center of Parque El Ejido (between Av 10 de Agosto and 6 de Diciembre, and between Av Tarqui and Av Patria), Quito, Hours- Daily dawn-dusk
6. Cueva de los Tayos, Morona Santiago Province, Ecuador
 














 

Deep in the virgin jungles of eastern Ecuador is Cueva de los Tayos, a cave named for the oilbirds (Steatornis caripensis) that live in it. From the nearest town, it is reached by boat, then by hiking or horseback.

Getting to this cave is not the only adventure you may have. Once you descend into the 63-meter (207-foot) deep Chiminea, a narrow chute, you emerge into a world of large galleries connected by tunnels, all carved by subterranean waters. Stalactites and stalagmites decorate the inner realms. These caves have been sacred to indigenous nations for over 3,000 years and archaeological remains, including burials, have been found.

But the Cueva de los Tayos has a mystery. In his 1973 book The Gold of the Gods, Erich von Däniken claimed that Argentinian-Hungarian entrepreneur Juan Moricz discovered gold artifacts, tablets, sculptures and other objects in a chamber even deeper in this cave. Some say these were part of the lost treasure of Atahualpa, the last Inca emperor.

In 1976, an expedition of Ecuadorian and British military personnel, professional cavers and astronaut Neil Armstrong, extensively explored this cave. Archaeological artifacts were found, but nothing fitting von Däniken’s descriptions.

Some say, though, that much of the gold was stolen by Father Crespi, a Salesian priest who worked in the region in the 1920s, and that helicopters were sent in to retrieve much more wealth. The findings were displayed in the Museo Privado de Carlos Crespi Croci in Cuenca. After a fire in 1962, everything disappeared. The archdiocese of Cuenca denies it has it in its possession – though Shuar guides to the cave claim that much of the gold in Cuenca’s cathedral came from here.

Cueva de los Tayos may be visited only with permission from the Federación Interprovincial de Centros Shuar (FICSH), whose offices are in the town of Sucúa. A native guide will be assigned to accompany you. Will you be able to discover Atahualpa’s long-missing wealth?
Address- Cantón Limón Indanza, Morona Santiago Province, Hours-Daily dawn-dusk
Website- www.limonindanza.gob.ec/limonindanza/index.php/307-visita-la-cueva-de-los-tayos
<Read More 1-4 & 7-13> click here: https://andestransit.com/portal/en/13-spooky-south-american-haunts
 Lorraine Caputo is a travel writer, poet and translator. She has authored nine guidebooks for South America. Her literary works appear in over 100 journals in Canada, the US, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa; twelve anthologies and nine chapbooks – including the collection of travel poetry, Caribbean Nights (Red Bird Chapbooks, 2014). For the past decade, she has been traveling through Latin America, listening to the voices of the pueblos and Earth. Follow her travels at: www.facebook.com/lorrainecaputo.wanderer.

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Checking out at the 'SuperMaxi' Sup. Mkt. at Ventura Mall in Tumbaco


Checking in from the SuperMaxi (SM) at Ventura Mall in Tumbaco last night. MON 31 JUL17-
JIF Creamy Peanut Butter- Labeled as: "Net WT. 28oz. (1Lb 12oz) 793g. NON GMO*- Gluten Free, non affiliate price- $15.36 SM card affiliate- $14.63"

The ingredient labeling laws in EC are fairly stringent, straight forward & taken seriously, but maybe there are ways around that. 



via: Wikileaks(.org).--ECUADOR’S LEADING FAMILY BUSINESS GROUPS--
Posted on August 1, 2017 • Filed under: Business, Economy, Ecuador

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000731-SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2018
TAGS: ECON, EINV, EFIN, EIND, EAGR, PGOV, EC
SUBJECT: ECUADOR’S LEADING FAMILY BUSINESS GROUPS

Classified By: Reason: 1.4 B and D.

"The Wright Family"
—————–

"--21. (SBU) The group is a leader in the commercial sector,
with its largest company being Supermarkets La Favorita,
better known as grocery stores Supermaxi and Megamaxi. The
Wright family changed the concept of grocery sales in
Ecuador, with the opening of the first supermarket chain in
Ecuador, Supermaxi (Ecuadorians used to buy their groceries
at farmer markets and at small stores). In 2005 La Favorita
had sales of over $690 million, and $355.5 million in assets.

In 2007 Lideres (El Comercio newspaper’s weekly magazine
which documents business leaders and business developments),
along with Price Waterhouse Coopers, ranked La Favorita as
the most respected company in Ecuador. Thomas Wright is the
head of the Wright family but rumors say he may be
contemplating retirement. The CEO and Executive President of
La Favorita is Thomas Wright’s son Ronald Wright; his
youngest son, Andy Wright, is Vice President. The family’s
political profile is low, although it made contributions to
different political parties during the 2006 presidential
campaign.

22. (SBU) Other companies within La Favorita in addition to
Supermaxi are: Megamaxi (Wal-mart style superstore),
Superdespensa (supermarket), Bebe Mundo (similar to Babies r
us), Jugueton (toy store), Misterbooks (bookstore), Televent
(TV Sales), ComoHogar (household supplies), Importpoint
(import company), Pollo Favorito Profasa (chicken), Andean
Milk (dairy products), Maxipan (bread), Agropesa, and Lechera
Andina (dairy products), among others. The Wrights also have
a hydroelectric generation plant, Enermax S.A., in Cotopaxi
province."--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
To just run in and out of a SuperMaxi in 30 minutes, to grab some milk, eggs, bacon, bread and a bit of chicken and a few odds & ends, barely covering the bottom of the grocery buggy is always a $100. bill for me and sweety.



I have 3 SM's in my area including a MegaMaxi, but prefer the smaller - medium sized SM store in the old Ventura Mall. It was built about 25 yrs ago, and has a good 99% occupancy of vendors & stores, No boarded up stalls nor stores going out of business: http://www.venturamall.net/

I have shopped in a many of the various SM's from one end of EC to the other over the years, if you see something on the shelf you may like or want, don't hesitate> grab it and growl, it may not be there next week....

There is a high concentration of old oil field workers from the UK - US & Canada in Cumbaya & Tumbaco Valleys since the 1960's, 70's, 80's & 90's from the good old EC oil field days, and run into them often at my local SM's they are normally easily approachable, friendly & welcoming to a relatively- newcomer like myself. (Cumbaya is 18 kms East of Quito, and 18 Kms West of the UIO Quito INT Airport, - UIO is way out in the middle of nowheres near rose plantation agriculture area since grand opening of FEB 2013.

If you see another foreigner in a SM, in the S. or N. Sierra, or Coastal, it's ok to make eye contact and or crack a smile, (unless you are on the America's Most Wanted list:) you might just make a really good friend with a boatload of knowledge & know how that's willing to share...?

--"To travel is to learn. Period!"-- 'If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.'- James Michener-

In person face 2 face no one will judge you for your shopping cart having a few transgenico GMO products or enough booze for an entire oil field workers camp, you will only see that sort criticism on the various EC Expat groups, forums & social media like fb from behind the PC monitor.

...as an old friend that frequents the SM in Ibarra N. Sierra says:
"It ain't wine, but it's CLOS" (In 2008- 1 Ltr. was $3.85, now $7.65)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author: Danielle Cearbaugh:

--"Did you know that a smile is contagious? It costs nothing to give, but reaps great rewards for both the receiver and the giver.

A Smile Spreads Good Cheer

Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”

It’s amazing that your simple smile can brighten someone’s day in a moment’s notice. Too often we underestimate the power of a smile. Although it may be considered the smallest act of caring and it takes little or no effort on our part, it has the power to turn a life around—in fact more than one.

Like the ripple effect of a pebble tossed into a pond, your smile will spread far beyond the first person who receives it. You never know how many people will benefit because you smiled first....."
www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/07/19/the-ripple-effect-of-a-smile/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry for not posting a blog here on "JJinEC" since MAY17, it has been one introductory / exploratory road trip after another, and 1-2-3 months later same guest needs a move in and set up- for example, I had a great 2014, a slow 2015 & 16, but this 2017 is wide open, let's all go to EC at the same time, lol:)

"Road Trip UIO - Cotacachi - Mindo - Canoa - Bahia - Manta - Olon, Montanita, Manglaralto"

--"Pulled out of my driveway in Quito- TUE 11 JUL - returned home Two Weeks later TUE 25 JUL17 - 2,010 kms = 1,246 miles round trip~ On way up the Coast from Olon- North back to Quito stopped in and visited with the Zambrano Family in the Rio Canoa Community, 6kms inland from Canoa Beach~ https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1503032669763883.1073741879.112919505441880&type=1&l=9714b11078

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

WED 24 de MAYO 2017, Organic Ecuadorian Cigar Shop in Quito~

CATALOG Taita Cana.
Types of Tobacco TAITA CANA

All our tobaccos are made with Ecuadorian Tobacco and 100% organic grown in Olmedo and Loja - Ecuador you can find them in our local shop located in the colonial center of Quito, Barrio San Marcos Junín E2-17 and Ortiz Bilbao, Second Floor. Next to the museum of watercolor and painting.

CHAMICO


Tabaco de calado Suave/Medio. Tiempo de fumado de 5 a 10 minutos. Envuelto en papel presurizado de tabaco 100% orgánico. Dureza media baja 3 gp, Ideal para combinar con bebidas calientes e infusiones taita cana o taita cana Late. O un cortado.

 Costo individual 0,40$ (Solo en el local)
Caja de 18 unidades 5,00$

Cigarrete   

You can make your own tobacco in the local is the improved chamico with filter and paper of bamboo, in different macerations 100% organic and natural, like menthol and red fruits. Smooth draft tobacco. Also in macerated menthol. Time smoked for 5 to 10 minutes. Based on chamico, with filter and 100% organic bamboo paper, low hardness 2gp. Ideal to combine with hot drinks and infusions taita cana, taita cana Late O a cut.

Costo individual 0,50$ (Solo en el local)
Caja de 10 unidades 4,00$
https://taitacanatabaco.blogspot.com/

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Thu April 27, 2017 Water. Clean Drinking Water #AtoZChallenge

Drinking tap water in coastal Ecuador is a great way to get parasites. Or worse.
-- EJB

A few weeks after the April 16, 2016 7.8 Ecuador earthquake, Tennessee pastor Gary Vance arrived in Puerto López. He had a suitcase full of water filters and a plan - provide clean drinking water for those who needed it.
Clean water welcomed in a tent camp
Photo courtesy of Gary Vance
He offered to install a water filter for the Olón orphanage. We went there the next morning. Gary installed a filter and trained a thrilled staff on maintaining it.
Water filter installed at the Olón Orphanage
Photo courtesy of Gary Vance
Gary spent the rest of that trip traveling, making contacts, and installing filters in tent camps and communities throughout the earthquake damaged area.
Filters installed in a camp
Photo courtesy of Gary Vance

Gary was already planning his return trip and negotiating bulk filter pricing before he flew home. He founded the Tears2Water charity to "quench the thirst of victims of the earthquake devastation in Ecuador."
Gary's suitcase full of filters is behind him in this photo
Photo courtesy of Gary Vance
Gary has made six trips to Ecuador since the earthquake, spent 88 days in country, delivered 1000 filters, and documented over 5000 people who have gained filtered water.
Clean water!
Photo courtesy of Gary Vance
He trains local partners who install filters and train communities on proper use.
Filter installation
Photo courtesy of Gary Vance
Each filter provides enough water for 100 people per day. Small communities may only need one filter for all of their clean water needs.
Buckets with filters attached
Photo courtesy of Gary Vance
Elizabeth (pink shirt) training people on their filter buckets
Photo courtesy of Gary Vance

Bringing new filter bucket home
Photo courtesy of Gary Vance
Gary's seventh visit is in a few weeks. It won't be his last.
Did you ever begin a small project that turned into a passion?

If you are visiting from the #AtoZChallenge please include your blog link in a comment so I can check it out.

Related posts: Earthquake, Post-Earthquake

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

2nd. Passport- Simon Black- Sovereign Man- March 29, 2017-

via Simon Black- Sovereign Man- March 29, 2017-
--"I’ll never forget the day over 17 years ago, when the Fedex envelope finally arrived. Inside was my very first second passport. It was an incredible feeling. And one of the things that got me started on this journey.

Suddenly I realized that I was no longer beholden to one nation. That no single government had exclusive authority over me. I had more options. I had more freedom.

It was a feeling I’d never had before. It was like I had been missing something for my whole life, but never even knew it until that exact moment. Then I wondered how I had ever gotten along before without a second passport.

I cannot overstate the benefits of this. Having a second passport is something I call the ultimate insurance policy.
 
 

It ensures that, no matter what, you always have a place to go. To live. To work. To do business. To retire. And in some cases, even seek refuge.

Now, obtaining a second passport often takes time to establish, sometimes years. So it’s advisable to start thinking about your options sooner rather than later.

It took a long time for me-- probably more than two years. That’s because I had no idea what I was doing… no guidance, no tips, no contacts. I had to figure it all out for myself.
 
 

But if I knew back then what I know today, I would’ve obtained my passport in a fraction of the time-- just a couple of months.

This shows, once again, how oftentimes the right information can pay an extraordinary return on investment.

And that’s exactly the kind of information we strive to provide to our members here at Sovereign Man.

That’s why today, I would like to share with you a complimentary preview of one of our premium intelligence reports from Sovereign Man: Confidential.

Inside you will learn the fast track process that allows you to obtain a second passport in just a few months at almost no cost if you have grandparents from Italy.

This type of citizenship is known as jus sanguinis and is commonplace across most of Europe, including Greece, Ireland, Britain, Hungary and many more.

Remember, if you’re not part of the lucky bloodline club, anyone can obtain a second passport with a little bit of patience.

In many countries you can be eligible to apply for naturalization after a fixed number of years of continuous residency.
 
 

Oftentimes, you don’t even need to spend the preponderance of that time in the country and it can be as short as just two years.
 
 

And while you are waiting to become eligible to apply for naturalization, you still have legal residency in the country, which provides you the major benefit of being able to live, work, do business or retire there.

Getting a second passport is a no-brainer strategy that will provide a lifelong benefit not just to you, but your children, grandchildren and all future generations.

And with the right knowledge, anyone can obtain a second passport.

To your freedom,

Simon Black https://www.sovereignman.com/
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  21 MAR 2017- GringoTree: --"One of the biggest choices facing an expat after moving to Ecuador and obtaining a Permanent Residency Visa, is whether of not to jump through the next procedural hoop of becoming an Ecuadorian Citizen. For those of you that are hoping to apply for citizenship, we’ve taken the guess work out of the entire process. Read on to find out about all of the current required documents, and procedures, you will need to obtain your citizenship... https://www.gringotree.com/ecuadorian-citizenship-naturalization-need-know/
 
 
 
 ~All the Very Best on Your Endeavors in Ecuador~
All of my Services, web & blog links, articles, photos,
 videos, references, info and contact
 tel. #'s - US & EC. are all below:

Thank You,
Jack Abercrombie,
Quito- ECUADOR S.A.
journeymanjack.com@gmail.com
Relocation Ecuador: http://JourneymanJack.com/

toll free from U.S. & Canada:
770-828-7913, Ec. Off: 02-380-4088,
Ec. Cell: 098-828-8953, Whatsapp: 593-98-828-8953,
Talk free on "skype" user name: "Jack.Abercrombie"

(In Emergency) Iridium Satellite Phone from the
US & Canada: 011-8816-2146-2897,
from within EC: 00-8816-2146-2897,

Fb: http://www.facebook.com/JourneymanJackinEcuador

Blog: http://journeymanjackinecuador.blogspot.com/

You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzl4rnxszGXGXEn-WY91hzg

Linked: https://ec.linkedin.com/in/jackabercrombie

twitter: https://twitter.com/JourneyJEcuador

Karatbars Int. Self Funding, Self Perpetuating, Off-Shore
Gold Savings Program: https://www.karatbars.com/landing/?s=journeymanjack

"Air VPN - The air to breathe the real Internet"
https://airvpn.org/?referred_by=231566

JourneymanJack 100% positive feedback (1205*) eBay member since 12 NOV 2003:
http://www.ebay.com/usr/journeymanjack

My photos in Google+ / Picasa web albums:
 https://get.google.com/albumarchive/108089047953129234429?source=pwa

My google maps - saved places - frequented in EC:
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=212187393968777541090.000479e892ce8f4227992&msa=0

Photos of the Transport - Tour Vehicle: 2011 Kia K2700 Diesel 1.5 Ton 4wd / 4dr / half passenger van / half truck: https://goo.gl/photos/YNfWxUoU1toAMpz9A

"The dogs were too big to fly from Quito to Cuenca, so we arranged to have them driven down by the
famous Journeyman Jack who specializes in relocation."
http://www.cuencahighlife.com/an-expat-familys-move-to-cuenca-handling-the-details-and-settling-in/

"The best driving routes, and driving times in Ecuador"- This week I had the pleasure to interview someone that knows the roads of Ecuador better than ANYONE I know.
Jack Abercrombie, an American expat from Atlanta who has lived in Ecuador for over 8 years now and has a heavy-duty truck he uses to help expats move heavy loads of belongings within Ecuador.
- See more at: http://ecuadorrealestate.org/driving-times-in-ecuador/#sthash.hO5THOOg.dpuf

"Jack Abercrombie, a well known tour guide-driver from Quito (the capital of Ecuador) was visiting the area for a few days and called for a gathering of friends at Fabiano's (our favorite pizza spot). He anticipated maybe 20-25 people. We ended the afternoon at over 40 Attendees- http://www.retiredincuenca.com/2014/05/cinco-de-mayo-mexican-holiday-in-ecuador.html

-Driving In Ecuador Vs The USA: 21 Major Differences- "This week I had the chance to sit down with one guy who knows the roads of Ecuador better than anyone I know, Jack Abercrombie, a guy from Atlanta who has been living in Ecuador a few years now. He has a truck he uses to help new arrival expats in Ecuador move large loads of goods and pets within Ecuador.  You can reach him at:
http://ecuadorrealestate.org/driving-in-ecuador-vs-the-usa-21-major-differences/

"Some people choose jobs, some jobs choose people. Take “Journeyman Jack” Abercrombie. He’s based in Cumbaya, Ecuador, and is an expert on life as an expat the way few are. He can help you give birth to your dream of moving to Ecuador, facilitate the transition with ease- https://www.gringotree.com/do-you-have-an-exit-strategy/?goal=0_abb51ee8d2-78784da2fb-109772665

RELOCATION SERVICES TO ECUADOR - TOURS TO ECUADOR - JOURNEYMAN JACK:
http://latinamericacurrentevents.com/ecuador-relocation-and-tour-services-journeyman-jack-2/34635/
{Comprehensive Introductory / Exploratory Tours Custom Fitted to your Relocation wants and needs with Pre-Trip Planning, Reservations, Expats & Locals Meet Ups, Rentals / Realty, Survival Spanish, Intro to EC Customs & Culture, Translator, Shopping,....

(the following would come later if you decide EC is for you)> Immigration, Residency Visas, Import / Export- Pets, Air Cargo, Vehicle & Home Inspections, Marriage Registration, Dual Citizenship, Dual Passports, Document Translations, Insurance, Healthcare, Law / Tax, Banking, Farm Land, Property & Site Management, Sea Container Shipping & Logistics, Security & Safety
 Measures, Finding Missing Persons In EC., Skype Video Or Toll Free Tel. Consultations}

(PS) What is STEP? Benefits of Enrolling in STEP: The - Smart - Traveler - Enrollment - Program,
 (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their
 trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.: https://step.state.gov/step/

(PSS) USA- Veterans Crisis / Suicide Hot Line- 1-800-273-8255

The content in my web site & videos on my You Tube Channel: "Journeyman Jack In Ecuador" & http://journeymanjack.com/ are provided for informational purposes only. Use the information found in these formats as a starting point for conducting your own research and conduct your own due diligence BEFORE making any significant Relocation or Investing decisions.
"Journeyman Jack In Ecuador" & http://journeymanjack.com/ assumes all information to be truthful and reliable; however, I cannot and do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of this information.
Thank You,
'JJinEc'