AHHH CUENCA!!: Return to Baños - Part IV of IV

AHHH CUENCA!!: Return to Baños - Part IV of IV: As I said when I last signed off, I headed back to Cuenca (from Baños) via a different route than that I had driven so many times before.   This time, it was along the edges of the Amazon.  I had NO clue what the route might be like.  It was a brand-spankin new adventure.
This leg was a bit of a rarity in that so much of my driving here in EC is in the Andes mountains, which means curve after curve after CURVE!!!  Now I was in the flatlands and I could make good speed.  Or so I thought.

This went on for what seemed like infinity.  However, the views were stunning.   The long, wide lake formed by the Paute Dam was beautiful.   Finally, after winding, and swerving, and passing, and dust, and mud, and racing dumptrucks, I arrived in familiar territory, the town of Paute....about 40 minutes outside Cuenca.  Home was in sight.  I drove past the point on the autopista where my car broke down the last time I returned from a trip to Baños and figured it was all a success.  Dog-tired and my head spinning, I got home about 7pm.

Here's some statistics:

• Kms driven = 1229 (780 miles)
• Total cost of the 4-day trip = $283, which included:
• $60 hotel room for 3 nights
• $60 gas
• $16 breakfasts
• $25 lunches
• $30 dinners
• $14 snacks
• $3 spa pools
• $20 massage
• $20 detox treatments (2)
• $35 train ticket

Enjoy the photos!

PS....Thank you Mary for sharing with me the keyboard tricks for making Spanish puñctuation.

Dano- http://www.danoinec.blogspot.com/

Take care of the environment, don't throw garbage.

U.S. Relations with Ecuador, Analysis, July 2013

Posted on August 15, 2013 • Filed under: Ecuador, Politics, United States

ONE BOOK THAT SHOULD BE READ BY EVERY EXPAT OR FUTURE EXPAT IN ECUADOR
CRS Report for Congress
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress
Ecuador: Political and Economic Conditions
and U.S. Relations
June S. Beittel
Analyst in Latin American Affairs
July 3, 2013
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
Ecuador: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations
Congressional Research Service
1
The United States has traditionally had close relations with Ecuador, yet tensions in the
U.S.-Ecuador relationship have surfaced in recent years as the left leaning government of
President Rafael Correa (2007-present) has objected to U.S. influence in the region which
it has labeled “imperialist.” Nevertheless, the United States is Ecuador’s largest trade partner and
has extended trade preferences to Ecuador under the Andean Trade Preferences Act (ATPA) since
the legislation’s enactment in 1991. The ATPA provides unilateral preferential access to the U.S.
market for certain products in order to reduce dependence on the illegal drug trade, although the
Correa government in late June 2013 “renounced” its participation in the program. For additional
information on the consideration of trade preferences for Ecuador under the Andean Trade
Preferences Act by the 113th Congress, see CRS Report RS22548,
ATPA Renewal: Background....http://latinamericacurrentevents.com/u-s-relations-with-ecuador-analysis-july-2013/29194/

Tip for exploratory trip to Ecuador before living or retiring there-

Posted on August 13, 2013 • Filed under: Ecuador, TRAVEL

As the author of “100 things to consider before moving or retiring in Ecuador“, I am always looking at new aspects on how a potential expatriate might make a better informed decision about living in Ecuador.
A number of those that decide to live in Ecuador basically just “jump in” and they are off on the adventure. Primarily this group has used many of the resources on the internet and read a few books. Another group of expatriates have the financial ability or interest in doing what is called the famed “exploratory trip” that you see mentioned in so many of the expatriate forums. The exploratory trip is highly recommended and one should spend as much time in the country as possible in order to gauge whether or not it is the best decision for you....http://latinamericacurrentevents.com/tip-for-exploratory-trip-to-ecuador-before-living-or-retiring-there/29183/
  
100 Points to Consider Before Moving or Retiring in Ecuador - 
You Tube:

Published on May 14, 2013

Ecuador is now a major destination for expatriates. Now, Nicholas Crowder the author of "Culture Shock! Ecuador" is releasing a new book specifically designed for anyone considering a move or retirement to Ecuador.
 Most expatriates are not prepared for such an intricate and complex culture. "100 points to consider before moving or retiring in Ecuador" provides a detailed examination of critical factors one needs to anaylze before moving to Ecuador.
Furthermore, if you are already residing there, this new book will provide you deep insight into Ecuadorian culture and mindset.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON KINDLE: http://www.amazon.com/Points-Consider-Retiring-Ecuador-ebook/dp/B00DZTZ4HC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1374256381&sr=1-1&keywords=100+Points+to+Consider+Before+Moving+or+Retiring+in+Ecuador

Life in Ecuador - The Middle of the World: Find friends in Ecuador with InterNations.

Life in Ecuador - The Middle of the World: Find friends in Ecuador with InterNations.: Coming to a new country by yourself can be a downright daunting experience.  Remember that Doors song "When your Strange"?  That i...

Chasing Silver III

Ecuador to Compensate Exporters Hurt by End of U.S. Trade Preferences-

The Wall Street Journal - Wednesday, July 31, 2013 As of 3:36 PM EDT

 
    By Mercedes Alvaro 
 

QUITO, Ecuador--Ecuador's National Assembly approved a law late Tuesday to compensate exporters affected by the expiration of the U.S.-Andean Trade Preferences and Drug Eradication Act, or Atpdea.
The law was approved with 103 votes in favor and only one against. It will compensate exporters with about $23 million a year.

The law allows for the giving of tax-credit certificates to companies affected by the removal of the preferences. The certificates can be used to pay taxes or some debts with state-owned banks.
The government of President Rafael Correa has said that the impact of losing the preferences will be $23 million a year, while Ecuadorean exporters put the number at $26 million.

The Atpdea provides duty-free access to some U.S. imports from Ecuador. It originally was created to help four Andean countries in their efforts to fight drug production and trafficking, but currently Ecuador is the only remaining beneficiary of the preferences.

The Atpdea benefits expire Wednesday, and the application of tariffs for Ecuadorean products will start on Thursday.

The U.S. is Ecuador's top trade partner. Last year, the Andean country's exports to the U.S. totaled about $10.62 billion, which represents 45% of the country's total exports.

Last year Ecuador exported about $242 million under the Andean trade preferences to the U.S., 23% of the country's non-oil exports, including canned tuna, flowers and broccoli.

These three products accounted for about 90% of the Ecuadorean exports under the Atpdea.
According to the Ecuadorian Exporters Federation, known as Fedexpor, about 250 products and more than 200 companies will be affected by the loss of the preferences.
Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20130731-715304.html

Ecuador, the main destination for Colombian refugees-

A total of 99% of the 55,327 individuals with refugee status in Ecuador are Colombian.

By Lissette Condo for Infosurhoy.com - 01/08/2013

Access to decent housing is one of the biggest problems faced by refugees, who comprise 10% of the population in Lago Agrio, a municipality in the northeastern Ecuadoran province of Sucumbíos, 569 kilometers from the border with Colombia. (Courtesy V. Rodas/ACNUR-UNHCR)

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador – His accent gives him away.
After 12 years in a foreign country, his Colombian identity remains firmly intact.
“It’s been nearly 13 years under the shadow of silence,” said Ramón, 52, who declined to provide his last name for safety reasons.
To live in freedom, he had to leave his native land and immigrate to Ecuador.....
... Of that total, at least 99% are Colombians, with the rest from the Middle East.....
Read more: http://infosurhoy.com/cocoon/saii/xhtml/en_GB/features/saii/features/main/2013/08/01/feature-01