Triangle of Life: Earthquake Tips - Where to Go During an Earthquake

Might I Add: As a pre-statement, before you read this post, I want you to know that this article was written by someone else. I am not advocating that it is the only way to avoid danger during an earthquake, but I certainly think it is important to be aware of all possible actions to take to keep yourself safe. Keep your Intuitive Abilities sharp, so you can use them when in a dangerous situation. Please read an expanded version of this thought here:
New Post — Triangle of Life, Earthquakes, and Your Intuition

In light of the earthquake in New Zealand and Japan, we should be aware of the escape route when earthquake happens.

Save your life with “The Triangle of Life”
If you live in an area that does not normally have earthquakes, then you should read this whole article and share it with your children, friends and family.

“Triangle of Life”:  Simply by looking at the following self-explanatory photos, you can learn more than in a thousand words about how to protect yourself during a major earthquake. In light of the earthquake in New Zealand and Japan, we should be aware of the escape route when earthquake happens.

Where to Go During an Earthquake.... read more: http://thegobetween.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/triangle-of-life-earthquake-tips/

Fitch Upgrades Ecuador to 'B'; Outlook Stable Fri, Oct 18, 2013

Press Release: Fitch Ratings – 7 hours ago

  NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Fitch Ratings has upgraded Ecuador's long-term foreign Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) to 'B' from 'B-'. The Rating Outlook has been revised to Stable from Positive. Fitch has affirmed the country's short-term foreign currency IDR at 'B'. Fitch has also upgraded the Country Ceiling to 'B' from 'B-'. 

KEY RATING DRIVERS 

  Ecuador's upgrade reflects the country's continued healthy growth performance, monetary and financial stability underpinned by dollarization and a steady easing of external and fiscal financing risks as a result of still favorable international oil prices, improved prospects in the oil sector and continued availability of bilateral financing from China and multilaterals. 

  Fitch forecasts that growth could reach 3.8% in 2013 and 4.2% in 2014-2015, broadly in line with rating peers. Public expenditure, especially investment, is likely to remain as the driver of growth over the forecast period..read more: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/fitch-upgrades-ecuador-b-outlook-190600083.html

20 Things I Learned From Traveling Around the World

#2) Most places are as safe (or safer) than home.

....In over 365 days on the road, staying mostly in dormitory-style hostels and traveling through several countries considered 'high-risk,' the only incident I had was an iPhone stolen out of my pocket on the metro in Medellin, Colombia. I didn't even notice and deserved it for waiving the damn thing around in the wrong part of town. Most people think that in a place like Colombia you'll still get kidnapped or knocked off by a motorcycle assassin, but that's not true. According to the locals I talked to (who grew up there), things have been safer there for at least 10 years.

Caveat: This doesn't give you a license to be stupid, and some places really warrant respect. Guatemala and Honduras, where there are major drug wars going on (and the Peace Corps recently pulled all of their volunteers), or Quito, Ecuador, where everyone I talked to had been robbed, are reasonably dangerous (I had no trouble in any of them).

In reality, based on the sort of mindless binge-drinking that happens in most travel hot spots, you'd expect travelers to get knocked off a lot more often. But if you pay attention and don't do anything stupid, you'll be fine...read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/clayton-b-cornell/traveling-around-the-world_b_4065797.html

Retire in Ecuador and Survive Like a Champ

Can You Retire in Ecuador and Survive?

Ecuador George | October 14, 2013 | 64 Replies

Retire in Ecuador….
Easy enough.
Sell everything, get on a plane, get your visa, rent an apartment, go get some food, find a nice park to sit in, live happily ever after….

Boy, that is just what I’m looking for.
So what the hell happened?
How did something so simple become such a challenge.
And I’m not even living in Ecuador yet!

It has been a while since I have written anything.
A lot has happened in the last three months.

Don’t make me come over there…

A couple of endorsements before I go.

Casa Ordonez

 

 
Stay at Casa Ordonez when you are traveling to Cuenca. Tell Alberto that Ecuadorgeorge sent you and he might give you a little discount.

Mio Tours

 

Use Mio Tours, they are a great value and a great tour company.

Are you going to retire in Ecuador? My friend Nicholas Crowder has a great book that is a must read. Pick it up here.


I do not get kick backs or money for these recommendations, I like these people because they gave me great service.


Oh ya, I will talk about my diet pills and how crazy they made me in my next blog. Just another funny story…

Thank you to everyone who wrote me to see if I was alright. I can not believe all the nice notes I received.

Have a great week everyone. Hope to post more often from now on.

Don’t forget to say hi in the comments and you should subscribe now.
You know you want to. This could be that first small thing you do to make life a little better.


..read more: http://www.ecuadorgeorge.com/retire-in-ecuador-2/#.UlvE1birQ-V.facebook

Internationalize to Escape Obamacare?

Patty Grimm at Grimms' Travel Tales - 1 hour ago-

 

Hello Dear Readers, I have never gotten political on this blog and don't intend to. Everyone has a right to their own viewpoint and to express that viewpoint without being attacked. So I'm not wanting to debate anything. But what I have intended to do on this blog is to give valuable information to those folks who are following the path that we have already traveled on. My husband and I are both fortunate enough to have health care coverage that pays worldwide (Tricare) since Mike is a retiree from the U. S. Air Force. 

 

We will be OK with our health care coverage regardless of where we live in the world.

So, the point of this blog is to alert you to the fact that if you don't have health care coverage that is good in the U. S., and you think that since you live abroad you won't be penalized by the I.R.S., then you may be mistaken.  This is the catch:  You must live outside of the U. S. for 330 days in any calendar year to be exempt from the individual mandate requirements.  If you visit the U. S. for more than 35 days in a calendar year, and don't have any health care coverage (i.e., private insurance, Medicare, VA, Tricare, employer-provided coverage, etc.), then you will be fined by the IRS when you file your tax return.

Here is the link that I am getting this information from:


http://www.internationalman.com/78-global-perspectives/1023-internationalize-to-escape-obamacare?acm=8030_184

This is all very confusing if you haven't been paying attention.  I know a lot of people travel back and forth between the U. S. and their home abroad, but this might change things for you.  Questions to ask yourself:

1.  How important is it for me to be in the U. S. each year?
2.  How many days will I be in the U. S. each year?
3.  Will I buy health care coverage that is good in the U.S., even though I live abroad?
4.  Will I pay the fine that is imposed by the I.R.S. when filing my taxes because I did not buy health care coverage that is good in the U.S. which I should have done if I plan on being in the States for more than 35 days in a calendar year?

Just wanted to alert you to what's on the horizon.  Good luck with your choices. http://grimmstraveltales.blogspot.com/2013/10/internationalize-to-escape-obamacare.html

ECUADOR NEWS MAGAZINE: Whitewater Ecuador Classic, Upper Misahualli

ECUADOR NEWS MAGAZINE: Whitewater Ecuador Classic, Upper Misahualli

An American Military Veteran in Ecuador: $900 per Month or Ask Not What Your Country Can Do...

An American Military Veteran in Ecuador: $900 per Month or Ask Not What Your Country Can Do...: $900 per month? or Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You, Ask What You Can Do For Your Country We have decided to sponsor a child in Ecua...