Ecuador Launches Information Campaign to Combat Human Trafficking and Smuggling

Posted on Fri, Feb-14-2014

IOM Ecuador together with partners launches an information campaign in Quito’s international airport aimed at combating and raising public awareness of human trafficking and smuggling. © IOM 2014

ZOOM

Ecuador - The IOM Mission in Ecuador, working with partners, has launched an information campaign in Quito’s international airport aimed at combating and raising public awareness of human trafficking and smuggling.
IOM’s Development Fund provided funding for the billboards, which will be displayed at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport for a year, with support from the Ministry of Interior and the National Police, as well as the Municipality of Quito.   The airport’s concessionaire company, QUIPORT, waived the fees for the use of the spaces.
“Human trafficking is a violation of a person’s human rights.  We want the public to know this, but also to know that it is an illegal and very lucrative activity run by international criminal networks,” said Rogelio Bernal, IOM Chief of Mission in Ecuador....read more: https://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/news-and-views/press-briefing-notes/pbn-2014/pbn-listing/ecuador-launches-information-cam.html

AirMed and Medivac service and insurance in Ecuador - 30 Jan 2014

AirMed and Medivac service and insurance in Ecuador

Posted by Considering Cuenca.com on 1:03 pm in Insurance, Insurance, Medical, Travel | 0 comments

Passing on information from a fellow expat as of 30 Jan 2014:

Air Med in Ecuador

“Medi Vacs are available, and I try to urge my friends, family & guests to purchase a Travel Insurance policy that includes Medivac.

My Sister was here in SEP and had a policy for $80. that included Medivac, you just never know?

We did right at 3,000KM circle of EC encompassing the Coast. I insisted she get Ins. Coverage for the 3 week trip. I want to be able to call in a medical helicopter transport, as well as medical emergency flight back to the US if need be, I keep a Satellite Phone in the truck just in case we are in a no cell phone signal remote areas: “
Coverage limits are per person. Plan cost is for all persons.

Company Allianz Global Assistance logo
Plan Name Deluxe
Plan Terms Full Details
Plan Type Package
Total Policy Cost $80.00
Available to Travelers from U.S.

90 plan reviews
Trip Cancellation $736
Trip Interruption $1,104
Financial Default Selected Suppliers, 7 day wait if purchased within 14 days of initial trip payment

Terrorism in Itinerary City Foreign & U.S. Domestic
Cancel For Any Reason Not Available
Travel Baggage $2,500 2
Travel Baggage Delay 24+ hours
$600 max. 2
Travel Delay 6+ hours
$300/day
$1,500 max.

Medical $50,000
Dental $750 Incl. in Medical

Emergency Medical Evacuation $1,000,000

24-Hour Emergency Assistance Yes

Pre-Existing Conditions Waiver If insurance purchased within 14 days of Initial Trip Payment
Pre-Existing Condition Period 120 Days
Insurance Company Jefferson

A.M. Best Rating A
Refund Policy 10 Day Review Period
Rental Car Collision/Loss (per policy) $50,000

Accidental Death – 24-Hour $50,000

Accidental Death – Common Carrier Included in Accidental Death – 24-hour

Accidental Death – Flight Included in Accidental Death – 24-hour

–For the price and this good of coverage, it makes no sense to not have it. Is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.–
Contributed to Considering Cuenca by Me: "Journeyman Jack in Ecuador"  ....read more: http://information.cuenca-ecuador-retirement.com/

Homemade submarine used to smuggle cocaine in Ecuador

Feb 21, 2014

By Global Post

Ecuadorean police seized this homemade narco submarine, which travels at 10 mph, has no oxygen tanks and can dive for just 15 minutes. (GLOBAL POST/Simeon Tegel)

If smuggling cocaine onto an airplane sounds dicey, then imagine navigating 2,000 miles on the open sea in a homemade submarine with half a ton of the white stuff and no oxygen tanks.

This 30-foot fiberglass sub can dive just 15 feet and stay under for a maximum of 15 minutes — barely long enough for passing coastguard patrols to disappear. It has no toilet, kitchen or, for that matter, legroom....read more: http://voxxi.com/2014/02/21/smuggling-cocaine-in-ecuador/

Goodbye Ecuador…Hello Mexico! - Sunday, February 23rd, 2014

Goodbye Ecuador…Hello Mexico!

Posted by Donald Murray 

· Sunday, February 23rd, 2014 

I may as well get right to it! Yes, Diane and I are leaving Ecuador. We will not be returning to the United States but will be checking out the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico for our next chapter. I know! You are likely surprised that a guy who has been regularly writing and speaking about how great life is here is now announcing that he and his wife will be leaving Ecuador. Here’s the deal! ....read more: http://donaldmurrayecuador.com/goodbye-ecuadorhello-mexico/#comment-833

Resonance in the Pyramids of La Maná, Ecuador

Resonance in the Pyramids of La Maná, Ecuador

The Hummingbird Pyramid is Discovered in La Maná, Ecuador Among 17 Ancient Temples
by Alex Putney for Human-Resonance.org
February 11, 2014
A monumental discovery was recently made south of La Maná, Ecuador on November 17, 2013 while exploring low mountains along the Calope River. The megalithic ruins of an ancient temple have been partially exposed by the dynamite blasts of roadworkers and the erosive action of water, uncovering large sections of basalt foundations along two sides of a structure exceeding 70m in height.

Before any discussion with the community members of this area on such complex subjects, one local resident and guide to the region mentioned the unusual recurrence of rumbling sounds in these thickly forested mountains surrounding the magnificent Seven Cascades. He stated that ultra-low frequency sounds often resounded during the nighttime hours, especially during the rainy season months from December to April, and suggested these mountain peaks were used by ancient people for transmitting communications over long distances. Tesla would have agreed with that suggestion!.....read more: http://www.human-resonance.org/hummingbird_pyramid.html

African American - Latino World: Getting the Most from My Travel Plans

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Getting the Most from My Travel Plans

African American - Latino World

This blog is about my exposure to the
Spanish language and various Latin-American cultures; particularly Black
Latino (Afro-Latino) cultures.

I’ve heard fellow travelers proclaim preference for spontaneity in their travels.
They do just enough planning to get themselves going, and they leave the rest to
chance. Supposedly, this is more daring and fun. Although, I have much
respect for these travelers’ individual preferences, I would not be in favor of
traveling in their company and, would creatively find a way to get lost
from their presence. My personal preference is to plan everything down
to the last detail.

.

Although the travel experience itself is fun, the detailed research and planning adds to the excitement and creates vicarious enjoyment. I generally start such research and planning six to seven months before the actual trip, and as much as
possible, follow my game plan while allowing room for flexibility in the event
that something or someone interesting does come along to alter a specific plan
in my itinerary.  My travels have never gone exactly according to plan, but I felt secure by at least having a solid plan.

I read travel guides like Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, Moon’s Guide, in addition to
doing Google searches and reading blogs of other travelers who been there and
done what I plan on doing myself. As a registered on-line member of Trip Advisor, Couchsurfing, and Virtual Tourist (websites for travelers), I’m pretty much ready for anything.

This extra effort saves me a lot of unnecessary stress, frustration, and of course, money.
My trips, primarily to Latin American countries, including airfare, has been
relatively inexpensive. As pointed out in my article, How To Enjoy Travel Without Being Wealthy, I was able to reserve flights to Mexico City,
Lima, Cartagena, Quito, and Panama City, in that order, for a total of $897.
Naturally, this fare did not come without intensive on line research. I managed
to snag this fare three months before the actual take-off date. Once I arrived
at my destinations, I already knew the details of the local currency, cheap or
free places to stay, public transportation, where to go for food and
entertainment, and how much I could expect to pay....read more: http://ahorasecreto.blogspot.com/2014/02/getting-most-from-my-travel-plans.html?spref=fb

The Middle of the World - Ecuador Travel and Living: Quito Traffic "Que Bestia!"

Quito Traffic "Que Bestia!"

I promised in the beginning I would keep it real, upfront, and honest
throughout all of my blog posts.  So as promised I am here to tell you
one of Quito's ugliest and most brutal realities.



THE TRAFFIC HERE SUCKS.

This is where you will spend a ton of your time if you live in Quito

I mean it is really bad.  Absolutely horrible.  This is being typed from
the hands of a Los Angeles native driver, so that in it self should say
a lot.  But seriously, my 10 mile commute is actually an hour and a
half at a minimum. 



The miniature version of "streets" you find in certain sections of the
city, plus the street lights that are green for a whole 1.8 seconds on
major intersections, multiplied by the over abundance of mid sized and
large SUV's here in Quito, only begins to describe this mess.  (massive
run on sentence I know)

Everyday congestion in the city of Quito

If you must drive here, You will find these many little caveats or unwritten rules helpful:

• It is perfectly OK to be all the way in the right lane on a 3 lane
  road, then suddenly make a left turn without using your signal.  This
  works both ways. 
• It is also perfectly acceptable to park in the middle of the street
  to send a text message, make a phone call, or even get out to buy some
  street food.  
• If you own a motorcycle you are allowed to drive pretty much anywhere you can make your bike go, even down stairs.    
• Running a red light is perfectly OK after sunset or on Sunday,
  however the concept of what "Right on red" is has not caught on yet,
  even though it is actually legal here. 
• Buses are above the law and actually gain 50 points for every car they run into.  Blue buses have diplomatic immunity.
• People will beep at the people in front of them to go when the light
  is still red, even if it is a police officer in front of them.
• The space between the two lanes on the road is actually another lane, if your car can fit.   

By following these unwritten laws, you will survive driving here in Quito.  Good luck. 





The Middle of the World - Ecuador Travel and Living: Quito Traffic "Que Bestia!":