Three tickets to Paradise by Deborah A. Brookhart

Book Description

Publication Date: May 13, 2013

After a man loses both his full-time and part-time jobs within a month of each other and cannot find employment, he decides to cash in his 401k and move to Ecuador. This is the story of how he, his wife and teenage daughter, along with a dog and cat, deal with language barriers, "gringo rates" for items, a crazy builder, and a home invasion where the wife was pistol-whipped.*******Caution: contains adult language, including the F-bomb**********

Olon Again...Naturally: Cuenca Again

Olon Again...Naturally: Cuenca Again:

Friday, May 31, 2013

Cuenca Again

May 31, 2013

I’m back in Cuenca for a week or so to take care of on-going eye problems.
I saw my eye doctor yesterday and I am scheduled to have cataract surgery next Tuesday. Both of my eyes have cataracts, but the left eye is down to 20% vision, so that one will be operated on first.  This is the same eye that I had laser surgery on about 8 months ago to repair a torn retina, and because I had Lasik surgery done on my eyes about ten years ago, the surgery will be a little more complicated than normal cataract removal.

I have a lot of confidence in my eye doctor here in Cuenca, and looking forward to being able to see again.  I don’t know what cataract surgery costs in the States now, but the cost of this procedure here is going to cost $1200 - $1500, depending on what type of lens is needed (to be determined during the operation).

 



The Festival of Corpus Christi started yesterday. It is a weeklong celebration that includes fireworks, bands, a multitude of the stands selling dulces, and other festivities.  It’s always fun to wonder around El Centro and Parque Caldron during these holidays.

 

 

 

 

 

In fact, it seems like every time we are in Cuenca, there is some type of holiday celebration happening, generally rooted in some religious observance (during our last trip here, it was during Palm Sunday weekend), and I love that Ecuadorians embrace merriment at the drop of a “Panama” hat.*http://leighfrost-olon.blogspot.com/2013/05/cuenca-again.html

Taken during last visit to Cuenca
during Palm Sunday weekend.

 

 

Ecuador Expat Bloggers: Blog Update -- May 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

Blog Update -- May 2013

Here are new bloggers (at least that I've just found) to add to the roll.  Quite a few of these blogs are from peace corps volunteers (PCV), and there are also blogs from missionaries.  I was able to compile this list using the resources from Ecuador News Magazine which has done an amazing job of collecting all of the blogging information.  And there are also new bloggers from the expat population detailing their move from their old home to Ecuador.

Enjoy!

http://ecuadorschmits2012.blogspot.com/

http://journeymanjackinecuador.blogspot.com/

http://www.retire-in-ecuador.com/retirement-in-ecuador-blog.htmlAnd many more:....http://ecuadorexpatbloggers.blogspot.com/2013/05/blog-update-may-2013.html

So, You Want to Retire in Cuenca Ecuador…

So, You Want to Retire in Cuenca Ecuador…
So here is that all important question…
Do you really want to retire in Cuenca, Ecuador?

Don’t Believe Everything You Hear About Cuenca Ecuador….

• It will cost at least $1000 a month to live in Ecuador (You cannot live on $600 per month). When I say live, I mean more than just exist. Living means seeing a show now and then, eating out once in a while, living in a place that has walls and a roof. Having internet access and satellite TV. Maybe hot water for your morning shower would be nice. Rents and real estate prices are going up. Be aware of these things. Arriving with not enough money will turn your dream into a real nightmare.
• You really need to speak a little Spanish in order to relate to the locals. Learn how to order food and how to ask directions. Take a class for goodness sake.
• The residency Visa process is not a piece of cake. It will be tedious and frustrating. Get help if you need it.
• Learn about the local culture and respect the local culture. Don’t expect to find some little USA when you move here. This is Ecuador.
• Calm down, slow down, and quiet down….. Do not bring that ego and “better than everyone else attitude” with you. Arrogance is a very unattractive trait. You will be a guest in this country, so try to act that way.
• Rent for the first year. Ecuador is a big country. There are beautiful coastal towns like Manta (pictured below) and beautiful mountain communities like Quito or Cuenca Ecuador. Do not buy property right away. Slow down. Look at everything first. Get a feel for this place.
• If you think that those International Magazines you are reading are telling you the whole truth, think again. A lot of them are selling seminars, books, and real estate. Get your info from more than just one or two sources. Read local blogs and get in touch with some of the local groups on Facebook. Talk to people who are living in Ecuador. Be careful.
• You must visit before you move to Ecuador. If you cannot afford to visit Ecuador then you cannot afford to live in Ecuador.
• You have choices. Ecuador is not the be all end all place. There are a lot of great places in the world to live. Keep your mind open.
• http://www.ecuadorgeorge.com/cuenca-ecuador-3/#.UaPyFcwovHg.facebook 

Coastal city of Manta Ecuador

6 Things That Make Ecuador Affordable

By Josh on March 12, 2013 

Affordable Cuenca, Ecuador

Thinking about making the move abroad and wondering where is the best location for a soon-to-be expat? Your answer might just be Ecuador, the newest hot spot destination for retirees and expats wanting the good life without the financial stress.
 

Ecuador is the world’s best place to retire overseas on a retirement budget. Here you can live better than you do in the U.S. for less money. The cost of living is low, and the cost of real estate is one of the lowest for Latin America. With monthly estimated living expenses ranging from $900 to $1,400, Ecuador surpasses Panama, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

1. Real Estate in Ecuador Is Affordable

If you want to call Ecuador home for good, the process of buying a house is straightforward. Real estate prices are still relatively low. Some expats find it is still possible to build new residential construction for under $100 per square foot. But remember, this is local construction… cement or red clay brick. There is almost no wood construction in Ecuador....http://vivatropical.com/ecuador/affordable-ecuador/

AAA LIVING IN CUENCA: Trip to Machala, Ecuador - the banana capitol of t...

AAA LIVING IN CUENCA: Trip to Machala, Ecuador - the banana capitol of t...:

Stephen and Geri picked me up around 10 am on Saturday morning along with Val and Ana. We headed towards Yunguilla, a beautiful village in the lust green mountains south of Cuenca, and then down to the coast. Leaving behind the 72 degree weather of Cuenca. Two and a half hours later we were in the 86 degree weather of Machala with 80% humidity! It was nice to wear shorts and t-shirts again.

Machala is the banana capitol of the world and we drove through miles of banana fields.

Market Watch Article about Ecuador - TUE, May 14, 2013

by: Grimms' Travel Tales- Tuesday, May 14, 2013-Market Watch Article about Ecuador:
 As a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, Mike Grimm traveled to 57 countries in his 29 years of service. “I’ve seen how people live all over the world,” he says. When it came time for Mike and his wife, Patty, to retire in 2010, Grimm, by then a teacher and living in Arizona, knew he wanted a low-cost location with good health care, natural beauty, nice weather and plenty of cultural opportunities.
http://grimmstraveltales.blogspot.com/2013/05/market-watch-article-about-ecuador.html

 

Grimm and his wife opted for Cuenca, the third largest city in Ecuador. “We live on about $1,500 a month,” Mike says....We were recently interviewed (via Skype) by a journalist writing for the Wall Street Journal's Market Watch segment.  Here is her completed article:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/retire-here-not-there-ecuador-2013-05-13?pagenumber=1

There seems to be a lot of interest all of a sudden in Ecuador.  Please remember to bring your manners and your desire to learn Spanish with you to this beautiful country.