Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Las Casas de Rumy Tola - Homes and Real Estate in Cotacachi Ecuador: Owning Real Estate in Ecuador Can Qualify You For ...

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Owning Real Estate in Ecuador Can Qualify You For Residency

There are several ways to qualify for permanent residency in Ecuador.  The two most common means are the retirement visa and the investor visa.  The retirement visa requires a verifiable minimum monthly income from some sort of a retirement program such as social security or a pension.  The investor visa requires that you invest a prescribed amount of cash into an approved financial investment within Ecuador.
Las Casas de Rumy Tola - Homes and Real Estate in Cotacachi Ecuador: Owning Real Estate in Ecuador Can Qualify You For ...: There are several ways to qualify for permanent residency in Ecuador.  The two most common means are the retirement visa and the investor vi...

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Geocaching Journal: Geocaching With Kids

Geocaching With Kids

There are plenty of good resources out there for beginning geocachers; especially now that our little hobby has become so popular. But one of my favorite go-to sites, not just for geocaching, but to learn about anything outdoors-related, is REI. Their "Expert Advice" section is excellent. And this post on "Geocaching with Kids" is no exception. Here's an excerpt:

This brief but helpful write-up contains all the essential information for parents wanting to start enjoying time outdoors with their kids.Geocaching Journal: Geocaching With Kids: There are plenty of good resources out there for beginning geocachers; especially now that our little hobby has become so popular. But one o...

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right? HeadHardHat's Geocaching Insights: First Geocaches in Georgia and Florida


GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right? HeadHardHat's Geocaching Insights: First Geocaches in Georgia and Florida: Found my first geocaches in Georgia and now Florida with Dave. On to GeoWoodstock 11.

ECUADOR NEWS MAGAZINE: Guayaquil guide - THE WHITE CITY

Guayaquil guide - Guayaquil

Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city, its busiest port and its leading economic engine. Although it was, for many years, an afterthought to visitors, travelers have now come to recognize Guayaquil as one of Ecuador's most fascinating, vibrant places. Its unique culture, cosmopolitanism, rapidly developing tourist infrastructure and intriguing attractions have begun to lure in visitors.

ECUADOR NEWS MAGAZINE: Guayaquil guide - THE WHITE CITY: "This is the door to a new life," you can read above entrance number three of Guayaquil's general cemetery, one of the most be...

Guayaquil guide - MALECON 2000

The waterfront malecón, or boardwalk, was once the center of social life in Guayaquil. 

It had fallen into disuse in the late 20th century, but an ambitious program of restoration and new construction has turned it into the must-see attraction in Guayaquil.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Fun facts about Ecuador by Married w/ Luggage

Fun facts about Ecuador

We’ve observed a few things about Ecuador you may not find in your local travel guide. As we make our way into Colombia, we want to leave you with this little list of fun facts we learned during our travels.
(All of these statements are said with great affection, since we have really grown to love this country.)

Transportation

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Monday, July 8, 2013

Life in the middle of the world - Ecuador: Quito Traffic "Que Bestia!"

Life in the middle of the world - Ecuador: 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...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.