tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.comments2023-09-30T06:07:37.791-07:00Ecuador Travel and LivingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15591815126691901046noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-40232220627439671152013-12-11T09:01:07.196-08:002013-12-11T09:01:07.196-08:00Reading personal blogs like yours is a good way to...Reading personal blogs like yours is a good way to get a feel for a country. But keeping up with 100+ websites was time consuming. So I built a website that aggregates all the sites I like to read. That way I can keep up with the blogs with very little effort. If anyone else can make use of this it's at ourretirementdreams.com<br />bill Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13536333098593709032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-64682361582766614322013-12-10T07:40:19.231-08:002013-12-10T07:40:19.231-08:00You always give spot on advice. I really like the ...You always give spot on advice. I really like the tips about restricting a google search to results from the past year and about taking time to do every day activities instead of just tourist activities. I'd also recommend getting off the gringo trail. Visit some places that are not tourist destinations, visit small towns, and places where you might be the only gringo.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03773228220418591057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-67727175249746106582013-10-04T17:56:08.846-07:002013-10-04T17:56:08.846-07:00I have to prequalify by sayng that Mike is a good ...I have to prequalify by sayng that Mike is a good friend of mine and a gold mine of contacts and information on Quito. He has gone above and beyond on many occasion when he didn't have to. Now I will also say that I like Quito. Don't love it. Wouldn't even live here long. But it's nice. I say things like "Why not" when I'm sitting on a lancha cruising the back alleys of Bangcock or running off a cliff in a hanglider in Rio. But to each his own. I will take issue with your statement about the weather -- One of those things like "Live like a king for $600/mo. in Ecuador." At least in my neighborhood it is warm early in the day, often up to 75, but drops to whatever it takes for me to feel freezing and too cold to go out. But weather, or how cold one feels, is totally subjective. I'd probably like it here better is I weren't such a beach bum at heart. In fact I might even live here. Then again if my aunt had wheels she'd be a wagon. I also really like the way that Lima and Quito, and to a lesser extent Bogota, have this ego thing going on - like a contest to see who can be more like Buenos Aires. None come close.Dr. William Perryhttp://www.getonlinetherapy.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-31661827717348761792013-10-03T17:35:52.377-07:002013-10-03T17:35:52.377-07:00Hi Mike,
To the EAST of Quito is (not west): Cum...Hi Mike,<br /> To the EAST of Quito is (not west): Cumbaya, Tumbaco, Yariqui, Puembo, Quinche, to the West is a cool lil dairy town Nono, and of course Calacali - Nanegalito - Nanegal - Mindo...another good up and coming Northern Quito suburb is San Jose de las Minas,...the Mingas have family & ties there.Journeyman Jack In Ecuadorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424673022823848951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-46994711769157329812013-09-05T05:08:11.725-07:002013-09-05T05:08:11.725-07:00Congrats on the new addition to the family.
Looks...Congrats on the new addition to the family.<br /><br />Looks like a nice place to visit.Bob Houkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16982822149146722008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-65274430473306785572013-06-18T13:21:42.719-07:002013-06-18T13:21:42.719-07:00Haha yes Patty. It is survival of the fittest dri...Haha yes Patty. It is survival of the fittest driving here. I still feel Los Angeles was worse. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15591815126691901046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-65080166814207316782013-06-16T18:03:06.584-07:002013-06-16T18:03:06.584-07:00Love your blog post and I agree completely. I hav...Love your blog post and I agree completely. I have just started driving in Cuenca and I'm sure that Quito is worse because it's bigger and busier than Cuenca, but driving here is still bad news!Patty Grimmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01594571979053560070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-2618640197187098052013-06-15T12:26:03.244-07:002013-06-15T12:26:03.244-07:00Thanks Mike ...heading up from Vilcabamba for my C...Thanks Mike ...heading up from Vilcabamba for my Cedula soon.<br /><br />The visa folks gave me a paper Friday (6-14-13) signed stamped and sealed to give to the Registro Civil, so I really hope you are right about paperless ...bringing my BC and Diploma just in case.Jim Bramanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11762295997371194783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-6169459238334229042013-06-15T12:25:38.168-07:002013-06-15T12:25:38.168-07:00Thanks Mike ...heading up from Vilcabamba for my C...Thanks Mike ...heading up from Vilcabamba for my Cedula soon.<br /><br />The visa folks gave me a paper Friday (6-14-13) signed stamped and sealed to give to the Registro Civil, so I really hope you are right about paperless ...bringing my BC and Diploma just in case.Jim Bramanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11762295997371194783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-77865585889688525282013-05-09T07:29:22.574-07:002013-05-09T07:29:22.574-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-82889481538317559102013-05-09T07:11:23.906-07:002013-05-09T07:11:23.906-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-82287174508894399762013-05-09T01:23:22.075-07:002013-05-09T01:23:22.075-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-70229652185800388792013-04-01T17:22:46.634-07:002013-04-01T17:22:46.634-07:00There are also a lot of attorneys who over charge ...There are also a lot of attorneys who over charge and know nothing about visa work.<br /><br />Unlike the USA where a lawyer is the way to go for matters of immigration and naturalization, often an attorney is the wrong way to approach getting your residency visa here in Ecuador. <br /><br />While everyone's situation is of course unique, the most popular visas at this time -- investment and retiree -- are pretty much formulaic. So much so that the Immigration office in Cuenca now has English speaking clerks to help with the influx of gringo expatriates. <br /><br />The most important part of the process as you know is being prepared -- and to do that right you may want to speak with a qualified and highly recommended visa facilitator, the sort who has no problem providing free advice because it is their actual work, and not this basic information, that makes them stand out. <br /><br />That person is Dana Cameron and you can contact her at agua_plata@hotmail.com <br /><br />She will provide folks with a list of what they need to prepare while still in the USA and how to get everything ready for a smooth process here. Done right, most don't have to hire her. Her work comes from the more involved processes and yes, she has an attorney for when that is required as well.<br /><br />Great blogging Mike... and as always great to see your contributions on Expatexchange.com<br /><br />Susan<br /><br />Susanhttp://theoceanhideaway.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-85741006956814192472013-04-01T14:17:11.838-07:002013-04-01T14:17:11.838-07:00Hector,
You are absolutely right on both points. ...Hector,<br /><br />You are absolutely right on both points. Sometimes their are complicated legal situations that call for an attorney. Also, from what I hear, their are some "facilitators" out their that cant perform. That is why it is important to choose one with a proven track record.<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15591815126691901046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-3707996676616706702013-04-01T14:14:25.990-07:002013-04-01T14:14:25.990-07:00Mike,
All good info. However, while some Visa fa...Mike,<br /><br />All good info. However, while some Visa facilitators are great, some do not have the breadth of knowledge that a Visa attorney can offer. Also, some individuals have more complex Visa requirements than others. I think a Visa facilitator or Visa attorney is a good option and varies with each individual applicant. My suggestion is check out both.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08244173020025266901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-91530592292373111652013-02-27T10:57:25.544-08:002013-02-27T10:57:25.544-08:00Let me know when you are here and I will make sure...Let me know when you are here and I will make sure we can show you all the best places to visit in Ecuador!<br /><br />Mike-<br />Themiddleoftheworld@gmail.com<br />www.themiddleoftheworld.com<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15591815126691901046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-46544199750349271432013-02-27T10:55:56.210-08:002013-02-27T10:55:56.210-08:00Come man we will go hiking looking for waterfalls....Come man we will go hiking looking for waterfalls. You should see the falls here they make Holy Jim Falls look like a bathroom sink. <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15591815126691901046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-63890436185452570422013-02-27T08:14:11.680-08:002013-02-27T08:14:11.680-08:00Neat. Me & Em gotta get down there & visi...Neat. Me & Em gotta get down there & visit!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11887880504445619652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-52967864515117693042013-02-13T09:33:51.508-08:002013-02-13T09:33:51.508-08:00Wow, I definitely want to go to these places when ...Wow, I definitely want to go to these places when I come. I am liking your blog. It will be me "To Do" list when I come for places to go and visit! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5880900986411703984.post-9284101009444204012013-02-05T15:45:20.872-08:002013-02-05T15:45:20.872-08:00Hi, Mike:
I spent a month and a week in cuenca in...Hi, Mike:<br /><br />I spent a month and a week in cuenca in the south teaching English (free!) at a small village school in Turi. I had a wonderful time and met many people both Ecuadorian and expats who either worked like I did or were staying at the hostel where I lived in Cuenca.<br /><br />I spent a couple of weeks living in Cotacachi and wrote and was published in ExPatExchange.com. I wrote an article called "The Dog Whisperers of Cotacachi" about an American couple who care for stray and malnourished dogs.<br /><br />I plan to return this upcoming March, 2013 with a flight directly to Guayaquil and make my way east to Cuenca to share this gem of South America with my girlfriend who's never been there before. <br /><br />Thanks for your blog. I'll write you again and share my thoughts.<br /><br />Trekker Dave<br />dhall0126@aol.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com