Are you happy in Ecuador?

Well beside the fact that nothing works I'm pretty happy.  Quito is beautiful and the people are wonderful.  However, they just hooked up the water heater, I just subscribed to the internet (TVCable), and I bought a brand new local brand refrigerator (Ecasa) and none of them work.  The water either burns or freezes.  I subscribed to 50m turbo internet but it is only fast enough to send emails without attachments.  And it has been a month and I am still waiting for my chicken and ice cubes to freeze in the Ecasa freezer. Attempting to adjust.   I have time.

Welcome to Ecuador!  ¡Bienvenido a Ecuador!

JadeRiver wrote:

they just hooked up the water heater, I just subscribed to the internet (TVCable), and I bought a brand new local brand refrigerator (Ecasa) and none of them work.  The water either burns or freezes.  I subscribed to 50m turbo internet but it is only fast enough to send emails without attachments.  And it has been a month and I am still waiting for my chicken and ice cubes to freeze....

Waiting is the wrong strategy.

Go back to the appliance store, or call on the phone if your Spanish is strong enough, and make them send out their warranty repairman. 

Internet in Quito... If you did not sign a multi-year contract with TVCable, switch to CNT Internet for high quality video through a CNT phone line.  You will need an Ecuadorian ID card which you get as part of the residency visa process.  NetLife may also offer good Internet though it is not available in all parts of the city.

Get proactive !

cccmedia

Already done.  Ecasa (refrigerator) service and TVCable on the way.  No waiting here.  I'm a proactive guy.   I asked the Ecasa people to hurry before my chicken spoiled.

I do not yet have my ID card.  No choice but to wait for that.  I have a one year contract with TVCable.

98% of the time we're happy in Ecuador. The other 2% is complete madness trying to deal with issues (cable/internet/water) and other things. The trouble comes mostly from the language barrier. No matter how proficient I seem day to day, when a crisis strikes I still panic. It's hard not be happy in such a beautiful place, with such friendly people and a life where I can pretty well do as I please.

Mark Twain once said, “every time you want to use the word ‘very', substitute it with ‘damn.'” I am very/damn happy here. As JadeRiver and PEI Red pointed out it's the people. I've traveled a lot, lived in a lot of places, and if people in general (entire world) were like these people, Ecuadoreans, I think we would have a more pleasant society. I know there is a lot of paperwork here, a lot of it, I had to sign like 4 papers today to collect delivery of my desk. I have no problem with that because it's the norm and not discriminatory.

What I like most about Ecuadoreans is that they are very flexible, negotiable and that essentially translates to fair. I know another member has indicated otherwise in another thread, and I find that unfortunate.

Ecuador has exceeded my expectations. Beautiful country. Beautiful people.

I am extremely happy in Cuenca. Every day I wake up looking forward to new adventures and interacting with the local people. All of my needs are taken care of from maintenance to healthcare. Someone else always works on my behalf to solve any problems that may arise and it may surprise you to know they are all native born. I am treated with respect by locals and the government. Most will bend over backwards to help. I will die in Ecuador with dignity and all my gringo friends feel the same way.
Viva Ecuador !