Questions about Cuenca from North Carolina

Hello Alan & Melissa,

Welcome to expat-blog, and thank you for your introduction!

I suggest you to go through some topics on the Ecuador forum, you might find some useful information.

Please feel free to share your experiences, to ask questions and participate on the Ecuador forum.

Regards,

David.

AUTiger72 wrote:

Are there any Ex-Pat Spanish speaking classes down there or would you recommend Rosetta Stone?

Plenty of language schools here as well as private tutors.  Don't know much about Rosetta Stone, but you could also look at your local community college  while you are getting ready to come.

Automobiles-how do ex pats get around in Ecuador?  Do they own cars, take taxis, or use bikes?  I know this question may be a bit lame, but we are curious.

Some own cars (expensive to buy), buy scooters or use the bus/taxis.  Really depends on the person.


Outdoor activities- Melissa and I both love to garden. 

We rent a house and there is a small bit of land in front that my wife has turned into a garden.  Another couple has a condo with a large balcony that have filled with plants.

International Travel - What airports are in Ecuador to facilitate that kind of travel?

Both Quito and Guayaquil are international airports

That's all the questions we have for now.

HTH,

Mike

From what I've read and the programs I've tried, Rosetta Stone would not be your best choice. Here's a good website to get you started with some of the options. Anything you are thinking of paying for (several options are free), I'd read reviews on Amazon, for the ones that are there.
spanish.about.com/u/reviews/review1/reviews-of-spanish-software/

If paying Rosetta-Stone-type bucks, I personally would opt for Fluenz.

Likewise, I would definitely not recommend Rosette Stone. Go to your local library and check out their selection of language learning tapes. That will cost you nothing and will give you an idea of what works for you. Also, see (start with the library) if there are any clubs in your area for people who want to practice and learn Spanish together. Many communities have these and Asheville is one of the most progressive communities in NC. Well, next to Black Mountain, that is. 

Here are, in my opinion, two of the best Spanish learning books:
1. Madrigal's Magic Keys to Spanish by Margarita Madrigal
2. Spanish Grammar for Independent Learners by Avigail Azoulay et al

You may be able to get a copy in your library to just evaluate the books, but you will probably want to own a copy. You can sometimes find them for a good price as used books at Amazon.com. If you hate underlining as I do, make sure the description of the book says no marks or "like new." Your desire to learn Spanish is commendable and I wish you the best of luck.

I am on an adventure in Ecuador, and ready to go back home .  First it is not at all what I have read on the internet and other media about retiring here, and  what I expected and anticipated.    It definitely is a third world country.   The weather by the Pacific Ocean, where I flew in is not what I read and expected.  It is not 70 to 80 it is in the upper 90’s with high humidity.  Driving in Ecuador is an experience,  there are not lines marked on the road dividing the lanes, it is a free for all, not unusual for a bus stopped at a light on your right side making a left hand turn and just cutting you off.  Red light are another adventure, they are not were you would expect it on top and in the middle of the intersection, but are hidden low and on the sides.  Speed bumps are everywhere, and now think about the biggest speed bump and now tripe it or even quadruple it,  you have to go over it at about 3 or 4 miles per hour.  They do not believe in turn signal, they just use their horns.  The streets and everything else is filthy and broken down.     
I am now in the Andes Mountains , at an elevation of 8,700 feet above sea level and the weather here is much nicer and cooler and less humid, but still the traffic, the drivers, the filth, the noise is not much different then the large city of Guayaquil, where I flew into.       From what I have seen the cost of goods,  and  including hotels and restaurants is very similar as in the US,  I would say possibly 10 to 15 percent less but electronics is about 10 to 15 percent more.   The people are friendly enough but the customer service is totally not existent.  The corruption of the government and the police is scary.    This is a place to visit but,  I do not think I will ever want to ever live in.    I have heard so much about Cuenca, that it is very similar to the cities in Europe, but I was also very disappointed with it.   The very small  portion of Cuenca that is similar to cities in Europe, with its cobblestones paved narrow streets was a reminder of Europe, but the noise and the filth and the pollution of buses running on them was a disappointment.  Speaking with some local in the hotels, I was told that they have seen many expats move to Cuenca and invest a lot of money, and after several months or a year, are so disappointed that they leave everything behind and head on back home. 
The Andes Mountains are beautiful, and I loved the ability to buy fresh organic fruit alongside the road.  My drive from the Andes going back to sea level was another experience.   Dropping down in elevation from  11,000 feet to 3,000 feet threw a downpour rain and extreme fog in 3 hours only to find out the road was washed away and so I needed to drive back to an elevation of 11,000 for another 3 hours.  When I was able to see the mountains threw the fog and the rain they were spectacular.
I also took time out to meet with an Ecuadorian Attorney, regarding shipping my home goods in a container to the port in Guayaquil.  What I found out was a bit concerning, I would have to inventory every item, every shirt, every sock, every book, every pen, every single items that was being imported to Ecuador.  If you are not bringing in much or not at all, that is not a big concern, but if you are bringing your entire house hold goods, it would be a nightmare.  Upon the container arriving in Ecuador,   the customs would open every box and verify every item on your list, anything extra would be confiscated.
The prices of homes at one time was a bargain, but the times has changed.   Needless to say my idea of moving and retiring in Ecuador has flown by the way side.  I hope I have given some one an idea of what Ecuador is really like, and that it is not what the internet and other media portraits it to be.

Guayaquil is a large city along with Quito (the Capital up in the Andes Mountain) have flights to the Miami.  There are also numerous flight to other smaller Cities in Ecuador. 

Depending on were you want to live will depend on the transportation.  Most expats do not have cars.  One is able to import a vehicle if you and the vehicle meets certain criteria. Most transportation is by taxi, the buses are somewhat antiquated and are not the cleanest. Driving in a large city is dangerous and is a free for all.

I live in Quito and I am also licensed to drive here.  It is not really that bad.  But then again I picked up my first drivers license in Los Angeles so maybe I am accustomed to the free for all and the honking. 

If scouting Ecuador give yourself some time to truly digest the country instead of breezing through the advertised designated "retirement destinations", and realize that the country is developing, which has its negatives and its positives.

GTD67, come on folks I've been to Toledo 35 years ago, 20 years ago and just last year. I think an Ecuadorian would write similarly about your hometown. hell, I've been all over the world and honestly Toledo gets its share of some very funny jokes. Most of which is deserved.
OK Ecuador isn't for you but writing as you have serves no purpose except to vent your apparent frustration. Before we decided to stay we spent over a month just in Cuenca. Did you do similarly? If you had this damning e mail might have been prevented.
Please don't correspond like this. These opinions are just that opinions and if I took exception to them I can only imagine what an Ecuadorian takes from these comments.
Let me pose this situation to you, what do you think an Ecuadorian feels the moment he or she disembarks from the bus or train in NYC, LA, Chi town or Topeka? They're overwhelmed but you now what, they adapt giving it a chance but one thing is certain, I have never read or heard of any Ecuadorian throwing the USA under the bus regardless of their pain or confusion. I assure you our people countrywide who by nature can be very belligerent, abusive, and who seem to get some sick relief from their own situations by mistreating or mocking the newly arrived foreigners who have the misfortune of encountering these weak minded, closed minded and loud mouthed self appointed USA representatives doing the bidding of us for us. I did not appoint any individual to represent me when they encounter foreigners. Did you or has anyone you know made these appointments? I hope not, we need all the friends we can get as a people. Our Government seem to be on a mission of indifference and as such nurtures all the enemies we'll ever need.
Please don't convey messages like this. Your opinions while valuable need tempering and spoken usually in a smaller forum if not for individuals. Not through a mass produced paper that we, they and quite a few others read.
Like Momma said, f you ain't got nothing good to say DON"T SAY anything.
Don't reply, I've fought enough in this life and know when I can't win with people who write these damaging critiques.
If it isn't for you, just go home without inflicting psychologically damaging comments which can never be retrieved.

well said

gtd627 wrote:

Speaking with some local in the hotels, I was told that they have seen many expats move to Cuenca and invest a lot of money, and after several months or a year, are so disappointed that they leave everything behind and head on back home.

(Shrug) A fool and his money ...

Anybody who invests a significant amount in a foreign country without doing his/her due diligence, deserves to lose it.

Bob

tfpob wrote:

GTD67, come on folks I've been to Toledo 35 years ago, 20 years ago and just last year. I think an Ecuadorian would write similarly about your hometown. hell, I've been all over the world and honestly Toledo gets its share of some very funny jokes. Most of which is deserved.

Do you remember John Denver's song?:
Saturday night in Toledo, Ohio is like being nowhere at all.
All through the day how the hours rush by,
you sit in the park and you watch the grass die.

Ah, but after the sunset, the dusk and the twilight, when shadows of night start to fall.
They roll back the sidewalk precisely at ten
and people who live there are not seen again.

Just two lonely truckers from Great Falls, Montana and a salesman from places unknown
all huddled together in downtown, Toledo to spend their big night all alone.

You ask how I know of Toledo, Ohio? Well I spent a week there one day.
They've got entertainment to dazzle your eyes: go visit the bakery and watch the buns rise.

tfpob wrote:

Please don't convey messages like this. Your opinions while valuable need tempering and spoken usually in a smaller forum if not for individuals. Not through a mass produced paper that we, they and quite a few others read.
Like Momma said, f you ain't got nothing good to say DON"T SAY anything.

I disagree. We need a variety of opinions here, both positive and negative. I doubt anyone will take GTD's opinions all that seriously, it's pretty clear from reading it that s/he didn't do even the most basic research before coming down, and probably had little/no experience in the third world.

I mean, s/he didn't even know that Guayaquil is hot and humid -- c'mon, all you have to do is type 'guayaquil' at Wikipedia and they'll tell you that much.

The reason we need to hear both positive and negative is demonstrated by GTD's experience. It seems obvious to me that s/he was a victim of reading 100% positive information (perhaps from IL?) If s/he had read both sides of the story perhaps his/her expectations would have been more realistic and saved some money on visiting.

Bob

GTD, I am sorry to read of your disappointment with Ecuador. At the same time, I agree with all your negative comments and observation that Ecuador is indeed a third world country. Your comments are a healthy reminder to all to be prepared for the many changes that they will find. I consider Ecuador a theme park similar to Williamsburg, Virginia in a different time and universe.

I accept the inconveniences you mention and more as the "price" you pay to receive the many benefits of Ecuador including Quito's spring like weather, healthier eating habits, and a more relaxed pace of life. However having an Ecuadorian wife and speaking the language made my transition much easier. Without them I doubt I would have had the incentive or patience to survive the frustrations.

If possible, try to be a bit more patient and open to new experiences.

Sorry guy buy anyone who doesn't do their homework as I and many other have deserves what they get. It's just plain naive and dumb to think what you read is all accurate! We all read the same International briefs and other biased periodicals written to ultimately make money and as part of their promotion that day, week or month write glowing pictures of bliss and economic heaven for ex pats . Many of these companies and writers  have some form of interest in the local real estate making some serious coin based on these recommendations. Next time many of you entertaining a move should make a point of inquiring and asking any of these periodicals and their writers if they have direct or indirect interests in the local real estate markets. I think you'll find the answers interesting. Like any class taken, If you do not attend your relocation classes and do your homework your opinions should be held until you know first hand the authenticity of your comments. Any poorly informed comment in an open forum that inflicts unnecessary damage to the locals and to  folks considering living there or anywhere is absurd. It is damaging and infuriating to those people who've paid their dues and done their homework. Never mind how the locals feel about comments written on their countries apparent shortcomings. All from some folks who base their comments from biased or unrealistic sources.

In the end we all get exactly what we deserve and usually those who are rewarded are those who've paid the freight costs of knowledge.

Tim, if individuals do not feel comfortable to express their opinions without criticism it is difficult to understand how others can gain from their experience. Additionally, I did not find any of the criticism either inaccurate or misleading. Ecuador, or any third workd country, is not for everyone and only by experiencing it first hand as GTD did can anyone decide if it is for them. That you cannot learn from a class, blog or magazine.

Sorry tfpob, it is not damaging and infuriating to those people who've paid their dues and done their homework.  No preparation can ever take the place of living in a place.  The writer came, saw the costs and decided that the costs outweighed the rewards.  If others read that and decide not to come, good for them.  Those of us who live here have come to a different conclusion: the rewards outweigh the costs.

Your points are valid however, all points or expressions can be made without demeaning any individual or their country. Today everything is PC and just using the term 3rd world is going to ruffle that country's people who in all probability feel otherwise. I've been to Europe and war in Asia and I can tell you how I felt when our country was demeaned.
Informed and educated criticisms are always welcomed. Uninformed, damaging written info without consideration for other readers and their opinions is not.
No more need be said, I see your points try seeing mine. It just isn't cool to always pen your points.
I surrender

tfpob wrote:

Today everything is PC and just using the term 3rd world is going to ruffle that country's people who in all probability feel otherwise. I surrender

Just because you don't feel third world, that does not mean you are not third world. It is not an attitude, it is economic reality. Third world is just a shortcut term instead explaining all the details of average salaries, cost of living, percentage of people living in poverty etc etc

The argument is mute. Ecuador no longer fits the economic criteria of a 3rd world country. Ask the China Bank who is loaning upwards of $3 billion to them to build the oil refinery outside Manta.
You know the one that currently costs Ecuador in excess of $11 billion yearly to have outside interests refine their oil.
Simple math says that brings roughly $60 billion back into country over 5 years and as that loan and infrastructure pays itself off that figure doubles over the next 5 year period. In the next 5 years in quadruples in payback. Most of that and other income is being poured back into country. Gone for the lost part or, going is the old government corruption. As an American that topic needs to be avoided all together.
Look at the money being spent around the country on infra structure development. Look at the newly opened technical schools which now total over 40 giving 1st rate education to Ecuadorians. Do you use the healthcare system which is superior to America's?
Don't sound much like we should call them 3rd world. I wouldn't these folks just like any other are proud and to do so is taking a position at your own risk.
I'm done, no more commentary required. I see it economically and educationally my way and you see it yours which seems to use the old criteria of judging SA from an outside position.

I went to Ecuador as a tourist to see if I did want to relocate and retire. What portion of my experience did you find that was not true?  The drivers? The weather by the coast, or the filthy streets, or was it that you do not believe that I drove for 3 hours out of the mountains and the road was washed away.  My trip was actually with an Ecuadorian, and she hates her country even more than what my experience was, and can not wait to get out.  I think people need to see the truth and not be fooled by artificial covering that it is a paradise.  I stated facts if you do not like to see the truth, and want to live in a pretend world, I feel sorry for you.

My opinion of the Ecuadorian people is great, they are wonderful friendly caring and giving people.  What I described was not my opinion but facts.

tfpob wrote:

The argument is mute.

Moot.

That someone has a particular experience is appropriatly called a fact. But one "fact" does not create Truth. Everyone would do well do respect everyone's individual experience for what it is: a small part of the whole picture.  Can we not allow for diverse experiences to be part of a constructive discussion here. I can love ecuador and you can hate it. Neither of us are "Right.“  It is just opinion.

Of course some things presented as fact are arguably; for example, is Ecuador a third world country? We could have a debate and someone could be judged as the winner, but what is the point. Isn't  the lable "third-world" just short-hand  for saying the country is poor, or something similar. It might be useful to give some leeway for interpretation and not hold to narrow definitions.  In other words, try to understand what someone is saying and not see a comment as a fodder for a duel for death. Well... maybe I am joking about that last part.

gtd627 wrote:

I went to Ecuador as a tourist to see if I did want to relocate and retire. What portion of my experience did you find that was not true?  The drivers? The weather by the coast, or the filthy streets, or was it that you do not believe that I drove for 3 hours out of the mountains and the road was washed away.  My trip was actually with an Ecuadorian, and she hates her country even more than what my experience was, and can not wait to get out.  I think people need to see the truth and not be fooled by artificial covering that it is a paradise.  I stated facts if you do not like to see the truth, and want to live in a pretend world, I feel sorry for you.

PERHAPS THE REAL QUESTION IS:WHY DID ANY OF THIS SURPRISE YOU?
How did you not know these things before you came?
Did you read ANYTHING else besides International Living?
Didn't your Ecuadorian travel companion tell you why she hates Ecuador before all of these "adventures"?

Folks I believe this horse is dead by over beating.
Time to move on.

NO! Mute is exactly what I wanted and for what should be obvious reasons. I.E. not capable of discussion, unable to hear. Or, simply not wanting to do either as in enough, no more. look ahead to my dead horse comments.
But, thanks anyway for moot.

GTD: I don't think anybody is doubting your truthfulness. You say it was hot and humid in Guayaquil -- it usually is. You say a road got washed out -- that happens on mountain roads. You say the traffic was bad -- you're not the first to say so.

But Mugtech asks a good question, which I'll rephrase: Did you do any research before going there?

Because, if so, you should have known about those sorts of problems.

If this guy wants to move to Ecuador move, if not don't, nobody really cares. Enough already

So sorry GTD but I think traveling with someone who hates their own country would definitely affect your view. Not that what you say is untrue but that there is a lot of positive for many people.
So why are you on this site?

Are you American? If you are, you must be kidding, are you in love with your government as it exists? I wish I had a buck for every unhappy American I've met or who volunteered to me their concerns and unhappiness. Time to cut bait, you're fatiguing everyone on this end with  non stop boring and ridiculous questions which is what all of us wanted to get away from by being here.
Please for sanity reasons, mine, theirs and everyone following this make your mind up silently using your internal instinctual guide.

exactly!