Ecuador coast - perspective after the earthquake

Reporting from  Tonsupa - Esmeraldas.
We were lucky, no damages other than the absence of tourists.
A couple buildings in Atacames ( nearest town) suffered some damages, but nothing major to report. Most important, no casualties.

Marco

We have a land in Olon near Montanita, moving there in a few years. We spent the past 3 weeks in the area and everything is normal, except the lack of tourists. It's more to the south so there was no damage but it does suffer from what's reported in the press and people are avoiding the area.

JP

22,000 having lost their shelter* ... 7,000 buildings destroyed* and thousands more probably uninhabitable ... El Presidente calling for new building codes to be designed and implemented before reconstruction can start ... two more earthquakes this week of 6.7 magnitude or greater.

*These figures from the United Nations News Service show that things are not back to normal on the Ecuadorian coast five weeks after the April 16th earthquake.

cccmedia

These numbers may be right but they do scare people from going to places that are absolutely OK. I've cruised the coast south of Manta for the past 3 weeks and there was no problem there. All the damage is from Manta going north. I didn't go there and can't comment but the only problem in the southern part of the coast is the lack of tourists, scared by the news that talk about damage to the coast. Things are totally normal where I went.

In the last two weeks overland trip the entire northern coast of Manabi (the area most affected by the earthquake of April 16) from Pedernales to Manta, through Canoa and Bahia de Caraquez, It is a fact that in these towns and cities, structural damage to the house and buildings is evident especially in Pedernales, Canoa and Bahia; Manta and Portoviejo structural damage limited to central areas. Large number of affected buildings have been demolished and evacuated the rubble. Most of the affected people in these places, are in temporary shelters run by the government, others are welcomed by friends and family.
The atmosphere in general, especially in small towns still feels strange, people continued to fear. Despite this, everyone is trying to return to normal reprising their work and daily life. The Government has just approve the law of solidarity, which includes several economic measures for reconstruction and assistance for the victims. The roads are fully operational although in certain areas may see minor damage. The beaches and countryside in general has not been affected and is as beautiful as ever.
From my perspective this crisis will bring short and medium term great opportunities for this area, the beaches and countryside in general has not been affected and is as beautiful as ever. I think sites affected will be rebuilt with a new vision, more orderly, safe and eco construction trend, especially in towns and beaches. It is also a fact that prices for land purchase in the coming months will have representative discounts.
Finally I invite everyone to share their vision and opinion on this subject. The earthquake will have changed the interest of foreigners to immigrate to the coast of Ecuador?

Salbell Ecopromoters wrote:

structural damage to the house and buildings is evident especially in Pedernales, Canoa and Bahia.... Large numbers of affected buildings have been demolished.... Most of the affected people in these places are in temporary shelters run by the government, others are welcomed by friends and family.

From my perspective this crisis will bring short and medium term great opportunities for this area... It is also a fact that prices for land purchase in the coming months will have representative discounts.

“It’s not what you pay.  It’s what you receive.”

    -- Robert Panté

Well, I can say it's certainly changed my plans as have 'other' developments.
Leaving country Sunday about one full step behind in my Visa plans from when i arrived 85 days ago.
Just learned wIth-in the past two weeks that Cdn. documents must be 'Authenticated' by Dept of Foreign Affairs Canada, before they can be 'Legalized' by Ecuadorian Consulates in Canada.
Too bad I left $ 900 with my lawyer in Otavalo who now hasn't the curtesy to call me with his billing amounts.
Yes Mike ! Go ahead and laugh; one day the joke will be on you my friend.

Lonecowboy,

This necessity was, believe it or not, actually explained on the Virtual  Consulate website, which I studied before doing anything in Canada.

HelenPivoine

Hi Helen
I read your post and so I once again tried to 're-trace' my steps. It has taken me over 1/2 hour (PC skills limited to sending and receiving emails basically) to locate ,loose and re-enter Google at least four times to prove to myself, what I've been saying here and to others.
The 'Virtual whatever' ( at 74 the memory is 'fleeting'!) is OK till you enter your basics and then it reverts to espanol. I cannot proceed because I do not speak. My translation book shows me that the word means 'Continue' so I click and get a message in Spanish.(which i don't understand after translating.)
I'm not a patient person.  I get P.O'd.and GO!
I read once where you said you returned to Ottawa Consulate 9 times. Did I remember that correctly?
If so, I take that to mean the 'system'process was maybe not that well explained. Plus I don't have the luxury of living next to Ottawa Consulate. hence, my difficulties tended to multply.
Far as I'm concerned right now; It's ALL OK!
I do not see affordable rents in Ecuador for some time to come. I know the very low 'cost of living' might make up for the additional rent costs but I've realized my old body needs sunlight. I haven't seen more than 9 days of it in the last 90, so I'm glad to be going.
Adios

Lonecowboy,

I had to return to the Ottawa consulate because the system in Quito needed adjustment to cover the possibilities raised by my paperwork.  I was the first 65 year old that year , also they did not have the operating capacity within the internet to accommodate my requests for approval for the translations, etc.  I jsut kept telling the guy what great ties he was wearing (it was true, great colours) and they kept trying to help me.  It is not that they were inefficient, rather, the system was not up to par and they had to talk to Quito and Quito had to change the on-line system.  There was also trouble making bank payments for the approvals and that had to be accommodated.

Whenever I was at my wits end I dialed the internet Consulate phone number and I always had to speak to them in Spanish.  Sometimes it appeared that their information conflicted with other information.  It took me some time to discover the point at which stuff needed to be notarized, and then authenticated.  REally, in the end it was quite simple, after the fact!

I can see where an English only speaker would have real difficulties and need someone to trranslate during this process.  The Consulate guy I think spoke English, I do not remember.

HelenPivoine