By the way this is our 2nd anniversary when we first met, but it’s our 3rd Christmas together. Every day is like a honeymoon!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Christmas Pictures pt 1
Here are some more Christmas pictures. I’ll put them on different posts because this blog seems to jumble up the pictures.
Picture on the left is when we were ready to have Christmas diner. It was fish and pancakes with stuffed vegetables.
December 26
The gardener came – the guy who wanted to come Christmas morning!
Jayne didn’t want to go to the internet café, so I went. There were a lot of people there – just like it would be in many countries the day after Christmas. Some exchanged gifts I presume while others were enjoying their day off from work.
I had put the pictures I took on Christmas and put it on my memory stick. On the internet I sent pictures to family and friends.
Jayne didn’t want to go to the internet café, so I went. There were a lot of people there – just like it would be in many countries the day after Christmas. Some exchanged gifts I presume while others were enjoying their day off from work.
I had put the pictures I took on Christmas and put it on my memory stick. On the internet I sent pictures to family and friends.
Christmas Day
I got up first which was about 7.30am. Jayne got up about 8.30am. When I had my coffee it was peaceful with just the birds singing. About 8.30 I saw a worker on a roof of a house that they are building next door. Later I head others with heavy machinery on the roof making noise.
Typical Ecuador!
This country really pisses me off. You can’t have peace and quiet on Christmas. In the U.S. and many other countries even if the company is non-Christian owned they give the workers the day off, but not here!
I guess the company/workers are just heathens!
When Jayne got up we said Merry Christmas to each other and Happy Anniversary. It has been two years ago that we first met - though this is our third Christmas together. We will always have a double holiday on 25th of December.
Typical Ecuador!
This country really pisses me off. You can’t have peace and quiet on Christmas. In the U.S. and many other countries even if the company is non-Christian owned they give the workers the day off, but not here!
I guess the company/workers are just heathens!
When Jayne got up we said Merry Christmas to each other and Happy Anniversary. It has been two years ago that we first met - though this is our third Christmas together. We will always have a double holiday on 25th of December.
I called Richard to wish him a nice Christmas. He told me that he is sick and has been for the past couple of days. He said he took some pills for his neck and it has made him sleepy and lethargic. I said he should have stopped taking them as soon as he felt that way. However, we had a nice chat.
In the meantime, Jayne called her daughter, Nat, to give her Christmas greetings. She also called a friend of hers, Rowena, whom I know. She hasn’t talked to her since she came to Ecuador in April.
Then we got some champagne, some good chocolate and went to open our gifts. I put Christmas music on, too. I had Jayne open her gifts first. I gave her some canvases to paint on, paint, and things for her future computer such as: two types of microphones, and memory stick with 4 GB.
Jayne gave me a book by Donald Trump and some socks – which I needed. The book she bought is in English. I haven’t read any of his books but I always wanted to as I should get some excellent business advice from them. (I found out later that he co-authored 10 other books.)
Living in Ecuador there are a lot of phone calls we have to make. I wrote down the times we have to make the calls and when to expect calls. For example, for me to make a call to Russia I had to do this in the morning as they are 9 hours ahead of us. The calls to Cyprus, they are 8 hours ahead. To Holland, for Jayne to call her daughter, they are 7 hours ahead. Jayne’s mother lives in England and they are 6 hours ahead of us. Her mother said she’d call us at noon our time (6pm their time). For me calling America (eastern coast), they are the same time as us. But I have to call when the family is at my aunt’s home as they will be there for dinner. My aunt, Carol, said it would be good to call between 7 – 7.30pm.
About 12.30pm Jayne’s mother, Lil, called here.
Later, I called my mother. Sharon (my sister) picked up the phone as she was visiting there and gave our mother some gifts. I talked to Sharon first than my mother.
After this call, I called Yiannis – a good friend of mine who lives in Cyprus. We had a nice conversation. I told him of our plans to move back to Cyprus and hope to be there in a couple of months. He was pleased to hear that. I called about 1.30pm my time so it was 9.30pm his time. He had his son over for dinner and he was home all day.
About 3pm Jayne and I had our Christmas dinner. It the first and only meal we had today. Jayne cooked a beautiful dinner. We had white fish, avocado salad and a stuffed pancake. I never had pancakes that were stuffed, but this was delicious. She made the pancake itself with fresh carrot juice instead of milk and it was filled with brown rice, mushrooms, tomatoes, cheese sauce (and probably something else that I forgot). With the meal we had champagne.
Then we watched a Christmas film called Santa 2 with Tim Allen. This was a kids’ film but it was nice. We still have one more Christmas film that we haven’t seen.
About 7.10pm I called Carol. This was the last call of the day I made. Carol answered the phone and we had a nice talk. She said they were just finishing up the desert. They wait awhile after they eat their meal before desert, which is good. I also got to talk to my cousins and my brother-in-law. Since I already talked to Sharon when she was visiting our mother, I didn’t feel the need to talk again.
One of Carol’s sons was not there as he was with his girlfriend who lives in Texas.
In the evening I lit the fireplace for the very first time since I moved here. It was nice, especially with the Christmas decorations. I got some wood that was cut and put in the driveway that had plastic covering over it. When I was about to bring it in the house I notice a lot of ants crawling on it. So I carried only the pieces of wood that I would put on the fire right away.
Then I went to get some more wood and that had even more ants on it. I don’t know why so many ants are on it. I see piles of wood at the lumber yard in town and I don’t think they have problems with ants. I wonder if it’s because the wood is covered and it gives a good environment for them.
The wood that came off the roof crackled a lot and shot out some amber on the floor. Of course we had to step on it right away. I don’t like the idea that it does it; if no one was in the room it could burn the floor. If we had a rug down it could burn that. Jayne and I thought it would be good in the future to use coal. It would burn longer, give off more heat, and it would not throw out burning amber.
While the fireplace was going Jayne and read a book. I started to read the book that she gave me, Think Big by Donald Trump. So far it’s really good. I’ll save some of the reading when we go to the farm on New Year. We also had a drink of Irish Cream Whiskey and some cheese cake that I bought while we were reading.
So ends a wonderful Christmas together!
We hope all our family and friends had a good Christmas, too.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve 2008
Wednesday December 24
Jayne and I want to wish all our family and friends a very Merry Christmas with peace, health, happiness, love and prosperity.
Remember to keep Christ in Christmas – regardless of how the non-Christians feel. If anyone is against the above that is their problem!
Right now Jayne and I are at the mall where we are on the internet.
Keep posted here to see what we did for Christmas.
A video from Cyprus I made. We hope to be there soon!
As it stands now, we won’t be seeing our other friends as some will be with their family. Our plans are to have a nice dinner with champagne. Then we’ll watch a Christmas film and have Irish Cream Whiskey.
We hope you enjoy quality time with the people you love.
Jayne and I want to wish all our family and friends a very Merry Christmas with peace, health, happiness, love and prosperity.
Remember to keep Christ in Christmas – regardless of how the non-Christians feel. If anyone is against the above that is their problem!
Right now Jayne and I are at the mall where we are on the internet.
Keep posted here to see what we did for Christmas.
A video from Cyprus I made. We hope to be there soon!
As it stands now, we won’t be seeing our other friends as some will be with their family. Our plans are to have a nice dinner with champagne. Then we’ll watch a Christmas film and have Irish Cream Whiskey.
We hope you enjoy quality time with the people you love.
A Little Shopping
Saturday December 20
Jayne and I left to get a taxi to the mall so she could go on the internet. We didn’t see any taxis but we waited for one anyhow. Finally one came and he said it would be $5 to go to the mall! I said that was too much, then he came down to $4. The reason for the high price was that there was much traffic. Though I know that would be traffic as many people would be shopping for Christmas we thought that was way too high.
Since the price was too high we decided to go home. Just about when we got home a taxi came by. I asked $2.50 to go to the mall, (which is the regular price) he agreed. There was traffic to the mall and it took longer but since we took another way, which I knew of, it didn’t take too much longer.
When we got to the restaurant I found out I couldn’t connect to the internet. I asked the waitress if the password was changed. She told us it was. However, I don’t know how to change the password that she gave me. I didn’t see a manager there to help me. If he was in the kitchen he would have been too busy to do it for me – assuming he knows how to do it.
So, it turned out to be a waste of time. After we got something to eat we checked out the internet area in the mall. They were full with people, so we couldn’t go on their internet either.
Then we went to the book store that sells some books in English. I saw one book by Donald Trump (American real estate tycoon). Both of us are interested in books written by Trump. Jayne asked if I would like it for a Christmas gift and I said yes. So she bought it. (The price of the book with the discount that she got was $25.) I look forward to reading it.
Then we went to a good coffee shop that is next to the bookstore. From there we went home.
Jayne and I left to get a taxi to the mall so she could go on the internet. We didn’t see any taxis but we waited for one anyhow. Finally one came and he said it would be $5 to go to the mall! I said that was too much, then he came down to $4. The reason for the high price was that there was much traffic. Though I know that would be traffic as many people would be shopping for Christmas we thought that was way too high.
Since the price was too high we decided to go home. Just about when we got home a taxi came by. I asked $2.50 to go to the mall, (which is the regular price) he agreed. There was traffic to the mall and it took longer but since we took another way, which I knew of, it didn’t take too much longer.
When we got to the restaurant I found out I couldn’t connect to the internet. I asked the waitress if the password was changed. She told us it was. However, I don’t know how to change the password that she gave me. I didn’t see a manager there to help me. If he was in the kitchen he would have been too busy to do it for me – assuming he knows how to do it.
So, it turned out to be a waste of time. After we got something to eat we checked out the internet area in the mall. They were full with people, so we couldn’t go on their internet either.
Then we went to the book store that sells some books in English. I saw one book by Donald Trump (American real estate tycoon). Both of us are interested in books written by Trump. Jayne asked if I would like it for a Christmas gift and I said yes. So she bought it. (The price of the book with the discount that she got was $25.) I look forward to reading it.
Then we went to a good coffee shop that is next to the bookstore. From there we went home.
Plans on Leaving Ecuador
Friday December 19
I had thought what Richard told us on Wednesday. He heard through the grapevine from the President of Ecuador that he plans to change the currency from U.S. dollars to their own currency after the elections in April (2009). I don’t want to give the details of how he heard this to keep his source secure.
Ecuador is on the U.S. dollar and had been since their currency collapsed back in 1999 or thereabouts. I assume they will call their currency by the old name, sucre.
When I was thinking about this this morning, it hit me!
I’ve got to sell my properties as soon as possible, even if I have to sell for less than what the market value is now!
Here are the things that can happen:
There will be a loss in the exchange rate when people have to change their dollars for sucre
No other nation will recognize the new currency – at least for a period of time
When the new currency is recognized the world will give it a lower value than what Ecuador does
Currency controls in taking money out of the country – or a hefty tax
Just about all nations that switch currency screw people out of their money. This has happened in Europe when many countries gave up their sovereignty and switched to the Euro. This is what happened in Ecuador when they switched to the dollar. So, I don’t want to be in the middle of this.
Ecuador is a Third World country and when they issue new money you can be sure that other nations will not recognize it – at least for a certain period of time. Then how can I change my money into Euros? When other countries do recognize it you can be sure that the rate they give you is a lot less than what Ecuador says their money is worth. This is what happened in the Soviet Union, what they said their ruble was worth to the dollar was a lot less than on the open market.
With the world in an economic crises and having problems with the value of their currency imagine how European countries or other countries will look at the new currency of a Third World country!
With the new currency in Ecuador and other nations not recognizing it, anyone who has dollars here and wants to take it out of the country you can be sure that there will be a hefty tax on it. As Ecuador will need all the hard currency they can get (though the dollar is slipping from being a hard currency and in a short time it will be gone altogether).
With the world credit crises, bankruptcy and inflation of the U.S. dollar there will be few buyers of homes here. So, even if I have to take a loss (bigger than what I already planned) it will be much worse if I don’t sell the home now.
Not only do I have to find a buyer but I also have to have the sale and transfer of the money before election time. Who knows, President Carrares might do it sooner, so I have to sell sooner, too. If the dollar goes lower between now and April you can be sure he will want the law to pass sooner.
I talked to Jayne about this after she got up and she agrees. I then called our friend, Tarquin, as he said that he would like to live in Conocoto or somewhere around here to raise his children. As it is now, the whole family has to live with their clients at the hostel they have in Cotopaxi.
I thought I would give him the first opportunity to buy the property here, so I called him.
Tarquin said that he put a deposit down (‘good faith deposit’ I assume) on an apartment in some town. However he said that he would take a look at our home and consider it. I told him of the work that was done and the price. He said he would like to stop by with his family anyway to visit as we haven’t seen each other for awhile and would like to do so before Christmas.
When Katherine and Tarquin come here, I’ll show him the plans that the architect made of putting apartments on the lot that I own that is next to the house and the possibility of making more money. I’ll also mention that living in a home is nicer than an apartment and that they could put some clients up in it if they are not living here themselves and make money from it. I’ll also point out that their children can play in a big yard which he doesn’t have in an apartment.
Tarquin is the second person I’ve told about us moving. I plan to tell Matt when we see him for New Year. Then he can advertise the flat on his website.
I also plan to list the property with local real estate agents and also place an ad in the newspaper. Then I’ll pay him to show the property to Ecuadorians. Since he speaks Spanish well, there’ll be no problem in him talking to them.
Jayne and I discussed about selling everything shortly after she arrived here in April but we never told anyone else. We knew that it would take awhile to get everything ready for the prospective buyers. The move was my idea and Jayne agreed with it.
Our plans are to move back to Cyprus.
There are many reasons for moving and I’ll list some of them here.
Jayne will be closer to her family, as the flight is cheaper not only because Cyprus is closer but also because they have a lot of specials, which make it even cheaper. As it is now only her mother could afford to fly here. But her mother isn’t not in good health and a long flight would be too much for her. For shorter flights it’s no problem. The rest of her family (brothers and daughter) the cost would be too much to fly to Ecuador. Also, we can’t afford to fly there and visit.
By living in Cyprus it makes it easier and cheaper for everyone to visit.
Cyprus was chosen because we both like it there. Since I’ve lived there about 2.5 years I can talk from experience. There are a lot of advantages living there compared to Ecuador. There are some disadvantages, too, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Some other reasons for moving to Cyprus:
We like the weather there
There is much less crime
Houses and flats are built much better
Less repair cost
Many of my friends live there
Much more social life
Nice things to do that doesn’t cost anything or cost very little
Closer to other countries to visit when we want to go on vacation
I’ll make some comments on the above.
The weather is warm all year long here, but since we are in the mountains it does get cooler than in Cyprus (except when it’s winter time in Cyprus). Ecuador has a lot of rain and at times during the rainy season you don’t see the sun for two weeks. At night you need a sweater to wear in the house no matter what time of year it is or if it’s raining or not.
Crime is high here. There are places that are not safe to go during the day and at night you can forget it. Also we’ve had theft with workers taking tools, which is very common here.
I detect an anti-White sentiment here. Some people look at you as if they were saying, “What are you doing in our country?” Of course they have a lot of nerve as us Saxons are trying to bring some property and culture here, but they don’t see it that way. If anyone actually said something like that to me, I’d say, “What in the hell are one million Ecuadorians doing in America – many illegal and all of them taking some social welfare from the American tax payers!”
Jayne mentioned to Richard the other day that we have on social life. He said, “Is this the type of life I want to live? And the answer is no.” In Cyprus there are my friends (now Jayne’s friends, too) who go out dancing once a week, go bowling or what-have-you.
With crime almost non-existent in Cyprus, it’s a pleasure of walking the streets, going on the beach and swimming, or going on a hike with my friends who are Norwegian (they love to hike). So, this type of activity costs very little or no money. This is something you can’t do in Ecuador.
The cost of living in Cyprus is higher but you get a much better quality of life with it – which is worth something.
Let’s take a look at the costs to see if it’s really that more expensive.
First, the fact that the quality of life is better, how can you put price tag on that? You pay more for things but you get other things that you can’t put a price tag on, such as being able to enjoy going to the beach, etc.
The houses in Ecuador are cheaper but not as cheap if you just looked just at the price difference. For example, in Ecuador they look at property worth less if it’s 10 years old or more. They pay less or they will have something new built. Also, there are the never ending costs of repairs because as they don’t build things right in the first place.
Workers stealing things and not fulfilling their contracts when you do have workers – not to mention the shoddy work many do.
To find a renter and to sell your property is harder in Ecuador.
Social entertainment is, in many cases higher in Ecuador when you take everything into consideration. For example, if Jayne and I wanted to go out dancing at night it would cost more. First we would have to take a taxi to Quito and back again. It would be at least $12 each way. Then to go to a decent place the drinks are just as high as in Cyprus. If we go to a cheaper place there would be no entertainment. Then we have to make sure we get a taxi right in front of the club as walking down the street at midnight or 1am would not be safe. Then there would be no body we know or people we would even want to talk to. Then there is the language barrier.
In Cyprus, some places are within walking distance, and there is no danger of walking at night either. For other places it would be a short ride. Even if a taxi would be taken the cost would be about $6. Taxis are much more expensive but with such a short ride the price would still be cheaper than Ecuador. And of course, we’d be meeting our friends. If our friends were not there, at least there would be other people to talk to.
As for the drinks in Ecuador at a decent place you can pay anywhere from $4-$8 (in Friday’s Restaurant it’s $8 and some change for a drink!).
In Cyprus, the whole evening would be more enjoyable and cheaper.
Another thing you get with Cyprus that you don’t get with Ecuador is the whole environment and infrastructure is better. There are nice buildings wherever you go. Nicer stores, better service, friendly people, and more intelligent people that you meet. You just don’t get this in Ecuador.
There are other negative things about Ecuador but it’s too much to go into now.
So, that is our plans.
I had thought what Richard told us on Wednesday. He heard through the grapevine from the President of Ecuador that he plans to change the currency from U.S. dollars to their own currency after the elections in April (2009). I don’t want to give the details of how he heard this to keep his source secure.
Ecuador is on the U.S. dollar and had been since their currency collapsed back in 1999 or thereabouts. I assume they will call their currency by the old name, sucre.
When I was thinking about this this morning, it hit me!
I’ve got to sell my properties as soon as possible, even if I have to sell for less than what the market value is now!
Here are the things that can happen:
There will be a loss in the exchange rate when people have to change their dollars for sucre
No other nation will recognize the new currency – at least for a period of time
When the new currency is recognized the world will give it a lower value than what Ecuador does
Currency controls in taking money out of the country – or a hefty tax
Just about all nations that switch currency screw people out of their money. This has happened in Europe when many countries gave up their sovereignty and switched to the Euro. This is what happened in Ecuador when they switched to the dollar. So, I don’t want to be in the middle of this.
Ecuador is a Third World country and when they issue new money you can be sure that other nations will not recognize it – at least for a certain period of time. Then how can I change my money into Euros? When other countries do recognize it you can be sure that the rate they give you is a lot less than what Ecuador says their money is worth. This is what happened in the Soviet Union, what they said their ruble was worth to the dollar was a lot less than on the open market.
With the world in an economic crises and having problems with the value of their currency imagine how European countries or other countries will look at the new currency of a Third World country!
With the new currency in Ecuador and other nations not recognizing it, anyone who has dollars here and wants to take it out of the country you can be sure that there will be a hefty tax on it. As Ecuador will need all the hard currency they can get (though the dollar is slipping from being a hard currency and in a short time it will be gone altogether).
With the world credit crises, bankruptcy and inflation of the U.S. dollar there will be few buyers of homes here. So, even if I have to take a loss (bigger than what I already planned) it will be much worse if I don’t sell the home now.
Not only do I have to find a buyer but I also have to have the sale and transfer of the money before election time. Who knows, President Carrares might do it sooner, so I have to sell sooner, too. If the dollar goes lower between now and April you can be sure he will want the law to pass sooner.
I talked to Jayne about this after she got up and she agrees. I then called our friend, Tarquin, as he said that he would like to live in Conocoto or somewhere around here to raise his children. As it is now, the whole family has to live with their clients at the hostel they have in Cotopaxi.
I thought I would give him the first opportunity to buy the property here, so I called him.
Tarquin said that he put a deposit down (‘good faith deposit’ I assume) on an apartment in some town. However he said that he would take a look at our home and consider it. I told him of the work that was done and the price. He said he would like to stop by with his family anyway to visit as we haven’t seen each other for awhile and would like to do so before Christmas.
When Katherine and Tarquin come here, I’ll show him the plans that the architect made of putting apartments on the lot that I own that is next to the house and the possibility of making more money. I’ll also mention that living in a home is nicer than an apartment and that they could put some clients up in it if they are not living here themselves and make money from it. I’ll also point out that their children can play in a big yard which he doesn’t have in an apartment.
Tarquin is the second person I’ve told about us moving. I plan to tell Matt when we see him for New Year. Then he can advertise the flat on his website.
I also plan to list the property with local real estate agents and also place an ad in the newspaper. Then I’ll pay him to show the property to Ecuadorians. Since he speaks Spanish well, there’ll be no problem in him talking to them.
Jayne and I discussed about selling everything shortly after she arrived here in April but we never told anyone else. We knew that it would take awhile to get everything ready for the prospective buyers. The move was my idea and Jayne agreed with it.
Our plans are to move back to Cyprus.
There are many reasons for moving and I’ll list some of them here.
Jayne will be closer to her family, as the flight is cheaper not only because Cyprus is closer but also because they have a lot of specials, which make it even cheaper. As it is now only her mother could afford to fly here. But her mother isn’t not in good health and a long flight would be too much for her. For shorter flights it’s no problem. The rest of her family (brothers and daughter) the cost would be too much to fly to Ecuador. Also, we can’t afford to fly there and visit.
By living in Cyprus it makes it easier and cheaper for everyone to visit.
Cyprus was chosen because we both like it there. Since I’ve lived there about 2.5 years I can talk from experience. There are a lot of advantages living there compared to Ecuador. There are some disadvantages, too, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Some other reasons for moving to Cyprus:
We like the weather there
There is much less crime
Houses and flats are built much better
Less repair cost
Many of my friends live there
Much more social life
Nice things to do that doesn’t cost anything or cost very little
Closer to other countries to visit when we want to go on vacation
I’ll make some comments on the above.
The weather is warm all year long here, but since we are in the mountains it does get cooler than in Cyprus (except when it’s winter time in Cyprus). Ecuador has a lot of rain and at times during the rainy season you don’t see the sun for two weeks. At night you need a sweater to wear in the house no matter what time of year it is or if it’s raining or not.
Crime is high here. There are places that are not safe to go during the day and at night you can forget it. Also we’ve had theft with workers taking tools, which is very common here.
I detect an anti-White sentiment here. Some people look at you as if they were saying, “What are you doing in our country?” Of course they have a lot of nerve as us Saxons are trying to bring some property and culture here, but they don’t see it that way. If anyone actually said something like that to me, I’d say, “What in the hell are one million Ecuadorians doing in America – many illegal and all of them taking some social welfare from the American tax payers!”
Jayne mentioned to Richard the other day that we have on social life. He said, “Is this the type of life I want to live? And the answer is no.” In Cyprus there are my friends (now Jayne’s friends, too) who go out dancing once a week, go bowling or what-have-you.
With crime almost non-existent in Cyprus, it’s a pleasure of walking the streets, going on the beach and swimming, or going on a hike with my friends who are Norwegian (they love to hike). So, this type of activity costs very little or no money. This is something you can’t do in Ecuador.
The cost of living in Cyprus is higher but you get a much better quality of life with it – which is worth something.
Let’s take a look at the costs to see if it’s really that more expensive.
First, the fact that the quality of life is better, how can you put price tag on that? You pay more for things but you get other things that you can’t put a price tag on, such as being able to enjoy going to the beach, etc.
The houses in Ecuador are cheaper but not as cheap if you just looked just at the price difference. For example, in Ecuador they look at property worth less if it’s 10 years old or more. They pay less or they will have something new built. Also, there are the never ending costs of repairs because as they don’t build things right in the first place.
Workers stealing things and not fulfilling their contracts when you do have workers – not to mention the shoddy work many do.
To find a renter and to sell your property is harder in Ecuador.
Social entertainment is, in many cases higher in Ecuador when you take everything into consideration. For example, if Jayne and I wanted to go out dancing at night it would cost more. First we would have to take a taxi to Quito and back again. It would be at least $12 each way. Then to go to a decent place the drinks are just as high as in Cyprus. If we go to a cheaper place there would be no entertainment. Then we have to make sure we get a taxi right in front of the club as walking down the street at midnight or 1am would not be safe. Then there would be no body we know or people we would even want to talk to. Then there is the language barrier.
In Cyprus, some places are within walking distance, and there is no danger of walking at night either. For other places it would be a short ride. Even if a taxi would be taken the cost would be about $6. Taxis are much more expensive but with such a short ride the price would still be cheaper than Ecuador. And of course, we’d be meeting our friends. If our friends were not there, at least there would be other people to talk to.
As for the drinks in Ecuador at a decent place you can pay anywhere from $4-$8 (in Friday’s Restaurant it’s $8 and some change for a drink!).
In Cyprus, the whole evening would be more enjoyable and cheaper.
Another thing you get with Cyprus that you don’t get with Ecuador is the whole environment and infrastructure is better. There are nice buildings wherever you go. Nicer stores, better service, friendly people, and more intelligent people that you meet. You just don’t get this in Ecuador.
There are other negative things about Ecuador but it’s too much to go into now.
So, that is our plans.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Sunday Lunch
Sunday December 14
Jayne and I went to visit Eduardo and Cecelia’s home. Eduardo is the Godfather of Matt and Amparo’s son, Francois. We were not early but we were still the first ones there. Later Judith and her father came. I think they were out shopping. I had brought over a bottle of champagne.
Jayne and I went to visit Eduardo and Cecelia’s home. Eduardo is the Godfather of Matt and Amparo’s son, Francois. We were not early but we were still the first ones there. Later Judith and her father came. I think they were out shopping. I had brought over a bottle of champagne.
Later Matt and his family arrived though Amparo came by herself. I don’t know why he doesn’t wait until she is ready to come with her. After all, she carried the baby by herself.
Juan and David work together selling waterless cookware. I was told they work on a commission of which they get 15% (it’s divided between them). And it’s set up as a multi-level marketing system. The company is out of Madison, Wisconsin. They seem to be doing quite well. Juan said that he sold $10,000 the past month, so out of that he gets $1,500. This is much more than if you were even a skilled worker in Ecuador.
I hope for continued success for both of them.
We had a nice lunch of soup, potatoes, salad, corn and meat. I didn’t eat the meat of course. For dessert they had canned peaches. It always seems that they alsways have canned fruit for dessert. I don’t know why as fresh fruit is always better and healthier. But Jayne guessed that to them canned is a luxury – strange!
I had made copy of the Christening before I left. I had Judith make a copy for their records as I told her that the CD is for Matt. He would have to get the CD so he can take it home and put it on his computer, whereas Judith had the computer at her home to make a copy.
They all enjoyed the pictures.
After a conversation we listened to David play the piano.
Jayne and I left about 4.30pm. It was raining in the afternoon, so Juan called a taxi to pick us up. This is much better than what we had to go through last night, and it just cost $10 for the ride home.
Went to a Christening
Saturday December 13
I went the local market to get some food.
Then Jayne and I got ready to go to Matt’s house. We got there at 12.15pm. I gave Matt the money that I owed him along with extra money for New Year’s Eve.
I went the local market to get some food.
Then Jayne and I got ready to go to Matt’s house. We got there at 12.15pm. I gave Matt the money that I owed him along with extra money for New Year’s Eve.
The other day Matt invited us to be with his family for New Year. He suggested that we come over on Sunday Dec. 28 and spend the night so we can leave with him in the morning to go to his farm. He said Amparo will leave on January 31.
It looks like Amparo will be going to the farm on a bus with the baby. I would think that would be difficult, but we’ll see.
We were the first guests to arrive so I guess the others will arrive at the church or come after the church services to go to his house for the party. However, shortly after we arrived another guest came. His name is Ray and is an American. I met him earlier in the year when he was with his wife. He’s from Atlanta, Georgia.
Mathieu asked me if I wanted to be the photographer and I said yes and that I have my digital camera with me. I asked if it would be ok to take pictures in the church and he said yes.
Mathieu left for the church before the rest of us and took his son, Juan-Carlos with him. The church is about 3-4 blocks away.
A few minutes later Amparo was ready with the baby. So it was her, her son who is being Christened (François), her daughter, Bernadette, Jayne, Ray, and I. On the walk to the church we met some friends of Amparo who is the Godmother of Francois. (The way to pronounce his name is ‘Frans-sway’).
The church is very nice with a nice small park in front of it. I don’t know the name and I think it was built a couple of hundred years ago.
When we got to the church there were some other people there.
The first thing that caught my attention and Jayne’s is a statue of some guy next to the wall on the left hand side. Jayne and I bought thought what the heck that was. It looks like someone that was dead or dying sitting in a chair. It has what is supposed to be light rays come around his head but it looked like metal blades. It looked like he was killed by it!
We both thought how gross and it gave off negative energy. I don’t know how others would not have the same impression of it and the same negative feeling. I wonder what ‘Saint’ that was!?
Finally the ceremony started. I positioned myself at the front nearest to the group. In the group were Amaparo and Matt’s family, along with the woman who is the Godmother and Eduardo who is the Godfather. (Eduardo is the father of Judith and Maria whom I’ve talked about earlier in this diary.)
I saw Nancy there, who is the mother of Katherine – part owner of the Secret Garden hostel.
I took pictures while the priest talked. He kept talking and talking and by the time it was over it was 30 minutes later! (In the Protestant Church the ceremony is short.) This is the first time I was at a Catholic Christening and didn’t know it takes so long – or this could be an Ecuadorian thing.
Anyhow, when I was standing and listening I saw a dog walk in the church. He walked up to the altar, rolled over, scratched his back and then just layer there still with all four paws in the air – like he was dead!
Typical Ecuador!
I think the dog is owned by the church or priest as it was sitting by the door when we entered. By keeping the door opened and allowing it to walk in and do its thing – I’ll never understand. It should have been put in a room or tied up somewhere.
I was thinking of taking a picture of the dog with ‘all fours’ up in the air, and I should have but I thought that others would get offended. I should have done it anyway. Though I don’t have a picture of the dog you be sure it’s the truth.
In one of the pictures of the people in the pews I took, if you look at the background you’ll see the statue of the dead guy in the chair.
So, that was two things that turned me off being in the church.
Some of the other people who were at the church was Juan and David (Judith’s brothers), and Cecelia (Judith mother).
Then we all walked back to Amparo and Matt’s home. On the way back we saw Judith. We asked why she was late and she said that she had to go to university.
When we got there I noticed two tables were set for a formal occasion in the main eating area. It was really done first class with a glass for champagne, white wine, red wine and port.
There was Apmaro’s his regular worker there along with another woman and a guy to serve the food and drinks. Also, Amparo and the Godmother worked serving people, too.
We were offered to kinds of drinks while we were all standing around. One was a cocktail of some kind and champagne. Also the waitress brought a tray of crackers and a spread – that was delicious.
We all chatted and had a good time.
Mathieu had name tags for everyone’s plate. He announced that the gringos will be sitting in the back room. Of course that would include Jayne, Ray and me.
This was ok as the two tables were not big enough and the room that it was in was not big enough either for everyone. The room where most of the people sat is right under the sky so if it rained they would all have to move.
I didn’t mind sitting in the other room. Matt an Amparo should be sitting next to their Ecuadorian friends.
Jayne asked Matt what person that statue was of, and he said of some Judge in Quito. She didn’t remember his name that Matt told her. But this is strange! First, when did the Catholic Church have statues of people that they don’t consider saints? I’m sure this guy isn’t a saint – or can churches put their own graven images people in churches? Then why would a person be represented like they are dead and something that looks like an instrument that killed them? I know that the Catholics have Christ dying on the cross, so maybe this is in line with their beliefs.
Then it came time for the dinner. First there was white wine served with the soup that looked like a cream potato soup. For the main meal there were mashed potatoes, another dish that that had some kind of starch in it with peas, rice and tongue of cow – Ug!! I didn’t eat the meat and neither did Jayne. Red wine was served with this.
Why tongue of cow was served, I don’t know. There are many people who do eat meat but don’t eat organs of the animal. Roast beef, chicken or some other meat could have been served.
Desert was a cake served with port. After that was coffee.
Before dinner Maria del Carmen came and she sat next to me. Now we had five people sitting at our table – Maria, Judith, Ray, Jayne and me.
Maria will be leaving for Spain Monday to see her husband, Melano, who is going to University in Barcelona. She was busy earlier in the day to finalize the work in her office. She said that she hired a woman lawyer to work in the office while she’s gone, as she’ll be away for one month.
When her father came over to the table to talk he invited Jayne and I to come to his house tomorrow for lunch at 1.00pm. So, it looks like we’ll be going there Sunday.
After the meal gifts were given to everyone which was figurines of children with wings. This was unexpected. Matt and Amparo really thought of everything. Jayne got one of a girl and I got a baby girl with her behind showing.
We all had a great time. I didn’t expect things to be first class, but Jayne told me that in the Catholic Church a Christening is a big thing. Well, everyone was dressed nice – guys in suits and gals in dresses. This is something that you rarely see in the U.S. and the U.K. as people think it’s cool to dress as slobs.
Jayne and I left about 5.30pm. Mathieu went with us to the front door to get a taxi. It was raining before we left and continued to do so, so every taxi was full. Not being able to stop a taxi, Jayne and I walked to a restaurant on Plaza Grande.
We didn’t eat much and I saw that the other people at our table took small portions, too. The reason why is, that we didn’t know how much food there would be as the food was not served buffet style, but was brought around to us, and the bowls were not filled with food. We were not told to ‘please take more’, so we didn’t. Later when I went to the kitchen I saw that there was still a lot of food left. If we were told there is more food we would have taken more.
When coffee was served, I got the end of the pot. So the waitress brought back hot water to fill the rest of my cup up! Looks like they didn’t make enough coffee though they could have put another pot on.
Thus, I had coffee at the restaurant and some fries, where Jayne had coffee and potato-cheese soup.
It was still raining when we left the restaurant about 7.15pm. We still couldn’t get a taxi. Finally one stopped and he wanted $14. That was too much so we took a bus to the main bus stop and took another bus home. We got home about 8.30pm.
So ended a very nice and enjoyable day.
Those Damn Buses!
Friday December 12
I left to go to Quito this morning. When the bus came I was walking toward the back door and I thought the driver was going to open it. The guy hanging out the bus (a guy who works with the driver) indicated for me to come forward. When I started to walk fast towards the front entrance the bus took off!
How rude can people be here!? So I gave him the ‘bird’ but the guy was already inside the bus.
So I waited for the next bus. I held out my arm, the bus slowed down but he didn’t stop! Well, I got pissed.
I was at a bus stop during this time. Maybe with these rude people the drivers don’t think it’s worth stopping for one person.
I decided to take a taxi. On the way to the city the driver hit a dog crossing the highway. I turned around to see that he limped to the neutral ground in the center of the road.
All of this before I went to the city!
I went to the bank to do my business and then took a taxi home. On the way home one lane was blocked off for road repairs. This means we had to go to the other lane. Once in the other land you can’t cross over until you pass the turnoff for my town. This means we had to go to the next town.
However there is an alternative road to take which was right before the section of the road that is being paved. In other countries – where they use common sense – there would be a detour sign and arrows along the way for people want to go to the town where I live. Do you think they did that in Ecuador? NO! As that would requiring thinking! This is actually the second time it happened to me, but by the time I saw the driver drive right up the cones blocking the road he was past the turnoff section.
After going home, I talked with Jayne awhile. Then I had to leave for the mall as Jayne has a letter to her lawyer to post. When I went to the mall the store said again they had no stamps and told me Monday – so another delay.
I left to go to Quito this morning. When the bus came I was walking toward the back door and I thought the driver was going to open it. The guy hanging out the bus (a guy who works with the driver) indicated for me to come forward. When I started to walk fast towards the front entrance the bus took off!
How rude can people be here!? So I gave him the ‘bird’ but the guy was already inside the bus.
So I waited for the next bus. I held out my arm, the bus slowed down but he didn’t stop! Well, I got pissed.
I was at a bus stop during this time. Maybe with these rude people the drivers don’t think it’s worth stopping for one person.
I decided to take a taxi. On the way to the city the driver hit a dog crossing the highway. I turned around to see that he limped to the neutral ground in the center of the road.
All of this before I went to the city!
I went to the bank to do my business and then took a taxi home. On the way home one lane was blocked off for road repairs. This means we had to go to the other lane. Once in the other land you can’t cross over until you pass the turnoff for my town. This means we had to go to the next town.
However there is an alternative road to take which was right before the section of the road that is being paved. In other countries – where they use common sense – there would be a detour sign and arrows along the way for people want to go to the town where I live. Do you think they did that in Ecuador? NO! As that would requiring thinking! This is actually the second time it happened to me, but by the time I saw the driver drive right up the cones blocking the road he was past the turnoff section.
After going home, I talked with Jayne awhile. Then I had to leave for the mall as Jayne has a letter to her lawyer to post. When I went to the mall the store said again they had no stamps and told me Monday – so another delay.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday December 11
I woke up at 6.15am. By 7am we were ready to meet Amparo, who was already in the kitchen. Jayne and I just had coffee and juice, but she also had a bowl of fresh fruit.
At 8am Mathieu starts lessons with the children and goes to 10am. He teaches them what they would learn in school. We also heard him given violin lessons to his son – who is 6 years old. It seems like Mathieu is learning from his son’s lessons, as we heard him say, “slower and longer (pulling the bow down).” Later he showed us a picture of Juan-Carlos in the city newspaper. It was a full picture of him with his violin. Matt has the whole page in a frame.
I’m sure he’s proud of that!
During a break in the lessons, Mathieu came down to chat a bit more. We discussed more about what happened last night and how the apartment manager could make it better.
About 8.30am we left to go home by taxi. I asked the driver how much it would cost and he said $8. Why there’s a big difference I don’t know. Most of the time I pay $11-$12. If I do pay $10 I would also have to pay the road toll. This driver didn’t ask for the toll – so, I’m not complaining.
At 10am Gonzales came over.
Jayne and I went to the local internet café, as she had to write an email to her lawyer.
I got an email from Matt saying that the manager called him to say that my water is on but he still has to see if individual meters can be installed.
This is good news.
At home Jayne had to write a letter and make a check out for the final bill she has to pay to the lawyer. Then she asked me to post it.
Later I went to the mall to post the letter. They have no post office there but there is one store (Hallmark Cards) where you can buy stamps and put it in the mail box. They said they didn’t have any stamps and said to come back tomorrow.
I have to go to Quito to get money from my bank, so I’ll go in the morning then go to the mall and hopefully they’ll have stamps.
At 8am Mathieu starts lessons with the children and goes to 10am. He teaches them what they would learn in school. We also heard him given violin lessons to his son – who is 6 years old. It seems like Mathieu is learning from his son’s lessons, as we heard him say, “slower and longer (pulling the bow down).” Later he showed us a picture of Juan-Carlos in the city newspaper. It was a full picture of him with his violin. Matt has the whole page in a frame.
I’m sure he’s proud of that!
During a break in the lessons, Mathieu came down to chat a bit more. We discussed more about what happened last night and how the apartment manager could make it better.
About 8.30am we left to go home by taxi. I asked the driver how much it would cost and he said $8. Why there’s a big difference I don’t know. Most of the time I pay $11-$12. If I do pay $10 I would also have to pay the road toll. This driver didn’t ask for the toll – so, I’m not complaining.
At 10am Gonzales came over.
Jayne and I went to the local internet café, as she had to write an email to her lawyer.
I got an email from Matt saying that the manager called him to say that my water is on but he still has to see if individual meters can be installed.
This is good news.
At home Jayne had to write a letter and make a check out for the final bill she has to pay to the lawyer. Then she asked me to post it.
Later I went to the mall to post the letter. They have no post office there but there is one store (Hallmark Cards) where you can buy stamps and put it in the mail box. They said they didn’t have any stamps and said to come back tomorrow.
I have to go to Quito to get money from my bank, so I’ll go in the morning then go to the mall and hopefully they’ll have stamps.
In the Twilight Zone
Wednesday December 10
Since we were going to Matt’s house and had to be there at 5.30pm, I told Gonzales to work until 3.00pm. We plan to stay overnight at Matt’s house, so I told Gonzales to come to work tomorrow at 10am.
We left about 3.15pm so we would have time to go on the Internet before we went to Matt’s house. Jayne had brought with her a picture she made to give to Amparo and Matt.
At 7.15pm we left the house to go to the meeting. When we got there Matt recognized my neighbor (who lives next door) in the room. There were only about 7 people there. Then we went to the entrance of the complex, which is outside, and talked. There was about 4 or 5 other people there listening to Matt and my neighbor talk.
I asked Matt to say why a contact person, in which to pay, is not put on the notice board? One man responded (who does not live next door). He said, “Because everybody knows everyone.”
Matt repeated his question and he got the same answer. He said “he” meaning me, doesn’t know everyone and this guy repeated “Everyone knows everyone.” At this time I said, “I felt like was in the Twilight Zone!”
Matt said, “Where?” and he had to repeat this couple of times when he got the same stupid answer back.
These people just can’t be taught basic logic, even though they are adults!
I passed the suggestion on to be translated that a person’s name, flat number and phone number should be on there. How can you expect people to pay if they don’t know who to pay?
This guy, who speaks some English said, “Why weren’t you here?” And Matt said, “Why should he have to live here?” He repeated, “Why don’t you live here?” And this went question back and forth a couple of times.
Matt tried to explain to this thick headed person that I lived in Cyprus and you don’t have to live in a place that you own.
To make the situation more strange is that two other woman were agreeing with this guy on:
Everyone knows everyone
I should have been here
I must have said two more times that “This must be the Twilight Zone!” I didn’t want to say how stupid they are where they can understand me so that is why I said “Twilight Zone,” which is like being in the old TV series about the “Twilight Zone.” (For foreign readers this means “unreal, strange, and weird.”
My neighbor, who doesn’t speak English, said that he understood that the person and place to pay should be posted.
Ah, at least someone understood!
We asked about what these $15 charges are. And we were told that that when there is a meeting and someone doesn’t show up they are charged $15.
$15 for not going to a meeting – how crazy!
I said, “I’m not going to pay that. I wasn’t even in the country. And why should I pay that – what do it get for it? I’m not getting any service or repairs.
The suggestion was made by me to put a bill under each door for the water or maintenance for the past month. This they couldn’t comprehend. I said, “How do you expect people to pay unless they are given a notice.
I wasn’t prepared to pay as Jayne suggested that we should get a bill with the breakdown. However, I did bring about $140. When we went to pay, Mathieu suggest let’s pay everything now so I (me) won’t have to go back. I told him I don’t have enough money, so he reached into his pocket and he just had enough money to pay the total.
I was going to keep some money out so I could treat all of us to a restaurant. But now I had only coins left. When I left the table I asked Jayne how much money she had and she said $10. This will be just enough to take a taxi home tomorrow.
The man who actually collects the money was the one I paid my bill to. We talked as he spoke English. He gave me his name phone number and flat number. The other guy who made all the stupid remarks and speaks some English gave me his name and phone number.
Why this couldn’t be done and posted on the bulletin board since ‘day one’ I’ll never know!
Some of the things I said were, “If they are that lazy they could print out a bill and put it on the shelf (where they have the electric bills). People can pick it up and pay. Also, there would be a minimum fee that would be for maintenance. Any emergencies there would be a bill of what would have to be done and everyone would have paid equally.
How they figured up the water cost – since there are no individual meters – was that it’s based on how many people live in each flat and an average is taken for everyone. For me I was told I was figured at 1 person. If there is three people in a flat, the cost would be higher. Of course, this is still not fair as most of the time no one lives in my flat, but it was the only thing they could do with not being able to meter each flat. What would be fair is that everyone has a meter.
This probably started as they don’t have the technology to put separate meters or they just use the cheaper method – and there is no law that says you can’t do it.
Mathieu told us that there is one flat that he manages for an American that there was never a charge for maintenance fee or water for four years! He doesn’t know who to pay and no one is charged. But he will look into this now and he said if a bill comes due the owner will be shocked.
Then we walked back to Matt’s home. We had wine, which I bought over, a banana cake that Amparo made and cheese. Jayne had three pieces of cake and Matt and I had two!
We talked a couple of hours, some of which what happened earlier. Then we went to bed about 11pm.
Since we were going to Matt’s house and had to be there at 5.30pm, I told Gonzales to work until 3.00pm. We plan to stay overnight at Matt’s house, so I told Gonzales to come to work tomorrow at 10am.
We left about 3.15pm so we would have time to go on the Internet before we went to Matt’s house. Jayne had brought with her a picture she made to give to Amparo and Matt.
At 7.15pm we left the house to go to the meeting. When we got there Matt recognized my neighbor (who lives next door) in the room. There were only about 7 people there. Then we went to the entrance of the complex, which is outside, and talked. There was about 4 or 5 other people there listening to Matt and my neighbor talk.
I asked Matt to say why a contact person, in which to pay, is not put on the notice board? One man responded (who does not live next door). He said, “Because everybody knows everyone.”
Matt repeated his question and he got the same answer. He said “he” meaning me, doesn’t know everyone and this guy repeated “Everyone knows everyone.” At this time I said, “I felt like was in the Twilight Zone!”
Matt said, “Where?” and he had to repeat this couple of times when he got the same stupid answer back.
These people just can’t be taught basic logic, even though they are adults!
I passed the suggestion on to be translated that a person’s name, flat number and phone number should be on there. How can you expect people to pay if they don’t know who to pay?
This guy, who speaks some English said, “Why weren’t you here?” And Matt said, “Why should he have to live here?” He repeated, “Why don’t you live here?” And this went question back and forth a couple of times.
Matt tried to explain to this thick headed person that I lived in Cyprus and you don’t have to live in a place that you own.
To make the situation more strange is that two other woman were agreeing with this guy on:
Everyone knows everyone
I should have been here
I must have said two more times that “This must be the Twilight Zone!” I didn’t want to say how stupid they are where they can understand me so that is why I said “Twilight Zone,” which is like being in the old TV series about the “Twilight Zone.” (For foreign readers this means “unreal, strange, and weird.”
My neighbor, who doesn’t speak English, said that he understood that the person and place to pay should be posted.
Ah, at least someone understood!
We asked about what these $15 charges are. And we were told that that when there is a meeting and someone doesn’t show up they are charged $15.
$15 for not going to a meeting – how crazy!
I said, “I’m not going to pay that. I wasn’t even in the country. And why should I pay that – what do it get for it? I’m not getting any service or repairs.
The suggestion was made by me to put a bill under each door for the water or maintenance for the past month. This they couldn’t comprehend. I said, “How do you expect people to pay unless they are given a notice.
I wasn’t prepared to pay as Jayne suggested that we should get a bill with the breakdown. However, I did bring about $140. When we went to pay, Mathieu suggest let’s pay everything now so I (me) won’t have to go back. I told him I don’t have enough money, so he reached into his pocket and he just had enough money to pay the total.
I was going to keep some money out so I could treat all of us to a restaurant. But now I had only coins left. When I left the table I asked Jayne how much money she had and she said $10. This will be just enough to take a taxi home tomorrow.
The man who actually collects the money was the one I paid my bill to. We talked as he spoke English. He gave me his name phone number and flat number. The other guy who made all the stupid remarks and speaks some English gave me his name and phone number.
Why this couldn’t be done and posted on the bulletin board since ‘day one’ I’ll never know!
Some of the things I said were, “If they are that lazy they could print out a bill and put it on the shelf (where they have the electric bills). People can pick it up and pay. Also, there would be a minimum fee that would be for maintenance. Any emergencies there would be a bill of what would have to be done and everyone would have paid equally.
How they figured up the water cost – since there are no individual meters – was that it’s based on how many people live in each flat and an average is taken for everyone. For me I was told I was figured at 1 person. If there is three people in a flat, the cost would be higher. Of course, this is still not fair as most of the time no one lives in my flat, but it was the only thing they could do with not being able to meter each flat. What would be fair is that everyone has a meter.
This probably started as they don’t have the technology to put separate meters or they just use the cheaper method – and there is no law that says you can’t do it.
Mathieu told us that there is one flat that he manages for an American that there was never a charge for maintenance fee or water for four years! He doesn’t know who to pay and no one is charged. But he will look into this now and he said if a bill comes due the owner will be shocked.
Then we walked back to Matt’s home. We had wine, which I bought over, a banana cake that Amparo made and cheese. Jayne had three pieces of cake and Matt and I had two!
We talked a couple of hours, some of which what happened earlier. Then we went to bed about 11pm.
My Water Bill
Tuesday December 9
I went to my flat in the city to see what the water meter said so I know what to pay. When I got there, there were no water meters – just electric meters.
I looked on the bulletin board and I saw all the names of the tenants and what they owe. I notice that they had three sheets of paper – one for each year from 2006 – 2008. I saw my name there and the total that owe is $270.19! I notice that there was $15 for each month. I saw that some people owed in the $300 to $500 range. Of course there were those who owed much less.
I also saw a notice that there is a meeting Wednesday Dec. 10 at 7.30pm. no where did I see who you pay, the flat you go to to pay, a person’s name or phone number.
What IDIOTS!
How in the heck do they expect people to pay when there is no person or address to pay this – only in Ecuador!!
I thought I would have a number that I can use when I go and pay the water, so maybe I just give them my name and address – I don’t know.
I rang the bell to my apartment to make sure that the tenant left. When there was no answer I unlocked the door and saw some of his personal things inside. So I did not go inside.
I left and as I was walking down the alley I saw someone who looked American. I asked him if he rented a flat there, and he said yes. So this was my tenant.
We had a nice chat and I told I was sorry about the problem but this was the first time that this happened. He told me that he just had to move some small things out as he couldn’t take it all last night – as he moved into another flat that Matt has for rent.
I let him finish while I left to go to pay for the water. Irina told me that I could pay this where I pay the electric. When I got there I found out that I couldn’t pay there. Since I don’t have a customer number – if one is needed – I would not be able to pay anyhow.
I then called Matt to tell him the story. I told him what my total is and that it goes back to Jan. 2006. I also said it looked like there is a monthly $15. I said I don’t know if this is the water, just the maintance or both.
I suggest if he could call Juan (Judith brother) and see if he could go to the meeting. (Juan used to work for Matt, so he is someone that can be depended on.)
I then got something to eat. Then I went on the internet. I wrote to Matt to say there are some things I wanted Juan to bring up at the meeting.
Some of the things that should be brought up are:
Sign with contact person’s phone and flat number
Break down of bill
It’s stupid to have one water meter for everyone as it cheats those who don’t use much water and cheats those who have found out the person to pay, but still has their water turned off.
When I got home I called Matt and he first said that he couldn’t make it, then I told him…”I paid you to manage and pay the bills for my properties but the water/monthly maintance was never paid. The bills go back to Jan. 2006 when I was in Cyprus.” (I paid him up to July 2007 when I returned.)
Then, I guess he realized he should have checked into this when the bills were paid when I was gone, so he said he’ll go to the meeting.
I paid him $50 month to look after the property and pay my bills (which came out of my money). He should realize that each house/apartment has a phone, electric and water to pay. Even if no one is staying in the place there is still a minimum.
After my call to him, he called back to suggest that I should go with him to and he said Jayne and I could come over about 5.30pm and if we want we could spend the night. So we’ll go over, but I don’t know if we’ll spend the night.
Matt suggested that everyone vote on if they want to have individual meters.
This would be the only fair way for an owner like me most of the time there is no one in the flat yet I have to pay the same price as everyone else (which is an average price). Naturally, there are those who use more water.
He suggested that I don’t pay anything tomorrow night but we’ll ask for a breakdown for everything. He also thinks that the monthly bill is water and flat fees – we’ll find out tomorrow.
The taxi driver tried to over-charge me when I went home! He showed me a sheet of paper that looked like he wrote it that said $20. I know darn well that the sheet that other taxi drivers have says $12. So I was going to go out the taxi, and actually opened the door, until he went down to $12. He thought he could cheat a foreigner but he was wrong.
I went to my flat in the city to see what the water meter said so I know what to pay. When I got there, there were no water meters – just electric meters.
I looked on the bulletin board and I saw all the names of the tenants and what they owe. I notice that they had three sheets of paper – one for each year from 2006 – 2008. I saw my name there and the total that owe is $270.19! I notice that there was $15 for each month. I saw that some people owed in the $300 to $500 range. Of course there were those who owed much less.
I also saw a notice that there is a meeting Wednesday Dec. 10 at 7.30pm. no where did I see who you pay, the flat you go to to pay, a person’s name or phone number.
What IDIOTS!
How in the heck do they expect people to pay when there is no person or address to pay this – only in Ecuador!!
I thought I would have a number that I can use when I go and pay the water, so maybe I just give them my name and address – I don’t know.
I rang the bell to my apartment to make sure that the tenant left. When there was no answer I unlocked the door and saw some of his personal things inside. So I did not go inside.
I left and as I was walking down the alley I saw someone who looked American. I asked him if he rented a flat there, and he said yes. So this was my tenant.
We had a nice chat and I told I was sorry about the problem but this was the first time that this happened. He told me that he just had to move some small things out as he couldn’t take it all last night – as he moved into another flat that Matt has for rent.
I let him finish while I left to go to pay for the water. Irina told me that I could pay this where I pay the electric. When I got there I found out that I couldn’t pay there. Since I don’t have a customer number – if one is needed – I would not be able to pay anyhow.
I then called Matt to tell him the story. I told him what my total is and that it goes back to Jan. 2006. I also said it looked like there is a monthly $15. I said I don’t know if this is the water, just the maintance or both.
I suggest if he could call Juan (Judith brother) and see if he could go to the meeting. (Juan used to work for Matt, so he is someone that can be depended on.)
I then got something to eat. Then I went on the internet. I wrote to Matt to say there are some things I wanted Juan to bring up at the meeting.
Some of the things that should be brought up are:
Sign with contact person’s phone and flat number
Break down of bill
It’s stupid to have one water meter for everyone as it cheats those who don’t use much water and cheats those who have found out the person to pay, but still has their water turned off.
When I got home I called Matt and he first said that he couldn’t make it, then I told him…”I paid you to manage and pay the bills for my properties but the water/monthly maintance was never paid. The bills go back to Jan. 2006 when I was in Cyprus.” (I paid him up to July 2007 when I returned.)
Then, I guess he realized he should have checked into this when the bills were paid when I was gone, so he said he’ll go to the meeting.
I paid him $50 month to look after the property and pay my bills (which came out of my money). He should realize that each house/apartment has a phone, electric and water to pay. Even if no one is staying in the place there is still a minimum.
After my call to him, he called back to suggest that I should go with him to and he said Jayne and I could come over about 5.30pm and if we want we could spend the night. So we’ll go over, but I don’t know if we’ll spend the night.
Matt suggested that everyone vote on if they want to have individual meters.
This would be the only fair way for an owner like me most of the time there is no one in the flat yet I have to pay the same price as everyone else (which is an average price). Naturally, there are those who use more water.
He suggested that I don’t pay anything tomorrow night but we’ll ask for a breakdown for everything. He also thinks that the monthly bill is water and flat fees – we’ll find out tomorrow.
The taxi driver tried to over-charge me when I went home! He showed me a sheet of paper that looked like he wrote it that said $20. I know darn well that the sheet that other taxi drivers have says $12. So I was going to go out the taxi, and actually opened the door, until he went down to $12. He thought he could cheat a foreigner but he was wrong.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
More About the Flat
Monday December 8
I went to Quito to pay for my water bill for the flat and to get some money out of my account. When I got to the city I found a big line there, so I went to the internet to see what Matt said about the water.
As soon as I sat down Irina saw me and said ‘hello’. It was good to see her. She was with her baby boy who is 6 months old. I asked her if she remembers when we paid the water bill as I said that I don’t have any receipts and I was never given a number like I have with the electric. She recalled that we had to get the number stamped on the meter, then take a reading and to provide my address. This can be paid where the electric is paid.
It was God-sent that I met as I forgot all about this.
I asked if she could wait a minute so I could check my mail to see what Matt wrote. He wrote that the problem was with me but that other people hadn’t paid and they turned off the water on the whole building.
I wrote a letter to send back but after I did that there was no internet connection on my computer. So I asked Irina if she would like to go for a cup of coffee and she said yes. I said I’d go to another internet café to send the letter.
We had a nice chat and we both talked about what we were doing. Irina was someone that I hired before I moved back to Cyprus. Since then I have Judith working for me when I need her.
After she left I went to another internet café. Mathieu in the meantime sent me another email. He said that my client is moving out (as there is no water). I don’t blame him. Matt will be putting him in another flat that another foreigner owns. He also suggested that I get my lawyer to meet with whomever to take care of the problem.
I wrote back to Matt saying what idiots these people are. They don’t send bills out so there is no reminder that the water has to be paid. They don’t send a warning that the water will be turned off. For those who don’t live in the flats I can see how some people could be late.
One thing that I thought of after I sent the email was how stupid they are by not having the plumbing put in where they can turn off the water in individual flats.
I forgot about paying simply because I don’t pay water where I live (when I bought it the previous owner has it hooked up where they don’t know). But I think that it’s because they can’t read the meter.
This is a long story so I’ll have to add more…
With what I know now in how things work, I should have insisted that she show me the updated water bill before I bought the house. as they could come back and say that I owe water for the past four years (when I bought the house). and they might have me pay since ‘day one’ whenever the last payment was made.
I had been asked by some guy (a neighbor I think) that they can’t read my meter through the whole in the wall, so it should be made so the water guy can read it. However, at no time did someone from the water company come by and ring the bell to come on the property to take a look – like the electric man. And since the technology and thinking is primitive here, they can’t turn off the water without turning off everyone else’s on the street.
So, I hope I don’t have problems when I sell the house. or I hope that they don’t get off their collective butts to simply ask. You see before I bought the house I was told that my meter is not registered with them.
Back to the flat…
With not using common sense, even if they don’t have the technological know-how, they should send out monthly water bills like they do for the electric and they should send out late notices and put it in people’s doors or mailboxes.
In the meantime they lose money!
The bad thing is that people who pay have to go without water! I wonder how many apartment buildings are like this?
I also got an email from Maria, my lawyer, that the government department that is processing Jayne’s visa wants a copy of my latest property tax to show that I paid it.
All of this government red-tape crap. Why this is needed for a visa only and Ecuadorian can tell you?!#
So I have to send a scanned copy to her.
After the internet I went to the bank to get some money out of my euro account (that was changed into dollars).
I told Jayne all about this when I got home. She suggested that I go inside after I read the meter to see that the water is turned off – good idea! However, with the way they put taps in the houses and flats they don’t have the ‘off position’ in the same direction. In other words when you turn the taps all the way to the clockwise position it should be off, but it’s not like this in one bathroom at home here. so, the only thing I can do is turn them all the way to the right and hope that is what it’s supposed to be. Since no one will be living there no one will be able to turn them off. What I will have to do is go there every day to see when the water is turned on and to make sure all my taps are off.
There’s always a problem in Ecuador – even with a simple thing like installing taps.
I went to Quito to pay for my water bill for the flat and to get some money out of my account. When I got to the city I found a big line there, so I went to the internet to see what Matt said about the water.
As soon as I sat down Irina saw me and said ‘hello’. It was good to see her. She was with her baby boy who is 6 months old. I asked her if she remembers when we paid the water bill as I said that I don’t have any receipts and I was never given a number like I have with the electric. She recalled that we had to get the number stamped on the meter, then take a reading and to provide my address. This can be paid where the electric is paid.
It was God-sent that I met as I forgot all about this.
I asked if she could wait a minute so I could check my mail to see what Matt wrote. He wrote that the problem was with me but that other people hadn’t paid and they turned off the water on the whole building.
I wrote a letter to send back but after I did that there was no internet connection on my computer. So I asked Irina if she would like to go for a cup of coffee and she said yes. I said I’d go to another internet café to send the letter.
We had a nice chat and we both talked about what we were doing. Irina was someone that I hired before I moved back to Cyprus. Since then I have Judith working for me when I need her.
After she left I went to another internet café. Mathieu in the meantime sent me another email. He said that my client is moving out (as there is no water). I don’t blame him. Matt will be putting him in another flat that another foreigner owns. He also suggested that I get my lawyer to meet with whomever to take care of the problem.
I wrote back to Matt saying what idiots these people are. They don’t send bills out so there is no reminder that the water has to be paid. They don’t send a warning that the water will be turned off. For those who don’t live in the flats I can see how some people could be late.
One thing that I thought of after I sent the email was how stupid they are by not having the plumbing put in where they can turn off the water in individual flats.
I forgot about paying simply because I don’t pay water where I live (when I bought it the previous owner has it hooked up where they don’t know). But I think that it’s because they can’t read the meter.
This is a long story so I’ll have to add more…
With what I know now in how things work, I should have insisted that she show me the updated water bill before I bought the house. as they could come back and say that I owe water for the past four years (when I bought the house). and they might have me pay since ‘day one’ whenever the last payment was made.
I had been asked by some guy (a neighbor I think) that they can’t read my meter through the whole in the wall, so it should be made so the water guy can read it. However, at no time did someone from the water company come by and ring the bell to come on the property to take a look – like the electric man. And since the technology and thinking is primitive here, they can’t turn off the water without turning off everyone else’s on the street.
So, I hope I don’t have problems when I sell the house. or I hope that they don’t get off their collective butts to simply ask. You see before I bought the house I was told that my meter is not registered with them.
Back to the flat…
With not using common sense, even if they don’t have the technological know-how, they should send out monthly water bills like they do for the electric and they should send out late notices and put it in people’s doors or mailboxes.
In the meantime they lose money!
The bad thing is that people who pay have to go without water! I wonder how many apartment buildings are like this?
I also got an email from Maria, my lawyer, that the government department that is processing Jayne’s visa wants a copy of my latest property tax to show that I paid it.
All of this government red-tape crap. Why this is needed for a visa only and Ecuadorian can tell you?!#
So I have to send a scanned copy to her.
After the internet I went to the bank to get some money out of my euro account (that was changed into dollars).
I told Jayne all about this when I got home. She suggested that I go inside after I read the meter to see that the water is turned off – good idea! However, with the way they put taps in the houses and flats they don’t have the ‘off position’ in the same direction. In other words when you turn the taps all the way to the clockwise position it should be off, but it’s not like this in one bathroom at home here. so, the only thing I can do is turn them all the way to the right and hope that is what it’s supposed to be. Since no one will be living there no one will be able to turn them off. What I will have to do is go there every day to see when the water is turned on and to make sure all my taps are off.
There’s always a problem in Ecuador – even with a simple thing like installing taps.
No Water in the Flat
Friday December 5
Galo said he couldn’t come to day, as he was to see where it still leaks. His work is guaranteed so that is why I called him. He said his car is in the repair shop and asked if it would be ok to stop by Saturday morning. I said ok.
I went to the internet café.
Mathieu called me to say that the building where my flat is, is out of water. I have a tenant staying there. He asked me what he should do and I suggested that he put him in another flat (that he has for rent). After the call I remembered that I hadn’t paid the water there in months. However, it seems the problem is in the whole building. But what I have to do is pay the bill Monday. (They don’t give you a bill, so you have to remember to pay.)
The reason why I haven’t thought about the water bill there is, that the hookup I have here I’m not charged and it’s been like that since I bought the house. But I haven’t thought in months about the water that I have to pay in my flat.
Galo said he couldn’t come to day, as he was to see where it still leaks. His work is guaranteed so that is why I called him. He said his car is in the repair shop and asked if it would be ok to stop by Saturday morning. I said ok.
I went to the internet café.
Mathieu called me to say that the building where my flat is, is out of water. I have a tenant staying there. He asked me what he should do and I suggested that he put him in another flat (that he has for rent). After the call I remembered that I hadn’t paid the water there in months. However, it seems the problem is in the whole building. But what I have to do is pay the bill Monday. (They don’t give you a bill, so you have to remember to pay.)
The reason why I haven’t thought about the water bill there is, that the hookup I have here I’m not charged and it’s been like that since I bought the house. But I haven’t thought in months about the water that I have to pay in my flat.
Hail Today
Wednesday December 3
It rained and hailed hard in the afternoon. It was the most hail I’ve seen since I’ve been here. It looked like snow on the ground in some parts. That’s when we saw rain come though one of the skylights and water down a small section of the dining room wall.
It rained and hailed hard in the afternoon. It was the most hail I’ve seen since I’ve been here. It looked like snow on the ground in some parts. That’s when we saw rain come though one of the skylights and water down a small section of the dining room wall.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thanksgiving Day
Jayne and I cleaned up the house as it was dusty with the workers here. Then Jayne started making the dishes for today.
Richard came over at noon. He brought a ham, mashed potatoes, and banana bread. I didn’t eat the ham but I had the other food, which was very good. He’s a good cook.
Jayne cooked broccoli and made three salads. I had also bought desert, but since we had what Richard brought we didn’t eat the carrot and orange cake.
A couple of hours later we went to the mall to see the latest James Bond film starring Daniel Craig.
We were told that there is a special to see this film. For only $1 more we got the VIP Lounge. It was very nice. The lobby of this lounge looks like a theater from the mid 18th Century. On our balcony there were 10 lazy-boy chairs. The waiter comes and asks what you want to eat/drink and brings it to you. This is served on a table next to your seat. (Each pair of arm-chairs is separated.) Richard said on weekends the cost for the VIP Lounge is twice the entrance price. What we paid today was only $6.
After the film we went to a store that sells Christmas decorations. Richard was looking for lights that are the size of a grain of rice. I found it and it was exactly what he wanted.
Then went to a great coffee shop right across from the store. I treated everyone to cappuccino with cream.
Richard dropped us home around 7pm.
I called my Mother about 11am and had nice talk with her, though we didn’t speak long.
When we got back from the mall I called at Carol’s house. This was after they ate. I talked to Sharon and so did Jayne. Carol was busying washing the dishes and Alan was in the bathroom. There were only four people there. The fourth person was Steve’s girlfriend. He couldn’t make it as he is in Afghanistan on a “mission.”
Sharon told me that our sister, Heather, is expecting another baby in June or July. This will be her fourth. They have two boys now.
Jayne and I went to bed early.
So ends a nice Thanksgiving Day.
Visted Mathieu and Amparo
Wednesday November 26
I did some food shopping for Thanksgiving Day.
I did some food shopping for Thanksgiving Day.
Richard called to say that he’ll be here about noon. He said that he would bring ham, mashed potatoes and corn bread. (This is a Southern dish wish I had many times.) I bought fish today so I can have that while they have meat.
We left when the worker left and I offered him to ride with us in a taxi. We got at Matt’s home right at 6pm. It was good to see him, his son, Francois, his wife, Amparo and their two other children.
A friend of Matt’s – Mike – was there. He lives in Florida but a condo in Quito.
We gave the gifts that we bought for the whole family.
Then we went to the balcony to have our wine and cheese.
Then Mike had to leave to pick up his wife from the airport – who flew in from Miami. Then they came back and joined us on the balcony. We had a very nice conversation.
Mike and Eva know Richard, whom they will meet on Friday in Otabilo. The reason why that Richard is not with them on Thanksgiving Day is because they will be at Matt’s home. Mike and Eva stayed at Matt’s home tonight.
Jayne and I left Matt and Amparo’s house about 11.30pm by taxi. By the time we got to bed was about 1am.
Every step of the way a problem in Ecuador!
I had to go to the city to meet Judith about taking care of my banking. The purpose of the visit was to re-activate my account. Keep in mind it was inactive for just over 6 months – not a long time.
When we talk to the woman at the desk we showed her that I had the copies that the other girl said was needed, which was a color copy (front and back) or my two IDs and the latest bill (either electric or phone).
We’ll, from this other girl we were told that this isn’t enough!!??
She said that I need a color copy of my passport, three letters of recommendation from friends, copy of the ownership papers of the house, and to fill out an application. This is in addition what I already brought. In short, I need everything that is required to open an account!
Hey, why not the kitchen sink!!
Judith did a good job in arguing – though it was in a nice way and without a raised voice. She said that the other girl said we just need what we brought. Then the girl that was waiting on us told the other girl who originally talked to us. She said she didn’t know.
Judith told the clerk that her bank (Pichincha Bank) doesn’t require this and the girl responded and said this is not Pichincha Bank and that this is our bank policy. I said to Judith that this is a shit bank. I also told her, “That’s why many people don’t like Ecuador.”
I was about ready to say that I want to see a manager when the clerk said that she’ll see what she can do and said that an application should be filled out (one you use to open an account) then it could be re-activated. There were only three sections that she wanted me to fill out. When this was done we were told that I could get my money from the cashier.
Then I went to the cashier and said I wanted 1,000 Euros. He said that they don’t have any Euros now. I would have to call a number and ask when they will have them in.
Can you imagine a bank that doesn’t even have 1,000 Euros in the vault!?
I wanted to get Euros out and change them at an exchange office so I can get a better rate.
So I said I would like to take out 300 Euros and convert them to dollars. This, he was able to do. The rate was $1.19 to 1 Euro. At least the rate is better than the last time which was $1.14. I need the money to pay the workers and for our expense.
I told Judith to call the phone number on Thursday and see if they will have the money on Friday.
Then we went to the main office of the phone company.
Earlier Judith told me that she called the Internet company that does have service where I live and they told her that my phone line is bad. (She must have given them my phone number and they checked from their office.) If I get another line put in, or should I say, replaced, then they will give me the service.
I wanted to cancel the Internet I have with the phone company as I can’t get any service. Even if I could the speed is very slow. So, we’ll also see about getting the phone in my own name.
When we went to the phone company’s office, we were told that I have to write a letter telling them I want to cancel and to provide a copy of my ID. Judith wrote a letter in Spanish and I signed it and we got a copy of my ID. Then we had to go back to turn this in.
I was told that the service will not be cancelled until Dec. 12 and that I will have to pay $15 in Jan. for them to do this. This is poor service!
Judith was told that she has to go to another office for me to get the work done about putting in a new line. I asked her to ask them what documents I need and how much this will cost.
I hope I don’t have any problems changing the phone line as it’s common in Ecuador that homes are sold with the previous owner still having the phone and electric in their names. And the new owners go on paying the bills.
A strange system here!
When we talk to the woman at the desk we showed her that I had the copies that the other girl said was needed, which was a color copy (front and back) or my two IDs and the latest bill (either electric or phone).
We’ll, from this other girl we were told that this isn’t enough!!??
She said that I need a color copy of my passport, three letters of recommendation from friends, copy of the ownership papers of the house, and to fill out an application. This is in addition what I already brought. In short, I need everything that is required to open an account!
Hey, why not the kitchen sink!!
Judith did a good job in arguing – though it was in a nice way and without a raised voice. She said that the other girl said we just need what we brought. Then the girl that was waiting on us told the other girl who originally talked to us. She said she didn’t know.
Judith told the clerk that her bank (Pichincha Bank) doesn’t require this and the girl responded and said this is not Pichincha Bank and that this is our bank policy. I said to Judith that this is a shit bank. I also told her, “That’s why many people don’t like Ecuador.”
I was about ready to say that I want to see a manager when the clerk said that she’ll see what she can do and said that an application should be filled out (one you use to open an account) then it could be re-activated. There were only three sections that she wanted me to fill out. When this was done we were told that I could get my money from the cashier.
Then I went to the cashier and said I wanted 1,000 Euros. He said that they don’t have any Euros now. I would have to call a number and ask when they will have them in.
Can you imagine a bank that doesn’t even have 1,000 Euros in the vault!?
I wanted to get Euros out and change them at an exchange office so I can get a better rate.
So I said I would like to take out 300 Euros and convert them to dollars. This, he was able to do. The rate was $1.19 to 1 Euro. At least the rate is better than the last time which was $1.14. I need the money to pay the workers and for our expense.
I told Judith to call the phone number on Thursday and see if they will have the money on Friday.
Then we went to the main office of the phone company.
Earlier Judith told me that she called the Internet company that does have service where I live and they told her that my phone line is bad. (She must have given them my phone number and they checked from their office.) If I get another line put in, or should I say, replaced, then they will give me the service.
I wanted to cancel the Internet I have with the phone company as I can’t get any service. Even if I could the speed is very slow. So, we’ll also see about getting the phone in my own name.
When we went to the phone company’s office, we were told that I have to write a letter telling them I want to cancel and to provide a copy of my ID. Judith wrote a letter in Spanish and I signed it and we got a copy of my ID. Then we had to go back to turn this in.
I was told that the service will not be cancelled until Dec. 12 and that I will have to pay $15 in Jan. for them to do this. This is poor service!
Judith was told that she has to go to another office for me to get the work done about putting in a new line. I asked her to ask them what documents I need and how much this will cost.
I hope I don’t have any problems changing the phone line as it’s common in Ecuador that homes are sold with the previous owner still having the phone and electric in their names. And the new owners go on paying the bills.
A strange system here!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Work Done part 2
We decided to have the house painted white where it once was green – that’s the part that had to be done over. The reason is, it’s hard to match up the paint and people will see the difference. Also, when touch up has to be done – because of the rain – white will match perfectly. It’s also cheaper than colored paint.
Pictures: Jayne and Craig part 1
Here are some pictures that were made of Jayne and me in October. The place was about a 30 minute ride from home and it’s in a national park. Other pictures you’ll see is of the work done on our home.
Important Tip
Important Tip
I started copying my CDs and DVDs on to my external hard drive. I found out from Richard that copies made on CDs and DVDs have a life expectancy of about 4 years. The surface they use is vegetable based (I didn’t know that!) and you start losing the sound and picture. If it’s manufactured the life expectancy is about 25-30 years.
If you want to preserve your pictures or other information you should make copies on a hard drive. The hard drive has a different surface so they will last a long time. Of course, if you notice that your computer is having trouble starting to read your external hard drive you should buy another one and copy everything from one to another.
The reason why I say external hard drive is that most people will fill up their computer hard drive with DVDs that made. The info that you don’t access often put on your external hard drive.
I bought an external hard drive that Richard’s friend brought into the country from the US (they are cheaper than in Ecuador). It only cost $139 for 500 GB. You can buy larger hard drives if you want.
If you purchased any CDs or DVDs, and paid a good price for it they could still have made it from CDs bought in a store and copies made from their computers. So it’s good to copy them on your hard drive. I bought some that cost a good bit and I can tell they were made on store bought CD/DVDs. Others I know they are made by the manufacturer, so I won’t copy them unless there’s enough room. (It’s always good to have a back up made as you never know what might happen to them.
After all, can you image all your family pictures/videos made with a digital cameras gone!
Hope this tip is helpful.
I started copying my CDs and DVDs on to my external hard drive. I found out from Richard that copies made on CDs and DVDs have a life expectancy of about 4 years. The surface they use is vegetable based (I didn’t know that!) and you start losing the sound and picture. If it’s manufactured the life expectancy is about 25-30 years.
If you want to preserve your pictures or other information you should make copies on a hard drive. The hard drive has a different surface so they will last a long time. Of course, if you notice that your computer is having trouble starting to read your external hard drive you should buy another one and copy everything from one to another.
The reason why I say external hard drive is that most people will fill up their computer hard drive with DVDs that made. The info that you don’t access often put on your external hard drive.
I bought an external hard drive that Richard’s friend brought into the country from the US (they are cheaper than in Ecuador). It only cost $139 for 500 GB. You can buy larger hard drives if you want.
If you purchased any CDs or DVDs, and paid a good price for it they could still have made it from CDs bought in a store and copies made from their computers. So it’s good to copy them on your hard drive. I bought some that cost a good bit and I can tell they were made on store bought CD/DVDs. Others I know they are made by the manufacturer, so I won’t copy them unless there’s enough room. (It’s always good to have a back up made as you never know what might happen to them.
After all, can you image all your family pictures/videos made with a digital cameras gone!
Hope this tip is helpful.
Dollar and Euro Exchange Rate
Monday November 17
I went to Quito today to meet Judith. She arrived late as usual. we went to my bank where I wanted to withdraw some money to pay for the materials and workers this week. I had planned to go to my other bank but I forgot the last utility bill!
I asked for the exchange rate as my account is in Euros and I wanted dollars. I was told that it would be $1.21 to the Euro. However she said she asked if she could get a higher rate for me – which she did. I got $1.22. The other bank on Friday said I would get $1.14, so there is a big difference.
Judith said that there is a bank down the street that changes currencies. I thought for a minute – why not get Euros out of my other bank and change it at the other bank!
I could not do it at the bank I was at now as I had already told them I would like them to convert it. However, the next time I go to the other bank I’ll just take out Euros and save money.
I know that there is a kiosk in the center that does this, so I’ll go there. It’s not like a bank that you need an account. I’m sure that the bank I was at today is probably closer to what the kiosk pays, but it’s not close to the bank that I didn’t go to today.
Between the two banks that I have an account in the difference is 8%. That means on 1,000 Euros it’s $80.00 difference. I know that there wasn’t that much change in one business day.
That’s lot of money!!
When I take, say, 500 Euros out I’ll get 500. So there is nothing that they can cheat me on.
I went to Quito today to meet Judith. She arrived late as usual. we went to my bank where I wanted to withdraw some money to pay for the materials and workers this week. I had planned to go to my other bank but I forgot the last utility bill!
I asked for the exchange rate as my account is in Euros and I wanted dollars. I was told that it would be $1.21 to the Euro. However she said she asked if she could get a higher rate for me – which she did. I got $1.22. The other bank on Friday said I would get $1.14, so there is a big difference.
Judith said that there is a bank down the street that changes currencies. I thought for a minute – why not get Euros out of my other bank and change it at the other bank!
I could not do it at the bank I was at now as I had already told them I would like them to convert it. However, the next time I go to the other bank I’ll just take out Euros and save money.
I know that there is a kiosk in the center that does this, so I’ll go there. It’s not like a bank that you need an account. I’m sure that the bank I was at today is probably closer to what the kiosk pays, but it’s not close to the bank that I didn’t go to today.
Between the two banks that I have an account in the difference is 8%. That means on 1,000 Euros it’s $80.00 difference. I know that there wasn’t that much change in one business day.
That’s lot of money!!
When I take, say, 500 Euros out I’ll get 500. So there is nothing that they can cheat me on.
Richard Visited
Sunday November 16
Richard said he’d be here at noon. So I went to the mall this morning to do some food shopping. I looked first for a gift to buy him for his 50th birthday which was November 12. I found a crystal bowl made in Germany that I thought would go good with his apartment. Then I went to another store to buy a birthday card. Of course, it is in Spanish, but he can read and speak the language.
Richard came with some plants that he had started to grow in his house but they were getting too big for the pot. One is a vine that originally came from Cuba. This we can really use to have it grow on the concrete wall – as the wall in the back of the house is ugly.
We had a nice talk and Richard liked the gift.
Jayne had made brown rice salad along with egg salad and bread with olive oil.
Richard left about 4.30pm.
Richard said he’d be here at noon. So I went to the mall this morning to do some food shopping. I looked first for a gift to buy him for his 50th birthday which was November 12. I found a crystal bowl made in Germany that I thought would go good with his apartment. Then I went to another store to buy a birthday card. Of course, it is in Spanish, but he can read and speak the language.
Richard came with some plants that he had started to grow in his house but they were getting too big for the pot. One is a vine that originally came from Cuba. This we can really use to have it grow on the concrete wall – as the wall in the back of the house is ugly.
We had a nice talk and Richard liked the gift.
Jayne had made brown rice salad along with egg salad and bread with olive oil.
Richard left about 4.30pm.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Stupid Bank Rules
Friday November 14
I went to the city to meet Judith. The first place we went to my bank to transfer money from one account to another. When we went to the cashier he told me that my account is frozen!?
Judith asked why and he said we have to go to the desk and find out.
Now, I have two accounts in this bank and one I use regularly with no problem
The girl at the desk said that because I hadn’t used the account in 6 months it’s inactive. She said that to activate it again I have to make a color copy of my two forms of ID here and a copy of the last electric or phone bill.
This is stupid and I said so (but Judith didn’t translate it it)!
1 – An account should not be ‘inactive’ in such a short period of time.
2 – It should be activated automatically when a deposit or withdraw is made.
3 – I should not have to provide copies of my IDs and an electric bill.
The last one is really stupid. They already have a copy of my IDs when I opened my account and they have a copy of my utility bill. So, what do they want with a duplicate? And what does paying your bills have to do with the price of eggs in China?
So, I’ll have to go back Monday and do this.
I went to another bank here as I needed to sign a paper for my account. This is a foreign bank in Quito. I told the girl there the story and they don’t have anything stupid like that. I was told that if your account is inactive it becomes automatically active with a withdraw or deposit. And this is with just a checking account not a savings account.
After all this mess I had to have a cup of coffee.
I got home about 6pm.
Another stupid thing in Ecuador!
I went to the city to meet Judith. The first place we went to my bank to transfer money from one account to another. When we went to the cashier he told me that my account is frozen!?
Judith asked why and he said we have to go to the desk and find out.
Now, I have two accounts in this bank and one I use regularly with no problem
The girl at the desk said that because I hadn’t used the account in 6 months it’s inactive. She said that to activate it again I have to make a color copy of my two forms of ID here and a copy of the last electric or phone bill.
This is stupid and I said so (but Judith didn’t translate it it)!
1 – An account should not be ‘inactive’ in such a short period of time.
2 – It should be activated automatically when a deposit or withdraw is made.
3 – I should not have to provide copies of my IDs and an electric bill.
The last one is really stupid. They already have a copy of my IDs when I opened my account and they have a copy of my utility bill. So, what do they want with a duplicate? And what does paying your bills have to do with the price of eggs in China?
So, I’ll have to go back Monday and do this.
I went to another bank here as I needed to sign a paper for my account. This is a foreign bank in Quito. I told the girl there the story and they don’t have anything stupid like that. I was told that if your account is inactive it becomes automatically active with a withdraw or deposit. And this is with just a checking account not a savings account.
After all this mess I had to have a cup of coffee.
I got home about 6pm.
Another stupid thing in Ecuador!
More Paper Work
Tuesday November 11
I had to go to Quito to meet with Judith at her sister’s office. I had to get two papers from government offices. This is for the process to get Jayne visa.
There’s always more red tape in this country! They already have a record of me from a previous time that I got my own visa.
So we went to one office where you get a paper for a police check – this happened rather quickly. Then we went to the “Movement Migration” office. We had to wait an hour there.
From there, I wanted to go to the bank and transfer money from my euro account to my dollar account. When we got there we were told that the exchange office closed at 4pm (it was about 4.30pm at the time). However, we were told that we could go to another mall and have this done. So we went there. Then we were told that they don’t do it there!?
Judith and I have coffee and a little something to eat.
It looks like I have to go back tomorrow to Quito.
I had to go to Quito to meet with Judith at her sister’s office. I had to get two papers from government offices. This is for the process to get Jayne visa.
There’s always more red tape in this country! They already have a record of me from a previous time that I got my own visa.
So we went to one office where you get a paper for a police check – this happened rather quickly. Then we went to the “Movement Migration” office. We had to wait an hour there.
From there, I wanted to go to the bank and transfer money from my euro account to my dollar account. When we got there we were told that the exchange office closed at 4pm (it was about 4.30pm at the time). However, we were told that we could go to another mall and have this done. So we went there. Then we were told that they don’t do it there!?
Judith and I have coffee and a little something to eat.
It looks like I have to go back tomorrow to Quito.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
November 8-9
Saturday November 8
My internet is not working. This started yesterday. I tried what I could but the message I get that there is no dial tone, however my phone works. (Yes, I have the slow dial up.) So Jayne and I went to town here to go on the internet.
Sunday November 9
Jayne and I are at the mall today with my computer. Now, I’m able to post to this website. I still have to get my internet resolved at home. This is a pain not being able to use it at home.
My internet is not working. This started yesterday. I tried what I could but the message I get that there is no dial tone, however my phone works. (Yes, I have the slow dial up.) So Jayne and I went to town here to go on the internet.
Sunday November 9
Jayne and I are at the mall today with my computer. Now, I’m able to post to this website. I still have to get my internet resolved at home. This is a pain not being able to use it at home.
Gardener Wants More Money
Thursday November 6
Jayne went on the FedEx website to see where her package is and found out that it’s still in Guayaquil. This is another large city in Ecuador where many planes fly to first.
FedEx is really a slow service as it has taken a couple of weeks for a package to come from England.
Friday November 7
The workers came, as usual today. My gardener came, too.
I had some words with my gardener as he wants more for cutting the grass. He said that the cost of the nylon wire for the weed cutter costs more and for this he wants $10 more! He already gets much more per hour than construction workers. I told him no. so he cut the grass for the same price.
I’m about to let him go and cut the grass myself. I would have to buy a lawnmower but it would pay for itself in a couple of months.
People are poor because they do things that make them poor and they don’t even realize it. Many don’t want to learn. If people don’t like being poor they should change. You get the results by the way you work and think.
Jayne went on the FedEx website to see where her package is and found out that it’s still in Guayaquil. This is another large city in Ecuador where many planes fly to first.
FedEx is really a slow service as it has taken a couple of weeks for a package to come from England.
Friday November 7
The workers came, as usual today. My gardener came, too.
I had some words with my gardener as he wants more for cutting the grass. He said that the cost of the nylon wire for the weed cutter costs more and for this he wants $10 more! He already gets much more per hour than construction workers. I told him no. so he cut the grass for the same price.
I’m about to let him go and cut the grass myself. I would have to buy a lawnmower but it would pay for itself in a couple of months.
People are poor because they do things that make them poor and they don’t even realize it. Many don’t want to learn. If people don’t like being poor they should change. You get the results by the way you work and think.
Election News
Tuesday November 4
Today is Election Day in the US. Both candidates, Obama and Mc Cain, will make terrible presidents.
I went to the city to get money from my account. Galo had to go to the city so he offered me a ride.
Then I went to the mall there to have breakfast, then I went home.
Wednesday November 5
Obama won. I heard a lot of terrible news about this guy in the past months. So, America will still be going downhill. I’m sure the Blacks liked it that he won. The truth is, that this guy is no more a Negro than a Caucasian – he’s a mualetto (half and half).
Two workers continued work on the roof and another one (who does not work for Galo) worked on the balcony.
I went to the city again today. A package was supposed to arrive from FedEx but it hadn’t. this was sent by Jayne’s Mother
I called my Mother today. Carol (my aunt) answered the phone and said “June’s residence.” So, I talked to her a little while, then my Mother. Sharon (my sister) was also there and I talked to her longer. Jayne also talked to Sharon.
It was nice talking to three family members. However, it does leave less time for them to talk to my Mother. Carol had said in a previous email that she usually goes when Sharon goes.
Today is Election Day in the US. Both candidates, Obama and Mc Cain, will make terrible presidents.
I went to the city to get money from my account. Galo had to go to the city so he offered me a ride.
Then I went to the mall there to have breakfast, then I went home.
Wednesday November 5
Obama won. I heard a lot of terrible news about this guy in the past months. So, America will still be going downhill. I’m sure the Blacks liked it that he won. The truth is, that this guy is no more a Negro than a Caucasian – he’s a mualetto (half and half).
Two workers continued work on the roof and another one (who does not work for Galo) worked on the balcony.
I went to the city again today. A package was supposed to arrive from FedEx but it hadn’t. this was sent by Jayne’s Mother
I called my Mother today. Carol (my aunt) answered the phone and said “June’s residence.” So, I talked to her a little while, then my Mother. Sharon (my sister) was also there and I talked to her longer. Jayne also talked to Sharon.
It was nice talking to three family members. However, it does leave less time for them to talk to my Mother. Carol had said in a previous email that she usually goes when Sharon goes.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Apartment Plans
Monday November 3
The workers came over this morning.
Later, Mario, the architect came over with Galo. He gave me the estimated value of my property (which I need to get home insurance). He also brought over a draft – which he did at his own cost – of having apartments on the lot I have. It’s based on 6 apartments. It looked good. I was told I could easily make 30% on my money.
Then we left to go to the mall, as I said I’d treat them for something to drink. Jayne stayed home. On the way to the mall we stopped by some new flats that were build about one block from our house. We happened to see two workers leave. They told us that the flats are sold and that they sold for $70,000!
This is a good indication of prices in my area and how quick they sold.
The plan on the flats he showed me in Mario’s drawing would be 100 sq. meters and three stories high.
Then we drove to another place a few blocks from where we live where flats are being constructed. We took an inspection tour and shown the place. Its 87 sq. meters and the price is $50,000. There are 57 flats there and everything is sold but 10.
When we went to Friday’s Restaurant where I bought the two guys a drink. Then we talked about other designs for my property.
The talk was about building four homes – two on each side. The area of each would be 150 sq. meters. Each would be three floors, three bedrooms, 2 ½ baths with a balcony and a roof-top terrace. I was told that I could expect to make $80,000 profit, which would include profit on the land. But the cost of construction would be $180,000.
Mario said he would make a plan on the computer for free and give it to me next Monday.
All this sounds good but I don’t have the money. However, I will tell Richard about this as he might be interested and I’ll also tell Mathieu. Even if they are not interested, it would be good to have this information for someone who might want to buy the land, in which case, I could get more just for the land itself.
The workers came over this morning.
Later, Mario, the architect came over with Galo. He gave me the estimated value of my property (which I need to get home insurance). He also brought over a draft – which he did at his own cost – of having apartments on the lot I have. It’s based on 6 apartments. It looked good. I was told I could easily make 30% on my money.
Then we left to go to the mall, as I said I’d treat them for something to drink. Jayne stayed home. On the way to the mall we stopped by some new flats that were build about one block from our house. We happened to see two workers leave. They told us that the flats are sold and that they sold for $70,000!
This is a good indication of prices in my area and how quick they sold.
The plan on the flats he showed me in Mario’s drawing would be 100 sq. meters and three stories high.
Then we drove to another place a few blocks from where we live where flats are being constructed. We took an inspection tour and shown the place. Its 87 sq. meters and the price is $50,000. There are 57 flats there and everything is sold but 10.
When we went to Friday’s Restaurant where I bought the two guys a drink. Then we talked about other designs for my property.
The talk was about building four homes – two on each side. The area of each would be 150 sq. meters. Each would be three floors, three bedrooms, 2 ½ baths with a balcony and a roof-top terrace. I was told that I could expect to make $80,000 profit, which would include profit on the land. But the cost of construction would be $180,000.
Mario said he would make a plan on the computer for free and give it to me next Monday.
All this sounds good but I don’t have the money. However, I will tell Richard about this as he might be interested and I’ll also tell Mathieu. Even if they are not interested, it would be good to have this information for someone who might want to buy the land, in which case, I could get more just for the land itself.
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