I got a ring on the gate phone at 9.30pm and it was the insurance inspector. I was expecting him at noon, but that’s the way it is in Ecuador. I showed him all the water damage in the house. he took pictures of all and wrote an estimate of how much everything would cost. He came up with only $1,000 plus or minus as he said. I hope that this will cover most of it, but as we know will all insurance companies they give you a low figure. Anyhow, it will save me putting out that much money.
In the meantime, Jayne was on the internet finding out more about her visa situation. I tried to call my lawyer, as she said in an email if I could come in. I just got her assistant. I called again and the same thing. I asked to be called back but so far – nothing! With time being limited she doesn’t help!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday July 24
Jayne was tired of going into Quito so I went by myself to get some other work done.
I met Judith at 1.30pm. I had her call Lloyd’s Bank to see if my account is opened so I can transfer money into it. I was told that the man who signs for the accounts will not be in until 4pm. Now I have to wait for her call. There is no reason now to go to my bank to have the money transferred. I would like to get this done as soon as possible just in case the dollar falls some more.
So we went to the wedding shop so I can pick up the two decorated bottles of champagne we ordered. We ordered it because we forgot to bring home the empty bottles from the wedding. This will be put on display in the dining room cabinet with the other wedding decorations.
Then we went to the post office where a package was waiting for me. I had the attempted delivery notice but I couldn’t pick it up. I had this mailed to my friend’s house as delivery where I live is not safe plus no one has a mail boxes – they just slip it under the door (for people who has a space under the door).
I was told that I need to bring an original copy of an electric or water bill. (I had forgotten that my friend gave me a copy to bring with me.) So, I’ll have to go back another day.
I didn’t want to waste a day, so I said to Judith let’s go to the local food market. There, we looked around and I bought some food as Jayne and I need to go shopping anyhow. Then we had something to eat.
When we went back to the wedding shop they were still closed for lunch so we waited.
Judith told me that the cell phone company (that we are both subscribers of) has a special – if you put money on your card today you get three times the credit. So we went to buy a card. I got a $10 and after putting the money on, a text showed that there was $40 credit!
I asked Judith to send me a text message each time there is a promotion like this. This saves me quite a bit of money. They usually have a promotion like this once a month.
When we got back the wedding decorating store we still had to wait a few minutes.
When I saw the ladies across the street going to their store, I saw Grace’s eyes widen a bit. We all greeted each other and I told her that Judith was at the wedding and is a friend of Jayne and me. I didn’t want her to think that I’m going out with some young girl!
The champagne bottles were ready and decorated very nicely. I paid them and we said our goodbyes.
On the way home I thought that it would be good to bring the bottles to Tarquin’s place when we go there for part of our honeymoon. I’ll also make copies of the pictures too, and give to him and Katherine.
At home I got a call from Lloyd’s Bank saying that I can open my account now. But they will not accept wire transfers after 11am tomorrow, as there will be a government inspection. I hope there is no problem!
Then I got a call from the insurance company asking if it would be ok to send out an inspector tomorrow at noon. I said it was fine. Then I got a call from the insurance inspector confirming this.
I met Judith at 1.30pm. I had her call Lloyd’s Bank to see if my account is opened so I can transfer money into it. I was told that the man who signs for the accounts will not be in until 4pm. Now I have to wait for her call. There is no reason now to go to my bank to have the money transferred. I would like to get this done as soon as possible just in case the dollar falls some more.
So we went to the wedding shop so I can pick up the two decorated bottles of champagne we ordered. We ordered it because we forgot to bring home the empty bottles from the wedding. This will be put on display in the dining room cabinet with the other wedding decorations.
Then we went to the post office where a package was waiting for me. I had the attempted delivery notice but I couldn’t pick it up. I had this mailed to my friend’s house as delivery where I live is not safe plus no one has a mail boxes – they just slip it under the door (for people who has a space under the door).
I was told that I need to bring an original copy of an electric or water bill. (I had forgotten that my friend gave me a copy to bring with me.) So, I’ll have to go back another day.
I didn’t want to waste a day, so I said to Judith let’s go to the local food market. There, we looked around and I bought some food as Jayne and I need to go shopping anyhow. Then we had something to eat.
When we went back to the wedding shop they were still closed for lunch so we waited.
Judith told me that the cell phone company (that we are both subscribers of) has a special – if you put money on your card today you get three times the credit. So we went to buy a card. I got a $10 and after putting the money on, a text showed that there was $40 credit!
I asked Judith to send me a text message each time there is a promotion like this. This saves me quite a bit of money. They usually have a promotion like this once a month.
When we got back the wedding decorating store we still had to wait a few minutes.
When I saw the ladies across the street going to their store, I saw Grace’s eyes widen a bit. We all greeted each other and I told her that Judith was at the wedding and is a friend of Jayne and me. I didn’t want her to think that I’m going out with some young girl!
The champagne bottles were ready and decorated very nicely. I paid them and we said our goodbyes.
On the way home I thought that it would be good to bring the bottles to Tarquin’s place when we go there for part of our honeymoon. I’ll also make copies of the pictures too, and give to him and Katherine.
At home I got a call from Lloyd’s Bank saying that I can open my account now. But they will not accept wire transfers after 11am tomorrow, as there will be a government inspection. I hope there is no problem!
Then I got a call from the insurance company asking if it would be ok to send out an inspector tomorrow at noon. I said it was fine. Then I got a call from the insurance inspector confirming this.
Wednesday July 23
I had met with my insurance man at 1.30pm. Jayne was with me. He had gone to the wrong restaurant by the same name but I had told him which place it was located. Since he couldn’t find parking in the center of the city, his assistant told us that he was driving around the block and that we can discuss things in the car.
What a way to do business!
So we got in his car and he drove the street where they have wide sidewalks – which is where he parked. In the car was a British woman. I don’t know if she is the girlfriend of the insurance salesman or not. Her name is Beverly and likes it so much in Ecuador that she wants to live here.
She said that she’s from Yorkshire, which is north from where Jayne lived.
Jayne and Beverly exchanged phone numbers as its good for Jayne to have someone from England to talk to. She’s also about Jayne’s age, which is good.
We asked the insurance salesman about what the policy covers and he told us, among several things, that it covers damage by rain. So we asked if someone could come to our home to see the damage done there. He said he’ll send someone out to take a look.
This will save us some money to get what needs to be repaired.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tuesday July 22
We met Mathieu at the mall at Friday’s restaurant. From there we went to Lloyd’s Bank. The woman at the desk took my forms and saw that everything was in order. Mathieu asked some questions and took some forms home. I told him that one of the things that he needs is a letter from his bank saying that he has an account there.
With all the information that a bank asks you’d think you were taking out a loan. But the fact is that I’m putting my money in there!
From there, we went to his house as he invited us for lunch (the invitation was on Sunday). This was very nice of them.
The lunch was great, as is usual with Amparo. Jayne was filled up on just the soup, yet there was the main course of fish and desert.
Then we heard their daughter, who is three, play the piano. Then we heard their son, who is five, play the violin. They were cute. Of course, it was only the very beginning. That’s good that they have a lot of interest in their children growing up to be good at music.
Monday July 21
Jayne and I went to Quito where we met Judith. I wanted her to help me fill out the forms – which are in Spanish – so I can take them to the bank on Tuesday when I go with Mathieu.
Then we went to my bank to get a letter saying that I have an account there. I wanted another letter as I would need one when Jayne applies for a dependent visa, but the guy said that they could only do one a day and I would have to come back another day to get the other letter.
How stupid! Is this too much thinking that they have to do to make two letters at the same time?
Then we went to my bank to get a letter saying that I have an account there. I wanted another letter as I would need one when Jayne applies for a dependent visa, but the guy said that they could only do one a day and I would have to come back another day to get the other letter.
How stupid! Is this too much thinking that they have to do to make two letters at the same time?
Sunday July 20
In the afternoon the gate phone ran and it was Mathieu and his family. They were in the neighborhood and wonder if we were home. We invited them in. it was good to him and Amparo.
Later we went to the ice cream store – which is a favorite for them. Then we talked about the wedding and other things.
I told him that I’m going to open an account in Lloyd’s Bank, as they have a branch here. we told him that it’s safer to put your money in Euros as the dollar is falling. He became very interested and would like to see about opening an account.
We arranged a meeting on Tuesday.
Later we went to the ice cream store – which is a favorite for them. Then we talked about the wedding and other things.
I told him that I’m going to open an account in Lloyd’s Bank, as they have a branch here. we told him that it’s safer to put your money in Euros as the dollar is falling. He became very interested and would like to see about opening an account.
We arranged a meeting on Tuesday.
Saturday July 19
I did some weeding in the garden while Jayne was on the internet to find the right kind of form she needs for the police report that is required to get her visa. Previously, she found one web page that said one thing and another saying something different. Something like this should be easy but it’s not.
Jayne was on the internet for most of the day.
In the evening we watched more of the series “The Tudors”.
Jayne was on the internet for most of the day.
In the evening we watched more of the series “The Tudors”.
Friday July 18
This morning a worker next door (not the neighbor that has been throwing poop over) came over and asked if he (and his workers) could borrow my shovel (that he’d seen sitting out). I said no! What never, why should I provide tools for them. Let the owner get the tools that they need. I’ve already had trouble from her. I had allowed a few months ago for the worker to us electricity (as he was living in the old shack that was there). But never once did the owner offer to pay or even say thank you.
The new neighbors are nice to talk to but they have no social manners – like many people here.I went to the mall to do some food shopping while Jayne stayed home. She didn’t feel too good after having her first root beer yesterday. I was because it was too much and it was on creamy food she just ate.
In the evening we watch a film that Richard made a copy for us called The Tudors. This is about the House of Tudor in English history. I never saw this but Jayne said it’s a new show that just came on tv this year. We have season two. This copy is on computer, so we watched it from the bedroom that the computer is in.
The new neighbors are nice to talk to but they have no social manners – like many people here.I went to the mall to do some food shopping while Jayne stayed home. She didn’t feel too good after having her first root beer yesterday. I was because it was too much and it was on creamy food she just ate.
In the evening we watch a film that Richard made a copy for us called The Tudors. This is about the House of Tudor in English history. I never saw this but Jayne said it’s a new show that just came on tv this year. We have season two. This copy is on computer, so we watched it from the bedroom that the computer is in.
Thursday July 17
When Jayne was doing the washing and I was doing the gardening, Richard called. He asked if it was ok to stop over and we said yes.
Richard came about 12pm. He brought his hard drive to put some programs on my computer that I didn’t have. Some of the programs he put on were:
Power Point – now I can make a nice slide show for our wedding pictures.Adobe Flash Player – the program needed to download video on my computer.Microsoft Publisher – this is what I wanted to use to make invitation to the wedding but couldn’t.Camtasia – to make a video of what you are doing on your desk top. This is a good way to show people how to do different things in whatever program you want to show.Adobe – all the different programs that come from this company.Fast Stone – to save pictures and web pages off the internet that normally you can’t copy.
These programs if purchased would have cost over $1,000.
Richard had said at the day of the wedding that he bought a gift for us but didn’t bring it as it was too big to carry with him. He didn’t bring over the gift, as I’m sure he forgot. I didn’t want to mention this to him with all the other things he done on my computer. This alone would have been a great gift, especially allowing me to make a good CD to mail to friends and family of the wedding. But he’ll probably remember another time and bring the gift over. However, what he’s done is more than a gift.
Richard also said that his friend from the U.S. brought over three external hard drives of 500GB. One was for Richard, and two for him. Then he said he didn’t need another one so he asked Richard if he knows someone who would like to buy it. He asked me and I said I would like to buy it. I do need another hard drive. Richard said to buy something like this in Ecuador would cost twice as much – about $250, but would sell this to me at his friend’s cost, which is $137.50. So, I gladly gave him the money so he can bring it over the next time.
When the programs were downloading on my computer we went to the mall where I treated him to lunch. Jayne was looking at small laptops, as she would like to have her own computer.
Richard said that his friend who brought over the hard drives has a small laptop that he would like to sell. I told him to ask him how much he would like for it so I can buy this for Jayne.
It seems like everything is coming into place.
On the way to the restaurant in the mall we passed a hamburger place that is owned by an American. Richard said this is the only place that sells root beer in Ecuador. Jayne said that she never had it.
After lunch we stopped off at a hamburger place where Richard treated her to a root beer. Jayne liked it. She said that it tastes similar to sasparella.
We talked for awhile when we got back home. It was getting late so I asked Richard if he wanted to stay for dinner, which he did.
When Jayne was in the yard she noticed that the neighbor threw over to small bags filled with poop! She threw it back. Later a woman looked over the wall to say why this was done. She said that she didn’t throw it but it was their neighbor. From our yard it looks like one property but there must be a wall there.
However, the neighbor that did throw this must be from a family that are real animals. She should have got the message when the other week we threw over the baby diapers (nappies), but she must be a true pig.
This is what you have to put up with in Ecuador.
Jayne’s Visa
Jayne talked about her visa situation with Richard. Jayne has only until August 14 before he uses up all the days she’s allowed here. My attorney said that a special extension would be required in order for Jayne to stay here while the paperwork is being done. This of course, would cost more money. however, on web site it said that no other extensions are possible if a person stays more than 180 days from one year since they came in.
Richard on the other hand said that once the paperwork is started another extension is not required. However, he said that with the government keeping your passport while this is being done, she would not be able to fly out of the country. When asked about flying to another city in Ecuador, he said that Jayne would still need to show some kind of identification. Showing a copy of a passport would not do and she doesn’t have an Ecuadorian ID. He thinks that she won’t even be able to fly within Ecuador.
When Richard said he was getting his ID, they kept his passport for a couple of months. He said that the delay was because the government was hoping for a bribe, but he just waited them out. I don’t want Jayne to wait that long so I’ll ask how much it will cost to get it quicker. If it’s too much, I think we’ll go to the British Embassy and once they are told, hopefully, they’ll tell immigration and she’ll get her passport back quick without paying a bribe. This is one thing that that the government employees here fear – getting word back from a foreign embassy.
Richard left about 9.20pm.
Richard came about 12pm. He brought his hard drive to put some programs on my computer that I didn’t have. Some of the programs he put on were:
Power Point – now I can make a nice slide show for our wedding pictures.Adobe Flash Player – the program needed to download video on my computer.Microsoft Publisher – this is what I wanted to use to make invitation to the wedding but couldn’t.Camtasia – to make a video of what you are doing on your desk top. This is a good way to show people how to do different things in whatever program you want to show.Adobe – all the different programs that come from this company.Fast Stone – to save pictures and web pages off the internet that normally you can’t copy.
These programs if purchased would have cost over $1,000.
Richard had said at the day of the wedding that he bought a gift for us but didn’t bring it as it was too big to carry with him. He didn’t bring over the gift, as I’m sure he forgot. I didn’t want to mention this to him with all the other things he done on my computer. This alone would have been a great gift, especially allowing me to make a good CD to mail to friends and family of the wedding. But he’ll probably remember another time and bring the gift over. However, what he’s done is more than a gift.
Richard also said that his friend from the U.S. brought over three external hard drives of 500GB. One was for Richard, and two for him. Then he said he didn’t need another one so he asked Richard if he knows someone who would like to buy it. He asked me and I said I would like to buy it. I do need another hard drive. Richard said to buy something like this in Ecuador would cost twice as much – about $250, but would sell this to me at his friend’s cost, which is $137.50. So, I gladly gave him the money so he can bring it over the next time.
When the programs were downloading on my computer we went to the mall where I treated him to lunch. Jayne was looking at small laptops, as she would like to have her own computer.
Richard said that his friend who brought over the hard drives has a small laptop that he would like to sell. I told him to ask him how much he would like for it so I can buy this for Jayne.
It seems like everything is coming into place.
On the way to the restaurant in the mall we passed a hamburger place that is owned by an American. Richard said this is the only place that sells root beer in Ecuador. Jayne said that she never had it.
After lunch we stopped off at a hamburger place where Richard treated her to a root beer. Jayne liked it. She said that it tastes similar to sasparella.
We talked for awhile when we got back home. It was getting late so I asked Richard if he wanted to stay for dinner, which he did.
When Jayne was in the yard she noticed that the neighbor threw over to small bags filled with poop! She threw it back. Later a woman looked over the wall to say why this was done. She said that she didn’t throw it but it was their neighbor. From our yard it looks like one property but there must be a wall there.
However, the neighbor that did throw this must be from a family that are real animals. She should have got the message when the other week we threw over the baby diapers (nappies), but she must be a true pig.
This is what you have to put up with in Ecuador.
Jayne’s Visa
Jayne talked about her visa situation with Richard. Jayne has only until August 14 before he uses up all the days she’s allowed here. My attorney said that a special extension would be required in order for Jayne to stay here while the paperwork is being done. This of course, would cost more money. however, on web site it said that no other extensions are possible if a person stays more than 180 days from one year since they came in.
Richard on the other hand said that once the paperwork is started another extension is not required. However, he said that with the government keeping your passport while this is being done, she would not be able to fly out of the country. When asked about flying to another city in Ecuador, he said that Jayne would still need to show some kind of identification. Showing a copy of a passport would not do and she doesn’t have an Ecuadorian ID. He thinks that she won’t even be able to fly within Ecuador.
When Richard said he was getting his ID, they kept his passport for a couple of months. He said that the delay was because the government was hoping for a bribe, but he just waited them out. I don’t want Jayne to wait that long so I’ll ask how much it will cost to get it quicker. If it’s too much, I think we’ll go to the British Embassy and once they are told, hopefully, they’ll tell immigration and she’ll get her passport back quick without paying a bribe. This is one thing that that the government employees here fear – getting word back from a foreign embassy.
Richard left about 9.20pm.
Wednesday July 16
Jayne and I went to Quito to the British Embassy to see if they could process the paperwork faster. They said that they couldn’t. They said that the police report that Jayne has to get (required now by law) cannot be sent via ‘diplomatic bag’.
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