Tuesday October 7
(Do to lack of time, this has not be edited.)
I got a call from the computer store saying that they couldn’t get a cable for me. That’s bad news.
Wednesday October 8
The worker, Marcos, arrived with the roof repairman. He showed him what has to be done. So the other guy took measurements to see how much ‘chova’ is needed. He told me that he would need $220 for the materials now, and $150 later for more.
I went to a bedroom to get the money to pay him while he and Marcos were in the kitchen. I was told that he’d back tomorrow and Marcos said that he’d be here Friday to put tile on the roof.
About 1.5 hours later Jayne yelled and said she could not find her purse which was in her handbag. She had left it in the kitchen. She looked all around and couldn’t find it. She said that she didn’t take it out but looked around the house anyway.
In her purse was $80, her debt card and the Spanish ID that was her father’s.
Of course, this upset both of us. Jayne got on the phone with the bank to put a block on it. Then we thought which one of the two took the purse. We had Marcos here before and he didn’t go into the handbag (a bigger one) that was in the kitchen, so we thought it was the new guy.
I told Jayne that if the guy comes by with the materials, great, but we will tell him to go home. Since I already paid for the materials, we’ll take it of course. However, he might not come by tomorrow. Time will tell.
Later, I left for Quito to go to Hewlett Packard to see if they have a power cord for my computer. I was going to leave earlier but I’m glad I didn’t, as Jayne would worrying all alone.
When I went to HP, the guy told me that I needed to bring in my computer as there are many different models of Pavilion, which is the name on my HP computer. So, this was a wasted trip!
I’ll just go back tomorrow.
Thursday October 9
The roof worker came with the materials that I gave him the money for and he arrived on time.
I asked Jayne is she still wants him to work and after discussing it we agreed that he should. We thought that he didn’t take the money and credit card but it was Marcos. Marcos is the guy who had his workers come to do other work around the house. We thought that if we told him to go we’d only have to find someone else who might not do a good job and it might take a couple weeks to find someone else. In the meantime the roof top balcony would be exposed to more water damage.
We think now that the old worker stole the money. I reflected back and remember that Marcos was closer to the handbag than the other guy who was standing in the dinette are and not the kitchen.
Marcos said yesterday that he would be here on Friday. So we’ll see if he arrives.
I went to the city to see if the Hewlett Packard store has a power converter for my computer. Jayne remained home with the worker.
I took a bus to the city and from the bus stop I got a taxi to go to the address of HP. The taxi got caught in traffic and it wasn’t moving at all. I thought that there was some accident ahead. So I got out of the taxi and paid him the cost on the meter which was $1.
I knew that there was another street that would get me to where I wanted to go, so I walked. Walking I found a lot of people on the street. There was no demonstration but it was some sort of holiday. There were a lot of school kids walking, too.
I got a taxi that took another road to where I wanted to go.
At the HP store I showed the woman my computer. She looked up the number on the back and looked on her computer to find the right power cord I needed. She found it – thank God. I tested it and it worked. The cost was $123! But I’m glad to have it.
Then I left Quito by taxi and went to the San Lois Mall where I went to Friday’s Restaurant where they have wireless. Going there I have a faster connection so I can download some audio files.
I wrote to Maria telling her of the problems with the Director – much the same what you read here. After spending about 2.5 hours at the mall I went home.
The worker had already left for the day and will be back tomorrow.
During the day Jayne noticed that the neighbor threw over to small plastic bags that had dog shit in it. She threw it back. One landed on their balcony and the other right on top of the concrete wall. Later in the evening we saw that the pig woman threw one bag that was on the wall over again.
So, again, Jayne threw it back. This time it landed on their balcony.
Can you understand such people. First, where I come from only bad kids would do this, and this is supposed to be mature adults?!
Another reason to this damn country!
Friday October 10
I got an email from my friend, Matt, that he and his wife, Amparo, have a new baby boy. He was born yesterday. Amparo had to have a ciscerian. This is their third child. They already have a boy and a girl. The boy weighed in at 9.5 pounds! This is big for anyone and with Amparo being small he was really big.
The roof worker came today at 9am. He gave me the money back that Jayne gave him while I was in the city so he could buy more materials. Apparently he didn’t need extra materials.
He was finished about 10.30am. I asked him how much I owed him for his labor and he said $200. This is taking into account the extra $20 I paid him for the materials – thus his labor cost was $220. The materials came to $200 but he had asked for $220 which I gave him. (I got a bill that said $199 and some change.)
He wrote down the total of materials and labor at $420. And he said that I owed him $200.
Mathieu told me he is good but he’s expensive. I can see he really is, as he worked by himself and did the job in 9 hours for the two days.
After he left I looked at what he originally wrote down. He put down $220 for materials and $150 for the balance. So, this would be his labor as there was nothing else that he bought. So, figuring this all up (deducting the $20 overpayment) I should have paid him $130 for labor.
So, I was cheated out of $70!
I thought that it was strange that he took the paper that he originally wrote on. But I got it back before he left. Yes, I have proof of what he wrote, I have the material bill and I had him write how much I paid him today, sign it and date it. But IF I have him back, and I point this out to him I know he would not give it back – he’ll probably make some BS reason.
Marcos was supposed to show up and he didn’t. It could mean that he’s either busy with his other job or that he afraid to show up because of the money he stole.
Matt told me in the email this morning that, “…I can’t begin to tell you how much they (all his workers) stole from me while working on my house.”
It seems like stealing is endemic here! This is one more reason to leave Ecuador. My list for wanting to live in Cyprus is growing longer and longer, as you can see.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Talked to a Government Official
Monday October 6
(This has not be edited.)
We went to Maria’s office (my lawyer). Before we went there we went to where our mail is sent, which is near her office. Finally the police report for Jayne arrived (from the police department in England) came for her. At the same time the copy that her mother sent (as this was to arrive sooner so we can start the process) but it came at the same time.
Then we went to Maria’s office. We gave her the police report, which is needed now to become a resident. Our main purpose of going there was to get the copy of the letter that she sent to the Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so we can see him.
Arriving at the Ministry we had to wait a little while to see him. We started out meeting about noon. We told him the reason why were there – being that the Ecuadorian Consulate in Columbia over charged us $170.
The director, Ferdinand, gave a long-winded talk about exchange rates and that Consulates in different countries have to accept money in the local currency. That we understand.
We tried to explain to him that the charge on the websites of the consulates state $230 for this type of visa. He said it’s the correct amount. But we told him that the amount of Columbian pesos we had to change equaled $400. I showed him the copy from the bank and the receipt for what we paid – which had it in pesos.
He responded that the rate that they use is from 2 years ago.
Two years ago!!??
He saw nothing wrong in this. He said that the rate is (was) 2,900 pesos to the dollar. Well, the rate when we changed it – and for a long time now – is 1,670 pesos. I told him that’s not the correct rate and that they should check it each day.
He couldn’t see this. I said that if the cost is $230 it should be the equivalent of that amount in pesos. I said that it’s very easy to have someone at the consulate to check the rate once a day and to add 2% to cover any little fluctuation and exchange rate fees (when the have to change it back into dollars). It’s very simple to do.
He couldn’t see to this.
Fernando said that a monthly report is sent with all the business they’ve done.
So, I had to explain to this criminal another way. I said, ‘Well, when the money is sent to you, and you have in essence $170 more where does that go?’ He said, ‘It goes in a general fund.’ As soon as I heard that it was a ‘red-flag’. This is a good way of hiding money. I thought later that the money must be stolen at the Consulate office. Here’s why.
Say there were 10 people who came in with a visa that cost this. They actually collect $400 from each person. They change the money back into dollars (maybe a 1 percent bank fee). Then they send the money or check to Quito and they send $200 to match up each visa. Obviously they keep the extra $166 (minus the 1 percent used in the example)!!
If they did send the extra money, the Quito office would either say where the extra money came from or they say nothing and keep it (by the person(s) in Quito.
Fernando looks normal but he can’t see the simple logic. If it was someone that is retarded, I can understand. Since he has intelligence it tells me loud and clear that he’s lying to us and that he a criminal.
I told him that Jayne has lived in 5 countries in Africa and I lived in Russia and Cyprus and none of them make it hard to live in the country or as costly.
He said he didn’t agree as he has been in many countries. He said that Ecuador is the only country in the world where you can come in without a visa.
Another Big Lie!
I told him that it’s true you can arrive without a visa, but they put one in your passport. In Cyprus, Spain, England, Holland (the countries I’ve been to) you just arrive. There is no visa application before you arrive, either.
What I didn’t have time to explain to him is, that he was looking at this from the eyes of Ecuadorians. Yes, some of the countries they have to go to they have to apply for a visit but that’s not what other people have to do. it has to do with Ecuador being a third world country and the problems they have with the people. They know that many would skip out and not return so they can live there on the government dole.
I told this guy – who covers up for criminal activities – that this is the hardest country for foreigners to get married in. instead of just showing the marriage certificate and living here automatically because you are married to someone who does have legal papers. You have to leave the country and pay a fee (which they over charge by 70%).
No other country that I’ve been to, or Jayne has been to do you have to do that.
I told him that it also cost $350 for a tax to live here where it didn’t four years ago. This he agreed and said that things are going up.
The Director revealed something (maybe he shouldn’t) and that is that Ecuador gets 50% of its income from the Consulates!!
It probably was lower until they learned a way to overcharge the people and tax the people that pushed it up this high.
Maria told us earlier that she has a client who sued the government $2 million but they don’t have the money to pay it. (Where is their insurance? Doesn’t the government tax the oil or other national products?)
Jayne suggested that they post the rate on the wall for clients to see. She also said that it would be good if they put in the passport not only the dollar amount for the visa but also the pesos. The Director thought that was a good idea.
While we were there he had his secretary place a call the Consulate in Columbia. Then he got on the phone and told them the changes to make (that Jayne suggested). So, there should be some improvement because we were there.
However, what needs to be done is to have the daily exchange rate so people really pay the amount that the government says it cost. Thus, we were not satisfied of what happened and we told Fernando this.
From there we went to a computer store that Maria suggested as Jayne wants her own computer (a laptop). We had told Maria about our search for computers while we were in her office. She suggested one.
Jayne was not satisfied with what they had. So we went to another computer store. The problem is that only a couple of programs are on it and another problem is that some of them had the operating system in Spanish. We were told that we could get it in English but it would only be good for 30 days.
We went home without buying anything.
I suggested that we wait until our friend, Richard, comes back from New Zealand and see what he recommends. He knows a lot about computer and he’s installed some new software on mine.
The computer stores that we were in didn’t have the power cord that I need. One said that they will call (presumably HP) to get it and to stop in the next day.
I sure hope that I’m able to get one as that means I will have to buy another computer. Though the one I have is good but I won’t be able to access the info. Some of the files I don’t have on my memory stick or on my external hard drive.
Since I plan to start a website where I’ll be selling digital information, I really need a computer.
(This has not be edited.)
We went to Maria’s office (my lawyer). Before we went there we went to where our mail is sent, which is near her office. Finally the police report for Jayne arrived (from the police department in England) came for her. At the same time the copy that her mother sent (as this was to arrive sooner so we can start the process) but it came at the same time.
Then we went to Maria’s office. We gave her the police report, which is needed now to become a resident. Our main purpose of going there was to get the copy of the letter that she sent to the Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so we can see him.
Arriving at the Ministry we had to wait a little while to see him. We started out meeting about noon. We told him the reason why were there – being that the Ecuadorian Consulate in Columbia over charged us $170.
The director, Ferdinand, gave a long-winded talk about exchange rates and that Consulates in different countries have to accept money in the local currency. That we understand.
We tried to explain to him that the charge on the websites of the consulates state $230 for this type of visa. He said it’s the correct amount. But we told him that the amount of Columbian pesos we had to change equaled $400. I showed him the copy from the bank and the receipt for what we paid – which had it in pesos.
He responded that the rate that they use is from 2 years ago.
Two years ago!!??
He saw nothing wrong in this. He said that the rate is (was) 2,900 pesos to the dollar. Well, the rate when we changed it – and for a long time now – is 1,670 pesos. I told him that’s not the correct rate and that they should check it each day.
He couldn’t see this. I said that if the cost is $230 it should be the equivalent of that amount in pesos. I said that it’s very easy to have someone at the consulate to check the rate once a day and to add 2% to cover any little fluctuation and exchange rate fees (when the have to change it back into dollars). It’s very simple to do.
He couldn’t see to this.
Fernando said that a monthly report is sent with all the business they’ve done.
So, I had to explain to this criminal another way. I said, ‘Well, when the money is sent to you, and you have in essence $170 more where does that go?’ He said, ‘It goes in a general fund.’ As soon as I heard that it was a ‘red-flag’. This is a good way of hiding money. I thought later that the money must be stolen at the Consulate office. Here’s why.
Say there were 10 people who came in with a visa that cost this. They actually collect $400 from each person. They change the money back into dollars (maybe a 1 percent bank fee). Then they send the money or check to Quito and they send $200 to match up each visa. Obviously they keep the extra $166 (minus the 1 percent used in the example)!!
If they did send the extra money, the Quito office would either say where the extra money came from or they say nothing and keep it (by the person(s) in Quito.
Fernando looks normal but he can’t see the simple logic. If it was someone that is retarded, I can understand. Since he has intelligence it tells me loud and clear that he’s lying to us and that he a criminal.
I told him that Jayne has lived in 5 countries in Africa and I lived in Russia and Cyprus and none of them make it hard to live in the country or as costly.
He said he didn’t agree as he has been in many countries. He said that Ecuador is the only country in the world where you can come in without a visa.
Another Big Lie!
I told him that it’s true you can arrive without a visa, but they put one in your passport. In Cyprus, Spain, England, Holland (the countries I’ve been to) you just arrive. There is no visa application before you arrive, either.
What I didn’t have time to explain to him is, that he was looking at this from the eyes of Ecuadorians. Yes, some of the countries they have to go to they have to apply for a visit but that’s not what other people have to do. it has to do with Ecuador being a third world country and the problems they have with the people. They know that many would skip out and not return so they can live there on the government dole.
I told this guy – who covers up for criminal activities – that this is the hardest country for foreigners to get married in. instead of just showing the marriage certificate and living here automatically because you are married to someone who does have legal papers. You have to leave the country and pay a fee (which they over charge by 70%).
No other country that I’ve been to, or Jayne has been to do you have to do that.
I told him that it also cost $350 for a tax to live here where it didn’t four years ago. This he agreed and said that things are going up.
The Director revealed something (maybe he shouldn’t) and that is that Ecuador gets 50% of its income from the Consulates!!
It probably was lower until they learned a way to overcharge the people and tax the people that pushed it up this high.
Maria told us earlier that she has a client who sued the government $2 million but they don’t have the money to pay it. (Where is their insurance? Doesn’t the government tax the oil or other national products?)
Jayne suggested that they post the rate on the wall for clients to see. She also said that it would be good if they put in the passport not only the dollar amount for the visa but also the pesos. The Director thought that was a good idea.
While we were there he had his secretary place a call the Consulate in Columbia. Then he got on the phone and told them the changes to make (that Jayne suggested). So, there should be some improvement because we were there.
However, what needs to be done is to have the daily exchange rate so people really pay the amount that the government says it cost. Thus, we were not satisfied of what happened and we told Fernando this.
From there we went to a computer store that Maria suggested as Jayne wants her own computer (a laptop). We had told Maria about our search for computers while we were in her office. She suggested one.
Jayne was not satisfied with what they had. So we went to another computer store. The problem is that only a couple of programs are on it and another problem is that some of them had the operating system in Spanish. We were told that we could get it in English but it would only be good for 30 days.
We went home without buying anything.
I suggested that we wait until our friend, Richard, comes back from New Zealand and see what he recommends. He knows a lot about computer and he’s installed some new software on mine.
The computer stores that we were in didn’t have the power cord that I need. One said that they will call (presumably HP) to get it and to stop in the next day.
I sure hope that I’m able to get one as that means I will have to buy another computer. Though the one I have is good but I won’t be able to access the info. Some of the files I don’t have on my memory stick or on my external hard drive.
Since I plan to start a website where I’ll be selling digital information, I really need a computer.
Workers Didn't Show Up
Monday September 29
Only one worker showed up – the best one. The ‘contractor’ didn’t show up nor did one other worker. We are keeping track of who doesn’t show up so as not to pay him.
Tuesday September 30
Two workers were here but not the boss.
Wednesday October 1
Again, two workers showed up but the boss came later.
Thursday October 2
The workers didn’t show up today! Why? We don’t know.
Friday October 3
Again the workers didn’t show up!
I got a call from one of the workers to see if he could come over tomorrow. I said yes.
Saturday October 4
The good worker came over and wanted to know what color paint to do the walls – outside and inside. He said he will not be working today but just wanted to inspect everything. He said that they will not be here next week as they are working on another job.
Working on another job! Considering that they took some tiles off the roof top balcony they are exposed to the rain.
What kind of contractor is Marcos? We got him first and they already started the job but have another week to go.
Jayne and I went to the mall and I took my computer to use the wireless Internet they have there.
After we ate, Jayne shopping. When I was on the computer I notice a little sign flash up that my battery is low. I look to see my power cord was not lighted. I tried the plug and the same thing. I tried the other plug into the power box and the light came on for a few seconds and went out. I tried the other outlet and the same thing. During this time my computer automatically shut off.
Now, what am I going to do without a computer?
Sunday October 5
We stayed home today with exception of shopping at the local market.
Only one worker showed up – the best one. The ‘contractor’ didn’t show up nor did one other worker. We are keeping track of who doesn’t show up so as not to pay him.
Tuesday September 30
Two workers were here but not the boss.
Wednesday October 1
Again, two workers showed up but the boss came later.
Thursday October 2
The workers didn’t show up today! Why? We don’t know.
Friday October 3
Again the workers didn’t show up!
I got a call from one of the workers to see if he could come over tomorrow. I said yes.
Saturday October 4
The good worker came over and wanted to know what color paint to do the walls – outside and inside. He said he will not be working today but just wanted to inspect everything. He said that they will not be here next week as they are working on another job.
Working on another job! Considering that they took some tiles off the roof top balcony they are exposed to the rain.
What kind of contractor is Marcos? We got him first and they already started the job but have another week to go.
Jayne and I went to the mall and I took my computer to use the wireless Internet they have there.
After we ate, Jayne shopping. When I was on the computer I notice a little sign flash up that my battery is low. I look to see my power cord was not lighted. I tried the plug and the same thing. I tried the other plug into the power box and the light came on for a few seconds and went out. I tried the other outlet and the same thing. During this time my computer automatically shut off.
Now, what am I going to do without a computer?
Sunday October 5
We stayed home today with exception of shopping at the local market.
Workers Doing Repairs
Tuesday September 23
Only two workers showed up. Their boss was not there. When he was here yesterday all he did was supervise. I guess he has workers at some other place. Since a canal has to be building around the house that has to go through rock on two sides and cement on the other, I thought they would have an angle iron. (Marcos said he has his own tools.) Well, it looks like they don’t have an angle iron, so the workers have to use a hammer iron spike and a pickax. The pickax I had to buy yesterday. If they had the right tools the poor workers wouldn’t have to work so hard and more work can get done and they would have got the same money in less time.
Labor is cheaper than proper tools here.
Wednesday September 24
This morning Jayne and I looked at the canal that the workers dug. We saw that the foundation is made build with bricks! These are bricks that deteriorate. On top of this is a concrete slab. How can they build such a foundation? The only thing we can do is to do a patch-up job. It would cost way too much to dig out the bottom of the foundation with supports that would prevent the shifting of the house.
We decided not to have a canal dug on the other two sides of the house (one side has a raised patio so there should be no problem there). On the other sides we’ll have cement put where the ground and wall meets and where it will slope away from the house to prevent water buildup.
Thursday September 25
The workers were here.
Friday September 26
The workers finished doing work on the side of the house, but there is more to be done. They’ll be coming back Monday.
Only two workers showed up. Their boss was not there. When he was here yesterday all he did was supervise. I guess he has workers at some other place. Since a canal has to be building around the house that has to go through rock on two sides and cement on the other, I thought they would have an angle iron. (Marcos said he has his own tools.) Well, it looks like they don’t have an angle iron, so the workers have to use a hammer iron spike and a pickax. The pickax I had to buy yesterday. If they had the right tools the poor workers wouldn’t have to work so hard and more work can get done and they would have got the same money in less time.
Labor is cheaper than proper tools here.
Wednesday September 24
This morning Jayne and I looked at the canal that the workers dug. We saw that the foundation is made build with bricks! These are bricks that deteriorate. On top of this is a concrete slab. How can they build such a foundation? The only thing we can do is to do a patch-up job. It would cost way too much to dig out the bottom of the foundation with supports that would prevent the shifting of the house.
We decided not to have a canal dug on the other two sides of the house (one side has a raised patio so there should be no problem there). On the other sides we’ll have cement put where the ground and wall meets and where it will slope away from the house to prevent water buildup.
Thursday September 25
The workers were here.
Friday September 26
The workers finished doing work on the side of the house, but there is more to be done. They’ll be coming back Monday.
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