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.

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.

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.

Christening Pictures 3

Christening Pictures 2

Don't we have a cute baby! (No, that's not ours.)

Christening Pictures 1

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.

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.