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!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
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.
Richard's Back
Saturday November 1
Today is the anniversary when my father died. That was 48 years ago! I remember the day and I’ll always remember him. God Bless him.
Galo came over with two of his workers to continue work on the roof.
About 11am Richard came over. It was good seeing him as we had not seen him for about 2 months. He was away on a business trip to Argentina and New Zealand. He really like New Zealand and said it’s a beautiful place to live. It said it’s nice to be around people who are intelligent and polite.
He told us that the place is so clean that it’s unbelievable. He never heard someone beep their horn – as they have patience. Of all the towns that he visited he said that the most beautiful is Christchurch.
He really hated to come back to Ecuador. He said that the cost of living is much higher and gave some examples. For a 20 minute taxi ride it cost 50 NZ $ (about $30). The NZ dollar is worth about 60 US cents. A nice but average size flat costs about half a million dollars! For lunch it cost about $22 NZ, for dinner about $30 NZ.
Then Richard got bad news when he got home. He heard from some friends about what happened when he was away. He said one good friend he has here was robbed twice at gun point. Since then this guy got a licence to buy and carry a gun.
Another person was attacked by a knife welding bandit. After he was stabbed then made a dirty comment to them and they came back and stabbed him more – he died as a result of this.
Then his business partner was robbed while he was on the beach. He told the thug, “What are you crazy!” Meaning that when you just have on a bathing suite what could he robbed of?!
Stupid criminals!
Then there was a couple that he didn’t know but it was in the newspapers. It was a tourist couple that was at the same beach that his business partner was. The woman was raped and the guy was stabbed 26 times!! He was flown back to the US for hospitalization.
The anti-foreigner and anti-White crime has gone up!
Richard said he is considering hiring an armed guard.
This is another and perhaps the most important reason to leave Ecuador! They certainly don’t have crime like this in many other places, including Cyprus.
I introduced Galo to Richard and they talked a little. I thought that it would be good for Richard to know someone who is honest and does good work for his repairs and any future construction.
Richard fixed some programs on my computer and he also made copies of some of the films he downloaded from the internet (he brought over his external hard drive).
Jayne stayed home while Richard and I went to the mall. I suggested to her that we all stay home or we all go, but we would have to leave the workers here by themselves. Well, we would never consider this if it was any other workers, but since Galo said they are completely trustworthy he said it was ok when we left for a ride with him to the country. But Jayne said it’s ok for us to go and just bring back something to eat for her.
Richard and I went to the Waffle House and had something to eat there (it wasn’t waffles). Then I got some food for Jayne.
We talked some more when we got back. Then Richard left about 5.30pm.
In the evening Jayne started to come down with a cold.
Sunday November 2
Jayne doesn’t feel well today as she has a cold. She was feeling bad last night and it’s a bit worse today. This is the first time she got sick while in Ecuador.
Since we need food I went to the mall myself while she stayed home in bed.
In the morning I went to the mall to do some food shopping.
Today is the anniversary when my father died. That was 48 years ago! I remember the day and I’ll always remember him. God Bless him.
Galo came over with two of his workers to continue work on the roof.
About 11am Richard came over. It was good seeing him as we had not seen him for about 2 months. He was away on a business trip to Argentina and New Zealand. He really like New Zealand and said it’s a beautiful place to live. It said it’s nice to be around people who are intelligent and polite.
He told us that the place is so clean that it’s unbelievable. He never heard someone beep their horn – as they have patience. Of all the towns that he visited he said that the most beautiful is Christchurch.
He really hated to come back to Ecuador. He said that the cost of living is much higher and gave some examples. For a 20 minute taxi ride it cost 50 NZ $ (about $30). The NZ dollar is worth about 60 US cents. A nice but average size flat costs about half a million dollars! For lunch it cost about $22 NZ, for dinner about $30 NZ.
Then Richard got bad news when he got home. He heard from some friends about what happened when he was away. He said one good friend he has here was robbed twice at gun point. Since then this guy got a licence to buy and carry a gun.
Another person was attacked by a knife welding bandit. After he was stabbed then made a dirty comment to them and they came back and stabbed him more – he died as a result of this.
Then his business partner was robbed while he was on the beach. He told the thug, “What are you crazy!” Meaning that when you just have on a bathing suite what could he robbed of?!
Stupid criminals!
Then there was a couple that he didn’t know but it was in the newspapers. It was a tourist couple that was at the same beach that his business partner was. The woman was raped and the guy was stabbed 26 times!! He was flown back to the US for hospitalization.
The anti-foreigner and anti-White crime has gone up!
Richard said he is considering hiring an armed guard.
This is another and perhaps the most important reason to leave Ecuador! They certainly don’t have crime like this in many other places, including Cyprus.
I introduced Galo to Richard and they talked a little. I thought that it would be good for Richard to know someone who is honest and does good work for his repairs and any future construction.
Richard fixed some programs on my computer and he also made copies of some of the films he downloaded from the internet (he brought over his external hard drive).
Jayne stayed home while Richard and I went to the mall. I suggested to her that we all stay home or we all go, but we would have to leave the workers here by themselves. Well, we would never consider this if it was any other workers, but since Galo said they are completely trustworthy he said it was ok when we left for a ride with him to the country. But Jayne said it’s ok for us to go and just bring back something to eat for her.
Richard and I went to the Waffle House and had something to eat there (it wasn’t waffles). Then I got some food for Jayne.
We talked some more when we got back. Then Richard left about 5.30pm.
In the evening Jayne started to come down with a cold.
Sunday November 2
Jayne doesn’t feel well today as she has a cold. She was feeling bad last night and it’s a bit worse today. This is the first time she got sick while in Ecuador.
Since we need food I went to the mall myself while she stayed home in bed.
In the morning I went to the mall to do some food shopping.
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