Carnival 2017 in and around Quito

Hi all, I am hopeless at consistency when it comes to these blog posts. I am just busy with work at the minute. Anyhow, Carnival every year without fail. My Carnival has been spent on the beach soaking up the sun, getting burnt and looking like a lobster while supping on a few beers,but living in Quito, we decided to give it a miss and start exploring a few places. I have been asked many a time about certain areas, and I could never give an honest opinion until now, so here are the 3 places in question and the opinions based on first glance.
Otavalo

I hear of many expats living here or trying to sell the thought of living here, but remember, I am not retired, so maybe I just see a different picture of all of this. It is quite a big place spread out with lovely houses, which may be a good enough reason to move there. But the main attraction is the handicrafts Otavalo has to offer. They have really amazing clothes, rugs, and plenty to choose from. I was well impressed. I will take my mother there when she comes over. I am sure she will love it, but for me, once you look past the crafts, what else is there?

 My brother-in-laws agreed that they have been here a few times over the years, but once you have seen the crafts once or twice, nothing really lures you back. How many times can you go to the same craft place before you get sick?

If you have never been, I suggest you definitely go, but to live there, not for me. Here are some pictures we took, then I will move on to Cotacachi.

                   Cotacachi

OK for this place. It is known as a gringo community, not from my mouth but from the locals. First impressions: there are some beautiful houses outside of town; the air seemed quite fresh, and looking at the billboards, white water rafting must go on here. When driving in, the place reminded me of Conocoto in the Valle de los Chillos; same sort of layout, in my opinion, but Cotacachi is known for its leather products. I saw some amazing jackets, shoes, and bags. The motorcycle jackets looked like the real deal. If I get a bike, I will come back and buy it from here. I thought the prices were a tad expensive for an Ecuadorian mind, but if you are a tourist with money to blow, you will find some nice things. Ambato is by far the cheapest and best, in my opinion, for these kinds of products, but Cotacachi is certainly on the map when you talk about leather goods.

I noticed a large group of gringos attending what appeared to be a local gathering. We passed the group, and one man spoke up and said there are far too many gringos coming into town these days. My family understood because most of them speak English, so they laughed as if to say something rich coming from you bitawkward when you hear that.

We crossed the road and saw another group. It was hard to hear, but they were whining about someone who had moved here, and they clearly didn't like the person. A day out, you must do it. To live there is a no from me. These people must walk up and down the high street every weekend saying the same crap , because again, when you look past the shops, there is nothing there either, which we all agreed on. Here are some pics of the leather products. The quality and craftsmanship that go into these products is amazing.

Ibarra was the next place we ventured through. The climate, which was much warmer than before, reminded me of Manabi, but it was bearable here because of the breeze. The Yahuarcocha lagoon: this is where the Spaniards invaded years ago. Many died in the lake, so they say all the blood of these people lies at the bottom of the lake. A nice little story. So we had some food. If you drive around the right hand side, there are many restaurants there. So we went for the fish, rice, salad, and empanadas. The fish were caught straight out of the lake. Nice food, highly recommended.

The final place was Atuntaqui. 

In most towns and cities, you are sure to find places that sell fake clothes made in Ecuador, but some are really good. I was told this is where you get the best clothes, and I will agree with some of the things I saw and bought. It wasn't just busy for Carnival, it is like this all the time, so I was told. Maybe I missed something in each of these locations, but I can get most of this back in Quito without making the long drive. I didn't get any pictures here, but a video I will try to put up soon. I hope this explains a few things about these locations If you have been here and have a different perspective, please do share. The final pic was taken as we were heading home. The mountains were so high, the picture doesn't do them justice.

Is it expensive to live in Quito?

Is it expensive to live in Quito? 

This is a constant question being asked that I see on so many forums, and as you can imagine, so many mixed answers. So my little take on this is a short answer of "No." It is not expensive if you follow the correct path. 

The path I am talking about is the Ecuadorian way and not the gringo way. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. If you want to live a high-end luxury lifestyle here, then expect to pay for it, especially in the north. If you want to spend over 2K per month on rent, you can find places that charge that number or close to it. This is all to do with personal preference. 

If you mention the area of Cumbaya, the first thing that comes out of an Ecuadorian's mouth is gringos, and ones that have money automatically labeled just for living there. 

But my favorite is a gringo stating that if you live in the Sur, then that means you are poor, wrong!

Many professionals like doctors and lawyers opt for this life as they can buy or rent property at affordable prices and simply travel to work like most. 

For example, you can rent a 3 bedroom apartment for $180 per month and your bills, including water, power, internet, and gas, are a lot cheaper than living on the coast. The power and water here I have found is $25 a month for all appliances on washing, TV, stereo, that sort of thing. Generally, that is the going rate Renting a furnished property may be $300 a month, but if you are planning on buying in the area, you can pick up furniture at decent prices.

Visiting the shopping malls, If you want to buy your favorite original designer brands as you would back home, expect to pay a lot more, sometimes triple the price. Importing these goods pays the price, which is why it can be expensive. However, this is Ecuador, and not everyone would go out and spend $150 on a top, which is why there are endless amounts of stores back street shops that sell everything for next to nothing. They are fakes, but they are very good fakes.If you don't like what you see, there are many highly skilled tailors who can make whatever you want at a very low price. Sizes are a problem here for the taller or larger person, so custom made is sometimes the best way.

All of this is available outside of street food or local watering holes; you can literally walk past a cafe or restaurant every 30 seconds, so you will be spoiled for choice.

I'm not saying to avoid shopping malls because I enjoy spending time there with my family.It isn't all that expensive, but when food is in high demand, like fresh produce, etc., I suggest going to the market. The Mercado is seriously a big place where they sell everything. All your meat, fruit, and vegetables. You can get a lot for your money there and also haggle to get an even better deal. Just looking at the layout is an experience in itself. So much to choose from. I highly suggest you shop there.

Looking away from the mall and focusing on some recreation time with the family or friends, we have two huge parks minutes away, football pitches,tennis courts, kids play areas,go karting, paintball,inflatable castles,bike tracks, or just places to sit, chill out, eat and drink from the stalls. The value of this is priceless. You will find Quito really is a great place for family activities, especially on a nice Sunday afternoon out and costs nothing really.

There are many schools to choose from. My boy is at a private school, which has a transportation service to and from the house. Price wise, it is on par with his old school in Portoviejo, but I feel he has a great set up here. The teachers are great, the school itself is secure and very well organised  also boasting a good standard of English, so if the teacher doesn t understand what he is saying in Spanish, he simply tells the English teacher. It s a relief knowing he is enjoying it and working hard even though he tells me he does nothing.

Unlike living in Manabi, I don't feel the need for a car up here because everything I need is right here: the local Quicentro Sur is only a few minutes away, transport accessibility is excellent, with the Trole bus running from South to North right on the doorstep, and the main terminal, Quitumbe, gateway to Ecuador, isn't far either. For the price of 25 cents, you can't go wrong,but the only thing I hate is that it can get very busy,like sardines in a tin, so hold onto your valuables and don't switch off.

I can't lie, I miss my Manabi life on some days, but there is so much opportunity up here. The people are great, always saying hello to me wherever I go, and because I am the only Englishman, or should I say foreigner, living in this area, I am recognised on a daily basis, all smiles and some comments on the football. It didn't take long for them to know that my team is Newcastle. It is as though people search for my team just to have a quick convo or

So, enough babbling; the original question was, "Is it expensive to live in Quito?" No  just look around and get a feel for it. 

For more information or some general advice, just leave a comment below or you can message my email at simondo1981@live.com and I shall get back to you as soon as possible.

Ecuador Earthquake the day Manabi fell

Ecuador Earthquake the day Manabi fell

Hi guys, I wasn't going to write this story/report, but it is out now. Although it was a living nightmare, not just for me and my family, but the whole of Manabi, we are glad to be alive. That's the main thing. The government is doing a great job. Raphael Correa really has impressed. Hopefully, within five years, Manabi will be in a position to attract tourism again. This was totally unexpected and something the people of Manabi will never forget. I would like to thank all those who donated. It really did help some of the locals that were really in need. 

Since we've moved up to Quito, there will be fewer posts on Manabi aside from the ongoing progress, which I'll keep you updated on. We're still having earthquakes of a lower magnitude here in Quito, and I can't say when this will stop, but if you're planning on coming here, do some research, or I'll give you my honest opinion in the comments below. 

Add caption

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ecuador-Earthquake-Manabi-fell-expats-ebook/dp/B01KNJ8UCC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471619730&sr=8-1&keywords=ecuador+earthquake 

Ecuador Expats living in Manabi the truth!

After being asked various questions I have finally created an ebook to help you with everything. Many of you have similar queries which is understandable. The book is called Ecuador Expats living in Manabi the truth!

Many people assume I am retired and just living out my years here, but this really isn't the case. If you go back through all of my posts, you will see that all of this began with just a simple holiday on my own, which escalated into living here full time. 

As previously stated, Manabi, or even Ecuador, is not for everyone. People simply cannot adjust to the culture or do without their usual comforting luxuries, and I do not hold that against them. It is a lot to ask for at times. Many people I have met have lasted only a matter of weeks or even days before having a change of heart. Not what they expected, and rightly so. 

In my opinion, the people that do this are retired expats. They have plenty of money and not a care in the world, but when things go wrong they can be like vultures preying on a new expat to arrive, butter them up and before you know it you are doing business with them, renting a property from them or even being persuaded to buy this cheap property that isn't so cheap after all.

There are probably many of my readers who are present expats who will be cursing me and saying I am talking out of my behind, but I have briefly chatted with a few people who felt cheated when they came here, but more so they felt disappointed because they thought they could trust their own, which is shocking behaviour. Who do you trust?

I am not saying every expat does this, but there seems to be quite a trend going on. I have even been approached on a few occasions. Maybe I should have signed up to an Ecuador group. People seem nice, then all of a sudden they are pushing me to invest. When they realize I have been living here longer than them, they ease off. Another example: a foreigner tried to dupe me into paying $30,000 more than the asking price for a property; it's not nice and really irritates you, so I tread carefully when meeting expats.

By reading Ecuador Expats living in Manabi the truth! You can see for yourself all of the mistakes I made, some that would just make you throw in the towel and walk away, but before making any commitment to visit here, the idea is to educate yourself through the resources I have provided and also understand what to expect the moment you get off the plane,and what to expect to pay for life here,but most importantly, come with an open mind. This is key to a successful trip.

Legal

Transportation services 

The process of determining whether a car's paperwork is up to date before purchasing it.

Advice from an architect

Personal translator 

And many more are included to help get you started in your quest to become a future expat.

If you take a look at the book and have any further questions or simply fancy a chat, all my details are listed there. I shall look forward to hearing from you. Si

Why some expats could be destroying Ecuador

Why some expats could be destroying Ecuador 

This is an interesting topic that has recently been brought to my attention. Is it really true? Is it possible that some expats could be destroying Ecuador? At first, I thought it could be the overcrowding in certain hotspots. I do realise that more and more expats seem to reside in the same area and the community is growing largely, so I have listened to some views from a mixed group of Ecuadorians and here are some key points which I totally agree with after speaking about, 

To begin, yes, expats are trying to change areas to suit their needs and not fit into society; however, is this intentional? Maybe bars,cafes, restaurants, that sort of thing, in my eyes, is normal. People who are not retired need to make a living,which also gives people a choice on what food they eat, but if it is affecting an Ecuadorian business because of cheaper prices, then yes, they may have a point here, which brings me onto the main issue that has been highlighted here.

Real Estate 

This really is ugly at the moment, and I hadn't realised until it was pointed out to me, but expats that are looking to make money big time over here are the ones who buy up land in cash, build department complexes etc and charge a ridiculous price for them both for sale and for rent,which no Ecuadorian can afford.

A doctor's salary isn't bad depending on the level, but I briefly commented on a 3 bedroom property on the first floor that was going for $70,000; nice area, etc. He said it was doable, but he felt it was quite expensive and he could get better for the same price or for less. So he nearly had a heart attack when I showed him a new listing that I found on the internet, a 2 bedroom apartment on the beach, which isn't really developed yet, as it still doesn't have basic amenities, but this was going for $205,000, so quite a few swear words there. Who the hell puts a tag on a property like that? No intention of selling to locals, but rather to another foreign MUG! Yes, a MUG, because only a complete idiot would go there and say that is reasonable. 

So, yes, I am beginning to understand what some people are thinking now. Too many properties are being built at exorbitant prices, which may eventually drive some locals out. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. If a foreigner can command that price and high rent, why can't an Ecuadorian? Simply, no one has that kind of money.

So coming into this country and throwing your weight around because you have money is so wrong. By all means, set yourself up in a nice house. If you need to earn a small income, there are many ways, but day light robbery to hit the big time is pretty bad. Maybe you should have done this in your own country before you came here. 

This is the main conversation I have with people here now Why could some expats be destroying Ecuador,

I myself live like an Ecuadorian, being married to one. I respect the culture. I do not try to change things here. I am still here as a guest in a foreign country. Nothing more than that. It is me that has to adjust, which isn´t easy. We all have our daily struggles and don't agree with certain things over here. 

Is this posting something to worry about if you are an Ecuadorian? Yes, if foreigners continue to buy into these houses, but honestly, the way the country is now, I think it will be very hard for these expats to sell. Maybe a schoolboy's error that they may see in time. But if you are thinking of becoming an expat here, think out of the box, don't follow the sheep. I hope this post explains why some expats could be destroying Ecuador. Some input on this would be great, as there are always two sides to a story. Maybe this is good for the country in other ways as well. Leave a comment below and let's voice some opinions.

Housing complex in portoviejo

Housing complex in Portoviejo

If you have been to Portoviejo or have researched it online, then you will know that there is a hospital called the Solca, a big white building located outside the city between via Crucita and leading to the Paseo Lateral Road, that specialises in cancer and other conditions. The company that built this magnificent building has returned to Portoviejo to create a new housing complex, Fop Furoiani Obras Y Proyectos is the name and they are highly recommended for some of their previous work, designing one-off mansions to people's preference. With their head office being in Guayaquil, they have built many projects, some of which provide a jacuzzi and swimming pool out the back. here is their video  of what they are aiming for along with a few images

The Portoviejo project is no different. They are integrating their style by building 3 types of housing to compete with local housing projects currently going at present.This is not for everyone, mainly for professional-based people. That is what they are aiming for, bringing a bit of luxury to the area and continuing to provide Ecuador with quality workmanship.

Following on from a post about why living in Portoviejo is a great place to live I can further back this up by illustrating the problems locals are now and have been facing lately in areas such as Crucita, San Alejo, and pretty much all of the coast, where expats are eager to reside. Unfortunately, most of the roads have recently been wiped out due to adverse weather conditions. On the beach front, some say it was El niño? But it has left some people's houses in tatters, and the big clean up is now beginning, with truck loads of rocks on their way to try to repair the main beach front roads.

Whatever direction you go, it's a short journey to the beach . For me, it's a case of what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

By purchasing a property in this new housing complex in Portoviejo, it will also guarantee you a resident visa, which so many look for these days if they are not going for the retirement stage yet. Simply invest, and once all is completed, the local attorney will have everything sorted for you.

I am not a real estate person nor do i pick up any commission, but if you would like more information you can contact Jessica Garcia who also speaks English whatsapp 0998255343 or call direct 0980875629 7 days a week
To learn more about life in Manabi check out this newer post

English speaking Beach tour of Manabi

English speaking Beach tour of Manabi
From the last post about an English speaking guide in Manabi, I have had numerous emails ranging from where I would suggest living in Manabi to a request for some kind of English-speaking beach tour of Manabi that could be completed over a few days or even turn it into a week's worth of traveling, stopping over night at each beach. 

This is exactly what myself and Marlon are trying to achieve by showing you all of the lovely coastal areas that Manabi has to offer. You can decide for yourself. We don't need to sell it to you.

On this beach tour, which we are currently devising, you will have the opportunity to spend the day and night if desired, itinerary will consist of visiting potential property, walking along the beaches, and finding some areas of outstanding beauty for you to take pictures while soaking up that sea air. Stopping for a bite to eat, whether it is a light lunch and a beer or to taste what the coast has to offer.We will also arrange for you to ask questions of a few locals who will be happy to tell you about the area's history, what it has become, and what they believe it will be like in the future.

While doing all of this, if you wish to participate in any activities, such as boat trips to various islands, or even have a go at fishing, then this can be added to the list.

Every beach has its own uniqueness  By the time you have finished your tour, you will have found your desired hot spot.

So the answer to the first question (where I would suggest living in Manabi?) Really, this all comes down to you. There are plenty of areas to choose from. Either join an existing expat community or search for your own private retreat. For myself, I opted to live in Portoviejo. Why? The main reason was that beach life seemed too hot for me. It was great going for a few days, but full time I may have struggled.

Although most people go for the beach as their first choice, some tend to change their mind through factors such as climate and basic amenities. For example, you can check out my post on why live in Portoviejo over the beach, I shall look forward to your emails and please comment below, as there will be more coming soon once we have completed our packages for the English-speaking beach tour of Manabi.