I have many things to update you on; however, today, I will include only 2 items because of time constraints.
First, I, Larry, had a complete physical, an electro-cardiogram, a complete blood workup and urine test by Dr. Pablo Parra (speaks fluent English) and offices at Mount Sinai Hospital. Total cost was $160 for everything and at age 69, I was given a clean bill of health. That was my first complete physical in 15 - 20 years. Needless to say, I was elated with the results.
Secondly, my wife and I discovered by accident a great source for new curtains and blinds. The yound lady, Gina Calle, speaks perfect English. The business, Artex, is located at Alfonso Moreno M. 1-111 y Ave. Solano (a media cuadra de La Italiana). Gina is a professional graphic artist and practiced for 6 years in Olympia, Washington. My wife and I were looking for bamboo blinds and when we walked in, we saw exactly what we had been looking for. Gina is also suggested that we have a covering placed on the back of the blinds to shut out all light that might shine through the blinds, otherwise. Gina´s personal cellphone is: 09-625-3524 in Cuenca, Ecuador. Our blinds installed will cost $298 for our Master Bedroom and our Guest Bedroom. The Master has rather large windows, so we were quite pleased with the price.
As an aside, Cuenca, Ecuador was just voted to have the most potable drinking water in all of South America.
More info later.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Gabriela Espinosa: Quito Immigration Attorney
After 4 + years of talking with Gabriela, my wife and I finally met face-to-face with her to make application for our Residency Visas and also to apply for our Temporary "12 (10) visa," which is only $60 per person, rather than the "12 (9) visa" which is $230.
Gabriela is an honest, hard working attorney, mother of 3. I submitted her all the papers for our residency visa and she indicated that she should have the visas within 15 working days from 15 June 2009. I also took her picture and told her I would be putting it up on this blog, so as soon as I am able to, I will post her picture for all to see.
Finally, you can call Gabriela direct from the United States and Canada on her Magicjack internet phone at the following number: 859-408-0527.
Gabriela is an honest, hard working attorney, mother of 3. I submitted her all the papers for our residency visa and she indicated that she should have the visas within 15 working days from 15 June 2009. I also took her picture and told her I would be putting it up on this blog, so as soon as I am able to, I will post her picture for all to see.
Finally, you can call Gabriela direct from the United States and Canada on her Magicjack internet phone at the following number: 859-408-0527.
My First Full Day in Cuenca After My Move: 12 June 2009
For those of you that are unaware of life in Ecuador, the first thing you must develop, without fail, is PATIENCE. If you cannot do that, then stay away from Latin America.
My first real surprise was when we arrived in Cuenca and got into my apartment. My Direct TV did not work, but it had been working perfectly, when I left. So, my first stop, with a local who speaks both English and Spanish, was at the Direct TV office. Believe it, or not, I was told that the technician had gone to check out everything to be sure it was working correctly; however, he was told that I had returned to the states and would return in the middle of June. He went back to his office and turned off the connection, so that I would not be paying for service while I was not there. That saved me about $70.00. WOW! Is that service, or what!
My next adventure was not near as positive; however, the knowledge you gain from this may possibly save you some heartache.
We went to the Porta office to sign contracts and get my new wireless modem and enroll in their Family Cellphone plan. We were told that we would have to go to get certification from our bank that we had an account with them. After doing that, we signed the contracts for our family plan and the wireless modem. The young lady kept telling us they were waiting on the bank certification letter, which took around 4 hours total before she received it. However, the corporate headquarters in Guayaquil was still holding up approval. After about 5 hours total (we started at 1 PM, corporate advised the service reps that our bank account had to be 2 months old before they would authorize automatic deductions from the bank account. That meant waiting until 29 June, before I could get either the cellphones, or the wireless modem for my internet access. Not only was I livid, but the Porta reps were also, because this could have been revealed at the very beginning of the process by corporate. The service reps told me that they were going to issue an official complaint regarding the person they had been working with in Guayaquil.
I, possibly, could have paid cash for the first month's premiums; however, I did not want to do that, simply on principle. I chose to wait.
And, by the way, when dealing with the bank to request account certification, the first lady told us we could not get same with merely a copy of our passport, but only with the original. She would not give on that requirement, so we went to the head manager and she asked for a second picture ID, which I had, so she told the lady to let us make the official request.
So, as I said before, PATIENCE is a necessary requirement in Latin America, if one is to keep their sanity.
Therefore, I am stuck with either using Internet cafes, or Wireless hotspots until 29 June (at the earliest).
My first real surprise was when we arrived in Cuenca and got into my apartment. My Direct TV did not work, but it had been working perfectly, when I left. So, my first stop, with a local who speaks both English and Spanish, was at the Direct TV office. Believe it, or not, I was told that the technician had gone to check out everything to be sure it was working correctly; however, he was told that I had returned to the states and would return in the middle of June. He went back to his office and turned off the connection, so that I would not be paying for service while I was not there. That saved me about $70.00. WOW! Is that service, or what!
My next adventure was not near as positive; however, the knowledge you gain from this may possibly save you some heartache.
We went to the Porta office to sign contracts and get my new wireless modem and enroll in their Family Cellphone plan. We were told that we would have to go to get certification from our bank that we had an account with them. After doing that, we signed the contracts for our family plan and the wireless modem. The young lady kept telling us they were waiting on the bank certification letter, which took around 4 hours total before she received it. However, the corporate headquarters in Guayaquil was still holding up approval. After about 5 hours total (we started at 1 PM, corporate advised the service reps that our bank account had to be 2 months old before they would authorize automatic deductions from the bank account. That meant waiting until 29 June, before I could get either the cellphones, or the wireless modem for my internet access. Not only was I livid, but the Porta reps were also, because this could have been revealed at the very beginning of the process by corporate. The service reps told me that they were going to issue an official complaint regarding the person they had been working with in Guayaquil.
I, possibly, could have paid cash for the first month's premiums; however, I did not want to do that, simply on principle. I chose to wait.
And, by the way, when dealing with the bank to request account certification, the first lady told us we could not get same with merely a copy of our passport, but only with the original. She would not give on that requirement, so we went to the head manager and she asked for a second picture ID, which I had, so she told the lady to let us make the official request.
So, as I said before, PATIENCE is a necessary requirement in Latin America, if one is to keep their sanity.
Therefore, I am stuck with either using Internet cafes, or Wireless hotspots until 29 June (at the earliest).
Thursday, June 11, 2009
We are now in Guayaquil at Casa Alianza
Just a quick update to let all know that we arrived in Guayaquil, Ecuador and are staying overnight at our favorite small hotel. Our van will be picking us up at 10am this Thursday morning to take us to our new home in Cuenca. Last night, we went to bed at 7pm and I woke up at 3am. Since I have access to the internet, I decided to get on my laptop and update my blog. Will report more later on our new adventure.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tying Up Loose Ends for the Move
What a fiasco! Linda and I have closed down her business, getting all the tax returns prepared by our accountant, so I can send them in before we leave in 6 days.
My biggest challenge is selecting what we can take in our suitcases and what we must ship to my brother-in-law for safekeeping. However, it is also exciting, because we will finally be in our new home with all new furniture, etc. We will have lots to do when we get to Cuenca, but it will be fun doing it and no pressure to get it done by a certain deadline. That will be kind of nice.
My biggest challenge is selecting what we can take in our suitcases and what we must ship to my brother-in-law for safekeeping. However, it is also exciting, because we will finally be in our new home with all new furniture, etc. We will have lots to do when we get to Cuenca, but it will be fun doing it and no pressure to get it done by a certain deadline. That will be kind of nice.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Banana's Cafe: Cuenca, Ecuador
Alexandra is on your left and Glenda is on your right.
This cafe is owned by two lovely ladies who believe in great service and fantastic breakfasts. Unfortunately, they were robbed about 4 months after they opened at a location on Rio Tomebamba. So, they started looking for a safer place to move their restaurant to.
The owners just moved to a new location next door to the Carolina Bookstore. Bananas Cafe is now located at Hermano Miguel 4-36 y Calle Larga.
The menu includes such items as GREAT omelets, pancakes, french toast, homemade granola, fresh fruit juices, smoothies & yogurt (plus numerous other yummy breakfast goodies).
I suggest you let Alexandra & Glenda whip up a wonderful breakfast for you.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Countdown for Cuenca Move Has Begun
My quest to move to Cuenca began back in July 2004 when we bought our condo during the pre-construction phase. Our flight schedule calls for departure from Denver on 09 June 2009 (just shy of 5 years in time), but now only 20 days to go. Speaking for myself, I am so excited, I can hardly contain myself.
On the other hand, my wife is going through a sad time, because she has been saying goodbye to all her patients and friends. Many of her patients (many her friends) have been getting acupuncture treatments from her since she opened her clinic in January 1995. Many have grown to love her dearly, so it is somewhat a difficult time for her.
Now, it has got down to the nitty-gritty. Since we are not shipping any goods overseas, we are only taking 4 large suitcases, 2 carryons and my laptop computer.
My wife and I have a number of books that we are shipping to her brother's home for safekeeping. However, the dilemma is to reduce that number to as little as possible, which is proving to be very difficult.
Today is the 28th of May, so we only have 12 days remaining prior to our departure. Our remaining work is to clean out everything and deliver it to Goodwill. More later.
On the other hand, my wife is going through a sad time, because she has been saying goodbye to all her patients and friends. Many of her patients (many her friends) have been getting acupuncture treatments from her since she opened her clinic in January 1995. Many have grown to love her dearly, so it is somewhat a difficult time for her.
Now, it has got down to the nitty-gritty. Since we are not shipping any goods overseas, we are only taking 4 large suitcases, 2 carryons and my laptop computer.
My wife and I have a number of books that we are shipping to her brother's home for safekeeping. However, the dilemma is to reduce that number to as little as possible, which is proving to be very difficult.
Today is the 28th of May, so we only have 12 days remaining prior to our departure. Our remaining work is to clean out everything and deliver it to Goodwill. More later.
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