Wednesday, April 6, 2016

E is for Ecuador #atozchallenge


E is for Ecuador


Hi, this is Scarlett and I'll be your guide today. Happy Wednesday the 6th of April and welcome to my A to Z blog challenge post for the letter E. My theme for this year's blog is the characters from my books, and while Ecuador is a place and not a fictional character, it plays a big role in all the books of the Providence in Ecuador series.


Quickly for those of you new to the series, each of the books begin with characters in the United States, but each story ends in Ecuador. As characters move to or visit this lovely country, it is at least for a time the setting. So I thought it was appropriate to include it in our getting to the know the characters series.



Ecuador is showing up a lot in the U.S. media lately. Not because of drug activities, possible wars, hoarding oil reserves or any of those other terrible things, but because it is quickly becoming a retirement haven for those wishing to live outside the U.S.  There are beginning to be an increasing number of younger people with families moving here too. So what's so great about Ecuador?

The entire country is about the size of Colorado. But within the borders, there are three distinct climates. The Pacific coast, the Andes highlands, and the Amazonian rainforest. A little something for everyone, as long as you're not looking for snow and skiing.


Ecuador is south of Florida on the eastern Pacific coast of South America. It is bordered on the north by Columbia on the south and west by Peru and sits at the Equator. The city of Cuenca is at 2 degrees south latitude of the equator.

The cost of living is quite a bit lower than the U.S., Canada and European nations, making it attractive for retirees on fixed incomes.  Rent, housing, utilities, basic groceries, and eating out are vastly less expensive, and there are many entertainment opportunities for free or just a few dollars. Non-essential things like electronics and clothing are more expensive.



But I think the biggest attraction to the country are its people and culture. The beautiful landscape, of course, doesn't hurt. But imagine a country where family comes first. Not just in rhetoric, but in reality. Family is much more important than a career, and/or the almighty dollar.



The people love to have a good time, festivals and celebrations go on nearly every week of the year. And the lifestyle is much slower paced and relaxed. Traditions are huge, heritage is important.  Many people liken the way of life to the U.S. in the 50's or 60's.

As Gringos there are certain things that are hard to adjust to.  Because of a relaxed slower pace, time is not as rigid. Manana might mean in the morning, tomorrow or sometime other than today. There is lots of noise. Loud music, fireworks, mortars and cannon fire are all part of the daily life here.

Enjoy some of my photos, and if you ever come to Ecuador, look me up. I'd love to show you around!

Riobamba bus station



Devil's Nose Train in Alausi
Turi overlooking the city of Cuenca

It's Toucan Sam!
The New Cathedral at Parque Calderon
Pumapumgo Inca ruins


 Thanks for stopping by and join us tomorrow to meet Marshal Frankie McGras. With a name like that, can you guess which book takes place in Frankie's home town? And for more A to Z bloggers click here.

For the writers in the group: My friend John Keeble has a free promo today and tomorrow. I've read it and found it hysterically funny.

 Here's the info in John's words:
If you would like a free copy of my new book -- Dying to Write - The Delightfully Eccentric World of Writers and Poets -- it is available as a free download from Amazon on April 6 and 7.

The book, hilariously illustrated by American artist Amy D'Apice, is a whodunit parody of life in a writers and poets support group. Most people who have seen advance copies have found it very funny. I think only one or two wanted to kill me :)

However ... it is an adult book. If you are sensitive to adult language and themes, it may not be for you.
Get Dying to Write by clicking HERE.
~*~
Scarlett Loving life in Cuenca!

21 comments:

  1. Hi Scarlett, nice to meet you. Your commentary and photos of Ecuador are interesting and beautiful.
    Val from My Virtual Vineyard

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  2. Hi Scarlett, nice to meet you. Your commentary and photos of Ecuador are interesting and beautiful.
    Val from My Virtual Vineyard

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    1. Thanks for coming by Val, it's nice to meet you too.

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  3. Now those pix, and your description, are making me want to travel! (BTW, something may be wrong with the "Dying to Write" link?)

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    1. While not everyone loves living here, Ecuador IS a fabulous place to visit. THANK YOU for alerting me to the broken link, it's fixed now. And Thanks for coming back by to read my blog!

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  4. Sounds a delightful place to live. Although I guess one could get fed up with the fire crackers etc. If it were possible, I would consider a move right away.

    JO ON FOOD, LIFE AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

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    1. Welcome back Jo, while a visit is recommended before a move, I sold everything and moved here without visiting first. Foolish I suppose but I haven't regretted it for a moment. I don't hear the noise much anymore except the week between Christmas and New Year's when it seem like there is mortar fire every fifteen minutes day and night. What I LOVE about the churches using cannons and mortars to celebrate with is seeing the entire population including children and dogs NOT react, not even a flinch when the loud booms shake the ground. There is no fear, because they don't have drive by shootings, war etc.

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  5. I've only visited Ecuador once and I liked it very much. This was when I was living in Spain and there are many similarities!

    http://susan-a-eamestravelfictionandphotos.blogspot.ie

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  6. I've only visited Ecuador once and I liked it very much. This was when I was living in Spain and there are many similarities!

    http://susan-a-eamestravelfictionandphotos.blogspot.ie

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    1. Oo I'm sure there are lots of similarities. I haven't traveled to all the spots within Ecuador I want to yet, but I will. Thanks for coming by and reading my blog!

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  7. Fabulous post! I'm thankful to have found you by reading the comments on My Mutt Riley.
    Awakening Dreams and Conquering Nightmares with a Pen
    I’m still having fun with my little focus on music this month. Be well!

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    1. Thank you for coming by and reading my blog! I'm going to check out conquering nightmares.

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  8. Thanks for sharing Ecuador with us! I like the different types of climates it offers. I forgot a lot of that from geography lessons years ago in school. I can see why it would be a popular target place for retirees with all that is offered there :)

    thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of the challenge!

    betty

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    1. Thank you for coming by Betty and reading my blog!

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  9. You almost make me want to move to Ecuador! Luv the architecture of the cathedral.
    Gail’s 2016 April A to Z Challenge
    E is for Eastern European Ancestors
    #IWSG

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    1. I love living here, but maybe at least you can visit! Thanks for coming by and reading my blog!

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  10. Ecuador sounds like a wonderful place to visit, I am one of those winter and snow types so I don't think I could live somewhere hot. But I do like the family first thinking you talk about, wish more people would think about those things before profit :)

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    1. I hate heat. In the Andes the temperature only varies about 10 degrees F throughout the year. Highs in the 60-70s lows in the 40s -50s year round. SO it isn't hot. We don't have air conditioning in Cuenca, just open windows. And I was one of those girls who ran the A/C year round! Just no snow except on the tops of some of the volcanoes. However, I hear Chile has some excellent snow skiing. Thanks for coming by and reading my blog.

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  11. Aloha Scarlett,
    Ecuador sounds interesting, and wondering if there is a strong separation or distinction for outsiders vs insiders? Or if rural areas in Ecuador are prone to people stealing your stuff, especially if you're not Ecuadorean. I bet you could write so many things about your observations living there, and I would find them fascinating.
    Maui Jungalow

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    1. Courtney, welcome to my blog and thanks for coming by! If you go through my older posts there are quite a few about Ecuador. To answer your questions as briefly as possible...I live in Cuenca, a city of about 400,000 so I really can only speak to that. Ecuadorians are very accepting of us here. While the expat community is close, we ALL have Cuencano friends and are very much accepted, included in family celebrations and they tend to really watch out for us. The exceptions are you know in every crowd there is an asshole. They don't much like those people. Almost everything you buy here should be haggled over. Some sellers will quote a higher price to a Gringo, if you walk away they usually quickly come down, so it's good to know what the going price is from a head of broccoli to furniture. Or shop with a local or experienced expat for a while. The most common crime here is pickpockets and home burglary and it seems to affect natives and expats equally. There are MANY good blogs about life here I can give you a couple of the best if you are really interested. There are also at least a dozen Facebook groups of expats willing to share info.

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  12. I've recently met some exchange students from Cuenca who have piqued my interest in this unique and architecturally stunning city. Your introduction to Ecuador makes me certain that I need to move this city to the top of my travel list! I'm also interested in your novels that are set in this unique locale.

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