In 1986 I spent one of the best years in my life living in a small town called Quillota, in central Chile. Since then, I have always gone back to Latin America at least yearly, if not more frequently. I always remember the morning sounds of the cheap loudspeaker attached to the vegetable seller’s tricycle bike; and the freshly prepared meals from that produce that afternoon. I don’t know where I got off track, but ended up with a background in Latin American Studies and Urban Planning along the way. I followed that path for a while, taking it to Ecuador, Chile (again), Colombia and Nicaragua.
I eventually figured out that food had a large part to figure in this, and went to culinary school. After working a bit in the food industry, I’ve had the happy interruption, and privelege, of staying home with my two kids. Now looking to get back into food, and Latin America, what better place to go than Ecuador, where lots of good chocolate originates! And where I have my wife’s wonderful family and many good friends from my years there in the 90s.
Destination Ecuador 
July 3, 2007 at 6:53 pm
I’m a recently retired American lawyer from Hawaii who is currently living and teaching English in Merida, Venezuela. I hope to be traveling to Ecuador in the next few months, with a view to possibly moving there if I can find an appropriate job.
A friend here grew up in Cuenta and has been telling me about its beauty, so that is a prime target for my trip.
Thus far, my Spanish skills are still at the survival level, and I hoped to take Spanish lessons while in Ecuador, so I am seeking a good language school there as well.
Have you written in your blog about the visa requirements for long term residents? Is it necessary to have a job before getting a resident visa? What documents are needed? How long does the process take?
I too am suffering without a Cedula, and cannot open a bank account, buy property or even get the local credit card required to get internet service (thank goodness for a helpful, “cedula’ed” friend) or I wouldn’t be reading your blog). Borders are cumbersome things, even without mile high fences as obstacle courses.
Are you living in Quito or elsewhere. Having had my fill of big cities such as NY, Washington D.C. and Chicago, I am looking for a small town, but one large enough to have internet access and running water, though I’d trade the running water for internet access if push came to shove.
I understand the infra-structure in Ecuador is pretty sophisticated though, so neither might be a problem.
Having spent five years living and teaching in Papua New Guinea, and some time in Cambodia, I’m used to cultural surprises. Merida is very tame, but also very noisy and full of cars.
The economy is booming here, with lots of new businesses and tons of public and private construction. How are things going in Ecuador?
Aloha,
Bonnie McFadden