“Honey, we’re out of eggs. I’m going to the mercado; do you need anything?” “Yes, we need poop bags for the dog,” my wife, Rita, replied. She wanted me to pick up a pack of small plastic bags used to collect the little gifts our Corgi leaves around the neighborhood.
Tari Gliedt is no stranger to travel. As a former civilian contractor for the U.S. military, she “must have visited or lived for at least a few months in 30 countries,” including Bahrain, Thailand, India, Kenya, Australia, and Spain, she says.
If you’re someone who is looking for the conveniences of a good-sized city close to the beach and the mountains, I may have found the sweet spot for you. Especially if you are a trailblazer—someone who would enjoy the experience of immersing yourself in a new language and culture.
If you’re someone who is looking for the conveniences of a good-sized city close to the beach and the mountains—I may have found the sweet spot for you. Especially if you are a trailblazer—someone who would enjoy the experience of immersing yourself in a new language and culture.
“I woke up this morning and saw 30 or more horses grazing in the bamboo forest across the street from our home,” says Roger Wergin. “How’s that for a tranquil retirement view?” Roger and his wife Cyndy feel they made the right decision when they bought a lot and built their three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in a gated community.
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When checking out retirement spots in Ecuador, there are a few things that retirees look for. A great climate is usually first on the list, followed closely by an affordable cost of living. Everyone wants good infrastructure, but some hate to lose the “small-town” feel, which inevitably happens with bigger cities. Cuenca, for instance, has most everything an expat could need, and many have found their ideal retirement there—but with around half a million people, it’s just too big for some.
My wife and I recently rented a car for a week to leave the familiar sights and sounds of our oceanfront home in Salinas, and explore a little of the interior of Ecuador. We planned to use the city of Loja in the southern Andes as a base, but took our time getting there, stopping in a few places along the way.
I recently spent a few days in the beautiful city of Loja, “cradle of art, literature, and music,” in the southern Andes of Ecuador. You know you are in a special place almost from the moment you arrive. Between the ornate castle-like structure of the City Gates, or the walking bridge displaying pipe organs, cellos, and guitars, it is clear that you are entering a city that appreciates music and culture.
The other day my wife Rita and I were sitting in a local restaurant enjoying a $3 almuerzo (lunch special, typically a soup, small salad, rice, and meat or fish with a juice) when I overheard a new arrival behind us say with obvious glee, “I got up today and had no idea what day of the week it was!” I had to turn around and tell him, “That’s nothing. Wait until you can’t remember what month it is!” Sounds odd, but it’s true. Living in Salinas on the Pacific coast of Ecuador, there are few changes to mark the passing of time. This close to the equator the days are always 12 hours long, and the high and low temperatures only change about 10 degrees between the height of summer and the depths of winter. It’s surprisingly easy to find yourself trying to remember if it’s March or October.