Introducciones

[RUSSELL REINA]

Since I just entered the loop with the “New Wave” of Ecuador Insiders, I thought it might be a good idea to see who’s participating. I’m starting this topic so those of you who choose to can introduce yourselves to the rest of us. Having moderated other Forums I’ve found it’s useful to get a sense of my “Peer Group” and this also helps identify good resources/expertise for all of us.

So if you choose, please tell us a little bit about yourself; the Whens, Wheres and Hows and Whys of what got you here and where you’re headed so we can all learn!

Muchas Gracias, (and how do you put an upside down exclamation point/question mark here?)

 

 

[DAVID BUCKLEY]

Hi Russell,

My name is Dave Buckley and my wife is Claire. We recently became interested in retiring outside of the U.S. as many things in this country now concern us. I’ve been getting IL and Ecuador caught our eye. Our plans are to make a trip in 2014 to check out the country and possible places to retire to. I am anxious to take advantage of all this site has to offer and thank you for the chance to introduce myself to you. I am currently back in grad school full time pursuing a master’s in health information management and medical coding, something I can take anywhere I am told. Not sure I’ll ever completely retire but my wife is ready to in another year or two. Can’t wait to make the trip and see things for ourselves!

Thanks!

[RUSSELL REINA]

Aloha, er…Hola!

Good guess; I’m leaving Paradise to seek Paradiso. Since it’s all in me, anyway, I realize I still have some work ahead to make it stick, and my research for new tools has led me right here. A quick tour of Wheres; born NY, then Florida, then California, then Oregon, then Hawaii (Maui for 10 years). I rode motorcycles all over the U.S. for 30 years and didn’t develop a yearning for international travel until now and it’s all about my readiness to challenge my cultural sensibilities and immerse myself in another way of being.

I’ve never been a tourist, in fact, I’m a Tour Guide here on Maui — driving on up and around Haleakala, the House of the Sun, a currently inactive volcano which includes the notorious road to Hana. A typical day means driving and engaging 8 guests through 180 miles, 1,234 curves and 108 one-lane bridges! My primary focus in life has been evenly split between the Healing and Performing Arts. I was one of the first Paramedics in the U.S. and have built a body of work around my explorations into what it means to be a healer, including two books. My overall body of work can be found at http://www.firetender.org which includes writing (feature movie credit), acting, music (original), stand-up comedy, workshops and photography.

Bottom line, the decision has been made (by Whom, I’m not quite sure!), and tickets bought. Moving from HI to FL end of March and on to Ecuador in May. SS retirement comes in June some time. Yes, as a Failsafe I’ve got a ticket back to FL in June, but I’m planning to have assembled everything I need to attain residency before I get to Ecuador with the intention of staying on permanently. In this moment, I’m leaning toward settling in the Loja province, but I’m sharp enough to know, once I get off the plane, all bets are off!

I can read more Spanish than I can speak, and I can speak more Spanish than I can understand. I am highly culturally sensitive, having lived and worked with a Lakota Medicine family on Pine Ridge (SD) and here in Hawaii with Kanaka Maoli (original people). I have a Spanish surname and to be honest, I suppose the biggest draw for me is to live somewhere I’d be considered tall — I’m 5’6″!!

My intention here is to make new connections so when my boots do hit the ground, I have some role models to either emulate or avoid. I’m thankful for this site and look forward to contributing.

[Author]

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