[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

John, your research is correct about two things. With your age and health challenges, private insurance will be difficult if not impossible to obtain. And Ecuador’s Social Security health care system will not allow you to choose your physician, although the time for an appointment is usually not unreasonably long. No one at International Living is in a position to advise about specific health conditions, however. Your most prudent route will be to visit private care physicians (many are bilingual) in Quito, Guayaquil, or Cuenca to discuss your situation and let them help you determine if the level of care you require is available in Ecuador within either the private or public systems.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Wow, great information, John. And congratulations!!

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Thanks, John. Good luck!!

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Budweiser is around $1 a bottle. Stella Artois is $14.25 for a 6 pack. I don’t eat local cheese either.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Since you live in Loja why don’t you just call them and get the details? I know that the staff has English speakers. The # is 285-0085.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

The 50% airline discount (for residents 65 and older) turns out to be somewhat of a red herring. For flights originating in Ecuador, the discount is taken from the highest base fare, plus regular price for all the fees and taxes. The savings can still be up to 30%, but I’ve honestly found cheaper fares by diligently searching through Kayak.

Cultural events (sports and movies)–yes. Public buses (both local and countrywide)–yes. Utility bills are discounted only if you own your property. If you rent, the bills are in the landlord’s name and you get no credit.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Ecuador’s geography doesn’t include large lakes with residential options. But in the entire highland area of the Andes which runs from north to south you will enjoy year round moderate temps.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Try Maribel Crespo (maribel@ecuadorablehomes.com).

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Customs regulations are not the issue. Even if you could locate the hard-to-find items you describe it seems highly impractical to travel all the way to another country to purchase them. And even if they were cheaper, with travel costs to and from those other countries you would spend more than you’d save on electronics.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Bring chili powder and sage for sure. And, as Wendy said, any special blends like the various Montreal steak seasonings.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Your best bet for quality health care will always be in the biggest cities, Guayaquil & Quito.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Sign up for GringoTree & Gringo Post, two online bulletin boards for Cuenca that will tell you everything that is going on.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

Latest from DiBacco—

REMINDER: The restaurant is open (generally) three days a week:
Tuesdays, for Gringo Night and Newbies Night, we open at 4:00.
Thursdays we are open for lunch from 12:00 to 3:00. Come enjoy a delightful soup & salad, or other lighter fair, for under $5, instead of a plateful of rice. The WIT group will be meeting here from 12:30 to 2:30.
Thursday evenings we open at 5:00. This will be special events night, including one-day/night art classes, Texas Hold’em Poker, and live music.
NOTE: This Thursday evening, July 3rd, we will be closed so Martha can go to Guayaquil to pick up her husband, Ed, who will be visiting for a few weeks.
Saturdays we open at 12:00 and stay open all day. Pilsener Grandes are $1.50 and house wine is $2. It’s Fun & Games day, and we have Scrabble, Canasta, (or any other card game) and Mexican Train Dominoes on hand.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

I sure can. California Kitchen–closed. Zoe–closed. Eucalyptus & Akelarre–nice places to eat but not “gringo hangouts.” Try Roux Bistro & San Sebas Cafe in addition to DiBacco, Fabiano’s, and Inca.

[EI EXPERT – EDD STATON]

We use Skype only and have been perfectly happy. No landline for us and like Suzan, I’m startled when my cell phone rings because almost all our communication is by email or in person.

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