[Elisabeth Moss]

Hello Edd!
I was HOPING to hear from you. I know you are in Cuenca, and wanted to get your email address. We are now planning to be there from Dec. 20th, departing the 26th.
We would love to catch you for drinks, if possible, at the place of your choosing. My fiancee is more sceptical than I am regarding a move to Ecuador, and I think it would be good for him to speak with an expat. I know you’ve mentioned great hang-outs in Cuenca for Expats, but don’t have the info on hand. Could you please email me at emoss28@earthlink.net when you get this message?
I am in the process of making transportation arrangements from Cuenca to Baños. Do you know how long the bus takes? Do you know if we could fly to Ambato, and then take a bus? Or, would we have to fly to Quito and then bus it back south to Baños? I have gotten quite a lot of different info, and I’m sure I could trust your opinions.
I hope to hear from you very soon!
Thank you,
Elisabeth Moss

[Elisabeth Moss]

Suzan, You are a doll! If we get a chance to meet, drinks are on me!
I will contact Yolanda and Joe right away, and let you know of exact dates when decided. Happy birthday in advance!
Sincerely,
Elisabeth

[Elisabeth Moss]

Hi Again Suzan,
I just read that the Otalavo Market is open 7 days a week (for some reason I thought it was only open on Saturdays), and that 3 days should give us enough time to see the sights. I assume we would take a bus to Otalavo from Quito. Once there, is there someone you would recommend that knows the real estate market and can act as a driver to show us around? If there is someone you could recommend, would you say that staying in Otalavo would be best (it seems to have less expensive hotels), or should we look at staying in Ibarra or Cotacachi?
If anyone else has any input, please help!
Thank You,
EMoss

[Elisabeth Moss]

Thank you so much Suzan! Your information has been exceptionally helpful! I think I will contact Julieta about the stay in the Amazon.
We are staying at the Hotel Villa Lafayette in Quito, located at Baquedano E8-11 y 6 de Deciembre from December 4 to December 8th.
On Saturday December 5th we want to go to Otalavo to see the market. Afterward, we would return to Quito to explore until Tuesday. On the the afternoon of the 8th, my boyfriend has a meeting with a branch office manager of his current Seattle employer in Quito, and then we are free to move about the country! We would really love to stay a night or so in the Cotacachi area to view real estate. Is the air clear there, or polluted with ash?
I was looking for hotels in Cotacachi, and found a few, but they are rather expensive.
Can you recommend a hotel there or things to see and do? Since we are real estate scouting, we want to get a feel for the area. This is where you live, right? How many nights would you suggest, and should we stay in Otalavo?
I’m at a loss here, as the Volcano eruptions and El Niño have really had an effect on our plans!
It sounds like we won’t be able to meet up, but I surely do appreciate your assistance with this!
Hope to hear from you soon, and thanks again!
EMoss

[Elisabeth Moss]

Hello Everyone,
I just posted this on EXPAT BLOG. If any of “Expert Expats” have any suggestions, I would sure love to hear them!

Hello Everyone,
Since reading of the impending “Super El Niño”, I’ve decided to change my itinerary, and could use YOUR help. Arriving in Quito December 4, leaving Quito December 8, my boyfriend and I will visit the Otalavo Market on Dec. 5, and then hang out in Quito until December 8. Any suggestions of the best places to visit during our stay (I LOVE art and architecture, gardens and photography). Also, any great restaurants for dinner would be nice to know of.
After Quito, we have nothing booked until we go to Cuenca for December 23 to December 26. We have to be back in Quito to fly back to Seattle on December 31st at 1:30 AM (arggg)!
I was thinking that a trip around the volcanoes and a visit to the Amazon would be great. This is a scouting trip to figure out where we want to move to next summer, so I would like to see towns with enough infrastructure to consider living in. We definitely want to see Baños, but other than that, the only other place in the Andes that I have on my list to see are Vilacabamba (for the great gardening) and Cuenca. I’m kind of at a loss here, as I had originally planned to spend the beginning of our trip on the coast. Now, I think we would only go west if the scientists are all wrong and the weather there proves not a problem. That would be at the end of our trip, after leaving Cuenca on December 27. That would only give us 4 days though! Hotels/Restaurants/Art & Garden suggestions welcome!
We were planning to rent a car, but I’m not so sure that’s a good idea after reading about the crazy drivers. We’re not adverse to bus rides if we can get around the countryside. Is there a tour of the Volcano’s and to El Oriente that anyone would recommend?
I’m so glad that I found Ecuador Insider! You guys are SO helpful….thanks for your input in advance!
Sincerely,
EMoss

[Elisabeth Moss]

Hello Suzan,
Thank you very much for all of the information! For some reason, I thought I would be notified by email if anyone responded to my question, but I wasn’t.

Unfortunately, my plans have changed. I was reading Expat Blog and discovered the news about this being a “Super” El Nino year. They say it’s not wise to go to the coast as December and January are the height of the event. From what I understand, there are only 2 helicopters to ferry people from the coast inland. Medical supplies and food may be limited.

What I’ve decided is to (starting in Quito) go to Cotacatchi, see the volcano region, tour El Oriente, and then head south to Banos. From there, I want to get to Cuenca and Vilacabamba.
If at that point it looks like weather won’t be a problem on the coast, I will try it.

The only reservations for hotels I have made so far are for the first 4 days in Quito, and from December 23rd to December 26th in Cuenca. If you have any suggestions for a good route to follow, I’m all ears!

I would love to meet with you in Cotacatch if you’re not too busy at the time! I have been planning to come to Ecuador for 4 years now, and hope to move next summer when my boyfriend turns 62 and can collect SS. I can’t wait!!!!

I will check back with this forum soon; anxiously awaiting your reply, or the replies of anyone who can give input! Hotel recommendations are welcome!

Thank you,
EMoss

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