[MICHAEL SYLVESTER]

We were in Ecuador (Quito, Cuenca and Galapogos) July 3rd through the 12th. My son and I took evening walks in both Quito and Cuenca and felt as safe as we feel in Loveland, Ohio. This feeling might’ve been enhanced by what I considered a formidable police presence, far exceeding what you’d probably experience in most U.S. cities. I think that preventive police work is always preferable to post-crime cleanup.

I felt like a kid at Disney World during my visit to Ecuador. The climate, by my standards, is fabulous…mid-70’s with NO humidity and NO bugs. It seemed very affordable and, like anywhere you go, this affordability surely improves exponentially as one becomes more familiar with the terrain. The Ecuadorians struck me as delightfully friendly, hard-working and very serious about their faith. If you like mountains, Ecuador is for you…breathtaking! If I were single – and that ship sailed 39 years ago! – I’d be there tomorrow. Temporarily suspending my Rosetta Stone course, I’ve now begun in earnest the study of hypnosis…details to follow.

[MICHAEL SYLVESTER]

False alarm, Suzan. Eerily, just hours after I asked you for another name he responded to my wife’s email. You’re good: Problem solving via mental telepathy!

[MICHAEL SYLVESTER]

Thanks, Suzan(and Bobby)…I’ll “take one for the team” and try them all!

[MICHAEL SYLVESTER]

Thanks, Bobby…or, perhaps we should wait to formally thank you until after we’ve eaten it 🙂

[MICHAEL SYLVESTER]

Thank you, Suzan!

[MICHAEL SYLVESTER]

Thanks, Suzan! Having lived in Italy for 17 years (’74-’91), I’m amazed to hear of the technological compatibilities between Ecuador and the U.S. The availability of American TV and movies will enhance my position on the pro/con list my wife and I are compiling in regards to potential expatriation. I’m not doing a home run trot just yet, but I’ve at least made it to the on-deck circle!

[MICHAEL SYLVESTER]

I suppose my question would be: Do Dish and Direct TV even exist anywhere in Ecuador?

[MICHAEL SYLVESTER]

Here’s a question: Can U.S. appliances/electronics work in Ecuador without transformers and/or rewiring? We lived in Italy for 17 years and quickly found that both the voltages and the cycles are different in Europe, thereby assuring that eventually anything brought from the U.S. would be rendered unusable.

[MICHAEL SYLVESTER]

Thanks for the sound advice, Edd. I figured that after 39 years of marriage, it just MIGHT be my turn to get my way! Yeah, I know, it might also take another 39 years until I’m officially able to high-five myself! Anyway, the trip will prove eventful either way. A country club could well be the carrot I’ll need as bait for my ‘trap’, so exploring that option will be a wise investment of time. My ultimate trump cards, of course, might well prove to be my son and daughter-in-law. Were they to suddenly embrace the idea of retirement at 31 years of age, the plot would thicken immeasurably. Either way, I’ve had this thing for Ecuador for years now and can only hope that we’ll both go away at least somewhat intrigued by the idea of one day relocating. We spent 17 years (1974-1991) in Italy while I played professional basketball, so overseas living should not frighten us. Thanks again for your insights.

[MICHAEL SYLVESTER]

My wife and I, along with our son and daughter-in-law, will land in Quito this July 3rd. Our first day will be spent with a driver, sight-seeing as well as exploring some of the most notable gated communities. The Quito golf club will also be on our list. Can you possibly save us some time by offering your own personal suggestions as to which gated communities are considered the best values? The names of your 2-3 favorite restaurants would also be appreciated. I believe that my wife’s feigned enthusiasm regarding this trip has been motivated by the hope that, once having seen Ecuador, I’ll finally cease talking about it. I suspect – and hope – that she will be proven wrong. Many thanks in advance for your valuable insights.
— Mike Sylvester

[MICHAEL SYLVESTER]

We fly into Quito July 3rd and will take an entire day (with driver) exploring the various gated communities with an eye toward one day retiring there.  Any suggestions for our 1-day fact-finding mission?

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