[SUZAN HASKINS]

I’ll dig up that number for you. I had my curtains made. Bought the fabric in Otavalo — there are several fabric stores there and I found a seamstress in Cotacachi to make them. There is also a guy named Cesar in Otavalo who does high-tech shades and window treatments. I’ll find that number for you as well.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

I’m the type who doesn’t have the time or inclination to take a bus when I am traveling with my luggage, and I think $30 for a taxi that drives you from the airport into Quito is a bargain in my view. That’s the going rate from the airport to the heart of Quito. (You may pay more if you are going to one extreme or other of the city. And hotels always add a surcharge. And thank goodness we’re not all attracted to the same places, huh?

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Many expats in Cotacachi drink the water, but word to the wise: if you are a traveler, the last thing you want to do is ruin your trip by getting sick. Drink the bottled water until and unless you rent a place. Then find out what your neighbors do. By the way, I won’t drink the water in the States any more either…

[SUZAN HASKINS]

“Good” furniture is in the eye of the buyer, I think. There is a furniture and appliance store on the corner of 10 de agosto across at the traffic light across from the mercado/bus station in Cotacachi. I know some people who have purchased furniture there and been pleased. There are actually several small shops in Cotacachi that sell furniture. Pop into any of them as you are walking around town and see what you think.

If you walk from the bus station in Otavalo to Plaza de Ponchos you should walk by several furniture stores. I don’t know how great the quality is at these places. You’ll have to take a look and see what you think.

Personally, we had almost all of our furniture made by local craftsmen. Adobe Made is one company that many expats use and they made our dining table and chairs. They have an office next to Cafe Lafayette in the big plaza with the mural on Bolivar Street. We also used a local carpenter named Carlos to make our bar stools, bed frame, dressers, coffee and incidental tables. He speaks only Spanish but is very easy to deal with. I can send along his tel # if you like… just let me know? There is also a man named Hugo that made our couch. Ask some of the other expats how to find him… he has moved several times. While he did a good job for us he was not too reliable for our neighbor.

Finally, there are loads of furniture shops in San Antonio de Ibarra — mostly Ecuador-style stuff. And the upscale modern stores in Quito… and they’ll deliver for a reasonable price. (We bought our sofa bed from Colineal, across the street from the Swissotel.)

[SUZAN HASKINS]

If you have a phone number, you might try calling. That’s usually the best way to get a timely response.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Gerald, email Santiago Andrade and he can give you a definitive answer: santiago1397@gmail.com.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

I don’t play but I understand there are tennis courts at the Hotel Santa Fe. I’ve not seen them so I don’t know what condition they are in, unfortunately.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

There are buses and shuttles. The bus station is across the street from the airport. That’s your least-costly option. Or you can hire a taxi or private driver.

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Hi Mac, I am so glad you enjoyed Ecuador. No, I don’t know any expats… on this forum or any other that I monitor… that live in Riobamba. But if you like it, that shouldn’t stop you. Just know that it could get a bit lonely without any fellow English speakers to interact with and to use as resources about how to get things done. That’s one of the benefits of living in a place with a sizable community of expats. That doesn’t mean you can’t be the pioneers. I think one of the drawbacks of Riobamba is that it’s a bit far from the high-tech health care services offered in the larger cities (you can’t fly there and the drive time is longer than most are comfortable with).

[SUZAN HASKINS]

I have both a Capital One checking account (that my ATM card is attached to) and a Capital One credit card. I have no problem with them being online only. That’s how they keep their service charges low. They have the same FDIC insurance as any other bank.

I don’t have an Ecuador bank account. I see no reason to have one, although some people do. (I’m trying to simplify my life, not complicate it.) And I still have my hometown bank account in Omaha.

In my opinion, there’s really no way to disentangle from the US tax system except by renouncing your citizenship and I would never do that. The only people I know who would even consider that are multi-billionaires. That’s definitely not me. 🙂

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Contact Jack Abercrombie:

Mobile Phones
+1 770-828-7913
+593 2-349-0348
+1 770-872-4104
Other Phones
+593 98 806 6508 Work
+593 98 743 3009 Work
Address
Jorge Washington 311 y Leonidas Plaza
Lat: 00.00.00.05
Quito, Ecuador
Neighborhood N. Quito
Screen Names
jack.abercrombie(Skype)
jackabercrombie1492@yahoo.com(Yahoo! Messenger)
jackabercrombie@hotmail.com(Windows Live Messenger)
journeymanjack.com@gmail.com(Google Talk)
Website
http://journeymanjack.com/
http://catmandotractores.com/
http://www.extrememachinery.com/
Email
journeymanjack@facebook.com
journeymanjack.com@gmail.com
jackabercrombie1492@yahoo.com

[SUZAN HASKINS]

Right — the web guy tells me he tried to recreate the problems but couldn’t, so maybe it was just an early-on glitch. I didn’t realize there were “speed” problems with the site… but then again, I am in Ecuador where life just moves slower. 🙂

[SUZAN HASKINS]

The wind wasn’t right when I was there, but I was invited to go with Pete Stromberg in Canoa on the coast. Here’s his website: http://www.canoathrills.com

[SUZAN HASKINS]

I’ll send this thread along to our web guy and see if he can get to the bottom of this. THANKS!

[SUZAN HASKINS]

I think the weather satellite picks up Quito weather, perhaps. I’m sure it rains in Ecuador somewhere every day… but not everywhere, of course. If you are going to Cuenca, I’d def pack some close-toed shoes, a sweater or jacket and a small umbrella. And a hat… never go out, rain or sun, without a hat. The suns rays are very strong here.

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