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an intentional community in south Ecuador |
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Our assessment of the last two year in Ecuador—Part I |
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Our assessment of the last two years in EcuadorBy members of the Los Visionarios an intentional community in south Ecuador July 2001
Following is a description of what we like and we do not like about living in Ecuador. This might enlighten you better if you are considering moving here.
The country over all is breathtakingly beautiful; it is mountains and rolling hills with micro climates and large valleys in between. Ecuador is a model biosphere of the Earth and world center of natural biological diversity. Twenty-five of the earth's 30 life zones are represented in Ecuador, a country of only 106,000 sq. miles (274,540 sq. km.), about the size of the state of Colorado. (USA)
The weatherEvery climatic type from tropic to arctic, and from desert to pluvial is found in Ecuador, with altitudes ranging from sea level to alpine. You can pick the weather you like the most just by picking an altitude; for example we chose 6000 feet, at this altitude the weather remains in the 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit all year round. There is a rainy and a dried season. In the rainy season it may rain for several days at a time and be a bit cloudy but not so much as not being able to get plenty of sun and/or sunlight; then there is the dry and windy at times season; it may go on for up to three months with no rain. If you like it hotter or colder, beaches or jungle; all you have to do is go visit a nearby city/area. It can go as high as 90 and as low as 40 more or less; all within a few hours drive.
BIOCLIMATIC REGIONS IN ECUADOR LIFE ZONES OR PLANT FORMATIONS IN ECUADOR
The peopleTo us the most important reason for being in Ecuador is the people; let us give you some examples; there are many very nice people who have offered their help without asking nor expecting anything in return, they just keep on giving selfishlessly.
When we first got to Loja we were introduced to a couple in their thirties; they helped us on a daily basis for months; when we needed to buy something, they were there to take us to the stores; when we asked where is a hotel, they said you can stay here with us; when we were in town and asked for directions to a restaurant, they said come eat at our home; another examples, we needed a place to stay for a month, one of our neighbors found out, he came and said here are the keys to our new house we just built, you can stay for as long as you need to, so we did.
Later on we decided to move to Loja while we looked for land all over Ecuador for our intentional Community ; then two ladies took us all over the city until we found a place, just in the name of friendship. When we needed an Internet account, the brother of one of these same ladies offered his, now keep in mind this required trust, cause his account cost $2.00 per hour, which we had to keep track off on and honor system and pay him. We have remained friends up to day; even though we do not use his account anymore.
Another great example of friendship is a familiy that we have become very good friends with. They are a couple in there sixties and their son, wife and children. They knew we were new in the area and wanted to buy land; they made sure all of our negotiation went smooth; in fact one of them negotiated the purchase agreement for us. They gave us keys to one of there homes, which we occasionally used; they made sure we were always invited to all their family affairs/reunions/parties/etc., They are always there when we need them, to them we have become just another members of their family and to us they are like family also, when we go to their home we feel just as if we were in our own.
When the banking/financial problem happened, we got credit at approximately six retail stores; this without even asking, many of these people have become friends, many of then have invited us into their homes for lunch, dinners, etc.
On the mind stimulating aspect (this is something some of you have asked), there is the veterinarian doctor, a highly educated person, who has managed to complete a doctorate degree in medicine (eight plus years in the university) in his early twenties, when it comes to stimulating conversation there are few that can top this fellow, as you may guess such a mind stimulating person must know others; in fact he does, He introduced us to a parapsychologist who perhaps is one of the most highly educated persons we have ever met. We have spent many hours in long stimulating conversations. Another person that we have become very close friends with is an attorney. We have spent many days sharing knowledge with this now good friend, needless to say, you can guess where we stay when we are in town; he has introduced us to many other interesting people, such as three generals, several colonels, numerous other top government officials and private executives; all of which we had a very pleasant time speaking with.
When we go to Quito for example, we stay at friends and/or families house, talk about hospitality, it is so generous that at times it becomes a bit annoying, for example it is assumed that if you are staying in their home that you will be having dinner with them; therefore they may prepare something special to eat; So if you go out to have dinner thinking on not imposing; then get to their home and there is food on the table, now you are in trouble. You say no thanks we are full, they say but we did it especially for you! Now you know how much of a fool you were by eating out and you also learn that next time you go out let them know you are not going to come eat.
Here is yet another great experience we have had, one day while the banking problem was taking place, we were very concerned that we had almost no cash at all, and over 40 workers on our pay roll; basically we were going to be broke for a month until we would find a solution to our finances. Here came a fellow neighbor who has introduced us to a few thers others, he just showed up and said, you know I think the two of you should meet; I know you both and it seems to me like you would make good friends. This has happened a few times. This early morning he had a great surprise, he came with this chemical engineer who specializes in mining, we started talking and within an hour he says, is there something bothering you and we said yeeees; he said what is it? Perhaps we can come back some other time; we said no it is ok, what’s bothering us is that we have to decide today to let go all of our workers or where to get a short term loan because the banks are closed and we are broke. He said no your not; when we finish talking come over to my home and we will lend you all you need; now we are about to become business partners, in fact we hope that him, his wife and daughter will be joining us in the near future.
Some may be insulted if they read this, because we did not mention them. The list is much longer, these are only about half the stories, part of the other half is from foreigners that have relocated here for the same reasons, we know people from Italy, USA, France, Canada, Uruguay, Germany, Austria, Mexico, Peru, Holland and some even from other planets J.
Any time we have a bad day, which only have been a few here, we think about these people and we have a smile on our faces. We know that this is just the beginning, and why we are living here; we have no desire to be any where else; in fact if we had all the money in the world we would probable stay right here, were else would we find such good friends.
EducationThe more we search this subject the more we like what is available. Over all we are of the opinion that education in almost all the schools in the world leave a lot to be desired and Ecuador is no different, but when it comes to universities we must tell you that they have a very nice one in Loja, it is called “Universidad Tecnica Particular de Loja”, We have been there a few times and we must say is nothing like what we expected, this university is quite modern, with the latest in equipment, and scientific research and investigation departments. The computer department for example is up to date with the latest. This is not your average university, here a student has to work, not just study, each department is a company on its own, they have from research department to production facilities, 90% of the student education is financed by these student ran operations. An alternative school is available near us for small children, it is owned by a French couple, they do an excellent job teaching children ages 4-10.
HappinessIf there were such technology that one could measure happiness per capita we are willing to bet that people here are much happier than most of the industrialized world. Yes they do not have the large screen TV, nor a car, or refrigerator, etc. But we can tell you that most do have a genuine smile on their faces, something that we know most North Americans do not.
Business opportunitiesAnother thing that we like very much is that business opportunities are plentiful and not just for profit, but areas such as education, ecological and tourism. There are many foundations throughout the world who are willing to donate funds for project such as libraries, schools, agricultural education, farming, hospitals, roads, communication equipment, even airplanes for rural access; Carbon Credit emissions, etc. In the businesses area there are opportunities like nowhere else. It is just a matter of focusing on one or two at a time. You could keep it simply and just run a small farm or you could start a modern complex production facility, there is room for many new businesses. Do not misunderstand us; we have nothing against ecological or green business enterprises; other than the underground issues of using money; which we disagree with and is not about to change in the near future. What is important is to do these businesses in a way that not only does minimal ecological impact but that actually improves the ecology. There are great opportunities in farming, agriculture, waste disposal, mining, wood furniture making, eco-tourism, even for a new brick factory, get your foot in the door of a mining opportunity and you will be rich in a few years. You can choose to donate a percentage of your profits to any of the local ecological foundations that operate in LOJA.
Shopping and Cost of livingShopping malls and shopping in general? Well let us tell you there are bigger, more modern, better stock, with lower prices, than in most cities in the USA, we know we have visited many of them. Other shopping, autos, electronics, etc are about the same, in some cases even lower prices, we think that about 50% or more of what you can get in the USA, you can get it here locally. The other items are on the Internet you can other them online and get it in the mail, Federal Express, UPS, etc. Yes it will cost you a bit more in transportation cost, but look at the other side, how much do you pay for all you other daily expenses. Now on that subject, we have been paying for a simply studio apartment $14 per month, and apartment goes for $30-50 a real nice house for $200-300, maid $50-70 per month, just to give you some ideas. Prices are going up and will continue to go up; we have no idea how much and by when; the fact is that the country uses now the US Dollar. An average worker gets paid $25 per week and skilled worker $50 to $60.
What we do not likeIn the rural areas is difficult to make a phone call, there are few phones, a fax is nearly impossible to send or receive, no cellular phone service, but this may all be history within the next two to three years, On September, 2000 a new law was passed that prohibits monopoly of communication businesses and opens free market competition in the communication sector, we are actively working on solving this problem, by subscribing to satellite communication service, which is now available. We have Internet service via satellite in our home; and a good possibility for a business Roads; they are in bad conditions, but steadily improving, some are as good as they can get, but these are few and mostly in or near the big cities.
Other things we wish were available are, helicopter ambulance service; well equipped hospitals; and good potable water system in the rural areas. There are expensive air-ambulance service available and good services overall, but in the main cities.
We will skipped armed robberies (they happened mostly in Big Cities such as Quito and Guayaquil and of course, thanks to the US government and foreign policy, due to the Plan Colombia and the spraying of harmful chemicals, that they could not sell elsewhere, now the border is also a dangerous place to be at in the AMAZON area) Alcohol drinking addiction is present and higher in the indigenous communities. Petty theft is a cultural habit. Give or take a few examples it is about the same as anywhere else in the world. Keep also in mind that going to the coast touristy area is not the same as living in a rural area, in the coastal area there are many crime related problems. Where we are at everyone knows each other and it is very safe.
The big cities have many of the same problems as any other big city in the world; we are at least six -hour drive from any big metropolitan city.
Another thing we do not like is that people have abused nature due to lack of education, ecological consciousness and economical problems. They cut down forests due to old and outdated government policy and continue to do so. This is changing and continuing to improve, but the fact remains that it is a visible damage as you drive though the country, reforestation is a must do project and it is being done, but very slowly. We are the founders of Fundación Condorhuana the foundations goals are to correct and improve some of these issues.
Poverty is abundant, there are many poor people, some are not conformed about their poor living conditions, but most are happy with what they got. In the agricultural areas, at least they plant and eat of their crops and do not go hungry as in the big cities.
Most any high-tech thing you may want, takes more time to get. Before the Internet was available we used to miss many things like a good English book store or library, but now with the Internet who cares; we can order it and get it in the mail in two weeks, or pay extra and get it in three days. The Internet changes a lot what you can get or not in here.
Good paying jobs are not available, on the other hand business opportunities abound. More than ten percent of the Ecuadorian have left the country in search of good paying jobs elsewhere. This is a unfortunate situation, being a country that has so many natural resources and opportunities. The short version of this story is that a hand full of criminals from a hand full of families have literally stolen a large portion of the countries funds, leaving the country with no financial back-bone to stimulate economy and since people have one too many children there is a demand for more and better jobs.
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