½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Neil,
I'm really glad things are going so well for you. I think that's great. Yes I think I will love Cuenca once we get there and settled. We did make a two day trip there a few months ago during our trip to Quito. I liked what I saw but my wife still wasn't convinced but she's beginning to come around.

I may want to get with you later to get your advice on buying appliances and furniture.

Ray

Ray,
Happy to help in any way I can. The language is a struggle for me, but all in all, it's been a pretty sweet transition.
Get ahold of me prior to arrival.
Stay Well,
Neil

Neil,
Thanks, we may try to do this even sooner. My wife and I have been brainstorming to come up with a plan so we can get back sooner. One stickler is the visa situation. We used up two and half months of our free visa when we were there last spring. So therefore we need to try to take care of as much of the resident visa process here in the states as possible. I have an attorney in mind that I have read good things about so I am about to commit to use his services.

Ray,
I'm sure you know that the minute you submit your paperwork, the clock stops ticking. You should have plenty of time if you have all your docs in hand when you arrive. I think the atty. is a good idea, especially if you have time issues. I spent a half hour in the visa office, and a half hour in the cedula office. No frustrations what so ever. Visa approved in 2 weeks, cedula was 5 working days after applied for.
Good Luck to you both.
Neil

Zen, I have a question for you and Nards. Earlier, he made mention of the distance from his new residence and Park Calderon. I have heard others discuss their choice of where to live by it's proximity to Park Calderon. Why is that particular landmark of such interest? When I pull up a youtube video of the park, it appears to be a very small park, surrounded by congested streets, with barriers placed to keep people on pavement and not on grass. I don't see the attraction.

At lunch today. my wife and I discussed what we would look for in an area we'd want to live in. Because we would only have bikes and public transportation, we'd want to be within walking distance to a grocery store and restaurants. But equally important to us is to be a couple blocks from a large park or running trail. Like most people viewing pictures of Cuenca, we'd love to be within a block or two of the Tomebamba River, since it appears that we can go out on a 5-7 mile run along either side of it on a paved path. Then we'd try to find an apartment that is also close to restaurants, and along a bus line. My wife plays tennis, so she'd be looking for public courts or a nearby university with courts for her and maybe a running track for me. A large public park to walk the dogs in would be a bonus.

So, how did you chose where you wanted to live? Is Park Calderon centrally located? Did it factor into your calculations? Is it a great place for site-seeing? Are you and Nards international spies and that is where you go to meet other agents to get your orders? If you can't answer without having to kill me, just don't answer.

Hey Stranger,
Well, many people use Calderon as a center point. It is very rich in history, having The New Cathedral, and The Old right there. It is kinda thought of as the epicenter of Central. You are correct, the park itself is small, much like a town square that we are used to in the states. But, you can walk two blocks and be on the river also. You can run to your hearts content there. There is a strong biking community here, with many organized rides with police escorts. Ton's of bike stores. There is great eating in the area, and many rental properties also. I suggest it as a starting point for anyone visiting Cuenca. The tourist office is right there, and also the tour buses of the city.
As far as tennis is concerned, there is a huge public facility that is very close. I look directly down on it from my condo. Also, right next door to it, is an Olympic sized pool  that is open to the public as well.
All the things you mentioned as far as mercados, bus service, flower market, and open markets are located in the area.
Certainly there are other great areas in the city, but you can't beat it as a place to start your exploration of this beautiful city.
Best Wishes in your journey.
Neil
Ps. Nards and I quit killing people awhile ago. Hope I answered some of your questions.

Hi Zen - Bryan just emailed me to say Hi to you and let you know we will be arriving this Saturday in Cuenca.

I have NO IDEA how to PM - I see I have a few but can't figure out HOW to send one?

I left my email addy on the forum post "single lady..." if you want to send me an email or PM.

I will be there one month - We lived in Brazil so my Portuguese is better than my spanish - so I am sure that my "talking" will be mixed spanish/portuguese LOL - but I am a great "Pant-o-mimer" (yes I did it that way as I sometimes move so much that I do end up panting)!LOL

Hope to meet you while visiting Cuenca! Pam

Hey Pam,
To PM someone, just click on the persons name in the post, or like on my goofy picture. Then you will see their  profile. Under the person pic, you'll see a heading for PM, or Send Message. Just click on that and you're in.
And yes, I just got an email from Bryan telling me of your arrival.
I'll PM you my info.
Safe Travels
Neil
PS. To read your messages, just click on " In Box" at the top of this page once you have signed in.

My new home away from home: the mall del rio.



Since I still don't have any appliances, I come here once or twice a day, not only for meals, but to use the free internet. While it was an impulse purchase at $143 (used) and wasn't sure I would use it, I am glad I purchased a . It cost me $32 in shipping to send it over here. A couple of expats told me that they that hadn't shipped any electronics over here because they were worried they would get ripped off during shipment.  I tell them I have bought a small tv, tablets, a mini PC, a Chromebook,shoes, clothes, books et al without problem.  Econcargo provides tracking of the packages and insures up to $200 per shipment.

P.S.
Zenspike, what brand applicances did you buy and what did you pay.  You can PM me or share it with the peeps if you like. I am probably going to buy the for my stove and fridge. My ex-Ecuadorian neighbor swears it is a a good brand, plus it is much cheaper.

Nards,
I pretty much went with LG brand appliance.
Refer, side by side, stainless LG
Washer  LG, top load, large capacity
Dryer   Whirlpool  large capacity
Micro   Panasonic
Total cost at about 2,700.00
These were all delivered and set up.
I got my stereo system, vacuum, and 3 televisions from the same vendor.
If you are interested in the additional costs hit me up.
I was very satisfied with the product, and service.
I was passing by the  store, and  had checked out stereo systems, walked in and purchased one from them. The son put the system in his truck on the spot, drove me to my place, and hooked up the system to connect with my t.v.. They also mounted my t.v's wall mounts as part of the purchase.
Very satisfied!!!!
Stay WELL,
Neil

WOW Neil, 3 tv's.  Is that to watch the Vikings, Packers and Bears all at once?  Sounds like fun Sundays.

My husband will be glued to the Packers - what can I say - from Wisc LOL

ZenSPIKE wrote:

Nards,
I pretty much went with LG brand appliance.
Refer, side by side, stainless LG
Washer  LG, top load, large capacity
Dryer   Whirlpool  large capacity
Micro   Panasonic
Total cost at about 2,700.00
These were all delivered and set up.
I got my stereo system, vacuum, and 3 televisions from the same vendor.
If you are interested in the additional costs hit me up.
I was very satisfied with the product, and service.
I was passing by the  store, and  had checked out stereo systems, walked in and purchased one from them. The son put the system in his truck on the spot, drove me to my place, and hooked up the system to connect with my t.v.. They also mounted my t.v's wall mounts as part of the purchase.
Very satisfied!!!!
Stay WELL,
Neil

You covered everything but the stove and oven. You must have one of those fancy built-ins that was included in the purchase. Not only do I have to buy a stove/oven, but had to buy on-demand hot water heater.  It is going to take time to getting used to having to wait for hot water to come out out of the freaking spigot in the bunker. Living in a Trump-style luxury apartment like Zenspike, with its big boilers, definitely has its advantages.

Speaking of football, Don Colon said his bar is going to be the place to watch American football. Apparently he is taking down the tv that was on the wall and will put it behind the bar.

Nards Barley wrote:

Speaking of football, Don Colon said his bar is going to be the place to watch American football. Apparently he is taking down the tv that was on the wall and will put it behind the bar.

Only one TV?  Not exactly a sports bar.

Mugs,
Naw, you ain't gonna catch me watching The Pack nor the Bears. Grrr!!!
There is a new doggle that Google Chrome has out that allows you to watch ALL US stations at no cost. Very cool. I just got a VPN installed yesterday that shows me as in FL.
Stay Well!!
Neil

mugtech wrote:

Nards Barley wrote:

Speaking of football, Don Colon said his bar is going to be the place to watch American football. Apparently he is taking down the tv that was on the wall and will put it behind the bar.

Only one TV?  Not exactly a sports bar.

The Inca Lounge runs 4 t.v.'s , all the games. Just make sure you get there early, the joint is jumpin' on Sundays!!!!

Oh, it's a fancy pants joint for sure. It came with the oven and cook top, and...... a garbage disposal. The boiler system is very cool. You can take a scalding hot shower for an hour if you want. It is odd though in that you get immediate hot water at the washer and showers, but at the sinks you have to run it for a couple of minutes before you get the hot water. Can't figger that out?
Going to San Sabas tonight for the big dance. You might consider? We'll be there around 7:00 ish.
How about these last couple of days? Just beautiful. I had some folks over last night, and we hit the terrace. Totally clear night sky, stars and moon, and of course the obligatory fire works.
I'm off now to read on the terrace and soak up some sun.
I'm lovin' it.
Stay Well,
Neil

I'm so envious! Lol
Really happy for you.

Thanks Ray,
It's a work in progress. I just got a call that my fireplace surround will be delivered tomorrow. It was actually done about 10 days early!
Life is good!
Hope to meet soon.
Neil

mappam wrote:

My husband will be glued to the Packers - what can I say - from Wisc LOL

Boo!!!!
Who would have ever thought that Favre would have played for the Vikes?!!?
See you soon!
Neil

Mappam:

Would love to hear your husband's opinion of the cheese in Ecuador.

He's from Wisconsin.....
What would he know of cheese? < GRIN >

Anyone recognize the background in the photo where the Frugals are standing standing on some balcony?

ZenSPIKE wrote:

Going to San Sabas tonight for the big dance. You might consider? We'll be there around 7:00 ish.

Thanks, but I was flat on my back from mental exhaustion.  Trying to make decisions on furnishings does that to me.

"When a financial institution goes down, it isn't the rich that get reimbursed first.  It's the poor, disabled, elderly, and people with low balances."

That moronic uninformed statement comes from none other than Dano, the Aaah Cuenca Blogger. That is about as dumb deficient as the Captivating Cuenca blogger stating that Coopera was backed by real assets.

If they (the govt liquidators) were truly evaluating a person's total financial situation instead of making subjective judgments based on the amounts deposited, I might agree with it.

I guess there will be of Coopera as some hoped.

La principal responsabilidad es del depositante que tiene que saber dónde colocar su dinero”, dijo Correa.

The principle responsibility is that of the despositor who has to know where to put his money, said Correa.

I found about the sending of a used, 5+ pound, donated laptop, with a approximate value of $450 through Club Correos quite interesting. Apparently the shipper, a friend, inserted a bogus $200 receipt into the box.  They aren't sure what the exactly shipping weight was of the package.

However, The cost of the shipping between Miami and Guayaquil was $45.74 which corresponds exactly to a shipping weight of 8.8 pounds if we use the .

Therefore, we can probably assume that they were charged a customs duty based on the assigned value of the laptop by the customs agent, and that it exceeded $400, but we don't have the breakdown.

In order to get an idea of how long customs held up the package, it would be interesting to know how many days it took to arrive to Cuenca.

In conclusion, it seems you can ship used items here through Club Correos, that weren't purchased through a online retail store, as long your shipper fabricates some invoice. The worst thing that can happen is that they intercept the package in customs in Guayaquil and assess customs duties based on what they consider the real value.

What we don't know however from this story, is whether Club Correoos in Miami would have forwarded the package if weighed over 8.8 pounds. I assume they would.

P.S.
After 3.5 hours in the Mall del Rio(Rio Tarqui that is), this mall rat is signing off.

ZenSpike:   What is the name of the condo you live in?

It sounds like it might be up my alley. I plan on being in Ecuador in April or May 2014 (possibly earlier if my residency visa comes through before and I can establish a rental).

Also, does your condo have a gas fireplace?

If not, how do you manage to keep your place at a comfortable living temp when the temp is down to between 11 (51.8 F) and 14 (57.2 F) degrees C?

It is a daunting task, indeed. I'm still not done, but all the major pieces are in place. No art as yet, and some misc. end tables and such still needed.
They did deliver my fireplace surround, looks like good craftsmanship. The stone comes in on Monday, then have to schedule the guy that does the application. He's an architectural student, and I've seen his work. Pretty skilled.
Good Luck.... deep breath.... stress relief!
Stay Well,
Neil

ZenSPIKE wrote:

Mugs,
I just got a VPN installed yesterday that shows me as in FL.

What VPN service do you use?

Hmmm ... I wonder what's in that link that it got the guy banned. In any case, I'm not going to click it. But if you're going to ban him, wouldn't it also make sense to remove the link?

Mike,
Sorry I just saw your post.
The name of my building is El Rocio.
My unit did not come with a fireplace. Usually, only the older homes have them. I had a fireplace surround built for the living area, which is one of those fake log looking deals. It does look nice. < Home Vega carries them >
For the bedrooms, I added space heaters. And yes, it can get pretty chilly when you get up to hit the head in the middle of the night!!!!
You can find an assortment of propane gas, and electric heaters at a store called Kiwi. ,
< something about propane in my bedroom didn't set well with me>
I prefer the electric, and that's what I went with. They are pretty reasonably priced.
Stay Well,
Neil
Ps.  VPN? I just threw the box out, but there is a local Geek that set me up. Very good at his job. I can hook you up with him. I can look it up and get back to you.

I wonder if it was the same GI Joe Marine pilot that was ready to kick my ass? You remember, the guy I called " Suit "
What my crew used to call a " Key Board Commando"
I was scared to death!!!!!!!!!

BobH wrote:

Hmmm ... I wonder what's in that link that it got the guy banned. In any case, I'm not going to click it. But if you're going to ban him, wouldn't it also make sense to remove the link?

Now the whole post is gone, so my comment looks a bit strange.

Of course, there are those who would say that most of my comments are strange.

ZenSPIKE wrote:

Mike,
For the bedrooms, I added space heaters. And yes, it can get pretty chilly when you get up to hit the head in the middle of the night!!!!

How is the inside temperature in the morning when you get up? Is it reasonably comfortable?

Also, if it is so chilly wouldn't it be better to search out another area of Ecuador like Cumbaya (apparently it is supposed to be a little warmer there)?

Or, perhaps there are significant reasons to accept the coolness inconvenience enough to want to continue living in Cuenca. Could you elaborate?

ZenSPIKE wrote:

Also, if it is so chilly wouldn't it be better to search out another area of Ecuador like Cumbaya (apparently it is supposed to be a little warmer there)?

Too late. He is locked in.  Besides, the mornings are mild compared to what he is used to in Sota.

Folks mentioned it was 57F in their bedrooms upon waking up in the morning in July.

mugtech wrote:

Folks mentioned it was 57F in their bedrooms upon waking up in the morning in July.

That sounds about right. That is why it is nice to have windows facing east to receive morning sun.  The bunker does not, but then again, bunkers aren't built for comfort.

mugtech wrote:

Folks mentioned it was 57F in their bedrooms upon waking up in the morning in July.

Yowww!!! That's a bit cold (inside) for me. God forbid if the power goes out. I wouldn't want to get out of bed!

Seriously though, why not move to a warmer place like Cumbaya? Is Cumbaya not a desirable place to live?

If not Cumbaya, perhaps another place but not at sea level as that is a bit too warm. Boy am I being picky!!!!

Do the hardware stores there have timers, like some folks use in the US to set their lights to go on and off when they're away?

I've thought that might be a good approach to the problem of cold mornings -- set a timer on the bedroom space heater for 30 minutes before I plan to get up.

Maybe I will bring a couple with me, just in case. Or maybe it won't be that big a problem.