How to Spell Ecuador

Pro-Ecuador Reader Comment:
Just curious. Why do you spell Equador with a “c” instead of a “q” ?
Jason´s Response:
The Republic of Ecuador, or just Ecuador, is spelled with a “c” in Spanish. The name “Ecuador” comes from the word “equator” meaning “an imaginary line (or one drawn on a map etc) passing round the globe, [...]

Florida, Montana, or Ecuador???

I just finished talking to a friend in Montana, the land of cold, snow, and ice. He shared with us that he had just been delivered a wallop on the side of the head from the sub-prime real estate crisis.
Then he gave us a piece of news that was even more shocking to [...]

Rumble in the Jungle–A Must Read from Greg Palast

There is a battle going on in the Amazon Rain Forest that could change the dynamic between indigenous peoples and big business everywhere. Greg Palast is recognized as one of the best, perhaps the last great investigative journalist in the United States. Unfortunately, his work is rarely recognized by the U.S. mainstream media, [...]

Gifts For a Wedding in Ecuador

Pro-Ecuador Reader Question:
Last year my son married a lovely Ecuadorian young lady whose family is from Ambato, now they live in New Jersey. Her parents were unable to travel north for the ceremony. This year they have scheduled a ceremony to repeat their vows there and we would love to go and meet [...]

Lunch in Santo Domingo

Tania and I have been working hard lately so we decided to have lunch at the local mall. For $3.80 you can get a delicious chicken breast with fries (or yucca) and a salad. Excellent!
 
In just the past few years Santo Domingo, Ecuador, has received its first large grocery store, shopping mall, and a [...]

Quito Named #15 top places to Visit by NY Times

I visited Quito yesterday to do some shopping. The town was abuzz with the latest boost from the NY Times Travel section listing Quito as number 15 in the top 53 places to go in 2008. I met some friends and I swear, they had a new twinkle in their eyes as [...]

Ecuador Internet Connection Speeds Up!

I just received an unexpected call from Andinanet, my Internet service provider in Ecuador. Andinanet is having a promotion until the end of December whereby they will upgrade the speed of my current DSL connection from 256K/128K to 512K/128K at no additional charge.
I know, these speeds seem very slow compared to speeds in [...]

Ecuadorian balance of trade is positive or negative?

Pro-Ecuador reader comment:
Jason, here is a good article about inflation is the US. Do you know what the Ecuadorian balance of trade is? It is positive or a deficit? If it is positive, then it will not be hit as hard by inflation as if it is negative. Either way, Ecuadorian property is, as [...]

Hotel in the Galapagos?

Pro-Ecuador received the following question:
Hi Gary,

Do you know the best places to stay on the Galapagos islands without spending too much money? I really appreciate your help.The Pro-Ecuador response:
Santiago Guamani, the owner of Ecuador Amazing Tours, was just visiting us today here in Cotacachi. Santiago has been in the business [...]

Air Conditioning Not Required

Pro-Ecuador received the following question:
I’m interested in the possibility of moving to Ecuador & would like to find an area/elevation which does not require air conditioning, yet is within a reasonable distance to the coast where there is some good surfing spots. We’d like to be able to raise tropical fruit trees & have a [...]