Yoga is immensely valuable for balancing all areas of life and connecting to the Source, or what some call God.  Living from that connection brings greater physical and mental health, serenity and acceptance. In addition to the upcoming Anusara Yoga two-day workshop January 17 & 18 with B. J. Galvan, two other forms of yoga are being taught in Cotacachi by very qualified teachers.

Deborah’s Hatha Yoga Classes

Deborah Miller, certified Hatha Yoga instructor, is now offering free Hatha Yoga classes in Cotacachi.  She will only be in Cotacachi for two more weeks, so take advantage of her expertise to learn yoga or hone your existing skills.  Deborah will return to Cotacachi in the middle of February to continue her courses. 

Her classes, suitable for all levels, are:
Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the home of Jeannette Mino.  You can reach Deborah at:  06 291 5753

Deborah studies ayurvedic medicine with Dr. Vasant Lad in Puna, India, and in the U.S. and is an ayurvedic consultant. She and her husband Leslie Payne are both long-time meditators and yoga practitioners who have bought a condo in Primavera II.  They intend to live part-time in Cotacachi and in India.

It’s been such a pleasure to spend time with them, listening to heavenly Indian chanting and sacred music and sipping Deborah’s equally heavenly chai.

Kundalini Yoga with Marcelo Carillo

Three weeks ago Gary came home jazzed about the Kundalini Yoga class he had attended.  The class has been organized by Jeannette Miro.  She is very passionate about yoga and has arranged for a teacher, Marcelo Carrillo from Cayambe, to give classes each Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at her Cotacachi home.  The class lasts about 1 ½  hours and the cost is $5 per class.

Kundalini, the yoga of awareness, comes from the Sanskrit word, kund, “to burn” and from kunda, “to coil.”  The kundalini energy is seen as a coiled serpent that lies at the base of the spine.  When this energy is awakened through yogic practice, it rises up the spine through the chakras, or body centers, helping to develop greater intuition, creativity and mental clarity.

Kundalini Yoga focuses on breath, mantras and specific postures to awaken the kundalini energy.  While it is somewhat strenuous, it is easily adapted for beginners.

Contact Jeannette Mino for details, directions or further info at:
creolejm@uio.satnet.net
cel  099 723988

We are excited that other yoga practitioners are now infusing Cotacachi with their loving, giving energies, offering different forms of yoga for those who want to learn this ancient art.  We are especially pleased to announce a two-day: 

Anusara Yoga Workshop

Well-known USA certified yoga teacher  B. J. Galvan is the instructor for the first event to be held at Lueva  Retreat and Spa in several years.  The peaceful 12-acre Lueva is a perfect location for this type of program.  Jeannette Mino, an Ecuadorian who divides her time between Quito and Cotacachi is arranging the event. 

Dates:

Sat.  Jan 17  from 09:00 to 13:00, plus evening master class from 17:00 to 19:00
Sun.  Jan 18  from 09:00 to 13:00

Cost :
US$ 45 for one-day workshop

US$  80 for the two-day workshop
US$ 15 for the master class Saturday afternoon
US$ 90 for the complete package (workshop +  master class)

Yoga beginners are welcome. 
 
Transportation to and from Lueva will be available at San Francisco Park, by the church and Banco del Pichincha.  Pickup time will be  at 8:30 a.m. sharp for drop-off at Lueva, with return to Banco del Pichincha  provided after workshops/class.  Cost is $1 each way.

Please bring your own yoga mat, a blanket, a bottle of water, and an open HEART!

For more information or to register, contact: Jeannette Mino
creolejm@uio.satnet.net
cel  099 723988

Anusara  means “flowing with Grace,” or, “following your heart.” Anusara Yoga is a very popular form of hatha yoga, developed by John Friend in 1997.  It seeks to unify the Tantric philosophy of the inherent goodness in all people and things with Universal Principles of Alignment.  The spiritual principles of Anusara Yoga celebrate beauty, the heart, truth and the creative freedom of the Divine in everything.

 “Everyone is aligned with the truth that Grace plays the key role in the successful flow of their practice, classes, and the community itself. Without a rigid dogma, the system is open to continual change and restructuring. Self-examination, discovery, and receptivity to new ideas are foundational to this dynamic system.”  Quote from the Anusara Yoga website. 
www.anusara.com

We hope you can join us for this rare opportunity to study with B. J. Galvan.  We are grateful for your help in passing on this information to your friends and anyone else who might be interested in attending the workshop.

About B.J. Galvan:

B. J., a fitness instructor and personal trainer for 15 years, is a Certified Anusara Yoga teacher as well as a Certified HypnoBirthing® Practitioner and Reiki Master.  She has had a consistent practice since 1999.

After studying Astanga Yoga for two years, B.J. felt drawn to Anusara Yoga.  She has traveled throughout the U.S., Australia, and Europe, studying with, apprenticing, and assisting master yoga teacher and founder of Anusara, John Friend. 

B. J. is currently giving immersions and workshops in Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Buenos Aires.  An Anusara Yoga South America Tour with John Friend is being announced for November, 2009.

“Anusara yoga isn’t what I do, it’s how I live, who I am. It’s aligning with, trusting and celebrating the Energy beating our hearts, growing the trees, shining the sun. It’s immersing myself in the magic of the Flow.”   B.J. Galvan

For further information about  B.J. go to this website at heart core yoga.

Watch this blog for more opportunities to explore Yoga in Ecuador.

Today, we have proof! Kristen and Frank, two temporary Cotacachi residents from Portland, OR, made the trip from Ibarra to the Columbia border at Tulcan, crossed the border, stayed over night, and returned the next day with a renewed 90-day Ecuador tourist visa stamped in their passports.

“It was easy,”  Kristen said, ” the least investment of time and money, and a perfectly pleasant experience! We never felt threatened, on the contrary, the people were friendly, the 100,000 population city of Ipiales, about three kilometers inside Columbia, was a colonial delight, and our $13 hotel had one of the best breakfasts we have had on our trip.”

“There were no negative vibs,” added Frank.  “We were certainly monitoring the situation due to all the things we had heard about Columbia, but there were no bad vibes at all.”

The bus trip from Ibarra took about 2 1/2 hours and cost $2.50 each.  All in all, the entire trip cost them $38, for transportation, food, hotel and snacks. The only surprise on the trip was that they had to stay over night, and they had not prepared for this.  An overnight stay was required by the Ecuador immigration officers.

Stay tuned to this blog for a first person report with photos from this exciting journey.   Kirsten and Frank will post soon.

A friend needs to go north in a couple of weeks to get his Ecuador tourist visa renewed, so I think I will go along and do a little exploring.   It sounds like they had a great time.

“Legends of Old Quito” with Liliya and Leo.  Leo is also a U.S. licensed electrician, and will gladly help with any of your electrical needs.

Cel 08 703 8310
Email lbassist 2003@yahoo.com

The cultural life in Quito has reached a climax during Fiesta de Quito and is now winding down in the middle of December. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Leo and I went to a Thanksgiving potluck gathering in the Lincoln building in the Mariscol area sponsored by Damas Norteamericanos and Britanicas (damasnyb).

The Committee of Damas Noreamericanas y Britanicas is a 66-year old non-profit organization of English-speaking expats who are living in Ecuador.  Monthly cultural meetings are held in Quito, as well as periodic social functions.  The group sponsors a lending library with English titles and DVDs and funds philanthropic activities.

There were about 35-40 people in attendance, all ages.  Among them:

North American ladies married to Ecuadorian men.

A math teacher from the States.

A couple from England whose daughter married a man from Quito.  They followed their daughter to Ecuador ten years ago.

A couple from Oregon who came to Quito on a work assignment right before retirement and loved it so much they decided to stay.

An Ecuadorian woman who lived in the U. S. for more than twenty years and now divides her time between Ecuador and Massachusetts.

Leo even found a fellow Nebraskan, only he hasn’t lived in Nebraska for the last 48 years!

You can learn more about this organization at their website: www.damasnyb.com.

Merry Christmas at Damas Norteamericanos and Britanicas

Damas is having a Christmas party December 16.  You can contact Kari Miller at: kari.miller@yahoo.com about the time, location and price.

Pakakuna

Russian friends of ours who are tour operators, are always scouting for new locations to take their clients. One Sunday at the end of November they invited us to visit an ecological reserve located one hour drive from Quito.

The reserve is a botanical garden planted with trees, shrubs and flowers from all over the world, creating a landscape very different from the surrounding countryside.  It is unique in that it is open to international tourists only and visits are by appointment.

Even though our friends had good directions, we couldn’t find the reserve.  People in the village gave us wrong directions and we had to call the owner to come get us and lead us to Pakakuna.

Contact Dr. Klaus A. Egger for more information: claus.egger@pakakuna.com, www.pakakuna.org

Quito Cultural Events:

Ballet Don Quixote - Ecuadorian production, December 8, at 7:30 p.m.  Free

For inquiries - 593 2 2559015 / 2257628, Teatro Nacional de la Casa de la Cultura, Quito

Tribute to the Beatles, December 9, 10 at 8:30 p.m., Teatro Variedades Ernesto Alban, Tickets: $15, $20. You can buy tickets at the Teatro Sucre ticket office: Monday – Saturday from 11 a .m. – 1 p.m. and two hours before the performance.

Teatro Variedades Ernesto Alban (Music Hall in English) is located at the Plaza del Teatro, Centro Historico, next to the Cafe Del Teatro. We have been there for several different performances.  Sometimes seating is at tables, covered with white tablecloths, and the public can order moderately priced food and drink.  Other times there are rows of chairs, with no cafe service.

Argentinos walses, tangos, milongas, boleros and more, Serenata de amor - piano, accordion and vocal,  December 12 at 8:00 p.m.,Teatro Mexico, Address: Tomebamba y Antisana, phone: 02-265-0660, Tickets: $6

Night of the Tango played by the Banda Sinfonica Metropolitan, December 19 at 8:30 p.m., Teatro Nacional Sucre, Tickets: $1

Sources for the above information:  http://cce.org.ec/ccenew/,

http://www.teatrosucre.com/calendario/calendario.php

]]> http://blog.pro-ecuador.com/ecuador-culture/ecuador-culture-quito-cultural-update-for-december-2008/feed/ http://blog.pro-ecuador.com/ecuador-laws/ecuador-residency-visa-one-families-experience/ http://blog.pro-ecuador.com/ecuador-laws/ecuador-residency-visa-one-families-experience/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:46:57 +0000 Gary http://blog.pro-ecuador.com/?p=284 We continually receive inquiries about Ecuador Residency Visas.  We share our experience as best we can, but with the continually changing landscape in this subject area, it is often hard to follow.

The following post is by Kirsten, one of the people who went on our last Intro to Ecuador Tour, and is now planning her transition to this beautiful country.   She does a great job of sharing her experience.

WARNING:  Kirsten’s experience may not be your experience, so don’t get too wrapped up in the details.  They tend to change.  But use her dialog as as a guide for the kinds of things you may need to do, or at least be aware of.

KIRSTEN WRITES–We just about have all our paper work together for our Ecuador Tourist Visa. (just need to get the Spanish translations of all the documents notarized) .  Now we just need a few more green backs! Needless to say we lost quite a bit with the crises!

So far I have gotten the following papers together for Grace (our attorney from Cuenca) and the Ecuador Embassy.  Everything you send out needs a self-addressed envelope included with postage prepaid.  If I sent something to be apostilled I also included a photo copy of our passports for identity.  Money for the state could be in a check form, while money for the embassy for the Ecuador Tourist Visa had to be in a Post Office money order.

To get finger print cards call the FBI at this number 304-625-5590 and ask for the cards to be sent to your address and then go to your local police station to get fingerprinted.  Documents for the most part are to be apostilled in the state that they were issued. For example, I had to send our marriage certificate back to Florida for the apostille.

All documents must be notarized before being apostilled. FYI an Apostile is an international recognized stamp meaning that your document is the original or legal copy. In other words it is a international recognized Notarization of a legal document.

To get a 6 month tourist visa you must apply at the Embassy. You must have a 6 month visa to apply for an Ecuador residency visa. They want $200 for a visa (each), $30 for application (each), and $40 (one time) for the letter they write (in Spanish) stating that you have enough money per month income.

So for two people it will cost a total of $500. To get the required info for a Visa 12-IX (6 months)go to www.ecuador.org and pull up the Servicios Consulares in Spanish (no english yet). (Another good website is sponsored by the national police. Click here  There is an English link)

The other costs are for Apostilles which vary from state to state($15.00 to $40.00 each), Notarization $5 to $20 each, police statements $10 to $30, translations $20 to $40 each document, and postage.  I usually registered everything.

Here is a list of all the documents for the Embassy and Attorney Grace that you need to get your Ecuador Residency Visa and Ecuador Tourist Visa:

Each document has to be notarized, then translated and notarized to state that the translation is from the original document, then apostilled.

Spanish letter stating you have enough monthly income from Embassy
Certificado de Visacion - from Embassy
Solicitud De Visa - from Embassy
Marriage Certificate
Police Criminal Record Check for each person - state police does this (local police can do it too)
Finger Prints for each
Health letter from doctor stating you are free of AIDS & any other
Communicable Diseases for each of you - you get a blood test - needs
to be a formal letter with doc’s stamp and signature
Document showing your monthly income (or available resources)
Round trip ticket for the Embassy - send photo copy
2 passport photos for Embassy for each of you and 4 for Grace

Due to bureaucratic ineptitude it took us a long time to get everything done. For example they did not tell us we needed documents to be notarized before they could get apostilled!  FBI forget to send cards! Etc. etc., you get the drift.  In the end it has taken us about 2 and a half months to get it all done, but we are well on our way to getting our Ecuador Residency Visa.

Hope this helps. Mind you I have not sent the stuff (photo copies of everything)
to  Grace yet. Who knows what she will still need? The residency visa application process will only take place when we go to Ecuador.

We just opened a new office in Cotacachi, and as a result, are seeing more action around our real estate program.  A couple of days ago, our graphic designer called me and said he heard of a hacienda that may be for sale, and would we like to look at it. 

Of course, we jumped at the chance.  For some reason, the word, “hacienda” fires my mind.  I have always loved to explore old buildings and properties that have a long history.

So we met him on Friday and began our venture.  How interesting it was when we pulled up in the yard to discover that the owner, Antonio, was a person we had met about 8 or 9 months ago. 

He is good friends with Carlos, the owner of the Hacienda from whom we purchased our land a short while back. Carlos had brought him around  to meet us on one of his visits.

As it turned out, Antonio did have about 7 1/2 acres for sale along the road. It was pretty nice land, but not of the incredible variety that we are always looking for.  But the bulk of the Cotacachi hacienda property, some 80 acres, was not for sale–unfortunately.  This was some of the most magnificent land we have seen since we have been here.

Antonio is a pretty big time farmer, and nearly all of the 80 acres are under cultivation, with tree tomatoes being the dominant crop, but also beans and corn.  He gave us a walking tour around the property.  It was obvious by the condition of the crops that Antonio knows what he is doing.   I don’t think I have seen a prettier farm. 

Some of the property was maintained organic.  He uses chicken and cuye (guina pig) fertilizer, but says he has to add some chemical phosphorus to make up for the shortage in the soil.

Antono told us that a few years ago, he was the biggest farmer of quinoa in South American, raising about 350 tons per year.  Unfortunately, his buyer in the U.S. cut his pay by about half, citing increased competition and lower prices.

He later found out that there was about a 10 times mark-up between what he was getting paid, and the price his buyer was charging their customers.  But the low price forced him out of the market.

It was a great morning, but the best part was making a new friend.  One of the joys of Ecuador, especially Cotacachi, is the friendliness of the people.  Antonio was no exception.  “This is your house,” he said as he showed us around the old hacienda. 

We went out into the garden and saw some monster cabbages.  “Do you want one?” he asked.  Of course, we couldn’t say no, and didn’t want to.   He picked the cabbage, and later that evening brought it to our house, where he joined us for a tea.

It was the end of a perfect Cotacachi day.

Opening of the Fiestas de Quito
28 November 7:30 p.m.
Plaza de San Francisco
The Fiestas de Quito officially open with a night of music, local bands, fireworks and fun. For more information, see www.quitocultura.com

Other highlights this year include:

Queen of Quito Contest
27 November 8 p.m.
Teatro Nacional Casa de la Cultura ,  6 de Diciembre y Patria
The annual contest to choose the next Queen of Quito takes place on 27th November, with hundreds of people supporting their favourite candidate, dressed in the best designer fashions from across Ecuador, accompanied by live music.

Festival del Pasacalle
3 December 7p.m.
Teatro Nacional Casa de la Cultura , 6 de Diciembre y Patria
A festival of Ecuadorian music, including the famous pasacalle but also pasillos, sanjuanitos, tonadas, bombas and albazos – every rhythm and variety under the sun. Renowned Ecuadorian musicians will perfom live.

The ‘Quito Fest’ rock festival at the Parque Itchimbía on the 1st and 2nd December.

And ‘Quiteñadas’ a special musical show on the 1st at the Teatro Nacional beginning at 6 pm.

5th December marks the fiestas’ high point.  On 6th December the fiestas end with a closing ceremony at the Plaza de Toros in northern Quito, complete with music, dramatic legends .

All programming for the fiestas can be viewed online at www.quitocultura.com
For highlighted events, go to–www.quito.com.ec

The main event starts 28th November.  The opening of The Jesús del Gran Poder Bullfighting Fair is heralded with trumpets and for nine days following, the world’s finest bulls and bullfighters and bulls confront each other in Quito’s Plaza de Toros bullring.

For more information, scheduling and prices–http://www.feriadequito.com/

Buy Bullfighting Fair tickets at:

* Taquillas de la Plaza
* Ticket Center del C.C.I.
* Condado Shopping
* C.C. Villa Cumbayá
* C.C. San Luis
* C.C. El Recreo
(If you are unfamiliar with Quito or the above locations, hop a cab and give the driver the name of the place you want to go.)

Every year following these bullfights the pros and cons of bullfighting are debated, but in the end, the bull always loses.

For an exciting and entertaining exploration of Quito’s Old Town, join

email: lbassist2003@yahoo.com

Source:  Official Site of Tourism for Quito–http://www.quito.com.ec/

and double click on  FIESTAS QUITO 2008

At 10:45 she called from Cayambe, about one hour from here.  “We are blocked in the road,” she commented.  “The indigenous are blocking the highway. I don’t know if we are going to get through or not”

I hadn’t heard of any social actions, and so kind of forgot about it.  She arrived here at 4 p.m., with just enough time to look at a few houses and return to Quito.

Today, I found out what happened.  It seems that Participatory Democracy, Ecuadorian style, was in action once again.  You see, the people of Ecuador believe in democracy.  And when they elect a president to office based on his promises, they expect him to keep his word.

President Correa campaigned on a populist platform to limit, or highly restrict mining practices in Ecuador that were damaging to the environment.  It appears he forgot about that in his proposal of a new mining law which will give much wider latitude to foreign mining interests. Well, the people who put him into office didn’t forget, and they gave a solid reminder yesterday.

Check out this news article from Upside Down World that explains what happen yesterday, and I expect will happen again with greater strength unless Correa listens to the people who elected him to office.

About 8 months ago, we interviewed Leonardo Alvear, president of the Cotacachi Asemblea, the principle body that makes participatory democracy work in the Canton of Cotacachi.  In this interview, he described how the people of Cotacachi thought they had won their fight against Ascendant Mining, the Canadian company that has been trying to mine copper in the Intag.

If you haven’t read the article that Linda wrote, I really suggest you read it, especially if you get concerned when you hear of work stoppages and strikes in Ecuador.  This article gives the best description I have seen of the process of Participatory Democracy in Ecuador, and why I am high on the people of Ecuador.

They do not roll over when special interests try to tell them how it is going to be, and they believe that their future depends upon how strongly the resist attacks on the environment from any source.

Lord knows, we could use a bit of that in the U.S. right now.

One of the highlights of Ecuador culture occurs each year at the end of November when Quito chooses its queen.  Last year the daughter of a friend of mine was one of the candidates, so I have some insight.

After 10-15 candidates are chosen from many applicants, who must be unmarried and born in Quito, there is a reception at the end of October.

Candidates introduce themselves and sponsors make their selection.  Every girl has to have a sponsor. The mayor and his spouse make speeches, the press holds interviews, family and friends of candidates cheer, food and beverages are served.

From the day after the reception until the final selection, the life of a candidate is no picnic. They are picked up from their homes each day at 6 a.m. and the day starts, with makeup and hair, then training in how to walk on stage, dance, manners.

The girls go on tours of Quito.  They have to know the history of the city they represent, visit hospitals, orphanages, sponsor’s companies, different events and finally are delivered at home around 11 p.m. each  night.

November 27, 2008, at Teatro Nacional de la Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana, the Queen of Quito, Miss Patronata and Miss Confraternidad will be chosen. Last year tickets cost $30.

Upcoming Quito Musical and Theatrical Events

Opera La Boheme at Teatro Nacional Sucre
Ecuadorian production.
24,26,28 November, 8:30 p.m.

You can buy tickets at the teatro ticket office: Monday – Saturday from 11 a .m. – 1 p.m. and two hours before the performance.
$80 – main floor seats
$40 – balcony

As I stated before – bring 20´s, 10´s and 5´s.  Quito is a city where receiving change is not to be taken for granted!

In August we saw a Cuban production of Carmen.  Teatro Sucre was packed.  Since our seats were on the balcony, we brought binoculars and it was extremely entertaining to watch musicians, singers, spectators up close.

Free Quito Concerts

In November Quito offers a series of free Ecuador concerts at the Plaza del Teatro. The best way to enjoy the concerts at the Plaza is to sit at the Café del Teatro’s outside tables.  It is guaranteed you are not going to freeze:  the café has outside propane heaters.

Cantores del Pueblo – Noviembre 14, 7 p.m
Apparat Band - Noviembre 18, 7p.m.
Mama Vudu - Noviembre 19, 7 p.m.
Festival de Bandas Populares - Noviembre 22, 4 p.m.

The Russians Are Coming!  The Russians Are Coming!

Russians musicians invading Quito!!!

Serguei Sytchkov and Luis Alberto Llaneza
Concierto de canto con piano
Teatro Nacional Sucre
November 15, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $1 (no joke)

Galina Ryzhikova (piano)
Y la Banda Sinfonica Metropolitana
Teatro Mexico
November 20, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $1(still no joke)

And for those who like pop music–
Concert: Live Ecuador 2008
Colombian singer Juanes
and other performers from Ecuador and Mexico
Friday November 21, 4 p.m.
Stadium Olimpico Atahualpa
Tickets: 1-700-TICKET

And don’t forget:
If you want an entertaining and unforgettable tour of Old Quito, join us for
“Legends of Old Quito” with Liliya and Leo
Cel 08 703 8310
Email lbassist 2003@yahoo.com

I am wondering if you can tell me your opinion on Ecuadorian banks. I am planning to visit Ecuador, possibly Cotacachi, in the next couple of months, and in that time I would be interested in opening a bank account with one of the Ecuadorian banks. So, I would like to know what do you think:

-about Ecuadorian banks in general (any specific bank name that you would recommend)
-looking for the bank with safe deposit box services(how safe)

-what do you think about current problems with USA dollars and connection with Ecuadorian/American dollar and what would you except what will happen with Ecuadorian economy and banks if USA dollar loses more value.

My reply:

We bank with Banco Pichincha, which is a large private bank.  It is larger in terms of market share (about 33%) than the next two banks,ProduBank and Banco Del Pacifico, put together.   It is the only bank that has a branch in Cotacachi, so that makes it easy.

Pichincha also has a branch in Miami so it works well for wire transfers.  People wire money from their bank to the Miami branch, which is a domestic transfer.  The Miami branch then makes an inner bank transfer to the Quito bank, and it is then deposited in our account.  The fees are low for this type of transfer and the money is transferred quickly, usually within two days.

I have not heard anything negative so far about the safety of Ecuador banks.  Of course, the world’s banks are all connected, and who knows what will happen if the banking system melts down.

We have a  well connected friend in Guayaquil, whose nephew who head of a large U.S. bank’s South American division.  This person says that in the international banking community, Ecuador banks get very high marks, especially for liquidity.   They are considered a good credit risk.

There is some talk on the Yahoo Ecuador-expats bulletin board that there have been problems wiring money from the U.S.    This bears watching, but so far our clients have not had any problems.

You cannot open a bank account here unless you have Ecuadorian residency. Previously, we had some success in getting bank accounts for clients who purchase property even if they didn’t have their residency visa yet, due to our personal banking relationship with Pichincha. 

However, last week, we visited our friend, the bank manager in Otavalo and he told me the bank had changed the rules so no accounts without a residency permit–period.

The branch here does not have a safety deposit box system, but the larger branches in Ibarra do.  Regarding the safety of that, again, who knows what happens if there is a crash?

Regarding your last question about the impact of a fluctuating dollar, if I knew the answers to those questions, I would be a very wealthy man.  We were fortunate to get our money out of Euros about a week before the Euro started dropping.

Ecuador is on the U.S. dollar system.  In this moment, the dollar is very strong.  Ecuador gets nearly half of its foreign exchange from sale of oil, and due to falling oil prices, the country is not doing as well as before on exports.  The good thing, however, is that even if the dollar tanks again,  the world will still need oil, and Ecuador can sell that oil using whatever exchange mechanism is available.

We are seeing some food inflation here, but not a great deal except for food stuff imported from the U.S., such as supermarket products.   I feel much more confident about food here because most of the food we eat is grown within a few hundred miles of Cotacachi.

Much of it is grown locally by indigenous farmers.  Ecuador offers a wide variety of consumer goods, and they tend to follow the pricing of the world market.  I just bought a Panasonic microwave oven for a client today at a price lower than that quoted on the Panasonic website, which surprised me.

We have also purchased land and intend to create gardens to grow our own food.  We have good water, so crops can be grown year around.   To me, that feels very secure!

My general impression right now is that Ecuador banks are safer than in the U.S., because Ecuador banks do not have exposure to the mortgage debacle.  There are actually very few home mortgages in Ecuador, and they are tough to get.

Minimum rates are typically 25% down and 10 - 12% interest, for people with good credit. Most people actually own their own homes, and with very low taxes, there is no pressure on home owners!

As I mentioned earlier, the world economic system is connected, so who knows what will happen.  I didn’t hear of anyone, except perhaps Weiss’s Money and Markets, who predicted the recent increased strength in the dollar, and they only did that about two weeks before it happened.  At the same time, their gold writer was recommending gold as a strong buy. We see what’s happening with that now.