ELEVEN DAYS IN SOUTH AMERICA

Rose & I flew via TAME (pronounced Tah-may) Ecuador’s largest airline. Rose signed us up with the U.S. Embassy in case of emergency. We brought altitude sickness medication for the Andes & motion sickness pills for the Galapagos Islands.

As the plane began descending, the sight of the Andes Mountains rising high above the clouds took our breath away.  Suddenly we knew we weren’t in Florida anymore!  After a 4 hour, 15 min flight, we landed in Quito, Ecuador’s Capitol. We had gained an hour!

It took us 45 minutes to get thru customs.  We worried the Taxi driver sent by the hotel would not wait. Thankfully he was reliable! Like most of the men we encountered, he was an indigenous Indian with a long braid down his back. 

 

Our 2 hour drive thru the Andes was jaw-dropping, filled with breathtaking beauty in every direction! We marveled at the sight of an ice-capped volcano, remarkable because we were right on the equator.

The highways connecting the cities were in better condition than the ones here!  In the villages however, streets were old, narrow cobblestone and often blocked by animals such as horses, cows, goats, or pigs. Drivers are slow and careful, there.

We passed thru the bustling municipality of Otavalo before we reached our destination, Cotacachi, the scenic little town between the 2 extinct volcanoes.

Our sprawling hotel with the all the magnificent views turned out to be an expensive one!  They were not forthcoming with Rose about additional costs. Despite its size, for the first 2 days we were the ONLY guests there. Later, 2 men (also from Florida) in the import/export business checked in.

In town, we discovered lots of dirt cheap, but clean hotels & hostels available.  But unfortunately, none of them advertise on the Internet!

On the plus side, all meals were included and they fed us well!  We made them cut back because we weren’t used to such large meals and we wanted to fit into our clothes! 

The most delicious variety of fruit juices were served and they were pure, no fructose taste!  Also throughout Ecuador was a tasty soup made from potatoes, fried corn, cheese, & avocados.

 

It felt strange after all these decades to be back in a country where there's a big difference between washing water and drinking water.

The hotel staff was just as nice as they could be and went out of their way to make us happy. 

Thru our hotel we were able to get English-speaking guides to take us on sightseeing tours of  Ibarra & Otavalo as well as Cotacachi. We viewed plenty of snow-capped mountains as well as beautiful glacier lakes. We toured a 300 year old colonial mansion with gorgeous floral landscaping and other glorious gardens.  We did lots of climbing as well as walking.

At a red light in Ibarra, a juggler stepped out in front of the cars to give us a performance. After the light changed, he approached car windows for tips.

We saw a few reckless drivers, but no more than here.  Their highways are patrolled with astronomical fines for speeding.

In Otavalo, I consulted with an Immigration Attorney. Expatriating will not be a fast or easy process.  Afterward, Rose & I shopped in the gigantic open market there.  It was a colorful place filled with all manner of interesting and unusual local merchandise, including exotic fruit and aromatic food.

You can haggle prices in the open markets, but not in the stores.  In 9 out of 10 places, prices are unlisted and you must ask.  The purpose for this, (I believe) is to gouge the Gringo! We were constantly warned that there are 2 sets of prices and I need to remember this when looking for a place to rent.

We asked if Gringos are resented.  The guide said, “No, we love all people and enjoy the multi-cultural aspect.”

However, another guide told me, “Do not move anywhere near the Indigenous people, they do NOT like Expats!”  He went on to tell of a housing development under construction, but was forced to shut down after armed natives descended with machetes. -- U.S. retiree trash unwelcome!  Ecuadoran prices have been inflated tremendously because of us.  Within his memory, there was a time one could purchase a decent meal for 2 cents, but no more!

With some trepidation, Rose & I went on a tour of the indigenous villages. The people there were friendly and welcoming to us.  We were even treated to a concert with handmade musical instruments. We watched in fascination as they created various crafts: jewelry, scarves, bags, blankets, & hammocks etc. by hand. -- I had just received the shocking cost of my A.C. repair, so unlike Rose, my purse remained closed!

I made certain to bring plenty of bandages for my new walking shoes. But the Hush Puppies turned out to be a poor choice for Ecuador. They just weren’t suited for cobblestone streets, climbing lava rocks, or jumping on & off boats! -- I ended up paying the price for this.

Early on, a cocky Expat took us on a walking tour over every inch of downtown Cotacachi.  My feet hurt terribly and I couldn’t keep up. But he didn’t care if I was limping like a gimp, he kept pushing us on.  After long painful hours, Rose told him, “Enough!”  We were tired.  We took a cab back to our hotel.  My feet and ankles were now swollen and remained so for the rest of the trip.

Besides inappropriate walking shoes, I didn’t bring enough warm clothes!  I’d read that afternoons were hot.  Well, it got warm for about 2 hours in the late afternoon, the rest of the time it was cold by Florida standards!  I layered my clothes.  Most of my tops were large because I was wearing special underwear with concealed pockets.  We’d been warned that Ecuador was rife with pickpockets!  But we felt much safer than expected.

On the road to Ibarra, I asked where people buy clothes because I saw no Malls or big clothing stores.  “Columbia!” I was told. Our driver said he arranged tours across the border because it wasn’t that far and everything was so much cheaper.  He swore it is safe!

Aug. 7 we left Cotacachi for the long drive back to Quito where we would spend the night. This being a large municipality and the Capitol, it had more amenities than Cotacachi. We arrived early enough to enjoy an expansive tour of the city and surrounding area. Of special note, we saw the Cotopaxi volcano that began erupting just after we returned home.

The following AM, we had a long Taxi drive thru heavy traffic to catch our plane to Guayaquil.

At the airport in Quito, we were charged an extra $20. because of our destination, the Galapagos Islands. Rose & I didn’t have to depart our plane in Guayaquil this time, but many did.  Most of those who boarded for the islands were Gringos like us.

After we landed in Baltra, we had to shell out an extra $100. just to step outside the airport on the Galapagos.

To be continued….

THE DAY BEFORE ECUADOR

My traveling companion was my friend, Rose. She is probably the smartest woman God ever created!  If we could find a way to get her elected President, Rose would probably solve all our country’s problems in just one term! (I still can’t figure out why she wants to hang around with me.) Anyway, Rose put our entire trip together herself. She even speaks a little Spanish.

We ended up leaving a day before our original schedule. The airline had cancelled our flight messing up our reservations!  Now we had an extra day up in the Andes, which was OK with me.

The first weekend in August 2015, I was stressed and busy with last minute packing, frantic that I’d forgotten something.

Around 4:00 PM Sun. Aug 2, Rose phoned to say she was on her way to my house.  We had a long drive ahead to the hotel in Fort Lauderdale. Outside it was storming!  I ran out with an umbrella to quickly shut off the water to my home. Getting drenched and stuck in mud, I realized I needed both hands to do it.  I came back and slipped on my hooded rain poncho.

Outside, I noticed the fan on my air-conditioner wasn’t moving!!!

The Friday before, it made a bizarre shrill noise as I was preparing a late afternoon meal. I turned it off until I became too sweaty.  When I switched it back on, everything seemed to be working fine.  I phoned the A. C. Company and inquired if I had a problem.  I was told that a twig or reptile may have been caught and it was probably OK now, but to watch it.  Saturday, my house was comfortably cool, so I didn’t worry.

But now, I realized I had a big problem and Rose was on her way!  I would be coming home to a sweltering and moldy house!

When she arrived, Brian, (Rose’s husband) was following behind in his car. Thankfully, he agreed to find someone to repair my A.C. before my return.  He followed us to Fort Pierce where he treated us to a big delicious dinner as a send-off.

Afterward, we said good-bye to Brian before heading south to Fort Lauderdale in the pouring rain. Traffic was heavy and it was getting dark.  We were relieved to finally reach our hotel.  The next morning would be the beginning of several 4:00 AM starts!

RIDDING MYSELF OF BAGGAGE, LITERALLY

I dodged spiders in the dim light of my crawlspace as I retrieved my old 1970’s American Tourister luggage. Memories came surging back. All of my trips were exciting and filled with wonder, the memories remain vivid. Each adventure ended way too soon.

Upon returning, my miserable life with piles of work and the job I hated always awaited me. But it was that job which financed my trips.  Life at home was hardly a joy, either! 

I existed only for those gloriously wonder filled, exotic trips! After the 70’s ended along with the job, no longer could I afford them.  I wanted to stop living!

Beginning in 1971, I worked in our new family business, a Flower Shop & Wedding Chapel down in West Palm Beach. Dad & I commuted an hour’s drive each way.  We both came to loathe that place and people in general for much the same reasons.

More than a few times we caught trusted employees in the act of outright stealing or trying to undermine us. I could state many examples!  My father used to say, “This should be a good lesson in human nature for you, Dianne.”  Despite this, I do have some positive memories.

One of our designers had a son-in-law who worked for the airlines. Thanks to him, I received a big discount on a lady American Tourister & matching tote.  Soon I became a veteran of the escorted tour.

During my trips abroad, I noticed that most of the other single women carried men’s suitcases. “They’re better, not just bigger,” I was told.     

Now I wanted one, too!  Trouble was, my father had FIRED (for valid reasons) the designer whose son-in-law worked at the airport.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, I figured.  So I phoned the designer’s daughter and asked if her husband could get me another piece of luggage.  She wouldn’t make any promises.

My father was furious. “You’ve got a lot of nerve!” he hollered.

Well I also got a brand new American Tourister!!!  Everything I’d heard about the man’s suitcase was true!  It had more compartments, plus it was layered, clothes stayed more wrinkle-free. It was far better suited to a woman’s needs than a man’s, we just have more stuff!

During this period, I also received lots of free canvas totes from Travel Agencies & Tour Companies. I collected so many that I was giving them away. Everyone I knew at the time owned at least one!

Towards the end of the 1970’s, luggage with wheels began to appear.  However, it was still so rare people would actually point.

Now here I was in 2015 dusting off my old obsolete suitcases. When I opened them, the insides were brown with climate stains. The only piece still in usable condition was the carry-on tote.

Thanks to my great friend Rose, (also my Ecuador travel companion) I was spared the expense of purchasing new.  Rose gave me her previous luggage and it has wheels!  I’ll be taking the larger bag along with that old American Tourister tote. Nothing will match, but so what!

As for my old suitcases, I actually wondered if I’d have to pay the garbage collectors extra to pick them up, or would I have to drive to the landfill. Suddenly I wanted to slap myself! This wasn’t even a problem.  All I had to do was carry them out to the road before I went to bed.

That’s exactly what I did.  As if by magic, the following morning they had vanished!

SAWATDEE TO YOU, TOO

Since I’m planning to relocate, there’s a new language in my future. The issue is, I don’t know which one, yet. So I’m trying to learn a few phrases of each before I visit.

Already, I know a useful one in Thai, “Rawang rot!” which means “Beware car!” – I believe I’ve mentioned Third World drivers in my previous blog postings.

Thai is the more difficult language because it’s tonal. Unknowingly you could offend some nice Thai people using incorrect ones. For example, one could walk into a restaurant and say: “I’ll have the jumbo fish platter with rice balls” and it could come out: “Your fat grandmother stinks, how much to ball her.”

Perhaps I’d do better wowing them with my charades!

 I really need to memorize, “Mai khao jai” which means “I don’t understand.” Also “Ga roo naa phuut chaa naawy” meaning “Please speak slowly”

While in Bangkok, a useful phrase to remember is, “Khoon bpen phuu chaa naawy” which means “Are you a man or a woman?” -- That thought has come up a few times here in Vero Beach, too!

Anyway, I’ve got until 2016 to work on Thai. However, my Ecuador trip is coming up fast.

Besides the Spanish/English dictionary I purchased at a Dollar Store, I found 2 books on Spanish at a Thrift Shop; Berlitz Basic Spanish & Madrigal’s Magic Key To Spanish with original illustrations by Andy Warhol. The latter sounded more fun so I’m reading that one first. Still, it’s a whole lot to remember!

Many Spanish words are so similar to English that you might understand a small part of what is said if spoken slowly, but Hispanics don’t speak slowly. Their speech is rapid fire! I will be constantly asking, “Puede repetir,” or “Could you repeat.”

One Spanish phrase I’ve long known is the same everyone seems to know, “Que hora es?”, or “What time is it?” Why most North Americans know this one is a mystery to me. Perhaps it’s because we’re always rushed.

Second Grade Elementary school is when I first heard it. A Spanish instructor who was a friend of our teacher came to speak and teach us tykes a few phrases of the language. That phrase and only that one  stuck in my mind, maybe it’s just an easy one to remember.

However, when visiting a Spanish speaking country, one crucial phrase everyone SHOULD know is, “Donde esta el bano?” meaning, “Where’s the bathroom?” -- I believe I read someplace that there are no public restrooms in Ecuador. Yikes, I’d better pack a box of Depends!

Another important one is, “Peligro automovil!” which means, “Danger car!” Did I mention that I plan to give up driving after I move to the Third World. 

I think it’s arrogant to live in a foreign country and not bother to learn the language. I just hope I’m not dead before I become fluent.

INDOCHINA VS. SOUTH AMERICA

I don’t know yet if I’m going to end up as an old Gringita or a $#^&@! Farang, or something else altogether, all I know is that I can’t stay where I am.

Panama sounded heavenly, but unfortunately I don’t qualify. I make the required monthly amount. Unfortunately, the income must be a pension, either corporate or government. Mine is derived mostly from annuities. This also disqualifies me from Costa Rica! I don’t understand why these countries are nervous about annuities, but it makes me wonder if I should be, too.

In Belize, on the other hand, one can just about live as a permanent tourist. Plus their currency is the U.S. Dollar! However, healthcare is expensive for retirees, especially if you want frills like Novocain with your dental work.

Traveling to faraway exotic places is a delight, but I also want roots! If money was no object, I’d take two big vacations every year; one in autumn and one in spring. However, I’d also want a comfortable home to enjoy in-between!

Others gush that Ecuador & Thailand are beautiful places. Well so is Vero Beach!!! Every place I’ve ever lived on the Treasure Coast was a beautiful scenic town.

Constantly, I hear exclamations of, “How exciting!” when I verbalize my plans. – It’s only exciting when you’re on the outside looking in! To me, it’s stressful, nerve-wracking, and more than a little scary. Geez, did I neglect to mention that these are Third World countries!!!

Many things that I enjoy and take for granted will be gone. Hopefully, I’ll find new things to enjoy along with new friends.

But I wonder if I’ll be resented by the indigenous people. After all, I’m a foreigner among many others who are changing the character and landscape of their country.

This is especially true in Thailand, called “The Land of Smiles”. Those who speak the language say Thais swear more than any other people. -- I don’t know if I want passive-aggressive types preparing my food! We have way too many of those right here! Also if you anger a Thai, prepare to hear, “Shut up this is not your country!” They say that a lot, I am told.

Speaking of food, I’ve heard that Thailand’s cuisine is now fusion due to all the cultures that have immigrated there. This is my favorite! But sadly, you could end up eating puppy stew or kitten croquettes without even knowing it, also many recipes consist of ant or duck eggs.

Ecuador is a bad place for vegetarians, even semi-ones like me. (I eat fish & fowl.) Up in the Andes where I would live, meals are mostly beef & pork. (And I doubt I’ll be able to find soy burgers & veggie hot dogs in the stores!) Guinea pigs are considered to be a delicacy, there. Beetle larvae and bull penis soup are found on menus, too.

In both countries you’re liable to end up with chicken feet or hog snouts on your plate! However, Ecuador is famous for its potatoes. I could live on those along with eggs. Also fresh produce is cheap in both places.

I wonder will I ever taste maple fudge again? What about flavored teas & coffees, I’ll really miss these! And TV dinners will be a thing of the past!

Thailand or Ecuador will mean constant haggling with vendors. I’ve done this before in Mexico, Guatemala and even North Africa. I know I can do it! I just don’t like to, it’s annoying and bother!

I’ve heard there are only 10 English-speaking cable channels in both countries and they are mostly old re-runs. I’ve become spoiled, I love my 300 channels! I wonder if there’s a way I can stream current episodes of Vikings, The Walking Dead, or Salem. Also will I have to become fluent in the language before I can go to a theater and see a movie?

I’m leaning toward Ecuador. Its closer and like Belize the currency is the U.S. Dollar. Plus the weather up in the Andes is spring-like year round. Weather is an important factor!

Thailand is going to be HOT, even Chiang Rai the northern most province. Usually it has a brief, but comfortable winter. The rest of the time it’s sweltering! – This could be the big deal breaker! But I don’t want to reject Thailand without first seeing it. Despite everything, I might fall in love with Thailand, or I may hate the damn place! -- Ditto for Ecuador.

Plus there’s other factors I need to take into consideration. I’m still managing my elderly brother’s Trust. Otherwise I would automatically choose Thailand, at least for a few years, just for the experience. Despite the fact he is 11 years older, my brother could outlive me! He’s sheltered and well cared for in a nursing home. I’m the one who’s out in the world putting myself in harm’s way.

Then there’s driving! I’m getting older, myself. I have always dealt with anxiety behind the wheel. I’ll be relying on Third World taxis and buses. These are often wild rides fraught with discomfort as well as danger. I subscribe to a Thai Expat newsletter and some of what I read is disturbing! Taxi drivers have dumped passengers, leaving them stranded in perilous places. Also a retiree complained to a bus driver that his careless driving was going to get them all killed. The driver’s response, “So why aren’t you dead, yet!”

I’ve been warned about public transportation in Ecuador, too! Not only are buses rife with pickpockets, it’s not unusual for a bus made for 40 riders to be packed with 80 people, and sometimes items like refrigerators and livestock are brought on board. These buses have a poor safety record with a bad habit of sliding down mountains! Imagine being at the bottom of a canyon crushed beneath a refrigerator, or a goat’s horn thru your eye!

I am crossing my fingers that most of what I’ve heard is an exaggeration! I’m trying to learn as much as possible before I embark on my exploratory trips.

When I relocate, there will be no friend or tour operator by my side to offer assistance.

Am I happy with the idea of selling my home and moving to another country, NO, I am not! But I can’t afford to grow old in the U.S.! I am just grateful this option exists.

CUTTING FEELS RIGHT

Henceforth, there will only be ONE or TWO blog postings per month rather than four.

I’m planning significant life changes; my focus needs to be there. Yet to be done are many tasks, planning, & much more research. Not to mention, I’ve got two major exploratory trips ahead and I’d prefer not broadcasting to burglars when I’m away.

Hey, it’s not as if I’m disappointing legions of fans! I’ve got only a handful of followers, and I don’t know how many of those are still reading. I know my friend Rose does, we email nearly every day.

She claims I probably have a lot more readers, but they just aren’t followers. Rose is sweet. But this is wishful thinking. If none of those people enjoy my blog enough to become followers, they are phantoms to me. I make decisions on what I see.

A few have told me they would like to become followers, but are confused by the process involved. These are all women around my age who are not computer savvy. I can understand and sympathize. We are all dinosaurs sloshing around in the same tar pit. But these are friends I see and talk to, at least on a semi-regular basis.

On occasion, I post my blog on Facebook. Before I unleashed the unfriending fairy, I had over 200 “Friends”. Out of these 200 plus people, if only 1 or 2 LIKED my blog, I was lucky!!! Or perhaps more read it and they just didn’t like my writing.

I received way more LIKES for the photos of my newly gray hair! But then, people prefer pictures.

I recall clicking on a “Friend” page where someone posted a photo of their lunch, a stupid salad that didn’t even look that tasty, yet it got 15 LIKES!

I realize my blog isn’t everyone’s flavor of coffee, I get that! Others have always had difficulty relating to me and I find them equally unrelatable. – Thank goodness I say! 

I write this mainly for myself. It’s equal parts memoir & therapy with a scoop of book promotion thrown in. So, therefore I am doing what feels best for me!

Later, when things become settled, my posts will likely be more frequent, again. Also in the not too distant future I plan on starting a new blog, ending this one.

After I return from my exploratory trips, I’ll do plenty of blogging about each. So take heart my compadres, followers, faux Facebook friends, & phantom readers too, as with everything in life, this is only temporary.

WHAT'S NEW, MY GRAY DEBUT

AND TECHNICAL HEADACHES, TOO!!!

My online photos have now been updated. The old ones were shot only a few years ago!

Unfortunately, my old standby the Sear’s Portrait Studio is gone, forever. So I hired a photographer in town. He was an elderly gentleman, and he did a fine job. However, these were outrageously expensive for my pocketbook! But I’m almost 65; I know I won’t be this young and pretty forever, so I spent the money! My looks have been on borrowed time for years now!

Note: This Blog photo will remain the same. It has mostly concerned my life here in Vero Beach after my father’s death. These were my red-haired years.

After I decide which country I’m going to expatriate and I have my Retirement Visa, I intend to start a brand new Blog with a new title. This won’t be a new chapter of my life, but an entire new book, it’s a sequel to my movie. I think of it that way!

My young Tech man Jake was here to help me, recently. Not only with placing the photos, but numerous other things as well. Expatriating is forcing me to rely more on technology than ever before! As you know, this is way out of my element.

For my exploratory trips, I bought a pre-paid cell phone with a camera and Internet access. I don’t want to return home to find 50,000 emails in my Inbox.

The salesman said the instructions were easy. When I read them, I wanted to break down and cry! They may as well have been written in Arabic! -- Well Jake had problems with it, too! He couldn’t get it up & working the way it’s supposed. And Jake is NO dummy, plus this is his area of expertise.

Jake is returning to give me another computer lesson, plus tackle this damn phone. I may end up taking it back! I should have brought Jake along when I was phone shopping. He would have known exactly what to purchase and saved me from making an expensive mistake!

When the package was opened, I couldn’t believe that piddly, little thing was my new telephone! Plus I would need Lilliputian-sized fingers to operate it. My hands are small for an adult, yet this is going to be difficult. Plus I’ll have to run outside with my Elf phone every time I want to make or receive a call because there is zero cell reception inside my house. This is crazy, it’s not progress! My land-line is a REAL phone!

I HATE ALL THIS MODERN TECHNOLOGY!!! 

Always, I take lots of notes when Jake is here. After he leaves and I try to implement them, it seems I’m either missing a step or not doing something right. Ugh!!! Every little maneuver requires way too many steps.

Jake is the best Tech person I’ve found, and he is patient. After I find myself in another county, I don’t know what I’m going to do without him! Plus I’ll be dealing with a foreign language! I’m looking ahead to feeling lost and frustrated.

On the other hand, I will be amongst a vast gray migration of U.S. retirees, my age and older, none of whom grew up with computers. They’ll have already dealt with the same issues I’m going to face. But I’m wondering how helpful they will be. I am willing to pay a fair price for help, but finding it may be a problem.