Welcome to Ecuador

The day prior to flying Dan and I went down to Orlando International Airport with our newly purchased Bus Tickets to Peru which we purchased through http://www.latinbus.com as it was required by Ecuador since we would be arriving on a 90-Days Tourist Visa. All we did was purchase each of us a bus ticket for June 15, 2015 at 2100 from Guayaquil, Ecuador --> Piura, Peru for $32.24 x's 3 = $96.72. Arriving on a 90-Day Visa is not really an issue since our Ecuador Visa applications have already been submitted. The American Airlines Ticket Agent as well as the Shift Supervisor approved the bus tickets and updated our reservation. We were cleared for the flight since our FurBabies paperwork was cleared the week before. However, because we missed the flight last week due to the return ticket issue and crazy Florida Spring Breakers we were not able to get another ticket until after the 10 day expiration date on the Furbabies USDA paperwork. We were required to revisit the vet again, reapply the medication treatments, have them rechecked for parasites, and then have the USDA re-certify both Furbabies papers. What an expensive booboo.

We arrived at the airport with time to spare. Ticketing and Luggage was simple since we were pre-cleared the day prior. We flew via American Airlines on April Fools Day. Luckily there was no jokes played on us this week. We got on the plane without a hitch.

Flight #1222

Orlando, FL (MCO) 9:40pm

Miami, FL (MIA) 10:42pm

Flight #933

Miami, FL (MIA) 11:59pm

Guayaquil, EC (GYE) 3:22am (4:22am EST, DST is not recognized in Ecuador)

Our First Class tickets were $2808.90 for 3 tickets. It came out to be $50+ cheaper with 3 bags at 70lbs verses coachs tickets allowing only 2 bags at 50lbs max. We checked 7 Seabags, 1 Suitcase, 1 Dufflebag, and 9 Plastic Storage Bins at the ticketing counter for a total of 18 items. We were allowed with our First Class Tickets 3 Bags each at 70lbs. Any additional bag was $200 each for 50lbs. We knew we were going to have to pay about $1800 is luggage fees. However, the agent only charged us $1600 since we were pushed almost a week for a simple issue. We struggled with all of our heavy carry on bags so we asked the agent at the gate if we could go ahead and pay to tag two more bags. We learned they don't charge for items tagged at the gate (the agent stated this: we do not know if this is American Airlines policy or not...I will say it came in really handy.) Then when we arrived at the gate in Miami we asked to tag another. After moving our stuff from place to place for over a week we were done/over the luggage thing. We ended up with 21 checked items and 3 small carry on items. It was a nice quick flight. Our Furbabies are both Service Dogs and both handled their First Class Flights, fairly well.

We were the first off the plane in Guayaquil, EC and headed directly to immigrations. They asked us how long we were going to be in Ecuador. We informed the lady that we have applied for our Visa's. She stamped each of our Passports and we were on our way to baggage. OMGosh, what a crazy time that was...our lugguge was here, there, and everywhere. Once it was all collected we had 3 carts piled high. Next stop was customs to have our piles scanned. I showed the lady at the entrance to Customs each of our customs forms Dan had filled out for all of us on the plane. She instantly pointed us over to the Agrocalidad area to the right side of Customs. Agrocalidad inspected the Furbabies USDA paperwork. He asked us why we didn't get the Ecuadorian Consulate stamp? I told him we were unaware that we needed that stamp. He was fine with that response.

Note: many people thought we missed our fly last week do to the USDA's paperwork, that we didn't get the Stamp. That is not the case. We missed the flight because we didn't have an exit ticket of some sort for leaving Ecuador. After the inspector was finished he informed us that we were free to go. No need to go back to customs. Sweet!!!!

When we came around the corner we saw a man holding a sign with “Bowen” on it. It was Javier the driver we booked. He was canceled the week prior and rearranged his schedule to pick us up this week. He brought an additional driver Pablo (who brought his daughter) with a van for all the luggage plus Dan drove with him. And a Taxi Cab for Candice, myself, and the Furbabies. It was a crazy drive over and around the mountains. Javier even told us at one point we were at 13,000ft+ in altitude. I'm looking forward to seeing the views when it's light and clear out. From what we could see the views are amazing and beautiful.

We booked an apartment for a month at Hotel Boutique Los Balcones. It's a beautiful hotel with lots of charm. We relaxed in the lobby while all of our 21 pieces of luggage was carried into our apartment. We were not expecting that service to be provided. However, after the last week it was just what we needed.

When we arrived in our temporary apartment the Furbabies were crazy for their water bowl. Sasha our Siberian Husky drank so much she throw up the water. She was so quiet nobody saw or heard it happen. I however stood up to go into the kitchen and slipped and fell and banged myself up. I refused to let a sore ankle, sore knees, and a bruised hip stop me from doing some fun things the rest of the day.  After that I headed upstairs to shower, and then Dan and I decided to get an hour or two of sleep before we met up with our friends Nancy and Stephen.

Nancy and her husband Stephen took us on a mini-tour of El Centro. We visited the Mercado where we picked up some fruits and veggies. The next stop was a little shop where we purchased a fresh butter “Blob,” oil, and coffee. Then we headed over to Tia to buy some household items, basic food items, and cleaning supplies. On the way back to our Hotel, Nancy showed us a good place to get meats, hot dogs, fabric, beauty supplies, and a bakery. Then we parted ways and we went back to our apartment to drop off our purchases, drink some water, regroup, and catch our breath.

About 15 minutes later, Dan and I headed out to the bakery, that opened in 1908, El Pan de las Villacis on Borrero 12-54 Y Sangurima to pick up some rolls and then on to the meat shop to pick up ground beef and then get 3 dressed Hot Dogs. This was a challenge for us to head out into Ecuadorian Shops and attempt to order with our minimal Spanish. At the Hot Dog order area we were struggling to communicate and some local Ecuadorians helped us with our order. We are open minded and trying to learn some Spanish. We are a work in progress. Once the order was ready we took them back to the apartment to enjoy them with mom since she stayed behind with the Furbabies. The Hot Dogs were Yummy and the prices were really affordable.

Bakery:

4 Dinner Rolls at $0.20US = $0.80US

10 Fancy Rolls at $0.18US = $1.80US

3 Quesadilla at $0.90US = $2.70US

Total: $5.30US

Meat & Hot Dogs Shop (Name not known, yet)

3 Hot Dogs with Russian Dressing, Mayo, Mustard, and Onions (this is the standard way of eating them at this location with 3 Soda's at $3.48US

2.10kg (1kg = 2.20462lbs) Ground Hamburger Beef at $7.63US per kg = $16.02

When we walked into the hotel we were invited to take part in a Pacari Premium Organic Chocolate “Made in Ecuador” Tasting Session. We couldn't turn down the chance to try these local gourmet chocolates. Oh my a chocolate fountain with all you can eat strawberries. This was so up my alley. Dan is a foodie and loves to sample new thing. This chocolate is so good. We found several that we loved. We were also able to meet a few other new expats. All in all, we were beyond exhausted and in pain but, we managed to have a lot fun.

We headed back to our apartment and showered up and we each made a hot cup of Mate de Coca Tea. To help us with the altitude, our headaches, and to help our bodies start producing more red blood cells to help us handle the 8000ft+ that Cuenca sits at. And yes, the tea leaves come from the same plant Cocaine comes from and yes it is illegal in the USA and will not cause you to test positive for drugs. It didn't taste bad which was shocking since you have to drink it plain.

What do we need to learn? We are no longer in the USA and to be able to live comfortably we need to learn to shop and spent like an Ecuadorian. We need to stop comparing the prices here to what we were paying back in the states.

This is without a doubt the most stressful and difficult move that any of the three of us have every made. Let the Adventure begin……..Sweet Dreams from Ecuador and thanks for reading this long post. It was a really long and fun day. We are really enjoying Cuenca and our new friends.