Trip to Pasto, Colombia: Returning from Colombia to Ecuador with a car packed to the brim with shopping. July 2016.

My neighbor and her friend did a lot of shopping in Pasto, Colombia: school supplies, clothing, shoes, bedding, towels, hygiene and household items, some food, small kitchen appliances (out of box and packed among clothing), etc, etc.. even toilet paper, which was $4 for 15 rolls in Pasto supermarket versus $12 in Quito supermarkets. Most of items were made in Colombia.

On our way back, Ecuadorian custom agents stopped our car.  They made us to retrieve everything, opened all our luggage and searched through it. Our shopping weren't considered taxable items and we didn't pay customs duties. 
Border agents didn't ask us to show id, they only checked what we are bringing to Ecuador.
However coworker of my neighbor who was going from Colombia to Ecuador with car full of shopping, just like ours, wasn't so lucky. At the same custom checkpoint, on the same day, few hours later, her car was stopped, searched and custom found new printer in a box. The asked  for receipt, receipt was for printer AND laptop. Where is laptop? Laptop was taken out of box and packed in a luggage. Well, it would work to avoid paying custom dues if receipts were separate for both items. She ended up paying $70 for printer and $230 for laptop. Total $300 in custom dues. To add insult to injury - her car was stopped for inspection at all three checking points in between Tulcan and Ibarra. 

To store confiscated and/or abandoned by their owners (who can't or don't want to pay custom dues) goods, huge warehouse was built near Tulcan. Imagine Walmart supercenter  and double it, that's the size of warehouse to store seized (by government custom agents) shopping from Ecuadorians who wanted to save some money. Once in a while these goods are sold at auction. 

Ecuador customs regulations are different for these arriving at the airport or going to Ecuador by land.
For example:
According to SENAE (The national service of customs of Ecuador) liquor brought to the country by land border IS NOT in the list of personal effects of the traveler; i.e. is not exonerated from tax good, so traveler should pay taxes on ALL liquor brought from abroad by land.
Liquor you can bring by air, tax free: the 18-year-old traveler can enter up to three liters of alcoholic beverages without paying taxes.

According to this article Tulcan/Ecuador is in crisis, the commerce suffering there.
http://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/tulcan-crisis-bonanza-ecuador-comercio.html

However, Ipiales/Colombia became shopping mecca for Ecuadorianos
http://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/ipiales-santuario-colombiano-compras-ecuatorianos.html

Some 700 shops opened in Ipiales in so far in 2016. Photo: Infobae

Ipiales is a city in Nariño Department, Colombia, near the border with Ecuador.
Tulcán is the capital of the province of Carchi in Ecuador. Tulcán is just 7 km (4.3 mi) from the Colombian border; the international bridge Rumichaca is shared by the two countries.

Pasto (Colombia) is the capital of the department of Nariño, located in southern Colombia, 78 km away with Ipiales on the border with Ecuador by the Pan-American Highway. 

Driving distance between Ipiales and Tulcan is 11 km via Pan-American Highway. 


Cafe de la Baca, Garden cemetery in Tulcán

Crossing the Rumichaca Bridge by car, buying SOAT.

Exchanging dollars to Colombian pesos
The road between Ipiales and Pasto

2 bedroom, 1 bath, totally remodeled

Centro Historico furnished apartment for sale or rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com/

http://larondacondo4sale.blogspot.com/

Trip to Pasto, Colombia: The road between Ipiales and Pasto. July 2016.

The road between Ipiales and Pasto twists and snakes. This stretch of road is scary, landslides are fairly common. 

Photo from panadventura.com

I noticed that most houses and buildings, visible from the road, are more picturesque than in Ecuador, although they share almost the same architecture. 
On Thursday (end of July, 2016) we drove through at least three military roadblocks and one police roadblock. The soldiers looked intimidating with their camo, bulletproof vests, and automatic weapons. We had one encounter with police in Pasto, they checked paperwork of our driver, his cedula, matricula and SOAT. They chatted a little with our driver, asked some questions in friendly and professional way.
Colombian commercial truck drivers were on strike at the time. Trucks that we saw drove in caravans with police or military escort. Some of them had damaged windows. When we passed the toll, somewhere between Ipiales and Pasto, I had an idea why truck drivers might be on strike, for our fairly small car it costed about $3 to pass.

Cafe de la Baca, Garden cemetery in Tulcán

Crossing the Rumichaca Bridge by car, buying SOAT.

Exchanging dollars to Colombian pesos

Returning from Colombia to Ecuador

2 bedroom, 1 bath, totally remodeled

Centro Historico furnished apartment for sale or rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com/

http://larondacondo4sale.blogspot.com/

Trip to Pasto, Colombia: Exchanging dollars to Colombian pesos. July 2016.

We exchanged our dollars for pesos at the main plaza in Tulcan. First we tried banks located at the Plaza, however bank's customer service told us that they don't provide currency exchange. We promptly found street dealers standing at the Plaza.
This particular Thursday, the official rate was $2942 pesos for one dollar. The dealer gave us 2800 pesos for each dollar. All pesos turned to be real, no counterfeits.
You also can exchange money at the Rumichaca Bridge, on both sides of the border, around the immigration offices. There are dozens of money exchangers, men holding stacks of dollars and pesos, offering to exchange your US dollars for Colombian pesos and vice versa.
Change $10 or $100 in one transaction, so it's easy to figure out, otherwise check and re-check the math with your own calculator.

Cafe de la Baca, Garden cemetery in Tulcán.

Crossing the Rumichaca Bridge by car, buying SOAT

The road between Ipiales and Pasto
Returning from Colombia to Ecuador

2 bedroom, 1 bath, totally remodeled

Centro Historico furnished apartment for sale or rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com/

http://larondacondo4sale.blogspot.com/

Trip to Pasto,Colombia: Crossing the Rumichaca Bridge by car, buying SOAT. Quito, Ecuador. July 2016.

Tulcán is just 7 km (4.3 mi) from the Colombian border, the international bridge Rumichaca. This bridge between Colombia and Ecuador is all it really takes to go from one country to the next. Hardly any border control, basically left to the traveler to stop and get passport stamps.
Border officials didn't pay any attention to our car with Quito plates going from Ecuador to Colombia on Thursday  afternoon in July 2016. They didn't stop us, we didn't bother them.
I didn't see anyone, not cars, not people, being stopped in this (E -C) direction, not on Ecuador side, not on Colombian side. I traveled with my Ecuadorian cedula and color copy of my US passport main page. This trip took four days and nobody never asked me once for any form of documentation, not counting cashiers in the stores when I used my credit card. 
Rumichaca Bridge(from Ecuador to Colombia) we passed in a breeze. The only stop we made on a bridge was to buy SOAT, mandatory third party traffic accident insurance.  It's obligatory for all vehicles driving in or transiting through Colombian territory.  We paid $25 for one month SOAT. There are lots of little shops on a right side of bridge (Ecuador to Colombia direction) selling SOAT in between Ecuador and Colombia customs buildings.

The international bridge Rumichaca

Bridge Photo: Mark Berman

Photo: File /Andes

Trip to Pasto,Colombia: Cafe de la Baca, Garden cemetery in Tulcán.

Changing dollars to Colombian pesos

Road from Ipiales to Pasto

Returning from Colombia to Ecuador

2 bedroom, 1 bath, totally remodeled

Centro Historico furnished apartment for sale or rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com/

http://larondacondo4sale.blogspot.com/

Where to buy crystals, precious and semi-precious stones in Quito, Ecuador.July 2016.

If you are into crystals, if you like to admire their beauty and believe in their power, you have to visit the store "Piedras Brasileras" in Quito. Telf (02) 244-0268.  Their salespersons are knowledgeable (in Spanish) about precious and semi-precious stones. 

According to Piedras Brasileras facebook page, their new address:
Veintimilla N23-71 y Avda.Amazonas 
next to colegio Sto Domingo de Guzman
Edf.Amazonas 
Telf (02)254-2466 

Check their facebook page: Piedras Brasileras
and website 
http://www.piedrasbrasilerasquito.com/contactenos.html

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.
We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled
Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.
Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms
For booking, pictures and more info
http://quitorental.blogspot.com  

Shopping tours from Quito to Colombia. July 2016.

Update: since September 2016 RAME doesn't do these tours anymore. The government imposed new fees on a tour buses going to Colombia and it becomes not feasible. 
Since October 2016 the government prohibited to bring TV sets (by land) without license to do import.   

Shopping in Ecuador is expensive, customers must pay a higher price, countless tariffs and taxes included . Be a patriot of your own wallet - do your shopping in Colombia. 
Here it is, info about shopping tours. 

Facebook "Ecuador RAME"
.

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com 

Recommendation for an agency that will help with the residence visa. Quito, Ecuador. June 2016.

From Cotacachi Expats Facebook page:
Question: Does anyone have a recommendation for an agency that will help with the residence visa process. Someone that you personally used with great results.
Answers:
Gringo Visas - Maite Duran - she and her team went the extra mile to get our visas. She also has an associate in Quito.
http://www.gringovisas.com/
US number is 203-648-4511 Ecuador 0989153622

EcuaAssist has done a fantastic job for me.
http://www.ecuaassist.com/

Joseph Guznay is a young Quito-based attorney who offers excellent visa services at a very reasonable fee. I have never heard a single complaint about him from any expat who has used him, which makes him the best choice in my opinion. He is gracious, efficient, friendly, professional and utterly reliable every step of the way. He had my pensioner's visa ready for pickup in Quito in under two months. Joseph also spent a year attending a US university, so his knowledge of English and American culture make working with him very easy. He can be reached at 098 747 3181 or josephguznay@gmail.com. I could not recommend anyone more highly. 

Sebastian Cordero - Quito lawyer - solid, informed, efficient. Office # 022447551 scordero@gcabogados.com

I use excellent Lawyer, living in Cotacachi, having office in Otavalo, had my visa in 8 days, just perfect and timing, his name is Santiago M. Andrade, I was still living in Texas when we start communicating, he told me in all details what I need and after my permanent arrival was only 8 days to have visa in my US passport, then few days later Cedula, which is Ecuadorian ID. 
They made the process simple. He and Sandra helped get our visas and cedulas in less than 6 weeks. They are professional and answer emails or calls very quickly. I would have been completely lost without their help.
Yep, Santiago and Sandra Santiago M. Andrade

We used Santiago Andrade a few years back and everything was going smooth. A friend of mine used Santiago Andrade's service last year and he was happy like we were. Best choice: Santiago Andrade

The EC government has a campaign encouraging people to not use an intermediary for tramites...long history of corruption and fraud with attorneys/facilitators here. You might consider using a translator only and filing yourself.

from Ecuador Expat Forum
I still think the best method is a combination of good preparation and then the assistance of a good and reasonably priced Facilitator, and yes I recommend Dana Cameron (Agua_Plata@hotmail.com or Dana.Visas@gmail.com) to help you file the application.

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com 

Visa Documents: Apostilled vs Notarized. Quito, Ecuador. March 2016.

ExpatExchange Ecuador Forum
IMPORTANT:
Advise from the forum member: 
The biggest issue we have had so far is that your full name must match on all your documents and your U.S. passport. This means that your middle name must be completely spelled out on your passport if there is a middle name on any of your other documents.

Post from http://www.theoceanhideaway.net/
Your documents, such as Birth Certificate, Marriage License, Final Judgment of Divorce, Name Change, State Police Report etc would be coming from a State office and would go directly to the Secretary of State for Apostille.
University documents require a notary stamp and then are sent to the Secretary of State where the school is located for Apostille
FBI reports are sent to the US Secretary of State for Apostille

The next step is for each package to be fully translated into Spanish including the fine print and including the verbiage on all pages front and back, and a document in Spanish by the translator that states their qualifications sworn to under oath and Notarized
It is best to do this (translation into Spanish- LB) in Ecuador so that this can be signed by an Ecuador notary, thus avoiding the necessity of having to resend the package, with an USA notary stamp back to the State Capital for yet another Apostille.

An apostille is a statement by the Government entity of a State or Nation confirming that the attached document conforms to the agreement of those countries who are Treaty members of the Hague Conventions which occurred following WWII to give full faith and credit to signatures and documents of certain types between their countries.
Note that Canada is not a member.

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com  

Some points to consider for young and ambitious gringos who want to make it in Ecuador. November 2015.

Social divisions continues to characterize Ecuadorian society and being a gringo (from the United States, Europe, Russia, etc) is the ultimate status symbol. Not politically correct but true. You can read about it here

http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/letters/the-importance-of-social-class-in-ecuador

http://www.ecuador-travel.net/information.society.htm

Being a gringo, besides giving you a status symbol, making you a target as well. You do need to protect yourself in Ecuador. Here is link to the article how to accomplish it.

http://www.discovercuencaecuador.com/2013/07/how-do-ecuadorians-protect-themselves.html 

Here in Ecuador, family defines a person. It's like a painting, the family is the frame of a person and the painting is the individual.  

Family has money: children of this family have better education. Family has connections: adult children, with better education, have well paying jobs or opportunities for business and so on.

Ecuador women to marry, dating a man from Ecuador.

Choosing Ecuadorian girl from poor family/certain class - expect her family members living with you time to time or on permanent basis. You will be required to help them financially.

Settling with Ecuadorian guy from poor/certain class type of family - sooner or later he starts to put you down, lower your standard of living, making you feel guilty in a process, and most likely, beat you up. I know  instances when poorer Ecuadorian boyfriends compromised financial situation of their "gringas" girlfriends and had substantial gain from it.

Ecuador is not US Midwest with overly casual dress code: they don't wear saggy jeans, t-shirts few sizes too big, no shorts worn in Quito. Here you have to learn to dress tidy, even for casual events. Start with dressing your size, your body type and being neat. Looking well groomed helps to advance here in Ecuador, as well.

When you are young - you have more chances, everything depends on your luck and abilities to adapt. Good luck in Ecuador.

http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2015/06/asking-questions-on-ecuador-expats.html

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Anti-noise window

Where to find first-hand information about volcano Cotopaxi. Quito, Ecuador. September 2015..

Live in camera Cotopaxi

http://www.ecu911.gob.ec/volcan_wide.html

Instituto Geofísico Ecuador http://www.igepn.edu.ec/cotopaxi

to download report about current Cotopaxi activity (INFORME DIARIO DEL ESTADO DEL VOLCÁN COTOPAXI) in pdf format 

http://www.igepn.edu.ec/informes-volcanicos/cotopaxi/coto-diarios/coto-d-2015/13411-informe-diario-cotopaxi-12-09-2015

facebook

Ministerio Coordinador Seguridad Ecuador

Monthly rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Recommendation for father and son painting crew in Quito, Ecuador. May 2015.

It is not easy to find a good "maestro" in Quito. Here in Ecuador, someone called "maestro" for painting, electrical work, plumbing, etc, is usually a person who learned about it with somebody else (another maestro) as an apprentice or trainee, but without going to any school, no papers available.

My acquaintances have house in Tumbaco and recently they found maestros, father and son, to repair and paint internal walls in their place. The residence is 350 square meters, about 3700 sq feet. The cost of work,repairing and painting, was $850 and it took almost two weeks.
Sometimes, earthquakes happen in Quito and as a result we have cracks in internal walls, fine hairline cracks. These cracks have to be repaired before painting.    

Maestros were on time to work every morning, they did excellent, high quality work. The job was completed on the agreed date!!! Their work areas were neat and they cleaned up after they completed their assignment.

Here is contact info

Humberto 0995747006

Monthly rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

3 bedroom, 1 bath remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental2.blogspot.com  

Installing anti-noise windows in Quito. Ecuador. May 2015.

Quito is a noisy city: cars, trucks and buses zipping by endlessly, dogs are barking, car alarm is going off day and night, usually under your bedroom window, neighbors having party until 4 a.m.,  school children going to their colegio at 6:30 in the morning, etc...

I decided to install anti-noise windows in all bedrooms, both in my Centro Historico rental apartment and North Quito condo where I live. What a relief!!! I don't know why I didn't do it before.

I won't list the price I paid because with new import tariffs cost of windows went up. I managed to order new windows right before tariffs were announced.

here is company website, contact info
http://www.ventanas-magicas.com/

Address in Quito: Reinaldo Valdiviezo N. 52-155 y Amalia Eguiguren

atrás de Cartonera Pichincha, barrio S. Fernando, Florida alta, a la altura de la antigua Jefatura de Tránsito (Av. Occidental).

Email: ventas@ventanasmagicas.com

Tel:    02 6011919 - 02 6013360

Móvil: +593-996270724

I called the office manager, she set up an estimate date for me. They showed up in time for the estimate, not to be taken for granted in Ecuador!!! Next day I got a quote, paid deposit for the windows and few days later I received an installation date confirmation. Waiting time, from estimate to installation, was almost one month. They are busy installing these anti-noise windows all over Ecuador, however the company is based in Quito.

In one day the windows were installed in my North Quito and Centro Historico apartments. It was done in time, professionally and they cleaned their garbage after work was done. The design of the windows installed is the same as others windows in your building.

 

My sleep is better now, no waking up from the city noise at nights and early mornings and I am sure my future renters will appreciate sleeping in peace in the middle of the bustling city.

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Where to live in Quito? Quito, Ecuador. May 2015.

Where to live in Quito?
From ExpatExchange Ecuador Forum

Question:I will moving to Quito soon. Can somebody tell where in Quito I may want to live or stay away from?

Answer: 
Good: Avenida Gonzalez Suarez, La Floresta, area around Parque La Carolina, Bella Vista, Cumbaya, Tumbaco.

Bad: la Mariscal, Quito South, Centro Historico.

I wouldn't live in the area around Parque La Carolina even if I would be paid for it. In my humble opinion, area around Parque is:

Depressive concrete jungle - concentration of high-rises.

More congested (buses and cars), more polluted and more noisy than other areas of Quito.

Lots of criminal minded people hanging around. Too much people going there on Saturday and Sunday. Huge crowds.

When it's raining the streets turning to a swimming pool, once I had to cross Amazonas and  Nacional Unidas after rain - I took my shoes off and wade thru the water across both streets.

To live in Avenida Gonzalez Suarez, Cumbaya, Tumbaco you have to have substantial amount of money, your $1K - $2K monthly income won't be enough to have adequate standard of living in these areas. It is not too convenient to live there without a car and you cannot get too far by walking, utilities rates are higher than in other areas of Quito, association fees are MUCH higher, even produce in tiendas are more expensive, etc, etc.

In other hand, there are areas in Mariscal I really like, it is relatively quiet there (certain areas in Mariscal) and streets are lined with the trees and cute two, three floors houses and some four, five floors apartment buildings.

I lived for a few years In Centro Historico. It was like back in time, like a living on the movie set. In CH, I like areas: street Rocafuerte, La Ronda where my apartment located and street Benalcazar. I know English-speaking people happily living there, some renting, some in their own properties.  

  

You really have to live for a while in Quito to find an area where you will be comfortable. Asking question on forums won't get you to your dream location.

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com

                                              Anti-noise window

Update: How to exchange $100s and $50s for smaller denominations in Quito, Ecuador. January 2015.

Update as of January 2015: 
If you have cedula but you are not naturalized Ecuadorian citizen, you are required now to fill in declaration and have copy of your cedula ready.
If you tourist, make a copy of main page of your passport and be ready to fill in declaracion as well.

here are images of declaracion

Update as of summer 2014: Banco Central del Ecuador has limit exchanging large denominations for smaller ones - foreigners can exchange $200 per month per person. If you have Ecuadorian cedula there is no limit (or so they say)

If you arrive in Quito with cash in large denominations, $100s and $50s, you are in trouble because not many businesses accept them. Even supermarkets in Quito are very reluctant and conditional to accept $100s.

The best way of exchanging $100s and $50s for smaller denominations in Quito is to go to the Banco Central del Ecuador.

Before entering, remove sunglasses and hat, if you wear any. Upon entrance there is metal detector. When you are inside, ask for assistance to obtain "turno", your turn in a line. Waiting area is equipped with large screen showing "turno" served and comfortable chairs.

Prepare your passport, you have to give your passport first, then money. If you are not too fluent in Spanish you can write down how you want to exchange these $100s bills.

http://www.bce.fin.ec/contenido.php?CNT=ARB0000552

Hours: Monday -Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Dirección: Av. Diez de Agosto N11-539 y Briceño (trolley stop Banco Central)

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com
More photos

Medical services in Quito. January 2015.

You are new in town and facing medical problem. Where to go?
If your Spanish is enough to talk to the medical personnel, I would recommend Hospital Vozandes http://www.hospitalvozandes.org/

In Hospital Vozandes the doctor's appointment is $20 (2014 prices), some of doctors speak English, but you cannot count on it.

If you prefer to communicate in English - Hospital Metropolitano is more suitable for you.

http://www.hospitalmetropolitano.org/es/index.php

In Hospital Metropolitano the doctor's appointment cost $40 - $60 (2014 prices), most of the doctors speak English.

The system works this way - if you have medical problem take a taxi and go to the Hospital, go to the information desk and tell what kind of problem or what kind of doctor you want to see and make sure that doctor speaks English (in Hospital Metropolitano).. Usually(especially in morning hours) some doctors are available immediately or shortly.

After you made a contact with the doctor you can call his office directly for appointment - "cita" in Spanish (Metropolitano) or in Vozandes you call customer service and ask an appointment with certain doctor.

Make sure that you have cash, some doctors in Hospital Metropolitano accept credit cards, some not.  In Metropolitano doctors are like independent contractors, you pay to their office.

In Hospital Vozandes, the doctors are part of the hospital, you pay to the hospital's cashier (VozAndes accept international credit cards if the amount to be paid is $35 and more) and then go to your assigned doctor.

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com
More photos

A few things to consider: bringing your stuff to Ecuador. January 2015.

Your lifestyle in Ecuador will be different than in your home country, it's hard even to predict what type (and size) of clothing and shoes you would need.

As a result of different lifestyle, most likely your weight will fluctuate in Ecuador and in a year, your clothes won't fit anymore, probably will be too loose.

Buy big canvas or duffle bags, they weight much less than usual suitcase and you can fit more stuff in them.

When you travel from Ecuador to US, go to US with empty canvas/duffle bags, rolled in one suitcase and come back with your "bounty".

Buy tickets to first/business class, this way you will be allowed three pieces of luggage up to 70 lb each.

Keep some of your memorabilia, clothes, shoes, tools, kitchen stuff, (the ones which will fit in luggage) etc in storage in your home country  and move it to Ecuador little by little when you visit.

Monthly rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

3 bedroom, 1 bath remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental2.blogspot.com

In Ecuador, your well being is your own responsibility. Part four. Quito, December 2014.

Customer service in Ecuador is structured somewhat differently than in US.

CUSTOMER IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT in Ecuador. Not at all right, sometimes.

Government's, banks, utilities, etc offices are extremely bureaucratic and not too efficient. They almost never going to tell you ALL requirements right away, they would rather send you for more and more paperwork along the process and if you are demanding and/or rude there are chances you won't be served or you rather have problems than solutions from the establishment. At some government's offices (Registro Civil, for example) you can be fined and jailed for being obnoxious. 

When you are dealing with private business - it's in your best interest, if you want to receive service, to be patient and cordial, they may reject you and your money if you are not.

In Ecuador, there are no Better Business Bureau or Small-claims courts to complain.

You are on your own and you better behave yourself - foreign concept for many citizens of so-called "first world"  countries.

Part one

http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2014/11/in-ecuador-your-well-being-is-your-own.html

Part two

http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2014/12/in-ecuador-your-well-being-is-your-own.html

Part three
http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2014/12/in-ecuador-your-well-being-is-your-own_13.html

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com
More photos

In Ecuador, your well being is your own responsibility. Part three. Quito, December 2014.

In Ecuador, your well being is your own responsibility. Sound simple, but it's a foreign concept for some people from US and Canada. 
There is no illusion here in Ecuador that the police will protect private property. Everyone is responsible for their own safety. Looting and arson, however, is practically impossible in Quito. Apartment buildings, churches, houses, office buildings, etc, built with concrete (concrete will not burn) and are almost all fenced/walled. Sometimes there are electric fences, broken glass, metal spikes and other serious anti-climb measures on top of the fences and walls. Private armed security are everywhere: in the stores, apartment buildings, offices. Small businesses have metal gates or shutters over the doors and windows.   

Ecuador even has different criminal justice system than US. The United States system of case law and statutes based on English Common Law. Latin American(Ecuador included) system of law enforcement based on Napoleonic System. The difference: In Ecuador - no undercover operations, no asset seizures without charges against a person, the very act of committing a crime is the basic requirement for the initiation of prosecutorial action.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/2014/12/david-hathaway/that-pesky-napoleonic-code/

If you are looking for safety, Ecuador is not for you, Quito is not a safe city either: sidewalks are uneven, pick-pocketing, purse-snatching and bag slashing, robbery, and hotel room theft happen. These types of crimes are generally preventable with a bit of knowledge and vigilance and seldom involve any violence. Watch yourself when walking and aggressively apply common sense.

Before you travel to Ecuador visit website 

http://www.clevertravelcompanion.com/

and stock up on clothes with secret pockets. My favorite is Clever Travel Companion Women's Tank Top with Secret Pocket  (order size up).

In Quito, wear Cross-Body Handbags only.

You can find more tips here

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/South_America/Ecuador/Provincia_de_Pichincha/Quito-1587675/Warnings_or_Dangers-Quito-TG-C-1.html

As for me, I love Quito, I cannot imagine living anywhere else. I am in charge of my own safety and I love it.

Part one

http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2014/11/in-ecuador-your-well-being-is-your-own.html

Part two

http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2014/12/in-ecuador-your-well-being-is-your-own.html

Part four
http://dayinquito.blogspot.com/2014/12/in-ecuador-your-well-being-is-your-own_29.html

Rental in Quito, for tourists and expats.

We have a 2 bedroom, 1 bath totally remodeled

Colonial Quito, furnished apartment for rent.

Anti-noise windows in both bedrooms

For booking, pictures and more info

http://quitorental.blogspot.com
More photos