Ecuador Living

Ecuador has so much information to offer the task seems daunting at times.

Thanks for asking about Ecuador . We love living and doing business in this country. Our home is in Cotacachi, a small village about 1.5 hours from the Capital of Quito.

Soon we’ll be even closer to the airport as Quito ’s new international airport is scheduled to open in 2010 and its almost equidistant from our village and Quito .

We love this village because it has everything, clean water, a safe community, water we can drink from the tap, no traffic jams, friendly people, unbelievably low cost of living and yet we have broadband, FREE telephone to Canada , Europe and the US , plus every modern business tool we need. Cotacachi is a special village in a special country. We are part of Ecuador ’s number two tourist destination (Galapagos is #1). Cotacachi is clean, and filled with wonderful architecture.

Here is our town square (66 steps from our hotel) on a misty morn.

Yet the mists never stay long. This is the land of the eternal sun. Here is the village square later in the day as guests have breakfast in the sun filled WINTER courtyard of our business center and hotel.

 

 

Here is Merri in the same courtyard talking to one of our course groups.

There is so much interest in Ecuador that over 5,000 readers have asked about Ecuador in the last six months and I alone receive 200 - 300 emails a day…more than we can answer.

This is why we created out special service to help those who are really interested in Ecuador .

Merri and I live and work here throughout the year and have established a full time full support team to help subscribers in almost any way required. The team is led by our friend Steve Marchant, a multi lingual Englishman. Steve has a lifetime of global experience in real estate, import export but has lived in Ecuador many years and now resides in Cotacachi with his Ecuadorian son Luke.

Here is Steve guiding a group to Peguche Falls near our hotel and business center.

Here is Luke studying at the library next door to our hotel where our foundation has donated thousands of books.

Here is Steve heading out to inspect a lake so we can help subscribers who like to trout fish near the hotel.

Here is the Rainbow trout filled isolated lake.

Our service is called “Ecuador Living” and provides regular emailed updates about places and people in Ecuador , plus contacts for subscribers who plan to travel, work and or live in Ecuador .

We help Ecuador Living subscribers get in touch with property brokers, developers, attorneys architects, tour guides…as well as business opportunities and just about anything else they may need.

When you subscribe you are introduced to Steve Marchant, given a password so you can communicate and enter the private Ecuador Living domain. You will also have full access to our support team and our business center services including, the ability to communicate with other Ecuador Living subscribers at the EL blog.

In addition Ecuador Living subscribers are entitled to use our free broadband and free phone call service to Europe Canada and the US at our business center in Cotacachi.

Here is part of our support team in our hotel dining room, left to right, Jose, one of our Spanish teachers, Santiago, our chef, Veronica, one of our food servers, Franklin the manager and Mauritio, guide and business assistant (he speaks five languages).

Subscribers are also entitled to a number of special services at the hotel including a welcome FREE night’s stay worth $72! The room rates at the hotel run from $59 to $79 plus 22% service and tax.

For more on the hotel please see El Meson which we have donated to charity that aims to stimulate employment in Ecuador .

All profits at the hotel go to Land of the Sun Foundation

You can learn more about Cotacachi and why we have chosen this as the center for our lives and charitable interests in Ecuador at village notes

Please consider the following.

We are not real estate brokers. We do not sell real estate nor publish lists of property for sale.

However we do help readers meet make real estate contacts. Here are some shots of a gated community that is owned entirely by our subscribers, readers and courses delegates. These houses sold from $49,000 to $99,000.

Though we do not sell property we do help our subscribers buy and sell property. Several readers in this development decided to sell and in each case we found another subscriber who purchased their house or lot. We did not charge these subscribers commission!

Here is a condo that is owned entirely by our subscribers and readers. These units sold from $39,000 to $49,000.

Here is a view from all the front rooms view and interior shots.

The kitchen

Steve Marchant also offers a buyers service and will look after a subscriber’s purchase…translating…follow up and whatever else is needed to complete a sale, being your man in Ecuador .

We are publishers who specialize in helping our readers learn more about Ecuador . We conduct real estate tours to help our readers see a representation of properties currently on the market. We also conduct courses on speaking Spanish and Ecuador import export as well as how to develop one’s own small international business.

We know what is happening and are experienced and in tune with markets and business opportunity now. We know what’s going on and who to deal with. For example if you would like to build a home…as many subscribers have done, we know first class architects who build at very low costs. Here are some shots of homes one of the architects we can introduce has built.

This is true of business as well. We know Ecuador business. We know Ecuador business. First we own and run an Ecuador hotel. Here is El Meson.

We have also helped numerous subscribers become involved in all types of business from health products to flowers. Here I am at our North Carolina home with roses we exported from Ecuador .

Here is some incredible water color painted by an artists we have helped subscribers meet so they can export his work.

There are numerous business ideas we have helped subscribers start.

We have been conducting tours on international business investing and real estate in…dozens of countries over the past 35 years so we know what to look for when visiting a new country. We know what you need…the mistakes you are likely to make.

We have been conducting tours in Ecuador for over a decade.

We are continually looking at real estate in Ecuador .

We are continually buying and selling property ourselves so we know what we are writing about. Here is a shot from the front yard of an 800 acre Andean hacienda we bought and have owned for many years.

You can see more pictures of this beachfront property we are also buying (to build a house) at http://www.garyascott.com/2007/12/09/1919.html

We have purchased places to fix up. We have built brand new houses. We have purchased new houses, agriculture land, office buildings, on the coast and in the mountains so we have an in depth experience to share.

We share a background based on 40 years of living and working abroad integrated with real ongoing experience. This helps you can understand Ecuador better and provides an intelligent starting point to begin a life or investment here.

Merri and I also have enormous experience living and working with Andean shamanic health and ideals.

Here we are with a Taita Yatchak hiking into a sacred valley.

Our tours and regular emailed reports about Ecuador share what we have learned…the mistakes and all, with you.

Visiting a new country is fun, exciting and enlightening but first time visitors need time to learn the ropes…meet dependable professionals…attorneys, surveyors …architects…developers and such.

Ecuador offers special bargains because in some ways it is disorganized. This disorganization creates extra opportunity for those who are willing to take the time to learn and who have contacts to help them avoid initial errors.

Our Ecuador Living service and our tours help you gain information and dependable contacts as fast as possible, in the safest way.

Our only income in Ecuador comes from the subscriptions and tour fees of our readers.

As much as we would like to answer everyone’s questions this is not possible…so if you have a real interest in Ecuador I invite you to subscribe to Ecuador Living so we can assist you.

After considering these thoughts, $119 for our Ecuador Living service does not seem much to gain the experiences and support of experienced global travelers who have lived in Ecuador for over ten years!

If you have doubts, we have served over 2,000 people in Ecuador in the past decade and are happy to put you in touch with many of our happy readers.

You can read details of our Ecuador Living Service by clicking on subscription details

Once you subscribe we will introduce you to Steve Marchant and give you a password so you can enter and communicate in the private Ecuador Living domain. You will also have full access to our support team and our business center services including, the ability to communicate with other Ecuador Living subscribers at the EL blog.

May we serve you in Ecuador ? You can subscribe to Ecuador Living by clicking here at Reserve a subscription

Gary Scott

PS, In how many ways can we help you? We do what we can to make Ecuador a wonderful experience. Take for example the true story of one subscriber who had his carry on suitcase stolen. He lost everything, passport, wallet, car keys, credit card, driver’s license.

He was stranded on a Saturday morning with $3 left in his pocket.

Fortunately he called us at our hotel in Cotacachi.

I called our friend and attorney, Dr. Andres Cordova in Quito , one of the many contacts we provide to our subscribers. Andres immediately left his Saturday afternoon lunch and within the hour had picked up our delegate given him $200 cash and sent him back to us in Cotacachi (The US Embassy would not help the delegate until the next Monday). He wrote:

“Hi Gary and Merri, Well, I made it back and I really, really appreciate your helping me out. It relieved a lot of potential stress, and the whole incident was a wake-up call to crises preparedness.

What is the best way to return the money to you? I have a new Amex card now (still waiting for the VISA card), or I could send a personal check or wire. This is what I have listed that you paid out for me to get me back home in comfort:

First cash loan $200.00

second cash loan $300.00

Taxi to El Meson $ 45.00

Taxi to Quito $ 45.00

2 nights El Meson $100.00

1 night hotel Quito $ 54.90

Thanks $100.00

Total $844.90

Again thanks. You were lifesavers. Eric”

Here are comments from and pictures of other EL subscribers.

“Gary & Merri, I have just returned from my trip to South America - Quito to the Peruvian Amazon ( including a wonderful stop in Cotacachi and completing the Inca Trail Trek). The whole thing was nothing short of extraordinary but I did want to specifically let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed my two nights at El Meson de las Flores (at the end of October). The staff there are so warm and responsive I was able to wind down from a tough conference in Quito and change gears for a tour of the Galapagos the next week and forwards fro the next three weeks. I was enchanted by the hotel and the town and look forward to my next visit. Cotacachi is now on the tops of my list of places to visit for my clients interested in South America . Many thanks for looking after me. Cheers for now – Susan”

Lee ward a San Francisco based Frank Lloyd Wright trained architect and his wife developed a publishing business from our courses here.

“Hey guys, Not only was the course a wonderful learning experience, when we returned home we were delighted to see that our modest holding in stocks you talked about had appreciated more than the cost of the course in just these 5 days. We can’t thank you enough for sharing so freely your knowledge and wisdom which is valuable on so many levels. Ryan and Tracie”

Here is subscriber Bonnie Keough enjoying breakfast served by our server Consuleo. Bonnie has developed a successful Export business shipping products back to her home near Boston .

“Gary and Merri, Thank you both for an enlightening, memorable, informative five days that were filled with life-changing ideas and wisdom from you two. It was indeed an honor to attend your seminar. I loved your stories and enjoyed hearing the joys and challenges of your journey… so far. And look forward to the next chance we get to share some time with you. Merri, your meals were outstanding! Wholesome food and delicious. At the meal we had when we reached our first US airport we just looked at each other and shook our heads at the difference between the cooking we had experienced for the past few days and the usual restaurant fare. Gary , the passion and understanding that flows from your presentations embraces the group and magic happens. The wisdom you shared from your life experiences in writing and publishing was priceless and I can’t express in words the effect it had on me. Thanks again! Kind regards, Dennis”

Speaking of food, here I am with Merri and our chef Santiago after we took an early morning visit to the local fish market. Merri conducts courses on food as medicine where she shares information we have gained from the Yatchaks on how to improve health through delicious nutrition.

“ Gary , You have provided great information & resources to me for many years and for that I thank you. The idea of an assisted living facility overseas is a good one.

All the best, Dave”

Here is subscriber Jimmie berg and friend inspecting flowers at Otavalo market…just minutes from our hotel.

“Hi Gary, My wife Jo and I just returned from a trip to Ecuador which included an eight day stay at El Meson. We would like to relate to just how wonderful the experience was and how well we were treated by Jimmie and Gary and the entire staff at the hotel. We have never stayed anywhere and received that kind of treatment. You are to be congratulated for having such a group as this. We were amazed and look forward to another trip in the future. Thanks for very much. Jo & Bill”

Here are subscribers Paul Peacock and Julia Cundliffe from British Columbia visiting our hotel. They own a condo in the village.

“Hi Gary & Merri, The Spanish Class was a truly very nice experience. Since I have been here I have fallen in love with the people, their graciousness and always ready to help me in their language and in understanding their culture. The land is so beautiful and awesome. It is amazing how the villagers utilize the mountain sides. Staying at El Meson we never miss the activities that are centered at the town square. The church steps serve as a grand stand for young and old alike. Thank you for such nice hospitality and a safe place to stay.”

Here are delegates Larry Pearson, former commander of The Blue Angels Naval flight team, his wife Janet, a former Jag officer from Arizona, Suzie Broker, a real estate broker from California and Bob and Barbara Humphries from Colorado. Bob recently sold his fluid engineering business and Barbara teaches Fung Shui globally. All are enjoying lunch at the Relais and Chateux La Mirage Spa at one of our courses. One huge benefit of our courses is the really interesting people you meet and friends and contacts made.

“Hi Merri, Thank you so much for taking your time to reply to my many questions. I read, with great interest, the emails that you and Gary send me every day and am overwhelmed by your schedules and your great energies. I am fascinated by what you and Gary do. I envy you two and am listening carefully as I am learning many interesting things from you both and what better way is there to learn than to have the opportunity to emulate two happy successful people. I have spent lots of time on your various websites. Thank you for this. I am planning a trip to Ecuador in early June of 2008. Your suggestion to make the trip and get a feel for Ecuador is a good suggestion. I am feeling a bit like Gary when years ago he lost his job in Hong Kong and was overwhelmed by his circumstances. I have a small amount of money saved but a very small amount and am trying to make good decisions as at age 66 it becomes increasingly difficult to not get stuck in old habits and to strike out and do new things. You and Gary have truly inspired me. Even if Ecuador does not work for us I have gotten a lot of energy from you two. Thank you. I would like to visit the Steiner school in Cotacachi when I am there and see if there might be any possibilities of my wife teaching English at the school. Once again Merri thank you to you and to Gary for inspiring me and for taking your time to communicate with me. I truly appreciate your work. Best regards. Tom”

Bill and Irena Lambert are property investors who have invested in Ecuador real estate after attending our courses. Here Bill is bargaining at one of the crafts fairs we organized at the hotel. Bill is from California and Irena from Russia .

May we serve you in Ecuador ? You can subscribe to Ecuador Living by clicking here at Reserve a subscription

Details of our tours and courses are below:

Andean Real Estate tour

Coastal Real Estate Tour

Speak Spanish in a week course

Shaman Tour

Import Export Course

hotel savings

One week Ecuador spa adventure

Here is a group ready for a real estate tour. These delegates came from Colorado , Australia , Switzerland , North Carolina , Virginia and Massachusetts to name a few.

When you become an Ecuador Living subscriber you become connected to and gain access to the knowledge and experiences of thousands of others like yourself who have been to Ecuador .

We hope you will join us in Ecuador . Click here and subscribe. Reserve a subscription

Once you subscribe we will introduce you to Steve Marchant and give you a password so you can enter and communicate in the private Ecuador Living domain. You will also have full access to our support team and our business center services including, the ability to communicate with other Ecuador Living subscribers at the EL blog.