Canadian Passport – Ready

Forms & Info | Photos Canadian Passport renewal – talk about service, just got a message from the Embassy in Quito that my passport is ready woohoo they will send it DHL or Servientrega. Initially sent to the embassy on 3.30 but I forgot to sign something so they called and I sent the additional doc on 4.17 and todays… Read More

Great Italian in Mindo

thanks for the tip Vicki Ayres Kielas A to-die-for Italian restaurant there…some of the best homeade pasta and pizza in South America! Ristorante Italiano La Mecha On Vicente Aguirre | Marquesa de Solanda, Mindo drop us a note when you check it out

Ecuador Drivers License – How to

special thanks to David DeChambeau for this info (David & Wendy just got their Ecuador Drivers License) If you have a current driver’s license from the US or Canada, here’s what you need to get your Ecuador driver’s license:  Eye and coordination exam form (examen psicosensometrico)  Blood type card issued from the Ecuador Red Cross  Driver’s record from the state… Read More

iHerb update

So there has been changes and we were not sure if we could still get a shipment here. But nothing ventured nothing gained. We needed both multi grain flour and rye flour. Can’t buy those here – sooo iHerb to the rescue. Ordered 2 bags of flour and enough to get the order for $8 in shipping (think about dried… Read More

Learning Spanish Tools

my personal favorite is https://www.duolingo.com/ with thanks to Dan Locke for this list Free Online: http://www.fodors.com/language/spanish/greetings Audio phrases from Fodor’s. http://www.laits.utexas.edu/spe/siteindex.php This is a very unique site and has lots of tools that you don’t see typically in a language site. I like it very much. http://www.queondaspanish.com/ This seems similar to what I know of the Rosetta Stone; although it is just a… Read More

Guayaquil Hotels & Hostals

with thanks to David Sasaki for this list Manso Boutique Hotel will pick up at GYE, and are happy to accept pets, many of staff speak some english Free WiFi http://manso.ec/?lang=en Perla Real Inn http://www.perlarealinn.com/ Hotel Jeshua http://hoteljeshua.com/ NucaPacha Hostel http://www.nucapacha.com/ Hotel Garzota Inn http://www.hotelgarzotainn.com/index2.html Hotel Livingston Inn https://www.facebook.com/hotelivingston Courtyard by Marriott http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/gyecy-courtyard-guayaquil/ Funky Monkey Hostal http://www.funkymonkeyhostal.com/ Airport Hotel Ave.… Read More

Mindo Hostal/Hotel Recommendations

thanks to David Sasaki for this list Dragonfly Inn http://www.dragonflyinn-mindo.com/ El Descanso hostal http://www.eldescanso.net/ El Septimo Paraiso Hotel http://www.septimoparaiso.com/ La Casa del Camino http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g609138-d2212920-Reviews-La_Casa_del_Camino_Mindo-Mindo_Pichincha_Province.html Sachatamia Lodge http://www.sachatamia.com/ Mindo Gardens http://www.mindogardens.com/ Cabañas Bambu http://www.hotelbambuecuador.com/pages/mindo.html El Abrazo del Árbol http://www.elabrazodelarbol.com/ Just an FYI, CasKaffeSu no longer offers rooms or a full restaurant. They just have coffee, desserts, cocktails and live

Crafts & Craftsmanship in Ecuador

with thanks to David Sasaki for this list WEAVING Agato – Miguel Andrango (backstrap weaver) https://www.facebook.com/groups/EcuadorExpats/permalink/10152309661761140/ http://abyayala.nativeweb.org/ecuador/otavalo/andrango/ Peguche – Jose Cotacachi, Artesania El Gran Condor http://www.josecotacachi.com/ http://artesaniaelgrancondor.com/quienes.html Gualaceo – José Jiménez (IKAT weaver) https://patomiller.wordpress.com/category/artesano-sr-jose-jimenez-macanas/ Salasaka (Tungurahua Province) http://www.thisisecuador.com/contents/handmade-in-ecuador/117-salasaca-tapestries-talent-portrayed-in-textiles.html Cañar – Juan Tenezaca http://www.elmercurio.com.ec/392972-juan-tenezaca-es-el-ultimo-tejedor-canari/ PANAMA HATS Montecrist http://www.montecristihats.com/ Sigsig http://www.cuencahighlife.com/post/2013/03/24/Although-Panama-hat-are-finished-and-exported-from-Cuenca-they-are-woven-in-dozen-of-small-villages.aspx CERAMICS/POTTERY Cuenca – Eduardo Vega, Eduardo Segovia http://www.ceramicavega.com/ http://www.artcuenca.com/artists/eduardo-segovia La Pila (Manabí… Read More