See Ecuador exports at Ecuador Handbag Profits.

Gary

this man and an example from…

this man can enhance your health and wealth as well as help you speak Spanish in Ecuador here.

Gary

and the city hall and town center, just…

steps from the hotel and the village Cathedral.

Plus here is a note from a reader who recently stayed at there in Cotacachi.

We want to thank you both so much for your generosity and kind offer to let us relax at Meson de las Flores Sunday evening and ride back to Quito with you.  We enjoyed our conversations and getting your insights on so many subjects on the ride.  Both of you have become quite an inspiration to us, and we look forward to learning more from you and attending a number of your seminars.  We can hardly wait to return to Ecuador.  This was our first visit, and we really had no idea what to expect.  What a special place and people!  It reminds me of my trip to the Bush of Kenya in the mid 90’s.  Kenya was a magical and life changing experience, and caused me to rethink the world and how I fit into it.  Ecuador had a very similar effect, and is certainly calling me back!

When our flight pulled up to the gate in Atlanta yesterday morning, and the captain announced that we had to wait for Customs to show up to work before we could de-board, Nancy and I just looked at each other and rolled our eyes, with a chuckle…  Welcome back to the U.S.!

See why we have changed the name of our hotel from Meson de las Flores to Hotel Tierra del Sol here

Gary

Our Ecuador export tours create all types of export ideas.  A delegates on our last tour sent this note about exporting Ecuador chess sets.

Gary, I enjoyed this morning’s report very much.  What a wonderful chess set you found!  I remember you getting it packed at the hotel shortly before we loaded up in the van to drive back to the airport Sunday night.  Your report has given us some ideas to work on, thank you!

See my new Ecuador suit and how it creates an Ecuador export earning idea that may be suited for you here.

Our next Ecuador export tour starts April. 12-15 with our Ecuador Export Expedition Tour ($499 or couple $749)

Here are clay figurines that you will see on the Ecuador export tour.

These clay necklaces at the gallery are great models for Ecuador exports as well.

Stay on and look at Ecuador real estate opportunity.

Apr. 17-18   Imbabura Real Estate Tour ($499 or couple $749)

Apr. 20-21  Coastal Mid Coast Real Estate Tour ($499 or couple $749)

Apr. 23-24  Quito & Mindo Real Estate Tour ($499 or couple $749)

You enjoy discounts by attending multiple seminars and tours. Here are our multi tour adventure discounts.

May 9-12       Super Thinking + Spanish Course, Cotacachi Ecuador
May  13-14    Ecuador Shamanic Mingo
May  16-17    Imbabura Real Estate Tour
May  19-20    Coastal Real Estate Tour
May  22-23    Quito Real Estate Tour
May  25-26    Cuenca Real Estate Tour

June 24       Quantum Wealth North Carolina
June 25-27    International Investing and Business North Carolina
June 28-29    Ecuador Travel & Andes=
June 30-Jul 1 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
July 3-4      Coastal Real Estate Tour
July 6-7      Quito Real Estate Tour
July 9-10     Cuenca Real Estate Tour

Sept.   3-6   Ecuador Export Tour
Sept.   8-9   Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Sept. 11-12   Coastal Real Estate Tour
Sept. 14-15   Cuenca Real Estate Tour
Sept. 17-18   Ecuador Shamanic Mingo

Oct.    7     Quantum Wealth North Carolina
Oct.   8-10   International Investing & Business North Carolina
Oct.   11-12  Travel to Quito and Andean Tour
Oct.  13-14   Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Oct.  16-17   Coastal Real Estate Tour
Oct.  19-20   Quito Real Estate Tour
Oct. 22-23    Cuenca Real Estate Tour

Nov.    4-7   Super Thinking + Spanish Course Florida
Nov.    8-9   Travel to Quito and Andean Tour
Nov. 10-11    Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Nov. 13-14    Coastal Real Estate Tour
Nov. 16-17    Quito Real Estate
Nov. 19-20    Cuenca Real Estate Tour

Dec.   3-5    Ecuador Shamanic Mingo
Dec.   7-8    Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Dec.  10-11   Coastal Real Estate Tour
Dec. 13-14    Quito Real Estate Tour
Dec. 16-17    Cuenca Real Estate Tour

See my new Ecuador suit and how it creates an Ecuador export earning idea that may be suited for you here.

See other ways to fight inflation

Take Vistazul residents, Larry and Shirley Humphrey. Here they are at Palmazul, their club house, (133 steps from their condo) using the broadband.

Larry and Shirley told me it was costing them about $700 a month to live on the beach.  Their comment was, “we receive over $2,000 from our Canadian pension, live on $700 and save the rest.”

Yet low cost living is not even near the biggest benefit of living in Ecuador quoted to me by residents here.  A more relaxed lifestyle is often number one.

I could not agree more. Here I am with Ma in the Pamazul front yard… working hard.

I am thinking.

Other times I take my lap top and enjoy the benefits of a broadband global business by working from my balcony… with this view… and the sea breeze… the warm sun and sound of the waves.

This apartment on the beach is available for rent or sale.

Usually I quit working though for the sunset. Here is one sunset shot I took from one of our Vistazul condos.

Good health comes in as a reason to live in Ecuador as well. Everyone walks more… eats fresher food.

Larry and Shirley are from Calgary and had a successful jewelry business there but the pace of life was ruining their health.  Since arriving at Vistaazul, Shirley has seen her weight drop 20 pounds and is completely off all the medications she needed when she lived up north.  Both tell me they feel so much better… so much more relaxed… filled with energy again.

I hear this story again and again.  Delegates lose weight and reduce their blood pressure and their meds when they move to Ecuador.

When Merri and I are there, we watch Larry and Shirley play in this surf every day.

Some times alone.

Some times with the local kids.

Some times with just the pelicans and sometimes…

on this totally empty beach.

Style in Ecuador construction also offers some wonderful little things that one would never get in a condo up north… like this window trim.

Each unit has its own special wood carving in the window.

Gardening is another.  Here is one block of the Vistazul condos. They look a bit bleak now but not for long.

Here are some of the flowers you see around Vistazul.

So many shapes…

sizes…

colors…

smells.

Learn more about Vistazul from Kjetil Haugan at kjetil@haugancruises.com

Ecuador’s cost of living is so low that it is tempting to just plan to move there or buy right away.

We recommend that you rent and try Ecuador first before making a final decision.

The are two reasons we make this suggestion.

First Ecuador is not for everyone. We love this Andean nation and have a lot of good to say about this but until you have tried living there you won’t know how you feel.

Second, you’ll buy better when you learn the ropes. An education is learning all the rules. Experience is learning all the exceptions to the rules.  There are many bargains in Ecuador but you are not likely to see them in the first days of your visit.  Being in Ecuador awhile will expose you to greater opportunity.

Yet not everyone can get to Ecuador… like this reader who wrote:

I want to tell you how much I have enjoyed getting to know Ecuador through your daily postings.  I am disabled and poor, so I am unable to attend your seminar, but I feel like I have traveled to Ecuador because seen all your pictures and  have read your daily postings.  The pictures are marvelous.  Thanks for your introduction to another part of the world!

This is why we also focus on low cost living in Smalltown USA and fighting inflation with foreign exchange investing. See other ways to fight inflation

Gary

Meet Merri and me this Thursday in Mt Dora. We have three spaces left for March 11-14 Super Thinking + Spanish Course, Mt. Dora, Fl.

Learn Spanish in four days as you increase your intelligence.  Join Merri and me in Mt. Dora this week!

Then join our Ecuador Living team and  travel to Quito March 15, 2010.

March 16 Travel Quito to Cotacachi

March 17-18  North Andes, Imbabura & Cotacachi Real Estate Tour

March 19-20    Cotacachi Shamanic Tour

March 21  Travel Cotacachi to Manta

March 22-23   Manta & Mid Coast Real Estate Tour

March 24 Travel Manta to Cuenca

March 25-26 Cuenca Real Estate Tour

March 27  Travel Cuenca to Salinas

Mar. 28-29   Salinas & South Coast Real Estate Tour

The Ecuador airfare war makes it cheaper to get to Ecuador than ever before… and there is still time to enjoy great Ecuador tour savings.

International Club Three Monthly Payments of $1,190

Our Spring 2010 schedule starts April. 12-15 with our Ecuador Export Expedition Tour ($499 or couple $749)

Here are clay figurines that you will see on the Ecuador export tour.

These clay necklaces at the gallery are great models for Ecuador exports as well.

Stay on and look at Ecuador real estate opportunity.

Apr. 17-18   Imbabura Real Estate Tour ($499 or couple $749)
Apr. 20-21  Coastal Mid Coast Real Estate Tour ($499 or couple $749)
Apr. 23-24  Quito & Mindo Real Estate Tour ($499 or couple $749)

Here is the balance of our 2010 schedule.

May 9-12       Super Thinking + Spanish Course, Cotacachi Ecuador
May  13-14    Ecuador Shamanic Mingo
May  16-17    Imbabura Real Estate Tour
May  19-20    Coastal Real Estate Tour
May  22-23    Quito Real Estate Tour
May  25-26    Cuenca Real Estate Tour

June 24       Quantum Wealth North Carolina
June 25-27    International Investing and Business North Carolina
June 28-29    Ecuador Travel & Andes=
June 30-Jul 1 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
July 3-4      Coastal Real Estate Tour
July 6-7      Quito Real Estate Tour
July 9-10     Cuenca Real Estate Tour

Sept.   3-6   Ecuador Export Tour
Sept.   8-9   Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Sept. 11-12   Coastal Real Estate Tour
Sept. 14-15   Cuenca Real Estate Tour
Sept. 17-18   Ecuador Shamanic Mingo

Oct.    7     Quantum Wealth North Carolina
Oct.   8-10   International Investing & Business North Carolina
Oct.   11-12  Travel to Quito and Andean Tour
Oct.  13-14   Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Oct.  16-17   Coastal Real Estate Tour
Oct.  19-20   Quito Real Estate Tour
Oct. 22-23    Cuenca Real Estate Tour

Nov.    4-7   Super Thinking + Spanish Course Florida
Nov.    8-9   Travel to Quito and Andean Tour
Nov. 10-11    Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Nov. 13-14    Coastal Real Estate Tour
Nov. 16-17    Quito Real Estate
Nov. 19-20    Cuenca Real Estate Tour

Dec.   3-5    Ecuador Shamanic Mingo
Dec.   7-8    Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Dec.  10-11   Coastal Real Estate Tour
Dec. 13-14    Quito Real Estate Tour
Dec. 16-17    Cuenca Real Estate Tour

See an Ecuadorian story of the heart and roses at Heartwarming Ecuador.

Our last…

Ecuador roses looked like this when they arrived.

Here they are opened and…

in a vase… at just $1.59 per rose… delivered by Fedex fresh to your home.

Ecuador… from roses to real estate… is a new place for most of us! One benefit of Ecuador living is our power of numbers. Our list has now grown past 20,000 readers… all connected by common interests…. revolving around international travel, business and living.

This gives all readers the benefit of the uncanny and generally unconscious collective intelligence at work.

Groups of people are like clouds of birds… seeming to move in one mind but actually each acting on four simple rules:

#1) Stay as close to the center as possible.

#2) Stay two body lengths away from your neighbor.

#3) Do not bump into another bird.

#4): If a predator dives at you, get out of the way.

We as a collection of readers… as a group… are weirdly smart and effective.

This incredible effectiveness comes from the diversity of individual intelligences we represent bound by the common interest we share.  The 20,000 of us reading these messages enhances our problem solving ability to the 20,000th power.

So we share comments and questions from readers.  Please share yours.

A reader at our latest seminar in Cotacachi wrote:

Hi Merri, I hope this e-mail finds you well.  I had such an amazing trip in Ecuador this past month and truly enjoyed meeting you, as well as participating in the SuperThinking Spanish classes. I feel so lucky to work for the Travel Division and be able to experience so many incredible adventures. Thank you again for having us. Please give Alberto, Mauricio, Eduardo, Consuelo and all of the amazing staff my best.  Take care,

Everything for this reader went perfectly. She is sure to return.  Yet another reader sent this note.

Hi Gary,  Just arrived in Guayaquil to do some volunteer optometric work.  We brought 2,300 pair of used glasses organized by Lions Clubs in Alaska & Washington and volunteers from Volunteers in Optometry Services for Humanity(VOSH Northwest).

The chief customs guy is holding my friend’s passport until one of the customs employees hand counts all 2300 pr.  A doc in Guayaquil said he had talked to customs to smooth the arrival.  It’s 3 am and my friend is sitting at the airport waiting for the count to be completed so he can get his passport back.  A heck of a welcome for docs who spent over $1000 in travel alone to come down here to do volunteer work. Thought you would be interested in knowing what goes on.

Why the difference?  And what can one do to reduce the negative and enhance the positive? Any thoughts? Please share.

See an Ecuador story of the heart and roses at Heartwarming Ecuador.

Gary

Learn how to export Ecuador roses. Improve your Ecuador export skills by speaking better Spanish. Join Merri and me March 11-14     Super Thinking + Spanish Course, Mt. Dora, Fl.

Join our Ecuador Living team and  travel to Quito March 15, 2010.

March 16 Travel Quito to Cotacachi

March 17-18  North Andes, Imbabura & Cotacachi Real Estate Tour

March 19-20    Cotacachi Shamanic Tour

March 21  Travel Cotacachi to Manta

March 22-23   Manta & Mid Coast Real Estate Tour

March 24 Travel Manta to Cuenca

March 25-26 Cuenca Real Estate Tour

March 27  Travel Cuenca to Salinas

Mar. 28-29   Salinas & South Coast Real Estate Tour

The Ecuador airfare war makes it cheaper to get to Ecuador than ever before… and there is still time to enjoy great Ecuador tour savings.

International Club Three Monthly Payments of $1,190

Our Spring 2010 schedule starts April. 12-15 with our Ecuador Export Expedition Tour ($499 or couple $749)

Here are clay figurines that you will see on the Ecuador export tour.

These clay necklaces at the gallery are great models for Ecuador exports as well.

Stay on and look at Ecuador real estate opportunity.

Apr. 17-18   Imbabura Real Estate Tour ($499 or couple $749)
Apr. 20-21  Coastal Mid Coast Real Estate Tour ($499 or couple $749)
Apr. 23-24  Quito & Mindo Real Estate Tour ($499 or couple $749)

Here is the balance of our 2010 schedule.

May 9-12       Super Thinking + Spanish Course, Cotacachi Ecuador
May  13-14    Ecuador Shamanic Mingo
May  16-17    Imbabura Real Estate Tour
May  19-20    Coastal Real Estate Tour
May  22-23    Quito Real Estate Tour
May  25-26    Cuenca Real Estate Tour

June 24       Quantum Wealth North Carolina
June 25-27    International Investing and Business North Carolina
June 28-29    Ecuador Travel & Andes=
June 30-Jul 1 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
July 3-4      Coastal Real Estate Tour
July 6-7      Quito Real Estate Tour
July 9-10     Cuenca Real Estate Tour

Sept.   3-6   Ecuador Export Tour
Sept.   8-9   Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Sept. 11-12   Coastal Real Estate Tour
Sept. 14-15   Cuenca Real Estate Tour
Sept. 17-18   Ecuador Shamanic Mingo

Oct.    7     Quantum Wealth North Carolina
Oct.   8-10   International Investing & Business North Carolina
Oct.   11-12  Travel to Quito and Andean Tour
Oct.  13-14   Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Oct.  16-17   Coastal Real Estate Tour
Oct.  19-20   Quito Real Estate Tour
Oct. 22-23    Cuenca Real Estate Tour

Nov.    4-7   Super Thinking + Spanish Course Florida
Nov.    8-9   Travel to Quito and Andean Tour
Nov. 10-11    Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Nov. 13-14    Coastal Real Estate Tour
Nov. 16-17    Quito Real Estate
Nov. 19-20    Cuenca Real Estate Tour

Dec.   3-5    Ecuador Shamanic Mingo
Dec.   7-8    Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Dec.  10-11   Coastal Real Estate Tour
Dec. 13-14    Quito Real Estate Tour
Dec. 16-17    Cuenca Real Estate Tour

See an Ecuador beach condo review of these $79,000 coastal units here.

Here is what an Ecuador Living subscriber wrote about Ecuador’s coast.

My wife and I have now been up and down the entire coast of Ecuador. Even though we live on a mountain overlooking Ibarra, we have always been fond of the ocean. We have decided we will spend half the year in the mountains and the other half on the coast.

We would like to share our findings of the coastal area with your readers. We have always enjoyed the wide white sand beaches of the States such as Huntington Beach in California and Miami South Beach. However, most of the beaches in Ecuador are of the packed down dark sand variety.

There are only 2 beaches in Ecuador that are comparable to what we enjoy and are accustomed to. These are Atacames Beach just south of Esmeraldas and Chipipe Beach just south of Salinas.

Atacames was very nice but there are problems associated with it. This includes having to go to Esmeraldas to find a big grocery store and being a little too far north for our liking. Esmeraladas has always received negative reports about crime and danger. We found it not to be as bad as advertised but why take chances?

Chipipe is the beach we have chosen. It is literally within walking distance of famous Salinas Beach but it is much much quieter. Unlike Salinas, Chipipe is a nice wide fluffy white sand beach. It also does not have a Marina taking up a large part of the beach. I do not want to swim next to anchored out boats such as some people do in Salinas.

Chipipe Beach is not well known in this country. I like that fact and it works for us.

Learn how to enjoy two weeks in the Ecuador Andes and two weeks on Ecuador’s sea with our Ecuador Surf & Turf.

See a review of $79,000 Ecuador beach condos here.

Gary

See Ecuador beach condos on our March and April Ecuador beach tours.

Join Merri and me March 11-14  for Super Thinking + Spanish Course, Mt. Dora, Fl.

March 15    Travel to Quito

March 16 Travel Quito Cotacachi

March 17-18  North Andes, Imbabura & Cotacachi Real Estate Tour

March 19-20    Cotacachi Shamanic Tour

March 21  Travel Cotacachi to Manta

March 22-23   Manta & Mid Coast Real Estate Tour

March 24 Travel Manta to Cuenca

March 25-26 Cuenca Real Estate Tour

March 27  Travel Cuenca to Salinas

Mar. 28-29   Salinas & South Coast Real Estate Tour

We own seven properties there as well and it seems that our tastes coincide with the organizers of Miss Ecuador because last year there was a Miss Ecuador event at Palmazul.

The beach is usually quiet.

But not that week!

The hotel serene.

Yet it was hectic when the Miss Ecuador contestants were with the Palmazul staff and Palmazul owner Jessica Haugan (lower far right).

Kjetil Haugan was busy taking the photos but managed to be in a few pictures with the Miss Ecuador contestants as well.

One evening the Miss Ecuador contestants visited our favorite Italian pizza maker, Gabrielle Graziani.

I hope they had as much fun as we do when we visit there at night. Gabriel’s rustic restaurant is right next to Palmazul and the Vistazul condos.  You can read more at Ecuador beach restaurant.

In May, Merri and I will be in our 42nd year of investing and doing business abroad.  We have helped tens of thousands of readers visit other countries and invest globally. This is our 15th year in Ecuador and thousands of our readers have come down so we have honed a keen sense of what our clients might like.

We spotted opportunity in Cotacachi years ago and now this village is booming… maybe a hundred or so of our readers have purchased property in Cotacachi  now…  many millions in sales and many new residents.

There is opportunity in San Clemente as well.  This is one reason why Miss Ecuador was there.

Now you can see that this year Miss Ecuador was at our hotel in Cotacachi again!

Gary

Join Merri and me March 11-14  for Super Thinking + Spanish Course, Mt. Dora, Fl.

March 15    Travel to Quito

March 16 Travel Quito Cotacachi

March 17-18  North Andes, Imbabura & Cotacachi Real Estate Tour

March 19-20    Cotacachi Shamanic Tour

March 21  Travel Cotacachi to Manta

March 22-23   Manta & Mid Coast Real Estate Tour

March 24 Travel Manta to Cuenca

March 25-26 Cuenca Real Estate Tour

March 27  Travel Cuenca to Salinas

Mar. 28-29   Salinas & South Coast Real Estate Tour

Plus you can see here that this year Miss Ecuador was at our hotel there!

on this beach as…

the landscaping is going in and…

some units are now finished and occupied.

See our weekly review here.

Gary

A delegate from our last Cuenca real estate tour sent this note.

Dear Gary and Merri,  We have recently returned from the Cuenca real estate tour organized by Steven Milden and Xavier Amoroso. The two days were expertly arranged to maximize our delightful experiences in this wonderful country. We compliment Xavier and his real estate team, and especially, Cari, the architect, for their knowledge of the market, and their hospitality following the tour. Your future delegates can feel confident in conducting any real estate business with this company.

I congratulated Stephen who heads up our Cuenca real estate tours and he replied.

Attached is a photo of the Cuenca Team having breakfast at the Hotel El Dorado at the beginning of day 1.

From left to right – Xavier Amoroso (real estate), Caridad Sanchez (my assistant who is also an architect), me, Mauricio Granda (Xavier’s partner).

All are bi-lingual and I consider them friends.

This friendly… no stress atmosphere reflects Ecuador and especially Cuenca… one of the perfect places to be for those who want to live in a city.

Cuenca (full name Santa Ana de los cuatro ríos de Cuenca) is the third largest city in Ecuador by population, which totals 467,000. It is the capital of the Azuay Province. It is located in the highlands of Ecuador at about 2500m (8200 ft) above sea level. The center of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site because of its historical buildings.

Learn more about low stress jobs on my Gary Scott site at Stress Less Jobs.

Gary

Join Merri and me or Ecuador Living’s staff in Cuenca this March 2010.

March 11-14     Super Thinking + Spanish Course, Mt. Dora, Fl.

March 15    Travel to Quito

March 16 Travel Quito Cotacachi

March 17-18  North Andes, Imbabura & Cotacachi Real Estate Tour

March 19-20    Cotacachi Shamanic Tour

March 21  Travel Cotacachi to Manta

March 22-23   Manta & Mid Coast Real Estate Tour

March 24 Travel Manta to Cuenca

March 25-26 Cuenca Real Estate Tour

March 27  Travel Cuenca to Salinas

Mar. 28-29   Salinas & South Coast Real Estate Tour

The Ecuador airfare war makes it cheaper to get to Ecuador than ever before… and there is still time to enjoy great Ecuador tour savings.

International Club Three Monthly Payments of $1,190

Our Spring 2010 schedule starts:

Apr. 12-15   Ecuador Export Tour ($499 or couple $749)
Apr. 17-18   Imbabura Real Estate Tour ($499 or couple $749)
Apr. 20-21  Coastal Mid Coast Real Estate Tour ($499 or couple $749)
Apr. 23-24  Quito & Mindo Real Estate Tour ($499 or couple $749)
Apr. 26-27  Cuenca Real Estate Tour ($499 or couple $749)

The multi tour discounts remain effective for the April tours.