Preparing to (somewhat) Disconnect

Preparing to (somewhat) Disconnect

A lot goes into moving abroad.  We’ve both done it before, but this is the first time we’ve done so together.  
The basic principals are:

•        Downsize possessions to become lean and light
•        Mentally prepare to be a very long way from family, existing friends and your comfort zones
•        Making plans to remain connected to “the grid” once you move abroad

Downsizing was relatively easy for us.  For some looking to move abroad, this is tough!  Here’s what I suggest people do as they make this transition:  rather than stress over leaving grandma’s silver behind, instead take with you what grandma REALLY gave you - your love of travel, your stubbornness, your ability to adapt to change, etc.  I think she would be much happier, because that was her real gift to you – not silver that anyone can buy on eBay!  I like my “stuff” so this was something I had to teach myself to embrace!

Mentally preparing yourself for a move abroad is tough for just about anyone.  Many people love the idea of moving abroad….then the first grandchild is born back in Iowa.  Suddenly, being a day’s travel time away from the grand kids becomes a prison sentence.  Inevitably, someone is going to become ill or pass away back home.  You then have to make the decision to do an unplanned, expensive, international trip back home.  Add complicated visa requirements that may limit your time out of your new country, and suddenly you are dealing with a lot of new issues. 

It’s been a very long time since Tom and I have lived in cities with other family members.  We’re now used to the idea that family = airline.  Granted, it will be a much longer trip now, but we’ve never grown accustomed to simply stopping by a relative’s house while out running errands.  Family will continue to equal airline.

We are going to miss our friends as well.  Most of our friends are diehard RVers.  By nature, they are travelers and wanderers, so we hope they will fly to Ecuador! Taking an RV to Ecuador IS possible – we’ve seen them on the streets – but I would NOT want to make the trip!  

We have a secret bet as to which family member or friend will be the first to visit.  Smart money is on one of our globe trotting nephews!

Making plans to remain connected to “the grid” has been a very long, well-thought out process (done entirely by Tom with A LOT of help from current ex-pats in Cuenca) We still have American bank accounts – how will be access the money while in Ecuador?   What about our internet, satellite TV,  cell phones, mail, email, taxes, telephone numbers, Netflix, Amazon?  ….on and on.

Since staying connected is such an important (and detailed) plan, I’ll separate it out to another post.  For now, just know that we've put a lot of thought and planning into this relocation.  I'm sure something will come up (it always does!) but - hopefully - we already have a contingency plan for that as well!

Where Exactly is Cuenca and Ecuador?

Where Exactly is Cuenca and Ecuador?

Tom and I have both lived abroad, and have been around the globe a few times.  We have always loved long distance travel; however, South America was never really on our radar – other than Buenos Aires or Rio.

I knew Ecuador was somewhere in South America.  That was about it.  I didn’t know that the Galapagos Islands were part of Ecuador (I thought Peru)  I knew nothing about the history, culture, people, etc. 

I’ll save you the trouble of Googling a few items.   Ecuador is on the northwest side of the South American continent.    It is south of Columbia, north of Peru, and west of Brazil. The equator goes through the northern section of the country near the capital city of Quito; therefore, most of the country is actually in the Southern Hemisphere.   Equator.  Ecuador.  Get it?  

Seasons are reversed from those of North America.  For example, the US is in autumn, and Ecuador is in spring.  Because it is on the equator, the weather doesn’t change that much.  Many describe Cuenca’s weather as spring-like year-round.  “Spring-like” varies from person to person, but houses do not have air conditioning or furnaces.   Think of San Francisco or Pacific Northwest weather....sort of.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecuador

Ecuador is about the size as New Mexico.   15 million people.   It has hot beaches on the Pacific Ocean, Andes Mountains running along the middle spine of the country, and Amazon jungle on the eastern side of the country.  No wonder tourism is so popular!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuenca,_Ecuador

Cuenca is the 3^rd largest city.  333,000 people.  It is located in the south, at about 8,400 feet in the Andes.   I would compare it to our San Francisco:  highly educated, cultural, architecture galore, historical, artsy, wealthy, fashionable, defined neighborhoods……and fiercely independent.  It has a nice airport (no international flights yet) big malls, international businesses, nice parks, great healthcare, on and on.   All of these reasons drew us to Cuenca over the capital of Quito.

When (not “IF”) you visit us, you will fly into either Quito or Guayaquil – each about a 4.5-hour flight from the US.   Delta, United and American all fly to Ecuador.  There are also Ecuadorian carriers (primarily LAN and TAME) flying from the US.  

Quito's new airport (UIO)

From Quito (UIO), it is a short 45-minute flight to Cuenca on your choice of outstanding Ecuadorian airlines.  Seriously – they serve a snack and drinks on an Airbus 320 on that short of a flight.  And the flight attendants look like models.  Tom and I are airplane geeks, and I’m telling you: Ecuadorians LOVE their airlines!  English is spoken by everyone you will come into contact with both in the terminal and in the air.  This is a new airport located quite some distance from central Quito.  

Guayaquil's airport (GYE)

From Guayaquil (GYE) (on the coast) it is about a 4+ hour car ride to Cuenca.  No air service (over the years, air service has come/gone between the two)   There are also buses that regularly make the trip; however, most ex-pats just hire a private car or van.   We are doing this option when we arrive in February because of the amount of luggage we will be carrying (more on that later!)  We’ve never flown via Guayaquil, but by all accounts, it is a very large, modern airport.

Cuenca's airport (CUE)

Cuenca’s airport is much smaller.  It is located smack dab in the city itself.  Surrounding neighborhoods quickly learn flight schedules, I’m sure!  It is very clean and modern.  All signage is in English as well as Spanish (of course)  Again, everyone you come into contact with in the terminal will speak English.