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I remember an evening with an ex-pat ...

Is an ex-pat somebody who used to be named Patrick or Patricia but decided to change his/her name?

BobH wrote:

I remember an evening with an ex-pat ...

Is an ex-pat somebody who used to be named Patrick or Patricia but decided to change his/her name?

Or perhaps someone who used to play for that New England American Football team.

Nards Barley wrote:

mugtech wrote:

If you got a special message from Julien recently, then you are a very well regarded person.

I did not, so I will have to assume the opposite.

Shocking, but I believe your conspiracy theory has merit.

I was going to expand on this post but due to time considerations didn´t.

While riding bus Troncal 200 to El Centro today, we picked up four gringos (3 women, 1 man) at the coliseum who were attired in their tennis outfits, carrying rackets.  They got off later near Juan Jaramillo and Borrero and were heading in the direction of the Coffee Tree.

mugtech wrote:

If you got a special message from Julien recently, then you are a very well regarded person.Ìý If you did not get such a message, then never mind, no big deal.

I received a special message today reminding me that I indeed had been included in the special group message that was sent out the other day. I must have overlooked the earlier one.

Nards Barley wrote:

mugtech wrote:

If you got a special message from Julien recently, then you are a very well regarded person.Ìý If you did not get such a message, then never mind, no big deal.

I received a special message today reminding me that I indeed had been included in the special group message that was sent out the other day. I must have overlooked the earlier one.

Restores my faith in Julien and the blog.

Just wanted you to know that on another thread I just referred a 65 year old future expat to the BBRC.

mugtech wrote:

Just wanted you to know that on another thread I just referred a 65 year old future expat to the BBRC.

Thanks. They are accepting new patients clients. She will be in good hands.

I may have lost all incentive to keep this web page going. They are no longer showing how many times a particular thread has been viewed.Ìý  In a way that is good thing.

Hi Nards Barley,

I suggest you to post your comment in the "Help us improve the website" section please. A technician will soon revert back to you.

Thank you,

Priscilla
½ûÂþÌìÌà team

Nards Barley wrote:

I may have lost all incentive to keep this web page going. They are no longer showing how many times a particular thread has been viewed.Ìý  In a way that is good thing.

OMG!! I was just about ready to start the betting pool for when it would happen.

It could very well be that this forum has reached it's saturation point. It happens. When you look at the recent post's,   there is a significant drop off. I belonged to a M/C site, where there were a constant barrage of posts, mostly due to the fact it was regarding a new motorcycle, and the people involved were trading information, issues w/ the bike, upgrades, and customization. After a few years, it just really tailed off. It got so lame that people were asking questions like: How many miles do you have on your scoot? Lets face it, at some point, all the questions have been asked and responded to.
Your thread was particularly interesting because you dealt with many day to day issues, right here, in real time, related to Cuenca.
I think you should start a separate blog. Call it:   All Things Cuenca. Sure hit!!!
Stay Well, Amigo
Neil

Strange, I no longer get notifications of new posts, yet I am still listed as subscribed, because the only choice I have is to unsubscribe.Ìý And socialism is prevailing, as everyone is just a member, no other distinctions.Ìý No big deal, just different.Ìý If we ever get the thread counts back, put me down for 3/19/14 as the overtake day please BobH. Onward!!!

ZenSpike writes "It could be that this forum has reached it's (sic) saturation point.Ìý It happens"

I no longer get notification of new posts and the new format makes it impossible to scan for threads of interest!  Unfortunately I am still in the frozen north, working 60 hours per week, trying to learn from the people who have gone before me as I get ready to make my trip South.Ìý The new format is making it difficult.Ìý As with all things tech--the learning curve is steep.Ìý I hope that people won't thing that the day of the forum has come and gone!!  Please keep spreading your words of wisdom (or observation and silliness.)  It all helps

"won't thing that the day"
I didn't mean to infer that I thing that the forum is dead. Only that a marked decline in posts is due to the fact that many of the topics have been covered a number of times, thus the drop off of posts. Only stands to reason, I thing. < smile >
Stay Well,
ZenSPIKE

ZenSPIKE wrote:

"won't thing that the day"
I didn't mean to infer that I thing that the forum is dead. Only that a marked decline in posts is due to the fact that many of the topics have been covered a number of times, thus the drop off of posts. Only stands to reason, I thing. < smile >
Stay Well,
ZenSPIKE

Your right. Of course, many people don´t do key word searches so the same questions appear.

A blog is too much work.  I am sort of glad about not having to meet quota. It frees up time for dealing with rowhouse problems and working futilely on my Spanish.

You wired up top??
Hope it turned out well.
Nags

It could also be that people are just busy preparing for Christmas.

janet119 wrote:

It could also be that people are just busy preparing for Christmas.

And now preparing for new Year's.Ìý Hope we hear from Nards again sometime soon.

I would like someone with a lot of knowledge about Ecuador to write to me.

John Lamer wrote:

I would like someone with a lot of knowledge about Ecuador to write to me.

Why not ask questions on here?

Hello.Ìý I'm from Vancouver.Ìý  I have decided to move to Cuenca.Ìý   I'm very excited.Ìý   I have lived in Thailand, Japan, the Philippines and the U.S. for 2 years each and have learned that I definitely like to live in a modern style condo in a very nice neighbourhood , rent a scooter to explore, and be close by a gym (and shopping centre...?)
I definitely don't need or want to live in a western style country but the condo and a "nice" neighbourhood is essential.
The problem is that I don't know which neighbourhood this may be in Cuenca.Ìý I know that I would love to get to know my Ecuadorian neighbours but all day roosters and dogs barking is not doable for me.Ìý  
I will probably stay in a hotel in El Centro for the 1st 2 weeks while I look around and gauge whether the weather is too cool or rainy for me.Ìý
I may end up near Salinas/Libertad if it affordable for me???  I know it would be great to live on the ocean and the infrastructure is also very good and the weather is perfect.
Any tips would be great so as to give me a head-start before I get there.


Thanks and Happy New Years!


Matt

Cuenca is a plane ride away from the ocean.

Welcome Matt, nice history.Ìý Would be interested to know where you lived in the Philippines, what did you like and dislike there.

mugtech wrote:

Welcome Matt, nice history.Ìý Would be interested to know where you lived in the Philippines, what did you like and dislike there.

I'm going to guess that the dislikes include dogs and roosters.Ìý

Hi, Matt. I recently left Cebu City after staying there a year+. My neighborhood was reasonably quiet, but most expats I knew there had lots to say about dogs and roosters.

After a visit to the US, I'm now in Quito (just arrived). Can't help with Cuenca info, unfortunately.

Bob

BobH wrote:

I'm going to guess that the dislikes include dogs and roosters.Ìý

Nice to see the altitude has not diminished your mental capabilities.Ìý Any headaches or other physical reactions to 2 miles high?

Hi!  I traveled a lot in the Philippines to Manila, Subic Bay, Cebu and Malapascua.Ìý

I did a lot of Scuba Diving so that was fantastic.

I would have to say the petty crime was the worst part of the Philippines.Ìý I was mugged on my 1st day there and there were many other thefts so one has to always be on their guard 24/7.Ìý

I look forward to diving in Ecuador as well

mackbutter wrote:

.Ìý

I look forward to diving in Ecuador as well

Then BobH is your man, avid diver who had trouble getting diving info on here.

I don't know that I would merit the term 'avid' diver. But I did take it up while in the Philippines, and got my OWD (first-level) certification. I'm hoping to do some diving here, but haven't been able to get a lot of info (surfing seems to be the big deal in the beach towns here -- based on what I've found online).

Galapagos is famous, of course, but what I've read indicates that it requires a lot of diving experience -- which I don't have -- because of the currents and other factors. Montanita is another place that has come up on some searches. I plan to give Montanita a try and then tackle gain Galapagos later.

I see the page views feature has been restored and that I am at 38,867 total views. With 909 comments I am averaging a respectable 42.75 views per comment.  Not commenting has definitely helped that statistic. 

P.S.
It is about time I dropped from "top member of the week" position. Something is screwy with the way that listing is calcaluated, since if I don´t comment for couple weeks, I shouldn´t be appearing on the list.

He Lives!!!!!
I'm off to a beach house in Peru for a week. Gonna ditch this rain, and enjoy the sun. Leave Saturday morning. I'll touch the waves for you.
Stay Well,
Neil

Jealous, have an amazing time.

ZenSPIKE wrote:

He Lives!!!!!
I'm off to a beach house in Peru for a week. Gonna ditch this rain, and enjoy the sun. Leave Saturday morning. I'll touch the waves for you.
Stay Well,
Neil

Have a great time. I'll be getting into Cuenca at 9:00 AM on Saturday. Hope I'll be able to shed my parka, arctic snow boots, thermal underwear, electric sox and that the ice will be thawed from my mustache and eyebrows by then :-)

Now just go play and stay away from anything that has batteries, or plugs into the wall (no computer, email, facebook, etc.). Also, be sure to have a cold one for me... (OK, you can get close to refrigerators plugged into the wall, but only if full of cold cervezas)!!

symo

There will be cerveza's involved. It is pretty isolated, so we won't be bringing any expensive electronics. Gawd, I remember thawing my mustache, and don't miss that. The cool thing is, the fishermen troll the beach selling fresh catch. They come right up to the  place. Very cool! We'll be cooking fresh shrimp, right on the beach at the fire pit. Life is good!
See you both when you arrive.
Warm Regards,
Neil

ZenSPIKE wrote:

He Lives!!!!!
I'm off to a beach house in Peru for a week. Gonna ditch this rain, and enjoy the sun. Leave Saturday morning. I'll touch the waves for you.
Stay Well,
Neil

Good idea.Ìý That low elevation beach living may do wonders for your apetite.Ìý Let us know how you rate this town and Peru against Ecuador.

Will do my friend.
Later,
Neil

Nards Barley wrote:

.
It is about time I dropped from "top member of the week" position. Something is screwy with the way that listing is calcaluated, since if I don´t comment for couple weeks, I shouldn´t be appearing on the list.

It is obviously based on past performance or perhaps the amount of times your posts or threads you started were viewed.  I am sure it is a complex formula, and if anyone found it out they would have to be killed.  Then again it could just be screwed up.  People missed you so much they started viewing and posting on the competition "Best Place to Live in Ecuador"  I may have to revise my mid March overtake prediction.

Only staying a week?  I thought that all the expats in Cuenca had so much time on their hands (retired, you know) and sooooo much money (from living the high life on $300 a month)   that you would vacation for at least a month or two! My hopes are shattered!  However, it is 22 today (warmer than the -4 yesterday). Snow and yuck all over the place. Any place warmer than here would be welcome.Ìý Hope you have a great time.

Don't have shattered hopes. Actually, I'm a home body, and to wrench me away for a week was a task for my friends. I look forward to the journey, and perhaps it will jolt me from my doldrums. Nards knows I'm not that great of an adventurer.Ìý I do have an extended trip planned for Columbia this April, where I'll be meeting a friend and riding a motorcycle back to Cuenca from Bogota. Now that is exciting for me. Maybe a couple of weeks in Bogota, then  the  ride back. I have no idea what to expect on that ride. Banditos in the hills? Very much anticipated. Should kick start these old bones, and get the adrenalin pumpin'. I'm due.
Neil
Ps. Hey, were is this $ 300.00 dollar a month lifestyle you refer to? I'm movin' there! ( grin )