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Editors’ Note: The American Dream! One of the things we love about living in Ecuador is meeting new people and hearing their unique stories. Gary and I met Lucilla and Pablo Alcivar in Ibarra, Ecuador. We were admiring their Toyota Land Cruiser, Gary’s dream vehicle, when they came out of a store and we began to talk. We took an instant liking to them and they invited us to travel to Atacames, a small Ecuador beach town, to see some real estate they had for sale. Two days later we were bouncing over the pothole-filled back roads that take you from Ibarra to the northern coast of Ecuador to Esmeraldas and then south to Atacames. This was the beginning of a wonderful relationship with them that expanded to include their son Antonio, who has lived for over a decade in the U.S. His most recent dream involves returning to his home country to continue investing in Ecuador and building beach condos. I Wasn’t Thinking of Getting Rich My name is Antonio Alcivar and I am 34 years old. After I graduated from high school I wanted to attend a military academy in Ecuador. On the day I was  supposed to register for the academy, we
found
out that a crucial document was missing. The whole family
made a frantic search for the paper but it was never found. A few days later, at the age of 20, my life's direction was changed forever. I decided to go to the United States. I wanted to follow the american dream. I wanted to make some money, buy a house. I wasn’t thinking of getting rich. I ended up in the Bronx in New York City. I was alone with no job. My mom had taught me how to wash dishes but I didn’t want to do that, so I got a job in construction, removing the trash. The company only paid me $40 a day. I learned how to build. It was really hard work. Then I said, "That’s enough. Something has to change!" I took six months to learn English by taking classes, reading books, meeting people, and watching tv. The Building Crew
Wouldn’t Do
What I Told Them to Do When I went back to construction, they made me a foreman because I could speak English and Spanish and there were so many Spanish workers. But I was young and inexperienced and nobody would do what I told them. I had to fire half the crew and hire a new crew. After that, things were better.  I heard about Amway and the promise of wealth. I believed it. I started with only one person and my down line grew to 20. I wore a suit. Guys on the construction site would laugh at me, say, “Here comes the millionaire.” My American dream was changing. Every day I would put on my suit at 4 p.m. and go to meetings. Sometimes I would travel around the country to take seminars in how to sell. I did well. But then I had to make a choice between Amway and the construction business. I chose construction. The day I quit Amway was the day I decided to dedicate all of my time to construction. That was at the age of 23. I made lots of mistakes. I bid too low on several jobs, worked really hard and ended up with no money after the jobs were done. People really liked me but I stayed poor! I went to school, learned business skills and financial planning. With a plan, people didn’t like me as much, but my life sure was getting better! My American dream was manifesting.  But I was still alone. I asked myself
, “What am I doing
here and what is my purpose in life?” In those days I was searching for God. In this seaching I found a Christian faith. I didn't agree with all the rules and decided to continue my search. I studied the Mormon’s teachings, got baptized. Next came the Muslims, reading the Koran. They teach a strict faith and I did not agree with that either. I got enough religion to decide for myself that there is one God in all religions. People need to believe in something. Religion gives people what they need in a specific moment but the price can be that you lose yourself. I Give and the World Gives Back
I don’t live in the world, I make my world. I am creative. I give and the world gives back, like a big elastic band. The more I give, the more I receive. There is one God, a God for everyone, and that force is what I call "a strong energy." After I learned how to get enough energy, I noticed that I could feel the  energies of others, whether
they were positive or
negative.
The negative energy of others can get into your system. This
can
cause you problems and you can have difficulties because of
it.
So I started to be more selective about who was around me.
Most
of the time I was alone.When you are good with yourself, that is the most important thing in life. Then you realize that each of us is here for a purpose. There's something each of us must do. You can learn to feel when someone really needs you and when they don’t. Sometimes in New York, people would come up to me on the street and ask me for money. Many times people would want this money to buy drugs. Other people would ask me for legitimate help. I would take these people into a restaurant and tell them to order whatever they wanted to eat. I have talked to my family about these things---about life, religion. I ask them what they want. They just want peace. To find peace, the answer is Spirit. I can give my parents or others the key, but they must open the door to Spirit themselves. I can’t push them and I don’t. The Stress of Life in New York
Can Break You
New York City is a tough city where the system of work and life can break you if you are not open to change. It can be tough learning about the American dream. I remember a day working on Honeywell Street in the Bronx when I heard a couple of gun shots. When I asked what happened, a tenant told me that another person had died in the street. In my experience, many immigrant couples get divorced after arriving in the United State because their lives lack the freedom of their home country. Both work up to 15 hours each day, come home tired, and don’t talk to each other because they need their space. Then sometimes the wife starts thinking her husband is having an affair. But the other woman is a job! I Listened to the Little Voice in
My Head
During my commutes between construction sites I use the silence of my car to think. I 
ponder life and let my thoughts speak. I listen to the "little voice in
my head." I think about my life, my questions, and the
answers
always come.This struggle can make you strong and wise. When I see a carpenter in action, smiling, doing it right. . . making a perfect wall or perfect door. . . I know he’s a professional. I know that he loves his job. I will eventually move back to Ecuador, my own country to teach people what I have learned and build there. I want to invest in Ecuador. I want to teach people of the American dream in my own country. My dream is to develop real estate projects throughout my country. I have been constructing my first beach condo in Atacames for two years. When I ran out of money, I stopped building for seven months, then started again. It is now complete. I know life isn’t just about making money. It’s about being happy, being peaceful. I know I can make money while I am focusing on happiness. As soon as I teach my two brothers, Alberto and Pablo, how to run my company in the U.S., I am going to spend more time in my beautiful country. My brothers can continue to live the American dream. Looking for more information about our services? Find out how Pro-Ecuador can help. |
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| Real Estate in Ecuador Real estate in Ecuador is booming because prices are low and values are high. International real estate investors can build a foundation of wealth before the usual rush of discovery takes place |
| Ecuador Real Estate Tours Ecuador Real Estate tours will focus on the area around Cotacachi, Otavalo and Ibarra |
| Vacation and long term rentals listings in Ecuador Long term and vacation rental listings in Cotacachi, Ecuador |
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| Ecuador Real Estate Buying Process Ecuador Real Estate Buying Process is much easier than most Latin American countries |
| Cotacachi Real Estate: Properties for Sale in Cotacachi Cotacachi Real Estate offers surprising values in the midst of tranquility and peace. Low cost of living a plus. |
| Cotacachi: A Pastoral Ecuador Village Cotacachi: A pastoral Ecuador village is enticing foreigners from many shores with its vibrant hills and quaint colonial charm. |
| Cotacachi Hotels, Hostels and Retreats, Cotacachi, Ecuador Several Cotacachi Hotels, Hostels and Retreats are available, with a variety of prices, locations and amenities, from clean and economical to the most elegant settings you can imagine. |
| Ibarra, the White City Ibarra, the White City, is a colonial city in Ecuador about 3 hours north of Quito |
| Hidden Places in Ecuador Where to find those hidden places in Ecuador, those secret places in Ecuador that the locals keep to themselves, secret beaches, jungle hideaways, rare birds, orchids, wildlife. |
| Ecuador Beaches Ecuador Beaches from Pedernales to Manta are stunning, both the water and the weather is warm and it’s neither well developed nor heavily populated. |
| Ecuador laws are Fair and Easy and Provide Protection for
Foreign Investors Following Ecuador laws is easy and provides protection for foreigners. Ecuador laws are favorable, visa requirements not complicated. |
| Information on Ecuador Information on Ecuador: some of the best websites available will help you make informed decisions about your visit, move or investment in Ecuador. |
| Travel Safety Travel safety information for your trip to Ecuador with details about immunizations, food and water, and personal security. |
| Ecuador Economy Ecuador Economy explained in plain language and compared to the United States. |
| Learn Spanish In Ecuador Learn Spanish In Ecuador shows how anyone can learn Spanish just by living in Ecuador. |
| Spanish Phrases and Spanish Words Learning useful Spanish phrases, Spanish words and Spanish sayings is easy and makes navigating Ecuador so much more enjoyable. |
| Ecuador Movies and Videos On our multimedia page you'll find book-reviews, articles and short films about Cotacachi and Ecuador |
| Pictures of Ecuador A tour of Ecuador via pictures of Ecuador. Pictures and descriptions that tell a story |
| Ecuador Eco-Photo Tour Ecuador Eco-Photo Tour – Capture the majesty of Ecuador’s scenic wonders with a ten-day tour in photographic paradise. |
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