 |
|
GARY
PHILLIPS
A
View From the Roof
Sitting
here looking out the window of our 4th floor penthouse in Cotacachi,
I’m contemplating my new life in Ecuador and the
Pro-Ecuador.com
newsletter to which I contribute my thoughts in a dialogue
called, “A View From the
Roof.”
I’ve
lived in many
places but never one with a view like this!
My wife Linda and I live high above Calle Bolivar, one of the main
streets in
Cotacachi.
This very active and beautiful little community is tucked into a valley
between two volcanoes---Cotacachi, which the natives call Mama, and
Papa Imbabura.
From our
roof terraces and windows,
we have incredible views of both volcanoes. To our delight,
much
of the activity in this largely indigenous community takes place on the
street below us.
My
task today was to write my bio for this website. Linda was
writing hers at the same time. We laughed when we compared
notes,
because hers started out almost identical to mine. The travel
bug
bit me, too, at a young age, and it came from my mother.
Mom
and I took to the Road
Following
my dad’s death when I was 9, my mother and I took to the
road. By
age 14, I had been in every state west of the Mississippi. My
Minnesota farm boy eyes loved every minute of it. Reptile
Gardens
in the Black Hills was astonishing, and Old Faithful, who would have ever believed that
such a thing could exist! The roller coaster at
Santa Monica Pier nearly scared me to death!
I’ve
never really stopped
traveling or dreaming---dreaming of things that might be, of a better
world, a better life for everyone, and of exploring the visions and
mysteries of other cultures.
As I travel
the world, nearly 25 countries at last count, I never cease to be amazed at the
incredible diversity of cultures and the richness that permeates my
being as I open my mind and heart to experience what life
in a foreign country has to offer.
A
Desire to Share Ideas and Opportunities
In the days
ahead, I want to share
with you ideas and perceptions about Ecuador as well as the
many opportunities that come my way as I travel the country
and rest and work from our perch above the fair city of
Cotacachi.
I have to
give pause now, as I
recognize the futility of trying to figure out how a man of 60+ years
can write a short biography of 500 words. That’s less than 10
words per year. Impossible!
A Viking Ship
Museum???
So
I
will give you a few words describing my life: hunter, high
school
athlete (star, I might add), honor student, soldier, hippie,
journalist, historian, horseman, father of beautiful twin daughters,
dreamer, promoter of
a Viking ship museum, public speaker, graduate student of
holographic
theory. . .
Traveling
sales engineer, factory production manager for the Japanese
multinational company Kyocera, seeker, monk and meditation teacher,
world traveler, sugar beet truck driver, counselor, and now, resident
of Ecuador and partner in Ecuador Development Group, Inc. Whew!
I was once
jailed for three days in
North Platte, Nebraska, caught by Officer Trackwell for a youthful
indiscretion, had all my belongings stolen on my first trip to
Guatemala in 1974, witnessed a student revolt and wept tears of joy at
the beauty of the most incredible sunset imaginable in Nelson, New
Zealand.
Ecuador is a
Land Filled With Adventure
Now
the adventures continue here in Ecuador. All of us are excited about this
website. Linda and I have been talking about a
website for 4 years. Finally, with enough thought
energy, it is now happening. Mostly, I look forward to
sharing
our experiences with you, because frequently, we happen upon things of
great value.
I would
love it if many of you take
the ideas we share and use them to grab hold of the possibility of
international living and investing. On the other hand, there
is
nothing wrong with just having some vicarious travel adventures. . .
and
with our blessings!
Whatever
your desire, if you have
read this far in our website, I am honored. I encourage you
to
sign up for our newsletter and e-zine. Linda and I are
going to share in the writing duties.
|
With
our very different experiences of living in Ecuador, rest assured
that you are going to read something that will touch your heart or
be inspired by an idea that may fill your
pocketbookl. Me, I’m
going to enjoying sharing with you, “A
View from the Roof.”
gary@EcuadorEDG.com
Phone from
U.S. +1-218-206-1115
In Ecuador 06-291-4261 |
|
| Pro-Ecuador Insider Information This page allows you to browse recently added insider information, new website articles, newsletter mailings, and important updates.
|
Living in Ecuador Blog We share our daily Ecuador Experience as well as answer your questions about Living in Ecuador. Read answers to questions from Pro-Ecuador readers.
|
Living in Ecuador: The Story Behind Pro-Ecuador.com Living in Ecuador: Details, background info, and the history of Pro-Ecuador.com
|
About Pro-Ecuador Staff Bios Staff bios and the story behind Pro-Ecuador.com
|
Contact Information for Pro-Ecuador.com Contact Pro-Ecuador Staff by Email, Fax, or Postal Mail
|
Pro-Ecuador Site Map Browse a map of all the pages on Pro-Ecuador.com
|
Living in Ecuador Living in Ecuador: Insider's Tips. Make your Ecuador move problem free with travel facts, living advice. Learn about Ecuador culture from U.S. Expats.
|
Life in Ecuador Life in Ecuador: Personal accounts of obstacles and triumphs encountered while living in Ecuador.
|
Moving to Ecuador: An Idea Whose Time has Come Moving to Ecuador and living in Ecuador may be the very best choice you can make right now. Important information on Ecuador that you need is right here.
|
Responsible Global Citizen Responsible global citizen top 7 tips for global living
|
Retirement in Ecuador Retirement in Ecuador: newest hot-spot for retirees and expats wanting the good life without the financial stress.
|
Healthy Living in Ecuador: A Country Where It’s Hard Not
to Be Healthy Healthy Living in Ecuador, a country where good health is the norm, not the exception
|
Ecuador Dentists Dentistry in Ecuador with well trained Ecuador dentists can be a wondeful experience with quality care. Consider dental vacations
|
Move to Ecuador: Q and A’s Answers to many of your questions about you move to Ecuador.
|
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
|
Condos in Ecuador,Condos
for sale in Ecuador Condos in Ecuador offer a wonderful bargain for the full-time resident or the part-time vacationer. Mountain condominiums offer great value.
|
Pro-Ecuador Services: Cotacachi Real estate Pro-Ecuador Services include offering Cotacachi real estate, buyer's agent for real estate in Ecuador, location of vacation rentals, document translation, research and analysis.
|
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.
|
Living in Ecuador Blog We share our daily Ecuador Experience as well as answer your questions about Living in Ecuador. Read answers to questions from Pro-Ecuador readers.
|
|

|
|