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Life in EcuadorStories of the Bitter and the SweetBy Linda
McFarlin
Life in Ecuador, like life in any other country, can sometimes deliver the sour when we are anticipating the sweet. This can be quite shocking, especially when our expectations are high but our “reality check” button isn’t fully functioning.  During my life in Ecuador, I have occasionally been fooled by a somewhat exotic fruit that looks and smells just like an ordinary orange. I bite into it, expecting a rush of juicy sweetness, only to swallow a mouthful of pure lemon juice! Surprise! It’s really a lemon masquerading as an orange.
When Life Gives You Lemons, Make
Lemonade
The optimist’s slogan, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” is definitely applicable to life in Ecuador, and oh, what delicious lemonade you can make! Adopting this simple yet powerful statement will help overcome difficulties that occur during your life in Ecuador or anywhere, but it is often easier said than done. I find that the challenges presented while traveling and living in Ecuador offer two basic choices. I can complain, blame, worry or manipulate and make myself really miserable when life doesn’t give me what I want. Or I can take the negative little surprises that come my way with as much equanimity as I can muster and set about making that lemonade. When I can manage to meet adversity with creativity and a certainty that I’ll somehow overcome, even triumph. . . I usually do. Glean
Wisdom from Those Who have Gone Before
Readers can glean much wisdom from the experiences of those who have made the move to Ecuador and have a successfull and happy life in Ecuador. Pro-Ecuador is collecting the stories of people who have moved to Ecuador to live or to retire. Some are expats from other countries. Others are Ecuadorians who left their country to live elsewhere before returning to live or retire in Ecuador. All these individuals offer unique perspectives and share gems of wisdom that can help us become global citizens. These Ecuadorian tales, some cautionary, some amazing and some transformational, are offered in a spirit of inspiration and encouragement and also as an early warning system for our readers. Curious and courageous, many of these adventurers have listened to their hearts’ desires instead of to the admonitions of their minds. Following their impulses to leave the familiar and explore distant lands has brought them to Ecuador. Herman: I found my
Personal Paradise in Ecuador
One such individual is our partner Martha’s older brother, Herman. The photo below shows him standing on the site where he will build his new home in Cayambe, Ecuador, north of Quito. 
Caroline:
Single, Successful and Having It All
Another adventurer is Caroline, a Brit who spent many years in Florida. She has been living in Ecuador for over a  year and has faced unique challenges that would
have sent many women hurrying for the next plane home! Since arriving, she has overcome each obstacle with imagination and determination to succeed. In less than a year and speaking very little Spanish, she bought land, built a custom adobe house, purchased five horses and started her own successful business. One of Caroline’s biggest successes was discovering that she could buy a magnificent Arabian polo pony at an incredibly low price! Click here for more photos and Caroline’s personal account of her life in Ecuador.
Antonio: The Embodiment of the American
Dream
Another Ecuadorian who will soon be living in Ecuador again is Antonio, a young man who arrived penniless in the U.S. at the age of 20 and made his fortune remodelling buildings in New York City, where he owns a very successful construction company.  The
story of his road to riches reads like an American novel.
He got a job hauling trash at a construction site, learned English, and
then was hired as a construction foreman. The crew ignored him because of his youth and inexperience and he had to fire half of them. After starting his own company, he underbid several jobs until he took business courses. He persevered, developing a winning plan that eventually led to wealth and success. His personal philosophy and successful formula for both working and living embraces a wide range of acceptance of religions, races, ideas and perspectives. |
| He is
fulfilling the American dream not only of wealth but of personal
happiness and satisfaction as well. He is attaining his dream not only
in North America but in South America as well. Click to read Antonio’s story. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
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| 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. |
| Moving to Ecuador Tour Moving to Ecuador course and tour takes the stress and worry out of moving to Ecuador and helps you realize your dreams. |
| Ecuador Eco-Photo Tour Ecuador Eco-Photo Tour – Capture the majesty of Ecuador’s scenic wonders with a ten-day tour in photographic paradise. |
| Travel Safety Travel safety information for your trip to Ecuador with details about immunizations, food and water, and personal security. |
| Life in Ecuador Life in Ecuador: Personal accounts of obstacles and triumphs encountered while living in 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 Buying Process Ecuador Real Estate Buying Process |
| 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. |
| Cotacachi Real Estate For Sale: Real Estate listings in Cotacachi and surrounding areas Cotacachi Real Estate For sale, Cotacachi, Ecuador and the surrounding area offers great value for new Ecuador Residents. |
| Learn Spanish In Ecuador Learn Spanish In Ecuador shows how anyone can learn Spanish just by living in Ecuador. |
| 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 Economy Ecuador Economy explained in plain language and compared to the United States. |
| Responsible Global Citizen Responsible global citizen top 7 tips for global living |
| Move to Ecuador: Q and A’s Answers to many of your questions about you move to 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 or Beachfront Condominiums offer great value. |
| Pictures of Ecuador A tour of Ecuador via pictures of Ecuador. Pictures and descriptions that tell a story |
| 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 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. |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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. |
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