New House

We recently moved to a new rental house, it did not have Internet set up, which is why I was unable to post for so long. We moved on December 15th, and started looking for help in installation that very day, but it wasn't until Friday of that week that we made contact with the Internet company. We set up an installation appointment for the upcoming Monday, but that day came and went with nobody showing up, we found out later it was car trouble, but the new appointment couldnt be made til after Christmas, so that meant the following Friday...that appointment also came and went with nobody, but alas, now we do have Internet and all is right with the world...

Our new little house is amazing, it feels so safe and stable. The San Alejo house was in rough shape, it needed a lot of TLC, some of which we tried to do, but bottom line, without our container of household items and furniture it was too much house for us, and we had to move. The new house is small, probably 800 square feet, but nicely divided into three bedrooms, master bedroom, one we are using as office/tv room, and the other is storage. Small living room kitchen combo, but we spend so much time outdoors we don't need anymore and the space is very cozy. 

We hired a young man named Paulo and his truck for about 4hours, he worked like an ox and charged us $15, well worth it, and will use him again.

As you can see our front yard is literally boat parking! We wondered how we would get along with the fishermen, and all I can say is they are a treasure. They've cleaned the beach and even gave us a fish the other day.

One seasoned Gringo expat told us that if the fishermen leave their motors on the boat while its parked on shore, they aren't worried about theft. That means someone is always watching, or close by, that means my house is safe as well, good to know. I went to the "farmers market" in Charapoto and bought a bunch of oranges (40/$2) and made a big pitcher of orange juice that I then took out to the fishermen not too long after we'd moved in, needless to say they appreciated it and we are well liked.

The new house also came with a mascot, actually we've been walking with this street dog for some time, we'd seen her over here by the fishing boats when we walked the beach, and now she thinks she lives here. We had named her Dulce, spanish for sweet, but found out the other day her name is Arielle, she answers to it, so I guess it's true, but she's still a street dog. We need to have a fence built, because the concrete wall isn't high enough to keep the big dogs out, our little dogs can't jump over, but Dulce/Areille jumps over everyday, and we have to tell her to Vamos! But a slightly taller fence will do the trick, and give us some wind break, it does get windy in the evening, so that's next on the agenda.

The new landlords paid for paint, but I'm doing the painting as to not be disrupted by workers, and I can do it at my leisure, I've got the bathroom and living room almost done, just need to borrow a ladder for the high areas (vaulted ceiling). Getting settled, and enjoying it, will take pictures as the decorations get put up.

We had a very nice Christmas, expected crazy festival, but here in San Jacinto it's more about Family, so it was quiet. (Apparently San Clemente was crazy and I'll pilfer from other bloggers to fill you in someday this week) We made goodie bags for our special neighbors and favorite store owners, and they were well recieved. We are enjoying being closer to town, San Alejo was a mile from anything, so every time we needed bread or eggs, it was a 2 mile roundtrip trek, but here I'm only two short blocks to the town square, and I can run in and get my things in 5minutes, very nice. The following pictures were taken on Christmas at La Boca, stunning.

Thanks for checking in, I've got to get caught up, so much to post about...there's more adventure to come, so stay tuned!

We Bought our Tickets!

Well we bought tickets! I found a nonstop flight from Atlanta to Quito, we will drive to Atlanta in a rental and then be in Ecuador in 5.5 hours. Booked a hotel in Quito for three nights, then we have a 50 minute plane tide to Manta, where the beach house caregiver will pick us up and take us to the beach!

We decided to poke around Quito for a couple days, and see as much as possible. Our flight doesn't get in til late that first night, so it'll be nice yo have some leisure time. I guess really it'll be starting "island time" the minute we hit ground. Ecuador isn't an island, but our new relaxed lifestyle will surely qualify.

I'm not sure where this picture is, but it looks like the beach we are going to be for June and July. Crucita is where we will start, it's known for fishing and paragliding, this may be Montanita known for surfing. But it certainly qualifies for "island time", note the hammocks for siesta.

This picture is Salinas, south of Manta and Crucita. Near the mouth of the Guyaquil harbor, we will look for rental houses down here someday for sure. Bigger beach city than what Crucita is, as you can see. So much possibility! 

Shopping

Here is a picture of some items we are gathering before our move.

Head Flashlights, Battery Charger and Batteries and Electronic Fly Swatter (Mike says it hurts so don't touch it) In my research for the move, I've followed three couples on the coast, and two couples in the larger cities who have written blogs about their adventures. When I saw these fly zappers at Harbor Freight I told Mike we had to get them, and in remembering what I had read about them, it was funny to realize it was always the men that were writing about how great they are! After the picture, he promptly unwrapped it and starting hunting for flying insects ( which he didn't find) but did get his finger thru the safety frame, and thus knows first hand THEY WORK! He wants to buy more next time we are at Harbor Freight. We will continue to purchase rechargeable batteries and things I've read about being scarce. We bought them for $3.99, where in Ecuador they are $10.

I have come to realize that when one person says some item is scarce, it may be that they just haven't looked in the right place yet. One blog said there weren't any good thread count sheets, but then 6 months later were introduced to another store, and Voila! Turns out you may just have to hunt around. So I want to have some things on hand ( like batteries) until I find where they are.

We went to the Outlet Mall the other day, and I spent way too much on some ugly sandals ( if you know me, you know about my shoes) but they will be perfect for cobble stone streets and rocky beach hikes, so ugly sandals it is. We will stock up on sunscreen, sunglasses and whatever else we can think of. It's strange, stocking up for a move, usually it's a mad dash to get rid of stuff...oh yeah, that's next month! Yard sale scheduled in April! Urgh!! So much to do! Til next time, Adios!