COUNTRY EXPERT- SUZAN HASKINS

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Viewing 15 posts - 121 through 135 (of 287 total)
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  • in reply to: Use of GMOs #516820

    Edmond, this is a topic I am not as familiar with as I probably should be, but here is what I found in a quick search:

    Several environmental groups have confirmed that Ecuador is free of transgenic maize seed. They visited a number of provinces and conducted tests on more than 400 samples of native maize. They found that all of the samples were GMO-free.http://www.elcomercio.com.ec/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yKQjPbDMcw

    The GMO ban is written into the Constitution. Changing the Constitution requires a referendum vote.If you’re curious, this is what the ban says:”Ecuador is declared free of transgenic crops and seeds. Exceptionally, only in the interest of the nation as duly substantiated by the President of the Republic and adopted by the National Assembly, can genetically modified seeds and crops be introduced into country. The State shall regulate, using stringent standards of biosecurity, the use and development of modern biotechnology and its products, as well as their experimentation, use and marketing. The application of risky or experimental biotechnologies is forbidden.”

    Will the president change the constitution? Perhaps, but that will have to be approved by voters.

     

    in reply to: Ecuadorian Food #516819

    Well, cuy (guinea pig) is about the most exotic thing you might try in the Sierras. It’s okay…but hard work as there is not a lot of meat on those little bones. I’d suggest locro de papas — potato soup… or any locro, in fact. They make wonderful creamed soups in the highlands. And empanadas, bolones, and quimbolitos… I am sure you know what an empanada is, the others are like a cake-like thing but steamed in banana leaves. And do they the aji — the local salsa that you will find on every table. Everyone has their own recipe…

    in reply to: Protestant churches in Cuenca? #516818

    I’ll ask Edd to answer this one since he lives in Cuenca…

    in reply to: Chess in Ecuador #516817

    Hello, do a Google search on “chess Ecuador” and you’ll find lots of info about chess playing in Ecuador – – and yes, in the larger cities you’ll find picnic tables to play games on.

    in reply to: Rental income taxes #516816

    Hi Barry, I’d recommend you contact a local attorney and ask about that. You don’t say where your property is, so you may want to contact someone in the municipality where the property is located. Two attorneys who may be able to quickly answer your question, though, are Roberto Moreno (Quito/Manta):  roberto@morenodidonato.com and Santiago Andrade (Otavalo/Cotacachi): santiago1397@gmail.com.

    in reply to: Chill Weekend #516472

    Hi Gretchen, who did you email? Try info@pathfinderinternational.net and if that doesn’t work, let me know and I will get you in contact with them another way. 

    in reply to: Driver Recommendation #516469

    There are quite a few flights that arrive between 10.30 and 12 so there should be plenty of taxis. Tipping is not expected. Taxi drivers in Ecuador are never tipped unless they go way above and beyond for you.

    in reply to: Driver Recommendation #516272

    There are taxis at the airport you can take. That’s what I’d do. There are booths inside the airport where you tell them where you are going and they will tell you the fare. Probably $25 to $35 depending where in Quito you are going. You pay, they give you a piece of paper that you take outside and give to the guy who puts you in the first taxi in line.

    Otherwise, if you really want someone there waiting for you, you can ask your hotel to arrange this for you. There is an expat with a transfer service. His name is Jack Abercrombie and his email address is journeymanjack.com@gmail.com. These last two options will cost more. 

    in reply to: Cotacachi real estate visit #512802

    David, for a real estate person in Manta, email  tmurdock@pathfinderinternational.net — she knows someone there.

    in reply to: Cotacachi real estate visit #512801

    David, I just remembered that the REMAX office in Cotacachi bills themselves as “Coast and Country” — and the part of the coast they cover is Bahia de Caraquez. You might want to chat with them about what they have going on over on the coast. Here is their website: http://www.ecuadorcoastandcountry.com/

    in reply to: Cotacachi real estate visit #512800

    David, it will be tough to find any real estate agents who work all the towns. Remember, no MLS in Ecuador. In Crucita, you might want to check in with Tom Saunders. See his website here: http://ecuadorbeachfrontproperty.com/

    You can email him at tom@ecuadorbeachfrontproperty.com — ask him if he knows someone in Bahia or Manta. 

    The truth is that some of the real estate agents over in that part of Ecuador don’t have the best reputations. I wish I knew someone reputable in either Manta or Bahia you could contact. Let me put out some feelers and see what I can come up with…

     

    in reply to: Hosteria San Jose – Puembo #512799

    Thanks for the review, Diane, that is good to hear!

    in reply to: Alternative Cable or Satellite methods #512669

    Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you get in the batter’s box, Michael!

    in reply to: hotel reservations #512599

    It depends when you go. During holidays you will find no vacancies. Other times you will be fine.

    in reply to: Alternative Cable or Satellite methods #512530

    We have DirecTV at our house. We’re not big TV watchers. I pay $7 or $8 a month for Netflix and I download my fave TV shows from iTunes. Sometimes for college football, etc. we use USTVNow.com and UFreeTV.com. I know that some people get a private IP address in order to get more access to some programming.

    Does this answer your question? You might also look at Slingbox.com — lots of folks use this service.

Viewing 15 posts - 121 through 135 (of 287 total)