At first it was alarming - we were told to check the U.S. State Dept site for advisory on safety when traveling to a foreign country.  It had warnings about Ecuador: masked banditos attacking Americans, even duriing the day, in normally safe places, like hiking trails, even when in groups.

We have been assured since then, however, that Quito is one of the safest capitols in Latin America and traveling is generally safe if one uses common sense.  Most trouble is near the border with Colombia; most crimes in the country are not violent, but mainly regarding theft.  We read half the population of Ecudaor lives on $2/day.  My sisters and I grew up in NYC, so we know that there can be crime anytime, and we learned to take precautions, which is what we are doing and feel really confident now.

Meanwhile we prepared by listening to some CDs in Spanish, reading, and talking to lots of people and who generously gave us people to contact in Ecuador. We so look forward to visiting this colorful country. 

We are going to Cuenca first, then the large expatriot community in heavenly countryside, Vilcabamba, where we will research places for us to hold retreats.  On to Quito where we will study Spanish and stay with a host family and talk to lawyers about visas to live and work in Ecuador.  Lastly we'll stop at Cotacachi, in an "indigenas"  area, known for craft markets.  We will meet Gary and Merri Scott who publish the famous online newsletter International Living, which Cameron has been following for years and that's how she discovered Ecuador.  She could be a pioneer in this endeavor!

We're packing! (Light)