I realize I haven’t written in a while but have been under the weather; literally! This time of year, here in the Sierra’s is normally the beginning of the dry season, where there is little rain and much wind. However, the rainy season has decided to stick around a few more weeks. We have had rain everyday for over two weeks. We did have one day that was sunny a few days ago. It is raining as I am writing this drivel. While it is good for the plants and the farmers, I don’t do so well being confined in the house. In addition, I pulled my back getting out of bed on Monday and have had muscle spasms from my lower back to my neck all week long. Feeling better today though. Please, no “old man” wise cracks, I have been hearing them in Spanish all week!
Lisa and I had to make several trips to Loja this week, for legal stuff to finish my Visa. We have an attorney in Machala who will pick up my Visa this week and send it on to Loja for my retrieval. I will finally be legal! Lisa, not so much… We must travel to Machala on June 7th, for an appointment for Lisa’s Visa application. First, I will have to obtain my Cedula (kind of like a government ID card) so she can then apply for the Visa. Then the long wait for her approval. Hopefully we can obtain her Visa and make a trip home sometime in July, maybe for my birthday.
We took Rosa to Loja with us on Thursday this week, because we had plans to go to KyWi (kind of like Home Depot) and to SuperMaxi (like HEB). Rosa had never been to these places before and was very excited to go. When she saw the Gringo prices, I think she was suddenly less excited. However, she did manage to find a few things she cannot obtain in Vilcabamba. It was a long day. Then we had to turn around and go back on Friday, because the attorney needed my original Passport to take to Machala. On this trip, Lisa and I searched for Drapery fabric. We ran into Milton Mena (our Architect) in downtown Loja. He showed us a magnificent building he is building there. He told us it took two years to get all the permits to start construction. While Lisa did not find her fabric, I found an inexpensive electrical tester I had been looking everywhere for. I also found a Dewalt Sander, brass hose bibs, stapler and several other manly things that will undoubtedly make my life more complete. Yes, I am delighted by trivial things.
Here in Vlicabamba there is a Facebook group called “Vilcapeople” which I follow daily. It gives me intense headaches, but I still read it. If you search for it and cruise through the posts for a few moments you will understand why it inflicts pain on my brain. There are some spiteful, hateful, mystical and downright weird people who make comments on these posts. The outlandish comments about our President are mind blowing. They trash him, while at the same time rejoice that the economy and other things are getting better in the U.S. I can barely stand the hypocrisy knowing that some of these people fled the U.S. because of financial reasons and take full advantage of all that the Ecuadorian government has to offer them as well as full advantage of the U.S. For instance, a bottle of propane gas here is $3.00 because the government subsidizes it. But, I digress.
Several posts this week, had me thinking a lot about the impact that Lisa and I have on this country, both good and bad. We bring our own scale of economy with us. It is good that our money is spent here and helps the local people. It helps businesses and individuals. The sad thing about our money, is that many Gringos overpay for real estate, thus driving up prices for the locals and some are bitter about that. Gringos are typically overcharged at the farmers market in Vilcabamba, especially if they don’t speak the language and aren’t savvy on prices.
This is one reason we take Rosa and Francisco to Malacatos on Sunday for their market, their prices are more reasonable because fewer gringos live there. It helps them, it helps us, and we make a nice morning out of it and have coffee and humitas at a restaurant on the square.
I read this week on Vilcapeople about one lady who was complaining because another lady was selling shea butter which is imported from Africa. The lady was suggesting that she should find local ingredients to make her products. It is my understanding that Shea only comes from Africa. My point in explaining this, is to note how nitpicky some people can become if they have way too much time on their hands. Some become nitpicky, and some become alcoholics. We garden and try not to post anything on Vilcapeople. I once posted looking for the plastic seedling trays I used in the states, inquiring if anyone knew where I could purchase this item. You would have thought I had bitch-slapped the pope! I was told how ridiculous I was for even thinking of such a thing, and I should use egg cartons (which would not work for my application) and that I should never use plastic, not even to save my child! (okay I added that bit about the child for dramatic effect). I later looked around Loja on my own and found exactly what I wanted and have not posted to Vilcapeople since. I really should have been bold enough to post a pic of the ones I purchased! But, it is a very small community and I do have to live here.
The question is, do I order from Amazon.com and pay some freight to get the things I want here or do I pay an incredibly escalated retail price here for an item that may not be exactly like I can get in the states? Well, the answer is yes! If I need it in a hurry and I can buy it from a local business owner who would benefit, then yes. However, if I can wait and get exactly what I want, it gets delivered by a freight service out of Miami to the city of Quito where a truck driver is paid to make the trip to Vilcabamba thus earning a working wage, where the local delivery office is paid to receive my package and I tip her when I pick it up. Which way is right and which way is wrong? One can make the case for the second option if you consider that I am not rich. We must be very careful how we spend what little money we have so that we do not become a financial burden on this country, thereby negating any positive input to the economy we may have made in the process. In addition, locals who know we order out of the country may decide to put some pressure on government to lower the ridiculous import fees on American made products that I might need. One can only hope.
We are doing our best to compromise and change some of our daily products, like toilet paper. No more Charmin for us! We use an Ecuadorian brand that is probably made from cactus and sugar cane leaves and we darn well like it! We use local coconut oil and as much food products as possible to support the local economy. Some things you must get from home. I noticed some of the Gringa’s complaining it is hard to get cotton panties here. That could be a showstopper for some, I am sure. I just received an order of Fruit of the Looms last week, so I should be good for two years. I feel justified and quite comfortable in my smuggled undies!
Yes, life has been this slow the last two weeks that I spend my time pondering such critical issues as these. I think it’s time to take the dog for a walk. Guess I need to put on my bamboo slippers made by a little old lady over in Taxiche and grab the dog leash made from dried sugar cane leaves and while I am at it, get a few banana leaves to pick up the dog poop with. I surely wouldn’t be so irresponsible as to use a plastic bag left over from our trip to SuperMaxi.
Meanwhile I have attached a few pics for your viewing pleasure.
Until Next time,
Dios te Bendiga!
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