1. What market or vendor have you bought coffee beans from? At what price?
Most coffee in Ecuador is instant! "Cafe pasado" (real coffee to us, made from ground beans) is harder to find. Ecuadorians often make a sort of liquor out of ground coffee, which you add to hot milk or hot water, your choice. I'm sure you could find coffee beans at Supermaxi, if nowhere else. And if there is an American-style cafe in your city, ask them. They will know. Flor says that her mother used to buy coffee beans at a market in the center of Quito, and that coffee beans used to be available along the coast, where they are grown.
2. Cocoa beans? What price?
Don't know. But everything is available at a market, if you go to the right market. In addition to retail markets of various kinds, most cities have a "mercado mayorista", or wholesale market, where you are allowed to buy things, although they are not set up for casual shoppers. Just walk in and ask around. I know that I have seen cocoa beans drying on blankets when I have traveled the coast. I'm sure somebody would have sold me some if I had asked!
3. Anyone have satellite internet through Direct TV?
Don't know about this, but I've seen lots of American programming in Ecuador, even in restaurants and places like that.
4. What is the #1 thing you don't like about Ecuador?
The post office, which is slow, inefficient, and charges you taxes on anything mailed to you that is not declared a gift (and sometimes even then) and the fact that you have to pay taxes to import anything.
5. What is the #1 thing you love about Ecuador?
The people, who are courteous, friendly, and helpful.
6. Have you witnessed crime?
Yes, but nothing major. However, I have been nervous once or twice. You have to know where you are, just like anywhere else. My wife and I are not night people, so the answer to this question might be different for people with a night life.
7. How difficult is it to obtain your drivers license? Have you experienced this?
I don't know how applicable this is to other countries, but as an American, you can get an international driver's license before you leave, which is good for a year. I've done it through AAA in the United States. It was unbelievably easy. I believe I did it over the phone. After a year you have to get your license in Ecuador. I have never done it but it is supposed to be a long process. I know that I have seen long lines outside the licensing agency in Quito.
8. Does your locale need English teachers (paid positions?)
Almost everywhere in Ecuador does. In general, you will make more money working at a private high school than you will at a public school or an English academy (a place that is not a school, where students go just an hour a day for English).
9. Do you feel safe in your area of Ecuador?
I felt safe living in Quito and Ambato, as long as I didn't do crazy things, like go to areas that I knew were unsafe at night.
10. What are your questions or concerns?
This question was for Dave's readers, so I will leave it here for my readers. If you have any questions about living in Ecuador, use the contact form at the bottom of the page and I'll get back to you ASAP. Bob.
