So I was happy to receive this report from our friend, Francisco Rodriguez

Gary,

This gated development is about two miles from San Antonio de Ibarra going to Ibarra, about three miles from Ibarra. It has very good quality construction, 24 hour security, and three floor plans:

Floor plan 1 is 1,130 sq. ft. 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms on a 1,200 sq.ft. lot at $49,760.

Floor plan 2. is 1,330 sq. ft. 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms on a 1,440 sq.ft. lot

at 58,520.

Floor plan 3 is 1,440 sq. ft. 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms on a 1,600 sq. ft. lot.
at $67,760.

About 3 acres of green and recreational spaces.

Eduardo from El Meson’s staff lives near this development and says there are at least two Westerners living there. I think this nice for showing, given the fact that there are very few new developments with high quality construction, and very attractive price.

We will view this development on our upcoming Andean real estate tours.

Gary

Join us at a course in Cotacachi or on Ecuador’s coast this winter.

Jan. 16-21 Ecuador Spanish Course

Jan. 22-23 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Jan. 24-27 Coastal Real Estate Tour

Feb. 9-11 Beyond Logic & Ecuador Shamanic Thought

Feb. 13-15 International Business & Investing Made EZ
Feb. 16-17 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

March 8-9 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
March 10-15 Ecuador Export Expedition
March 16-19 Coastal Real Estate Tour

Better still join us all year in Ecuador! See our entire schedule of 26 courses, tours, mingos and expeditions we’ll conduct in 2009.

The economic doldrums and economic bailouts create uncertain times…yet these market corrections make two things certain…inflation and less job dependability.

More of us will need to earn income and Cotacachi Exports can be a fun and fulfilling way to do this.

There are so any crafts markets around Cotacachi…some famous, others obscure…those who hand make, hand craft one of a kind goods. There are artists, designers, creators, craftsmen and wholesalers who can help you supplement your income.

Join us in Cotacachi this year and experience the Export Trail. You’ll gain exciting ways to increase your security, independence, freedom, wealth and well-being while helping this very deserving country and its indigenous people.

You will enjoy the visit. We receive notes like this one that arrived Thursday, again and again:

My Dearest Merri and Gary,

I cannot thank you both enough for your wonderful hospitality as a member of your November Ecuador Tour. As a loyal reader of your newsletter and a Member of your International Club I just want you to know that everything I read about Ecuador from your newsletters and emails was exactly the way you described it and better…………..

The day we were all returning to Quito to go our different ways at the end of the tour, I was overwhelmed with tears because you both had been so wonderful and I didn’t want it to end. I was already missing you and the wonderful experience I had during your Ecuador Tour Adventure……..You both are very special and I am honored to be a part of your Group.

I also want you to know that………

I fell in Love while I was there……………..I fell in Love.

I fell in love with the Country, the People, the Mountains, the Sky, the Thousands of Stars at night, the Flowers, the Rivers, the Ocean, the Villages, the Towns, the Taxi drivers who were so helpful and wanted to speak English and practiced on me……….The Ecuadorian people who seemed to have this overall feeling of Happiness and well being that was contagious wherever we went. From the Bus driver who stood at the door of our bus and helped each and every member of our group, everyday, get in and out of the bus. He was always smiling and happy to help. To the Indian women, who were washing the Family’s clothes on flat stones in the River. They looked up from their work, as our bus passed by, waving to some of us staring in disbelief………….I waved back, with tears in my eyes. They smiled at me as if to say… all is well and you are welcome……

Everywhere we went I felt as though I was surrounded by smiling faces. Just walking out of the Hotel in Cotacachi, the Native Indians of the area were dressed in their Native costume, except it wasn’t a costume, it was their way of life……….Immaculate, clean clothes, beautifully embroidered blouses with wonderful long wool skirts, colorful sashes around their waists, carrying small children wrapped in beautiful fabric on their backs. I was in awe………. I was feeling as though I was in a time machine that was set for the mid 1850’s. I had indeed traveled back in time and landed in Ecuador…………….The air was clean, the water was fresh, the food was healthy and delicious…………..I kept thinking, Where am I? Is it possible? Am I dreaming? Is it real?

After being there for a couple of days, and easing into the relaxed, tranquil, lifestyle. I began to notice the little nuisances of the Indigenous people I was surrounded by.
Every morning, wherever I went, I was always greeted with Buenos Dias ( good morning). It was so pleasant and so comfortable so nice. I forgot about where I had come from, and my only concern was finding out everything I could about this beautiful Gentle Country of Beautiful gentle people.

Everyday was a unique Visual Experience for me.

I remember waking up to the Church bell ringing at 6am and looking out the window and seeing the mothers walking their children to the school. All cleaned up with fresh clothes, their native costumes, and smiles. Walking along the hand made stone sidewalks, skirts swaying as they walked, lightly brushing the sidewalk as they made their way to the school. Just watching them gave me a feeling of well being, and a knowing sense that all is well. No plastic, no tinsel, no cartoon characters acting like humans. It was real, real people, real feelings, real emotions experiencing their version of life on Planet Earth…

There were many times I was overwhelmed with emotions of humility and feelings of being honored and grateful to have had the opportunity to experience this unique Gift in those present moments. A Gift that you, Gary and Merri, have made available to a select few. You and Ecuador have changed my life and my thinking. Thank you, I am so grateful to be a member of your International Club.

I am looking forward to joining you again in January 2009 on your next Ecuadorian Adventure…………….Thank you again for everything, Happy Thanksgiving,

Yet you’ll do more than have a great visit. Improve the quality of your life, expand your horizons and reduce the tax you pay as you increase asset protection by having an overseas company and overseas income!

Small at home export businesses can set us free.

When in Ecuador Merri and I will greet each dawn with walk through gentle Cotacachi, a village filled with peace.that seems to just get better and better. Here is one of the many lamp lined avenues shining in the morn.

We are all so fortunate that we can enjoy this and make money as well.

There is such satisfaction in having a business that allows us to travel and live in places we choose. Such freedom..such fun not to mention the profit arising each day and finding yet more money rolling in.

Join other like minded souls this year in Ecuador to learn how to gain freedom and self fulfillment through international investing and business.

See opportunity everywhere in Ecuador.

In wood products.

In Ecuador’s art.

In jewelry

And all types of exports.

A silver lining comes from Merri’s and my extensive travels throughout Ecuador . We have searched, scoured and scrounged our way across this nation to find special products and goods that you can export in a suitcase and make outstanding profits.

You’ll go to the high Andes . You’ll see products from Zuleta where they create handmade “green” cotton-one-of-a-kind tableware, shirts, specialty items. You’ll travel everyday to see different markets, crafts people and masters who create special products that will make your eyes gleam with delight…both for their uniqueness and salability.

In addition, over the years we’ve combined this knowledge and experience with contacts in the form of American and European readers who now live in Ecuador. Working with them we have set up office and business facilities to create an export support service that we can now offer to you.

We have even purchased a 180 year old hacienda that is a charming hotel to turn into your business center!

Here’s the hotel. This is where we will conduct the course when we are not visiting markets. Rooms are only $59 a night + tax.

Plus we have an experienced English-Spanish speaking business people who live here and can act as your local backup for the business.

This combination makes it possible for you to have your own Ecuadorian import/export business, which can be run from your home or in your own Ecuadorian hideaway you’ll be able to buy with your extra profits.

Timing for such a business has never been better!

Exporting has already created fortunes for a few sophisticated individuals. Now because of our knowledge, experience and contacts, a special business is available for you. Until recently, operating an overseas business took a great deal of time and effort to start. This is no longer true.

Technology makes it possible to take your business where opportunity is best and allows you to run this business from anywhere in the world. You can run your export business from an office or at home! The internet makes this more possible than ever before and at the course we’ll share ideas on how to develop and use your website to enhance sales.

The internet is the Colt 45 of business, the great equalizer. If you choose to have your own import-export business you too can let the internet help your business grow for wealth and freedom.

The export expedition combines theory, practice and contacts.

Ecuador is an incredible bargain basement business opportunity now.

Many of our readers enjoy Ecuador, have developed export products and some have even moved to Ecuador and started businesses and we have used this fact to create a system that can help you develop your own export business.

You can gain independence, have more income, security and enjoy overseas travel. This course is not pie in the sky theory. The knowledge you gain comes from years of experience and from our extensive research plus out reader’s current global export activity.

The course is designed so your international business will be easy to start and keep going (with the help of the contacts if you choose).

The Export Trail is an extensive five day course.

Yet the course is only $999 - $1,499 for a couple. You will learn directly from the contacts we introduce to you.

You’ll learn why a business in Ecuador is the ultimate lawsuit and tax protection and why global businesses are immune to recessions. You need not suffer during recession, inflation or during market crashes. Fatal economic flaws which ruin others create your profits for you.

From the beginning, the course gives ways to expand your knowledge about having a business in Ecuador plus provides a network (active business people and investors in 82 countries) that can help you find partners, sell products and services and raise money abroad! The goal of the course is to give you more than just knowledge. You are shown specific businesses you can start now and are backed up with follow up support in Ecuador .

The course brings you real, usable knowledge and the after course support so you can put the knowledge you gain into action right away.

The course takes nothing for granted and walks you step-by-step through every aspect of having a business in Ecuador . One lesson for example shows why this is an idea whose time has arrived. Learn the theory of setting up your business, whether to turn your passion into profit (by starting a new business in a field you love) and how to use existing businesses that we have spotted for you to expand).

You will learn how to become involved in an area where your expertise or interest gives you an advantage. Next you will learn about suitcase exporting that avoids shipping and storage. Merri and I have been importing this way for years. We have researched the facts and figures and are using them now.

Our goal is to help you find products that:

#1: Can be sold to easily identified markets.

#2: Can be marked up many times while allowing a fair trade for the indigenous.

#3: Can be imported in a suitcase.

The course gives you practical tips on how to achieve these goals in three ways.

You share the practical experience from the shipments that we have actually incurred in our own business. You learn the problems we encountered and how to avoid them. (This alone will save you far more than the course tuition.)

One incredibly valuable lesson is on how to buy at the source… and how sometimes it is better to not buy at the source. You will also learn how to establish your market… how to sell your inventory and to whom. How to know your product, your market, your source, and your competition.

Most important you will learn how to market your products abroad.

Which products? The Import/Export Expedition has already identified carved wood, architectural and decorative woods designs in San Antonio de Ibarra.

Textiles from Otavalo.

Here is one of the vendors in Otavalo photographed by delegates at our last Import-Export course.

Religious Santos and Icons from San Antonio de Ibarra

Jewelry from San Goqui.

Paintings from all over Ecuador.

Here is an example of one type of art that a previous course delegate is having made from recycled paper and a metallic paint. Their Reiki symbol line of art is selling as fast as they can get it produced.

Leathers in Cotacachi.

Here are flowers I imported that were grown in Imbabura.

I regularly import roses from Ecuador at a fraction of the price you normally pay. Here I am with 250 roses we had delivered to our home in North Carolina for our own use.

You will visit many of these places and more so you can start your business directly from the course after you have learned the fundamentals, visited these places, seen the goods and learned how and meet contacts who can back you up (or even act as a joint venture partners).

Learn how to enjoy the finest things in life because of international friendships plus how to develop them.

The course helps you choose the business you want. Many professionals look for new beginnings, turning hobbies to profits. For example you’ll learn how to set up tours for golfing, fishing, horse riding and other hobbies can be successful businesses. The contacts alone are worth ten times the cost of the course.

We have developed contacts with top businessmen, bankers, accountants, attorneys, marketing experts, business consultants, agents all over the country that can help you, large or small, full or part time.

There you have it, valuable contacts and knowledge about timely and fulfilling business opportunities that you can cash in on now. Regardless of whether you want your business to make millions, or just add excitement and adventure in your life, to reduce tax or even live abroad, the Import/Export Expedition can help you get involved with something you love and turn after tax costs into tax deductible expenses. Whether you have a successful business, want a part time business for change or as job security, this course can be of enormous value to you.

The week long course is only $999 ($1,499 for a couple). This is nothing compared to the incredible education you gain and the importance of the knowledge for you and your family’s wealth now.

One delegate who attended our Ecuador export expedition wrote:

“Our business of selling Ecuador products is still going well. We are now appointing Agents across Australia and should have the whole country covered by mid-August. Our initial shops continue to re-order on a regular basis. The best shops seem to re-order every two weeks.

We have also received inquiry to provide buying services for people in a few other countries. So we will be seriously thinking about starting our own brand name to market globally. If successful, it should help many Ecuadorians.”

Another couple who attended this expedition sell the goods they export at flea markets.

They wrote: “Good Evening Gary/Merri. Speaking of a small business, we have opened All American Enterprises, LLC (AAE) which includes selling products from Ecuador at a trade days operation about 200 miles East of Dallas. I don’t know if we are off to a “bang” but we are sure having fun. See attached pictures to include our model Consuella trying to look indigenous.

Please tell Merri we have made profit on our inventory and the big sellers are alpaca silver jewelry and Octovalo alpaca ponchos. We will visit at the end of September and would like to restock to include blankets/ponchos/throws from Hilana. “

Space makes it impossible to explain everything in the course, but I am convinced if you try it, you will find it improves your entire way of life! There has never been a time when the risk of higher tax, greater unemployment and investment dangers were higher in North America , but neither has the opportunity for small businesses abroad been so outstanding.

Here is one of the silver workers we visit.

Another jewelry workshop does interesting work in silver and ostrich eggs!

Another craftsman does incredible wood carvings covered in gold leaf like this horse.

and incredible gold and bejeweled wooden Faberge egg.

Todd Smith, another attendee, wrote this:

“Recently Gary recommended a printer in Cotacachi, Ecuador, for me to use to print my photographic greeting cards. I was quite skeptical about doing business in Ecuador, both for the hassle of sending money, shipping the product, and most importantly the quality of the printing. As a photographer, I am quite picky about printing. But, after three years of good experience with Gary, I decided to take another risk and try the printer. The results were outstanding–better than many press jobs I’ve seen in the US, and the price was terrific.

I’ve learned that Gary likes to push his students to try things they thought were too risky. Gary lives on the cutting edge. But, interestingly enough, I don’t think he is really a risk-taker, because his feet are always firmly planted on the ground. I’ve learned over time that I can trust Gary’s thinking, and that he really does come up with some unusual, and very effective, solutions to problems that I’ve tried to solve on my own.

My suggestion is simply to try out Gary. You may have to risk some money, but my experience has been so positive that feel safe in saying that the risk will be well worth it. Of the $1000 or so that I invested , I have earned many thousands in return, and have created a lifestyle for myself that is far more fulfilling than anything I had previously.

I did the import/export course last year in Cotacachi, though I was in Ecuador mainly for photography. While I was there, I met one of Gary’s contacts in the rose business. We went to his plantation and he was very willing to work with any of Gary’s students to export flowers to the US or Canada. He showed us prices that appeared to me as if they would form the basis of a very profitable floral business. He also explained how the flowers are shipped FedEx directly to you, and they are cut fresh before the shipment. This means that the flowers you resell will last much longer than those that have been sitting in a florist’s shop forever. This could be a significant advantage over the competition, and could generate some very satisfied customers. Sincerely, Todd Smith”

Here I am with Todd Smith trying new tailor made Ecuador suits that cost $135 to $200…an excellent Ecuador export.

Expand your borders now! Increase your economic security freedom, independence and success. Gain a fortune, enjoy life more and help those who are less fortunate.

Here is Bonnie Keogh who attended the export expedition enjoying an open air breakfast at El Meson de las Flores, the center of our expeditions. Bonnie wrote:

“My name is Bonnie Keough. In March 2006, I went to Ecuador to attend Gary and Merri’s import/export course.

I was hoping to find items to bring back to the States and sell. I love to travel and was looking for business ideas that would enable me to do that.

I had never been to South America (never even considered it) before so it was an adventure. I didn’t know what to expect, but I had been reading Gary’s newsletter for a while and I was impressed with the Scott’s honesty and integrity. They don’t promise overnight success or try to sell you a business opportunity. They share their wealth of experiences, open doors for you and educate you on the possibilities and opportunities available. It’s up to you to implement what you learn.

I found so much more than high quality products in Ecuador, the people I deal with are kind, hard-working folks who truly appreciate my business and I appreciate their honesty and skills. I have returned to Ecuador 6 more times since my first trip and each time I leave I’m anxious to return.

I always personally select all of the items I sell. By doing this, I’ve learned a lot about quality, prices and sources and I enjoy interacting with the people. But it is hard work and not everyone enjoys that aspect of the business. You will have to decide how much you want to participate.

Don’t expect to find mass produced items in Ecuador. If you have an idea for a product, it is a great place to have items custom made. It’s possible to find high quality labor intensive pieces, such as hand knit sweaters or hand woven rugs, at very reasonable prices.

If you have a genuine interest in pursuing an import business, whether in Ecuador or elsewhere, I’m sure you will benefit from the import course. It’s a great introduction to the country and opportunities available there and provides a background on the nuts and bolts of the business. It opened a doorway to a new life for me.

We stress that this is a course combining theory and practicality…but this is a true expedition! You’ll be having fun as you view products, interview, bargain, meet, search and many will even buy. Those who are just looking for a “classroom experience in a hotel” should not attend. Everyone will be out in the field looking and examining and finding. Bonnie”

Join our Import/Export Expedition and learn how your Ecuador business can be made easy today.

Gary

Ecuador Exports Tour - Join Steve Marchant for Gary & Merri Scott’s Import/Export Expedition in Ecuador .

Course Dates: October 14-19. (Tuesday through Sunday)

Arrival: in Quito by October 13, Monday. Depart: Sunday the 19th for evening flights and Monday, the 20th for early a.m. flights.

March 10-15, 2009 - $999 Single. Order $1,499 for two. Order

July 2-7, 2009 - $999 Single. Order $1,499 for two. Order

October 20-25 - $999 Single. Order $1,499 for two. Order

Ecuador Exports Expedition

When we think as the shamans of Cotacachi do, we see events…fate…and our free will as being connected. The shamans in Cotacachi call all these different parts the forces of nature.

The circular thought of the shamans is sometimes difficult to grasp. Some shamans will say something that has no logic…until one day an event…act or an aha starts to make sense.

For example, their concept of fractals is that everything is part of a sacred geometry that leads us to where we should be. The mountain we grow up viewing is our mother (Pacha Mama) who guides us on our life’s way.

This never made much sense to me until the other day. We were visiting our daughter, son in law, grandkids and my 86 year old (way to go mom!) mother.

Each day I walked out my mom’s front door (she has lived in the same house for 50 years) and enjoyed the view where I grew up.

Mt. Hood…Pancha Mama. Something was gnawing at me…where had she led me? I missed the connection.

The equivalent geometry at Mt, Cotacachi that I now see each day from my Cotacachi front door.

This did not hit me until we took mom to our favorite beach…our historical escape on Oregon’s coast. This shot as I looked down the beach made me think about this more.

Because the geometry is so like our beach escape in San Clemente, Ecuador.

Our life in Ecuador is filled with abundance. Did the sacred geometry of my youth lead me to  Cotacachi and San Clemente?  Did we make our decisions to live in these wonderful places because of some impression beyond logic…some deeper message given by Pacha Mama long ago?

I don’t know the answers to these questions, but do know that the biggest joys in my life came from making decision that were beyond logic.

This is why we are conducting two courses this January and February 2009 that help us learn how to blend our logic, intuition, experience, education and deeper wisdom into an information processing system that brings us greater health and wealth.

The January 2009 course is Super Thinking plus Spanish.

The February 2009 course features Blaine Watson, our astrologer conducting Beyond Logic, a course that includes a lot of Ecuador Shamanic Thought.

The economic downturn we are seeing offers many benefits…inner growth, more focus on health and encouragement to gain the freedom of one’s own business. These separate subjects, actually tie together rather well. Health, wealth, meaning and service are so inexorably linked it is difficult to have one without the other.

This thinking came clear to me years ago when one small sentence in a book review about “The Wealthy 100″ showed the fallacy of working just for cash.

This book showed who the wealthiest people in the world were by looking at their wealth at the time of their death in relation to the GDP of the U.S. John Jacob Astor was the wealthiest man in these terms as his wealth equaled 1/65th of the U.S. GDP.

The paragraph in that article that shook me to my roots was: “The stories of the Astors, Vanderbilts and Morgans have been fascinating. They were not always the smartest, or best educated, but possessed a single minded discipline. If there was a common denominator it was a passion they brought to business whether inspired by greed or desire to be the best. The backlash; many lived unhappily.”

My immediate thought was, “how would I feel if in the last 30 seconds of my life I realized that I was the richest man in the world ever and yet I had lived an unhappy life?

Second, if we do what we love, we do better and joyfully, put in more energy, time and care. This is nature’s irony; if we chase money, it seems runs away. If we pursue our passion and work with without concern for the cash, the wealth can’t resist us.

Now is a great time to know more about health and its relation to wealth because as the economic slowdown carries on, people feel worse. They look for new values and ways to feel better despite the negatives in the outside world.

We live in a holographic, fractal universe.

This quantum reality can be summed in the phrase, “As above, so below”. Most humans on this earth are feeling the external turmoil within. We are all one and we are all connected. All the negativity that abounds in uncertain economic times impacts us all at some level.

There is no better way to overcome this, to make a positive statement in the way we serve others. Charity is not the main answer either. For success, we must be rewarded for our efforts. “The Noonday Demon” a book on human behavior by Andrew Solomon tells of a unique study that shows how people put meaning back in their lives after the most horrible of circumstances. The book reviews a study of Cambodian women who had survived the trauma of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge purge where 20 % of the population was destroyed.

The three-step plan used gives us a great insight into how we can have true wealth. First, the women were taught to forget, the psychotherapist Phaly Nuon, a woman who had lost her family as well says they used exercises each day to forget so that each day they could forget a little more of the things they would never entirely forget. They distracted with music or embroidery or weaving or whatever seemed to work. “The loss is under the skin”, she said “and we cannot take it out.” But they could forget that it was there, even though it was.

Second, Phaly Nuon taught them to work. They had to learn to work well, have pride in the work and to be paid. The receiving of energy as well as the giving of it was necessary to make this work. Finally, once they had mastered a trade or profession she taught them to love. She used a steam bath to do this, where the women could meet and give one another manicures and pedicures. Doing this made the women feel beautiful and put them in contact with the bodies of other people and to give up their bodies to the care of others. Grooming is one of the primary forms of socialization among primates and this return to grooming brings the women back to balance.

Finally, she taught the women one more vital lesson, that these three steps, forgetting, working and loving are not three separate skills, but part of one enormous whole. The practice of these three things together each as part of the other is what makes the difference.

I quote this book and Phaly Nuon: “It (this wholeness) is the hardest thing to convey” she laughed-”but they all come to understand this, and when they do-why, then they are ready to go into the world again.”

Wholeness in giving and receiving is the answer. If we give too much without allowing others to return we manifest the parasitic element that lies within us all.

There is nothing more powerful without and within than serving through business. Give in ways that support this earth, help the world in a positive way and your rewards will be better health and wealth as well. There is no other model for success that makes more sense.

Both courses will be conducted in Cotacachi Ecuador…a perfect shamanic place because Cotacachi has this welcome symbol as you drive into the village.

Cotacachi Ecuador has always been a special village and this symbol represents nine important mid-points that the Incas saw that intersect in Cotacachi (the small village where we live).

First, the four cardinal points East, West, North and South intersect with a fifth midpoint an altitude that is mid way between the sea and the highest mountains here.

This intersection is further defined by a sixth point that comes from an alignment directly between Lake Cuicocha (20 minutes from us) and Lake Titicaca, the birthplace of the Incan nation. According to the legend, is where Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo emerged from the sacred Lake Titicaca to found the Inca Empire. This made this lake to lake alignment especially important as Cuicocha was named at that time Achicocha, which meant “Lake of the Gods.” This lake like Titicaca was considered to be sacred, and used for purification rituals. To this day ritual baths take place at the lake.

The seventh alignment is that Cotacachi is in a direct line with Cuzco (The Inca’s southern Capitol) – Quito (The Inca’s Northern capital) and The Yucatan which the Incans saw as the home of the original most important civilization.

The eighth alignment is that Cotacachi lies between Father Mount Imbabura and Mother Mount Cotacachi. These two mountains represent the masculine and feminine energies of nature.

These eight intersections are enlivened and unified by the universal being, the ninth most infinite creator.

These nine energies represent a fractal reflection of man and his nine “Rios de Luce” (Rivers of Light) or nine major energy processing points. The points are respected in many disciplines, by many names being called chakras, acupuncture points, chi centers, etc.

The Incan beliefs were that these nine intersections formed four axes that created the basic functions of the universe. What better place to take a deeper look at our existence?

Gary

Join us at a course in Cotacachi or on Ecuador’s coast this winter.

Jan. 16-21 Ecuador Spanish Course

Jan. 22-23 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
Jan. 24-27 Coastal Real Estate Tour

Feb. 9-11 Beyond Logic & Ecuador Shamanic Thought

Feb. 13-15 International Business & Investing Made EZ
Feb. 16-17 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

March 8-9 Imbabura Real Estate Tour
March 10-15 Ecuador Export Expedition
March 16-19 Coastal Real Estate Tour

Better still join us all year in Ecuador! See our entire schedule of 26 courses, tours, mingos and expeditions we’ll conduct in 2009.

Many readers visited this season and did their Christmas shipping. They had great savings but since this is the biggest day of the year for buying gifts and a bit late to come down…here is another Cotacachi Ecuador shopping idea…Cotacachi inspired art.

Here are some shots from Meson de las Flores.

The Cathedral at dawn…

Here is the Cotacachi inspired art.

This is an original ACEOs (Art Card Editions & Originals) inspired by
Cotacachi Ecuador…this particular version is composed of three shots.

drawn by…

my sister, Sandra Strait.

while she visited us in Cotacachi.

There are numerous choices. The three above…

Buying this art creates a double giving.

Here is the moon at Meson’s entrance.

Your giving helps provide gifts for children who would not receive one in Cotacachi this Christmas.

Sandra is donating 50% of all sales to Land of the Sun Foundation to buy Christmas gifts for these children in Cotacachi Ecuador.

Here are Cotacachi mountains.

Ecuador’s coast.

ACEOs are 2.5″ by 3.5″ original drawings. They come in sets of three, six or nine pictures.

I put nine into a matted frame, and it looks like this.

This original art is available in sets…three for $49…six for $79 or nine for $99. Great Christmas gifts that keep on giving!

For more details and to see your choices contact Sandra at sks_atc@yahoo.com

Gary

In 40 years of living, working and traveling abroad, Merri and I have been honored to enjoy the celebrations of many cultures.

Here we celebrate the serving of guinea pig with the mother of our Godson at his Christening.

Here Merri and I talk with a Cotacachi village elder at the grand opening of the Cotacachi Footbal Cup Tournament.

Merri kicked out the first ball.

And I had the privilege of crowning the tournament queen.

We have also had the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving in many countries, from Ecuador to England to Hong Kong. We especially enjoy this day because it gives us an opportunity to share in return a beautiful American tradition with other cultures.

No one outside the US recognizes this Thanksgiving Day in November as an official holiday.

Our family is so wide spread…the five kids, in Oregon, Florida, London and Bristol England and Swaziland, can rarely all unite for Thanksgiving. Since everyone…globally…likes feasts, we find it easy and delightful to create a larger family.

We often use the day to invite friends, wherever we are, to share our turkey, dressing, cranberries and pumpkin pie (though there have been challenges finding the ingredients at times - one year in Gloucestershire, we had to settle for making a yam pie as there were no pumpkins). Many from other nations have left our Thanksgiving table knowing the true heart of America better after sharing this traditional meal with us.

This is a wonderful…simple way to enjoy friends and expand goodwill worldwide for which we are truly thankful.

Ecuador does not celebrate Thanksgiving but during these times of economic correction, Thanksgiving in Ecuador can be special. My wife, Merri, and I learned this because Ecuadorians have such a special, thankful attitude. Merri and I were spending an entire winter at our Ecuadorian plantation with this shaman. We walked the cloud forest with him daily and his apprentices as we learned.  Here we are on one of these treks.

The shaman and his apprentices stayed in our plantation house. We lived in this crumbling 10′x 10′ hut, no electricity, no phone and no hot water…for all those months.

Our goal was to understand how these people really lived, thought and felt. We did not expect how much to learn how much we truly are blessed in life and how much we have to be thankful for.

Though the apprentices had no material wealth and earned about $30 a month, the joy and happiness during that time with those people was infectious, laughter always just waiting to bubble over at any event.

Then one day around thanksgiving the country’s economy literally shut down. I mean almost everything.

Gas ran out and all the banks were closed. The shaman and the apprentices lost every penny they had in the banks. Upon learning this, the shaman called for a mingo (this word means circle and represents a meeting) where he performed a ceremony of thanks for all the change that these losses would bring.

Later after the meeting we sat on the front porch and looked out, over this view.

We watched the setting sun, dropping in a burst of purple and mauve. The wind was warm and a symphony of insects gave a serenade. This now penniless shaman looked over and whispered. “Life is good”.

Changes in his financial life did not rob him of a penny’s worth of living. He felt what others considered a loss with gratitude.

I can’t put in words what a sense of peace and harmony rolled over us as we looked down at the lushness of the valley below, the mists rising, the waterfalls folding in lacy cascades, bird songs trilling through the clear air. The river although far below us was a great bubbling sound along with the strangeness of some of the bird calls. This was a joy we had not felt since we were kids.

As Merri and I enjoy this day of thanks, we feel that our thankfulness is heightened due to our sharing Thanksgiving with other cultures that have helped us learn to be thankful, about everything…even though they may seem negative at the time.

We cannot thank you enough! We look forward with great joy to sharing more ideas in the year ahead with you. If we can in some way make your life more joyous and help you laugh, learn and be grateful, we will truly be blessed. There is such beauty on this earth and in this world at this time. We feel privileged to be able to share it with you.

Gary

Plus El Meson in Cotacachi is the only place in Ecuador I believe where super thinking Spanish is taught.

Join us here in our Cotacachi courtyard at our hotel El Meson de las Flores to learn Spanish in a way that can improve your health and accelerate your intelligence all at the same time?

Spanish is the second most important language in the world. Yet the North American educational system does not teach much second language communication. Learning Spanish is valuable, important and can be fun! Join us in Cotacachi. Enjoy the beauty of the Andes…

the lakes…

the village.

Learn super thinking. Clear up your memory plus become skilled in Spanish (in just one week). I invite you to attend our “Super Thinking – Super Spanish” course here, in Cotacachi Ecuador.

Learn how to unlock the power of your untapped knowledge.

There are numerous little known, but scientifically proven ways to enhance the speed, accuracy and efficiency of your decision making process for greater wealth, health and happiness. In just a week you can gain almost amazing learning skills. Plus you become skilled in Spanish as a bonus. In just a week!

Sound too good to be true?

This is not a gimmick or a trick. At least three best selling books, Superlearning, the Mozart Effect and Superlearning 2000 have revealed insights about how we can learn and think more powerfully based on systems drawn from the Bulgarian educational master, Dr. Georgi Lozanov.

In 1980 Superlearning sold over two million copies and showed how the Lozanov learning system blended long-tested sciences of raja yoga with contemporary physiology and psychology so people could learn faster and better.

The book exposed this fact and made the system so popular that Dr. Lozanov was allowed to visit the US from Bulgaria to teach this system to just a very few people so they could pass on this vital information on how to learn and think in a more natural, powerful way so we can enjoy life and enhanced memory more.

Merri was among those few who learned and is licensed to teach the Lozanov system. We have organized a program for you. With the use of Merri’s modified system, you will learn how to think and learn more powerfully in just a week. To prove how good you will be with this process, you learn Spanish as a side benefit.

The learning system you gain expands on Dr. Lozanov’s original work and offers new insights into tapping human potential, drawing from ancient and modern tactics for quick learning such as subliminal memory, music, nutrition, and productivity.

For example, you learn how to evoke the power of the senses thus gaining super-charged memory. Ever hear a song from twenty, thirty or forty years past and in a snap know all the words, the tune and remember with whom and where your heard it decades ago? Learn how to use ten cycle music to gain almost super human thinking powers.

Dr. Georgi Lozanov was totally committed to learning without stress, allowing people to enjoy the thrill of relaxed, leisurely learning so that it became super learning as well. These are just two, whole learning, super-thinking tactics you gain at this course.

You will gain seven, easy to use learning techniques that can help you gain any type of skill from computers to athletics to conversational languages–in much less time than traditional learning techniques.

This course will literally change the way you think and learn forever.

Course for one $799. Order here

Course for Two $999. Order here

What is your desire? Do you want to speak Spanish, French, German, Chinese or any language? Would you like to golf better or accomplish more in school?

Would you like to easily, quickly zip through projects, chores, reports? The Super Thinking course can help you learn any subject two-to-five times faster, in exciting and innovative ways…but most of all stress free and full of fun.

The techniques you gain will help unlock the quantum potential we all possess. This evolutionary program shows how certain types of music can enhance learning and how even altered nutrition can make you a startling 25% smarter, how subliminal messages can increase your energy and thinking process, plus much, much more.

This Super Thinking system follows and builds upon what was taught in the Superlearning, the Mozart Effect and Superlearning 2000 plus includes techniques and strategies that Merri has gained in her 37 years of global travel and study with educational masters around the world.

This is a course that shows you how to increase your mental power to better succeed in the 21st century when we can otherwise be overwhelmed by information. The system you gain is built from old and new sources ranging from raja yoga to contemporary Russian science, and ultimate zone training already used by many Olympic champions.

“Super Thinking + Spanish” presents new ways to use subliminal memory, music and much more to supercharge your mind. The knowledge you gain about smart food and super nutrition allows you to enhance productivity and creativity. Once these concepts are understood, you will know how to create your own program and build new skills at work in study and play. In addition you gain all the tools to quickly become fluent in Spanish.

Yet who has the time?

You do! Fluency in a language is considered to come when you know 1200 words. To prove that it is possible to gain this and much more, let me share one tactic Merri taught me that gives you thousands of Spanish words in less than three minutes.

Here are the thousands of Spanish words lesson:

Most words in English that end in ION are almost identical, just pronounced differently. For example action is accion, education-educacion, manipulation- manipulacion, etc.

Now you already literally know hundreds and hundreds of Spanish nouns. This is just one of seventeen Spanish lessons you gain. The next lesson teaches you how to pronounce each of these nouns. Then you learn in a third lesson almost as many verbs, almost as quickly.

The fourth lesson shows how to avoid conjugating verbs by sticking with the infinitive (far easier than it sounds). This simple lesson leaves you sounding like a Spanish professor (believe me I know as I use this tactic every day when in Ecuador ) without ever conjugating a verb. Lesson five shows how to sound infinitely polite and yet get almost anything you want in Spanish. Lesson six gives you the valuable connectors and the seventh lesson triples your Spanish capacity with yesterday, now and tomorrow.

By the end of the one week course you will feel quite comfortable speaking Spanish without stress!

Yet your Spanish will just be one result from learning how to think better! You will be able to use your new learning powers in amazing ways. For example, this attendee at our last course wrote:

“Hi Gary & Merri, You two are the BEST!!! Your Seminar was fantastic! I am so excited. I had procrastinated fulfilling my continuing education for my Broker’s License and then just before my surgeries, I realized my expiration date isn’t Nov. 12th - it is Sept 12th. Well, as you can see prior to taking your course I had only completed 3 units of the required 45 units. I thought I would take your course and then complete my remaining 42 units over the next 2 weeks. However, I took one class exam on Saturday night, August 27th. I didn’t even take the cellophane off the required Course manuals until after I saw the two of you today less than 5 hours ago! I used your techniques and completed 39 units of continuing education today. I have now completed all 45 units. All of my test scores were in the 90.6-96% range. My course exam information is listed below. I just wanted to let you know how valuable your course was to me. Thanks again!” Suzy Kurinsky

Each day teaches you’ll enjoy Super Thinking + Super Spanish plus enjoy a learning exhibition. You’ll be in the classroom and out and about in the markets, the villages and the hot springs . You’ll gain all this in the Super Thinking + Spanish course. Plus there is one more benefit. The course will be conducted at the quaint, colonial El Meson de las Flores. Here is the hotel.

Each lesson is customized to an event to enjoy that day. You get to put what you have learned into immediate action! What is more the hotel stay can be as little as $59 night (per room) and tax (including a magnificent breakfast)!

One day you’ll visit the healing thermal springs of Chachimbiro Thermal Springs.

Plus the Relais & Chateaux La Mirage Spa.

Another day in Otavalo, South America ’s largest indigenous market. The lesson of the day prepares you to speak Spanish on the trip. Using what you have just learned helps lock in the knowledge.

We will visit numerous other markets, like Cotacachi leather market, the village of the weavers and our local produce market shown below. You’ll be speaking Spanish!

See and hear local musicians…

and dancers.

Finally your learning will also help eliminate the suffering of poverty. El Meson de las Flores is owned by our Land of the Sun Foundation which helps the poor. Here are two of our many friends that we feed daily at the hotel.

All tours during course are included and all group travel is included but travel to and from Quito. Accommodations and food are not included.

Gary

Ecuador Spanish Course January 16 to January 21, 2009. (Arrive Cotacachi Jan. 15. Depart morning of January 22, 2009.

Course for one $799. Order here

Course for Two $999. Order here

Meet the colorful people of Cotacachi Ecuador

This building is in our favorite coastal city,  Bahia Ecuador and is about 12 years old.

The Bahia Ecuador condo is a two story penthouse.

The owners are Danish. They sailed here years ago, started the first ice company in Bahia, bought the condo and have renovated it to a high standard.

The wood is aged, so it will not crack and dry…very wonderful workmanship
throughout.

The kitchen has every appliance.

and views everywhere…from the kitchen…

the dining room…

the lounge…

The office…

has a view.

Upstairs the bedroom..

has a balcony…

and this view.

Even the bathroom has a view.

The building has a swimming pool.

and the unit has a lage garage.

The owner is asking $225,000, which I felt was high. When I voiced this opinion the owners response is, “there is nothing else like it available and it is ready and perfect to move in”.   The sellers have purchased land across the  river and want to build anew s are ready to move on.

For the right person who wants a high standard now…and wants views everywhere…this is a unit worth checking out.

Gary

Jan. 16-21 Ecuador Spanish Course

Jan. 22-23 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

Jan. 24-27 Coastal Real Estate Tour

Feb. 9-11 Beyond Logic-Shamanic Mingo

Feb. 13-15 International Business & Investing Made EZ

Feb. 16-17 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

March 8-9 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

March 10-15 Ecuador Export Expedition

March 16-19 Coastal Real Estate Tour

Better still join us all year in Ecuador! See our entire schedule of 26 courses, tours, mingos and expeditions we’ll conduct in 2009.

The course fee includes meeting at Quito airport (day before the course)…transportation (by group bus) to Cotacachi and back to Quito. Course fee does not include air are. accommodations, food or individual transportation.

One reason Merri and I live in Cotacachi is because our Ecuador shamanic teachers all agree that the energy between Mt. Cotacachi and Mt. Imbabura is special. This area is called the mid point of the world and we continually study with shamans here. Here is Mt. Cotacachi.

Frequency is a key to Ecuador shamanic healing. Shamanic belief is that everything creates a harmonic frequency or vice versa. At a grand level being sandwiched between two Mt Cotacachi and Mt Imbabura creates a special energetic harmonic (bundle of frequencies).

Here is Mt. Imbabura taken from Mt. Cotacachi. Cotacachi is in the middle of this small valley between these two 15,000+ feet high mountains.

At the most minute level, correct harmonics create our emotional and physical health.

Here is the Shamana of Zuleta preparing to use the frequency of tobacco smoke and aqua flora in a cleansing ceremony. She will use these frequencies to balance subtle, human frequencies.

Every part of our being, (mind body and soul if you wish) hums at a frequency. When all parts of our body are humming at a correct frequency and these frequencies are connected (and in tune) we are at ease and in good health.

When any part of us hums at the wrong frequency or is disconnected from the whole, we have dis-ease.

Cotacachi shamans infuse the essence, (frequency or vibratory energy) of different aspects of life (derived from plants), in water, alcohol or oil.

The fastest way to absorb healing energy is through the skin and lungs. The shamans use mists and oils to impart these frequencies to counterbalance physical and or emotional imbalances that create dis-ease. Cotacachi shamanic purifications do not wash away impurities as much as they balance misaligned frequencies so they once again hum as they should.

Essential oils hold the energy better than water and though each (mists and oils) have a purpose (a mist is essentially a diluted essential oil) the root of aqua flora is essential oil. Therefore the Cotacachi yatchaks, shamans and curanderos revere good, pure essential oils.

Often they mix essential oils with alcohol to balance subtle levels of human frequency. They deliver the frequency with an explosive mist, spitting the essential oil through a flame. Here is a shaman performing this ceremony at one of our previous Cotacachi shamanic mingos.

Merri and I use pure, essential oils daily and buy them from our friend Candace Newman…the oil lady, for our own use. We also give them as shamanic gifts when we are in Cotacachi…or anywhere with shamans. They are always enormously grateful at receiving pure, essential oils. They call them gifts from the forces of nature.

We have known Candace for over 30 years and began using her oils when the shamans of Cotacachi taught us how they work.

Merri and I lived and studied with the yatchaks and shamans for years to better understand how they live and heal. Candace joined us at our North Carolina farm and our 926 acre Andean Hacienda Rosaspamba where we lived with a taita yatchak and his apprentices. She also trained with the yatchaks throughout Ecuador and Peru.

We used to walk the ridges here at Rosaspamba, speaking of what we learned.

I asked Candace to write some articles about the wisdom she gained form the yatchaks about essential oil. Here is one of the ideas she has shared:

“Pure Lavender Essential Oil in Ecuador

“Ever since I traveled to England to learn about essential oils in the early 1990’s, I have kept a little bottle of Lavender in my bag wherever I go. My trips to Ecuador and Peru were just another example of how life is better with Lavender…and traveling without essential oils, is like traveling without your toothbrush. I don’t spend lots of time packing clothes….but I do spend time packing my essential oils.

“Pure Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula officinalis from Bulgaria) is a high grade medicinal quality essential oil. Its natural chemistry makes it anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-bacterial. It’s the #1 stress reliever and sleep aid. The natural chemical constituents are known to balance the central nervous system. If you are down, it will bring you up…and if you are too anxious, it will calm you down.

“I call Lavender “the River of Peace”. It is from the Latin word LAVARE which means TO WASH. The aroma washes our emotions and the medicinal liquid washes and soothes the skin. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the flowers. It is very strong and very concentrated.

“On my trips to Ecuador and Peru, Lavender was either in my fanny-pak or my traveler’s vest pocket. Just inhaling it on the airplanes, cars and buses when my energy was low … made me and others feel better.

“Many of the days I had a cotton ball charged with just one drop of Lavender in my pocket as a diffuser. I also gave a “cotton ball of Lavender” to one lady who was feeling fearful on the cliff-hanging road up to Rosaspamba outside Quito.

“Lavender is the first choice for nervousness; Peppermint is the first choice for motion sickness. Another time one lady was feeling weak from hypoglycemia, so breathing the Lavender as we headed for lunch helped bring her back to a better state of balance.

“In my month at Rosaspamba, I was up one morning before dawn with two of the Yachak’s apprentices and we were going to hike down the road to a waterfall for a ceremony and “shower”. It was cold, dark, and wet. The clouds of fog were very thick. One apprentice slipped on the wooden steps coming out of the “hacienda” and slammed her shin on the step. I could see by her face that she was in real pain, but was covering it up. I had my flashlight and asked her if I could see it. The skin was broken and a huge bump was forming.

“With her glad permission, I put a couple of drops of straight Lavender on the area to cut down the inflammation and pain. We made our journey to the waterfall….did the Lavender and cold water treatment there…journeyed back…and did the Lavender treatment again. The wide-eyed amazement and smile on her face was delightful to see!

“An additional great source of comfort was the 1-2 drops of Lavender on a cotton ball that went in my pillow at night in my funny little bed at Rosaspamba. It certainly helps tuck you in at night and promote a good night’s sleep.

“Another time we went into a little village outside Quito on the bus (I really don’t know WHERE we were) and walked across fences and pig farms to visit 2 older Ecuadorian women. One of the Yachak’s apprentices rented a room here sometimes. One of the women was in bed and quite weak with pain in her face from cancer. With her permission, I sat on her bed and made a blend in my palm with some Organic Golden Jojoba and a drop of Lavender.

“I very gently rubbed this on her face. She looked up at me with a twinkle in her eyes and our glance said it all. We couldn’t speak each other’s language…and if we could it would have ruined the silent language our hearts were speaking.

“Lavender to the rescue” again on the climb up Waynu Picchu above Machu Picchu. I was not feeling well, and my day’s nutrition was honey and water. About ¼ of the way up the mountain I passed out cold on the path. Then awakened with wonderful energy to finish the trek. When I got back to the bottom, inhalations of Lavender helped me get grounded again, and feel balanced.

“There are many reasons why Lavender is the #1 essential oil to have in your “medicine chest” no matter where you are. There are well over 400 essential oils, and Lavender is the most versatile and useful. The comfort and balance it brings to our emotional state is well documented … as is the relief from aches and pains due to its anti-inflammatory natural medicine.

“For rubbing it on large areas, combine it with a base oil. For spot work, like a burn or cut….use one drop straight. Inhalation is reason enough just to have it with you. You…or someone close by….is bound to need some! What a powerful, yet simple medicinal remedy this is. Happy Trails…..with Lavender!”

$16.45. You can order a bottle of Candace’s lavender essential oil here.

Save 10% on purchases of lavender and all of Candace’s essential oils if you order through November 30.

Christmas shopping. Essential oils can be shamanic gifts for more than just shamans. At Christmas, Merri and always give our kids the gift of the shamans…essential oils from Candace.

You can see Candace’s entire inventory here and how to order now at 10% off.

Recently Merri and I hiked into a sacred valley in the shadow of Mount Cotacachi. Here is Merri, with Cotacachi shaman Don Jose, headed for a Cotacachi shamanic ceremony at a grotto where the water flows from the rocks in the color of gold.

We hike to a quiet glen next to the grotto where shamanic ceremonies are performed.

Here is the grotto.

Don Jose brings his aqua flora. When we arrives, he removes his shoes and hat. He needs the uninhibited frequencies of the forces of nature in his hair and flowing though his feet to properly perform the ceremony.

Join Merri, me, Don Jose and Blaine Watson in the sacred valley this February 2009 to learn how to fuse quantum mechanics, from the tiniest thought, to the entire universe for greater ease in health and wealth. See how, why and when at Ecuador shamanic thought.

Manta is Ecuador’s fastest growing city…has been for years.

As an international port there are parts of the town that are rough. FOR EXAMPLE, STAY AWAY FROM THE TUNA FACTORIES IN NORTH MANTA…PHEW!

Yet at its center Manta is quite civilized, everything evolving around the Oro Verde Hotel.

Oro Verdes are great! The first hotel we ever visited in Ecuador was the Oro Verde Guayaquil. I loved it! Though sadly I have been told that Oro Verde Cuenca filled in the beautiful lake that wrapped around it. They turned it into parking.

I guess Big Yellow Taxi’s go there now…remember the lament.

Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you got till it’s gone
They paved paradise and put up a parkin’ lot

A pity about that in Cuenca…but the Oro Verde Manta is still great….especially on Sunday morns.

They have a killer breakfast buffet and the restaurant has wonderful sea views. Yet the Oro Verde Manta is special for Merri and me for another reason…

Cinnamon rolls and…

croissants.

Merri and I lived in England and Europe for over a decade…spent a lot of time in Switzerland, France, Germany and Italy. We picked up some bad habits…like European bread and for me dark roasted coffee.

We take care with our nutrition, so we limit our access to these potential sins…but on Sunday mornings we allow ourselves to let go! We’ll eat croissants if we can find good ones.

This makes the Oro Verde Manta special because overall bread in Ecuador sucks. I love the food in Cotacachi except the bread. I dare you to find a croissant that a Frenchman would spit on.

The Manta Oro Verde has some of the best croissants, pan au chocolat and cinnamon rolls in the world! We live 40 minutes north in San Clemente and even though we are no longer city folk, we just might drive all the way.

For those who want to be in the city there is an easer solution…buy a condo in Manta. They come in all sizes, shapes, colors and form.

Here is one at the low end we visited on our last coastal real estate tour.

This is a few blocks off the beach…but very walkable to the water.

All tile and clean almost to sterility.

The sitting-dining area has an ocean view…no balconies though.

The bedroom…

has a shot of the ocean as well.

The kitchen is efficient and compact.

as is the washer and dryer.

Plus there are plenty of closets.

We met the couple who live in the penthouse above…nice people…Americans who work in New York from Manta via broadband.

All in all this is a nice unit, I am guessing about 750 square feet, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom in a good part of town. The asking price is $49,000…fully furnished…all appliances included.

I have just sent a Manta condo report with more details and broker contacts to our Ecuador Living subscribers. You can find our how to subscribe here.

Until next message, may your Sundays go really well.

Gary

Join us at a course in Cotacachi or on Ecuador’s coast this winter.

Jan. 16-21 Ecuador Spanish Course

Jan. 22-23 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

See condos like this in Cotacachi for $46,500.

Jan. 24-27 Coastal Real Estate Tour

See Manta condos like this one. Delegates are inspecting the 1,000+ square foot patio.

The patio has this view.

Feb. 9-11 Beyond Logic-Shamanic Mingo

Feb. 13-15 International Business & Investing Made EZ

Feb. 16-17 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

Here is a long shot of Cotacachi.

March 8-9 Imbabura Real Estate Tour

March 10-15 Ecuador Export Expedition

March 16-19 Coastal Real Estate Tour

Better still join us all year in Ecuador! See our entire schedule of 26 courses, tours, mingos and expeditions we’ll conduct in 2009.

The course fee includes meeting at Quito airport (day before the course)…transportation (by group bus) to Cotacachi and back to Quito. Course fee does not include air are. accommodations, food or individual transportation.

I love the dawn….the perspective it brings in its glowing magnificence. The sun always shines. We get another day. So I always try to live in places where I can see the sun rise. There is no better time to reflect…be grateful for the abundance we get from just living…and to prepare for whatever adventure the day may bring. Here is the sunrise from my North Carolina office.

Of course our apartment on the beach doesn’t have an eastern view. The sunsets compensate for this. Here is a shot we see almost daily when at Vistazul.

Whatever…sunrise…sunset. These are the universal daily statements about reality, abundance and the cycles of life.

So after watching this daybreak from my North Carolina office this morning, I was ready to grab life and the day at its fullest.

Reality check! Our hound and I discovered as we headed to the mail box…

that it was cold! 11 degrees F.

I was getting a sunburn last week in Ecuador last week and now am fighting frost bite!

When the leaves of the rhododendron along the creek curl…one knows that it is just plan freezing cold.

We are heading back as soon as we can where we can enjoy warm, sunny Cotacachi sunrises instead.

These are the sunrise views we see from our apartment in Cotacachi Ecuador. There is no crime in this!

Looking south past the Cathedral.

Looking east over Mt. Imbaura.

Every morning Merri and I take a sunrise stroll though the village beginning here.

We love it. The people are so friendly….

and happy.

We stop on our morning strolls and chat with everyone from the street cleaners who clean up after the frequent festivals….to the Mayor the Priests and the Nuns if they happen to pass by.

Cotacachians are earnest,..

bubbly…

traditional…

and colorful.

All of these scenes were taken in the streets of Cotacachi and we feel safe here. Even the children walk freely early morning and in the dark of night.

Now this confidence has been blemished by Cotacachi crime.

I am keeping this in perspective….but Steve Marchant just sent me this note.

Gary, There was a robbery at a farm in an outlying area that is owned by one of our readers. This was a pretty chastening experience for another reader who is renting there. About 10.45pm yesterday he was in his bedroom. His window crashed and four men smashed climbed in. Three more came through the kitchen. One of those three had a pistol and one had a knife. Seeing resistance was futile Shawn let go his club. The dogs outside didn’t bark and were probably drugged.

The renter was tied by wrists and legs and had a curtain thrown over him. The robbers, all masked except one, ransacked the house. They seemed to think he would have a large amount of money there and kept asking for that. He had a knife point put to his throat on various occasions. They took the fridge, freezer, cooker, clothes, shoes, laptop, two cameras, two cell phones, other electrical items, and found $500 cash he had hidden away.

Finally they left except three. Those three conversed with the renter asking him about his family. Told him not to go to police or they would kill him. Told him he should have company on the farm (that’s rich coming from robbers). Finally they untied him. He came to El Meson, shook up by the death threats. We asked some village elders for advice and were told to go to the Fiscalia and police.

We went together and were there for most of the morning. While there the fiscal agent commented that foreigners were being targeted and it could well be the same bandits. I asked about a robbery at a resort in adjoining area where apparently the owner lost $40,000.

I looked at the lists of reported crimes in a lined page book - many crimes since last April - 180 to be precise and many robberies. 2 or 3 cadavers, one murder yesterday (inside an indigenous community).

I am told that quite a few foreigners in town are afraid of what’s happening in the USA and are coming to Cotacachi with large amounts of cash (life savings) and gold ingots. This can create crime in Cotacachi.

I agree with the village elders that it is really the mayor’s duty to obtain more police etc. Two builders nearby at San Miguel are considering putting in private roads with guard(s) in a kiosk(s) to patrol against possible intruders.

We have put in a call to the vice mayor as well.

Mayor Auki has decided to run again and according to close sources he proposes running on a ‘control crime ‘ ticket and will implement many anti crime measures in his 4th term should he be re-elected. Steve”

I hate to see crime like this near Cotacachi….but let’s look at the overall picture.

Crime will grow everywhere in these tougher economic times.

Here in North Carolina we used to always leave all seven of our doors unlocked…even when we left for months at a time.

Abou