Roses are the flower of love as is Valentine’s Day is the day of love. We have a lot of love and thanks to send you from Ecuador today because of Ecuador roses.
Since Christmas we have offered Ecuador roses…first for that holiday… then the New Year and then Valentine’s Day. We do this as a service… charge $19 more than the roses cost and donate this difference to our foundation that helps Ecuador’s poor. Plus Merri and I chip per order to top off the deal.
In all you have purchased over 12,000 roses since Christmas which raised $4,800 to help the poor so today… the day we celebrate love, I would like to share how your care in ordering Ecuador roses has helped the poor.
We selected the village of Topo as recipient of the donations. We asked what do you need. “Never enough fruit”, one person said. “The school is in trouble,” stated someone else. And “the old ones are cold and sad” said another.
So we collected a team of friends and headed up to inspect.. to see what we could do.
First, we bought out the local fruit store. They have deliveries direct from the coast. Here are Franklin and Alberto loading up.
We packed the truck and were glad we did. The people acted like we brought gold instead of bananas, apples, melons, plums, oranges.
Upon arriving we first inspected the school.
Their equipment…
They need two things first. More water containers and pipes.
The school does not have water and no pipes to take it to the lavatories.
They have to keep water in 50 gallon drums to flush the toilets.
Plus they have two entire rooms available for a kitchen and dining hall… but no water there. So they use this equipment instead and feed the children outside.
You have donated enough to fix this all this! The residents there said if we’ll provide the supplies… they will work together each Saturday to make this happen.
We are waiting for their list of supplies needed. First pipes… more water catchment tanks and concrete blocks to enhance the walls around the school.
So this will help stop… long lines outside…
a bowl of rice…
and some cheese.
Your donations through the purchase of Ecuador roses makes it possible for a better kitchen… a dining hall… and more fruit.
Plus the old ones…who were cold, were there as well.
We brought alpaca ponchos for all of them. This small village has 28 very old women and 4 very very old men. The reaction from these wonderful, sweet and simple people was one that brings tears again to my eyes. All of us guys were trying to act like we were not crying… but we were.
I’ll try to share as best I can with my tiny Sony camera how these people feel about what you did for them, as they donned their warm ponchos.
I cannot…
really describe it…
my photography is inadequate…
but I promise…
the flowers in your home yesterday today brought more joy than you can imagine.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Merri and I hope you are blessed with as much love on this day of love as we felt that day. And just think this money just keeps on improving, helping and giving.
Gary
See the best Ecuador property for you. Find the best real estate offers. Know more of Ecuador. To help you experience a bigger adventure in this wonderful nation, to broaden your horizons, to expand your awareness of all Ecuador offers, we are providing deep discounts in 2010 for those who sign up for multiple tours.
In 2010 you can:
Save to $359. 2 seminar courses & tours $998 Couple $1,399
Save up to $698. 3 seminar courses & tours $1,399 Couple $1,799
Save up to $1,047. 4 seminar courses & tours $1,699 Couple $2,199
Save up to $1,599. 5 seminar courses & tours $1,999 Couple $2,599
Early Bird Extra Savings. See below how all delegates who enroll for a December 2009 or January through March 2010 course during this month, November 2009 save up to $200 more.
Save up to $200 more. 2 seminar courses & tours $ 949 Couple $1,199 Save up to $200 more. 3 seminar courses & tours $1199 Couple $1,749 Save up to $300 more. 4 seminar courses & tours $1,399 Couple $2,149 Save up to $400 more. 5 seminar courses & tours $1,599 Couple $2,499
2010 will be a truly exciting year in Ecuador…. more tours… in more places. For the first time it is possible to get a feel for all of Ecuador in one continuous tour.
Attend all three and save up to $698. 3 seminar courses & tours $1,199 Couple $1,749
2010
Jan. 8-11 Ecuador Export Tour ($499) Couple $749 Jan. 13-14 Imbabura Real Estate Tour Jan. 16-17 Coastal Real Estate Tour Jan. 19-20 Quito-Mindo Real Estate Tour Jan. 22-23 Cuenca Real Estate Tour
Mar. 11-14 Super Thinking + Spanish Course, Mt. Dora, Florida ($749) Couple $999 Mar. 15-16 Travel to Quito and Andes Mar. 17-18 Imbabura Real Estate Tour Mar. 19-20 Cotacachi Shamanic Tour Mar. 22-23 Coastal Real Estate Tour Mar. 25-26 Cuenca Real Estate Tour
Save with our early bird multi tour discounts.
(Be sure to show in the comments section which courses and tours you are attending)
Save up to $359. 2 seminar courses & tours $949 Couple $1,399
Save up to $698. 3 seminar courses & tours $1,199 Couple $1,749
Save up to $1,047. 4 seminar courses & tours $1,399 Couple $2,149
Save up to $1,599. 5 seminar courses & tours $1,599 Couple $2,499
A lot of the food in Cotacachi is health food… in a natural way.
This is not to say that all the food in Cotacachi is organic. Many farmers use chemicals. What you can say and can see from this local Cotacachi food market… is that most of the food is local and fresh.
The fruits and vegetables you buy each day were just picked. Plus you can buy it from the farmers who grew it!
The mission statement of our business is to provide interesting, useful information about ways to invest, do business and live globally (especially in Ecuador) that helps improve our reader’s lives.
Yet there is an overlaying focus on how to attain better health… naturally… because… what good is money… or a successful business… if you are dead… or suffering poor health… pain… or spending all your hard earned cash on hospitals and pharmaceuticals?
Good health is a pillar… an underlying foundation… an essential ingredient that affects every aspect of investing, business and life.
Yet the health system in North America is imbalanced.
Former Secratary of State Colin Powell has invested, along with Steve Case, the founder of AOL in a company (Revolution Health Group) with a mission to give the people more choice of health care options and reduce health care costs.
The business is built around a portal site that provides members with data on health care price and quality, as well as information on medical conditions, diet, exercise and medications, with an emphasis on preventive health care.
Powell often says: There’s no part of American life right now that is more in need of imagination and new ideas than health care.
I agree. This is why we work to assure that the Cotacachi food we serve helps mprove health.
One can reduce health care costs autometically with good eatingbecause nutrition is such an mportant part of the good health balance.
Our efforts seem to work. Merri and I certainly enjoy good health, vitality and energy eating in Cotacachi.
Guests who visit our hotel, Meson de las Flores, report that they feel better, lose weight and inches without trying.
This is not a nutritional mystery. The Cotacachi diet eliminates junk food.
Cotacachi health food is just what one should eat rather than fast and highly processed food.
For example at the coffee breaks during our seminars the hotel serves juice instead of caffinated, carbonated beverages.
Here is one of Eduardo’s specialties… fresh mango and alfalfa juice… with gooseberries. This is absolutely delicious… and things do not go better with Coke! Fresh juice is healthier.
Here are some typical breaks that these delegates at a recent Cotacachi International Business and Investing Course enjoyed.
Quinoa jello.
Fresh non fermented cheese and quinoa bread.
Fresh squeesed mango juice and blackberries.
The fact the food is served by sweet, caring people, with real smiles and laughter, also helps us feel better.
Here is our Maitre’d Euardo with his helper Jose.
Eduardo hand squeezes the juices each morning. He also makes the butter from local cream.
He even inspected the local dairies to see which had the richest grass. There is an organic cheese factory nearby also that makes its own Swiss cheese. For those who like wine the owner of the cheese factory also runs an Organic Vineyard nearby.
If you want to really know your food source, you can visit and watch these cows being milked.
Eduardo also hand makes the mornng breakfast marmalade… offering some wonders… mango… papaya… pineapple… blackberry… even carrot and beet marmalade which are really delicious.
The farm land in the area is rich.
Even the murals in town depict that this is a place where stuff grows! Here is a shot of a mural over our local Cotacachi grocery store.
The staff bring in the produce… vegetables and fruit almost daily. Here is Consuelo.. our food server.. bringing in greens for one of the regular delicious soups.
Hotel Manager Franklin looks after the food as well.
Santiago, our chef, specializes in high protein meals replacing rice with quninoa…the complete protein Andean grain. Here is Santiago in the bodega going through the vegetables of the day.
With the help of sous chef Alerto… they generate some incredible meals like this quinoa shrmp and avacado dish.
Here is Alberto making one of his great soups.
Lunch is served with a different soup every day …
then a main course with fish, meat or fresh cheese (for vegetarians) along with vegetables and salad, makes the main course.
Attention is given to every aspect of the meal…even condiments. No catsup here! Instead Eduardo makes a special tomato sauce served like this.
Enhancing the good nutrition, Cotacach invites you outside to walk and see the views. Here is a shot from our bedrom window of Mt. Cotacachi.
The streets are wonderfully brick paved and traffic is controlled so you can wak in safety and peace! Here is one of the main waking streets.
Add these simple things up… no junk food. Fresh whoelsme balanced meals. More walking… fresh air. Suddenly our guests feel better without trying… without discipline… without feeling deprived. This is not rocket science… just a way life we used to have in he USA and Canada… that remains here, today in Cotacachi.
Until next message may your heath and food be naturally good.
Gary
Join us in Cotacachi in February when our courses focus on how you can have better health and wealth.
You can enroll in this special course for $299. However if you sign up for all three courses in February or March 2009, I will send it to you free. You save $299.
Sheri Clary will be at our February courses and available for consultations about bio-identical hormones. Our February Cotacachi schedule is:
Join Merri, me and Peter Laub of Jyske Global Asset Management at OUR INTERNATIONAL INVESTING & BUSINESS COURSE IN ECUADOR. We review economic conditions, Ecuador real estate, my entire portfolio plus investing and business ideas for the months ahead. Feb. 13-15 International Business & Investing Made EZ
See a link about Ecuador charity, giving and an Ecuador Living excerpt below.
Our Ecuador charity does not just give. Just giving builds dependence which is not our goal. Our aim is to help the great people of Ecuador help themselves.
This is why our Ecuador charity, Land of the Sun Foundation has had its greatest focus in the past few years on helping the hotel Meson de las Flores learn how to stand on its own. We have helped the Meson staff take Meson from a crumbling empty shell and transform it into renewed facility and profitable operation. All profits go back to improving the hotel or to the Ecuador Land of the Sun charity that aims to help expand business in Ecuador. Merri and I do not make a penny from the hotel….our pay check goes to the heart instead of the pocketbook
For Meson’s success, we thank all of you who have visited us here.
The staff at Meson de las Flores asked me to send all of you their best wishes for UN MUY FELIZ ANO. Here is Meson’s staff.
From left to right Meson’s staff. Ecuardo – maître d, Alberto – sous-chef, Consuelo – hostess, Ray – global liasion, Rosita Elena – maid, Mauricio, – night assistant and tour guide, Santiago – chef, Franklin – manager. Not present Rosita De la Torres – maid.
The staff of Meson de las Flores are to be congratulated. They are remarkable people who have been willing to work hard for and to deserve their success. Here is the type of comment I continually receive about service at Meson de las Flores.
Dear Gary and Merri, From Mesón de las Flores I am sending you my very best wishes for this coming year!!! I am at your hotel since Monday afternoon together with two good friends and we have really enjoyed the place, the warmth of your staff and the natural food. I have particularly enjoyed the chance to relax, to do some sightseeing in Cotacachi and Otavalo. 2008 was a very busy year for me, but also a very blessed time for which I am very grateful to God. I thank Him for the opportunity of having met during this year people like you who has a passion for what they do and their work benefit many people´s live. Have a wonderful 2009!!
The warmth of the staff at Meson is a continual refrain I read like this:
Hi Gary and Merri! I miss Ecuador so much! It is amazing to me that, after only 90 days there I feel such a strong connection and love for Cotacachi and all the local people and the others I met there. I am counting the days until my return. You promised me that I would be pampered — and El Mason and the people there really took care of me. I think it is good to leave Ecuador and experience “home” — it really confirms that Ecuador is a beautiful place and the people there are so warm and welcoming. Best thing I ever did! Can’t wait to return! Blessings to you both,
Having Ray as our global liasion at the hotel has been a hug addition that really helps guests. We receive continual raves about Ray:
I LOVED the market in Otavalo and came home with another extra-large Ecuadorian bag loaded with rugs and wall-hangings. A very tempting place that I visited 4-times just to give you an indication of how much FUN I had there. We’ll have to see how our retail season goes and if I can break away for a couple of weeks, I’ll travel back to Ecuador for two weeks in April. Ray is a splendid character and makes one feel that “our casa is your casa” during your stay. He has that manner that invites and excites and I feel he is a huge plus to your organization. Everyone really likes Ray and I miss him already and his lighthearted banter and genuine care.
Next trip I’ll bring lots of ones and fives. Even twenties were a drag. Imagine! At home a $100.00 bill goes direct to pay one bill alone or one “small” grocery shopping without blinking an eye.
This guest is not alone in praising Ray. Meson has also become a central meetng place for the gringo community in Cotacachi. Ray organized a Christmas party and this Cotacachi resident who emigrated from Michigan wrote:
Hi, Gary and Merri. Just a quick note to say thank you for the great Christmas Party for Gringos at El Meson! It was a lot of fun and we were amazed at how few of the people we actually had met. Of course we solved that by making sure we met everyone there and invited them to visit us when out our way. We wish you a very blessed Christmas and a fabulous 2009! Looking forward to seeing you soon, Love.
Ray seems to help guests in so many ways:
Hi Merri Returned from Cotacachi last Thurs after a great trip. The woman that traveled with me wants to return this summer – she could not believe how nice the area is and the friendliness of the people. I saw my apartment and am very happy with the bed and bedding that you added. Thank you. Ray Manna is a super nice person and very friendly and accomodating with the guests – a real plus. Brought over 200lbs of clothing, school supplies, medical supplies and gifts for the children and nursing home. Everything was donated – a very warm experience and shared joy. I wish you and Gary a Merry Christmas – hope to see you in Ecuador in the Spring. Hugs and love
From shopping to checking out and arranging tours. Another guest wrote:
Hi Merri, We are back from Ecuador and in a serious cold spell in Alberta. It is minus 30 C this morning but is beautifully sunny. We have a little snow so at least it feels like Christmas. I just wanted to say thanks for your guidance in planning our trip. I also wanted to let you know what a terrific job Ray did despite the fact that he was a sick as a dog. His upbeat positive attitude and willingness to help was second to none. He is a real asset to your organization. We enjoyed our stay at El Meson and found Cotacachi and the surrounding area to be both beautiful and peaceful. We are already planning our next trip to Ecuador and are dreaming about its warmer days. Best wishes for the holiday season.
Ray and the staff make everyone feel like part of our family…and you are…when you stay with us at Mesons, as this guest noted.
I just wanted to drop you a note and let you know how much myself and all of our “extended family” enjoyed the course that you, Gary, and all of your competent staff put on earlier this month. I am really just getting my feet back on the ground and I think that we are finally there. Gary was awesome as we expected and gave me as really a beginning investor many insights and new ideas to think about. I am speaking for myself and several others. You showed me that you are an expert planner and really went out of your way to accommodate us especially when we had people coming in at different times. Last and not least was Ray who also handled so much on the fly and did it well. Ray really helped with the leaving process. We really enjoyed your hotel and the hospitality. It was memorable. Thanks so much and we hope to keep in touch and continue with Gary’s newsletters! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Ray helps in Cotacachi and elsewhere as this guest noted:
Merri, We have arrived at Palmazul and it is very nice. I would like to tell you that Tina and I had a wonderful time at Cotacachi. The staff and service at El Meson could not have been better. I must tell you that Ray was an excellent host and was attentive to every detail of our stay. All of the other guests love Ray. I will report back to you after our trip in Palmazul. Best wishes.
Guest also report feeling healthier and often lose weight..even though they eat more as this guest reported:
Hi Merri: Back home after that long flight and am already ready to return to Cotacachi. Gary’s e mail this morning about the essential oils and other things to reduce stress. He left out the most important thing…..Going to Cotacachi, El Meson, meeting new friends, seeing old friends, and seeing all the wonderful smiles of your staff, and the people of Ecuador.
When I go to Ecuador, after the first day, I take no medicine, eat healthy food, get lots of exercise, and just feel wonderful. Since I have been home..ort on my travels home, I have had a who knows what hamburger, bag of fritos, diet cokes, processed cheese and other just total crap, and I bet I have gained back those four pounds I lost in Cotacachi…in just two days.
Guest really feel healthier and enjoy our philosophy of health at the hotel.
Dear Merri and Gary, How wonderful an experience we had with you…and how much respect we have for you both. Thank you for the extraordinary services you are offering in these times to so many. It is rare that we feel as aligned with people as we do with you on so many fronts at once – investments, political opinions, commitment to the indigenous, ‘being healthy,’ commitment to organics/biodynamics and a religion of being kind. Wow. With Appreciation.
A stay at Meson seems to be food for the body and the soul as this reader reports:
My Dearest Merri and Gary, I cannot thank you both enough for your wonderful hospitality. I just want you to know that everything I read about Ecuador from your news letters 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 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’s, 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 where ever 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 Cotacache, 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 peasant 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 tensil, 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 Marri, have made available to a select few. You and Ecuador have changed my life and my thinking. Thank you, I am so grateful.
See more about Ecuador charity in an excerpt from Ecuador Living
We invite you to join us in Ecuador this year.
Gary
Our January courses are almost full but we have plenty space in February and beyond.
Join us at a course in Cotacachi or on Ecuador’s coast this winter.
Nov. 6-8 International Investing and Business Made EZ Ecuador ($999) Nov. 9-10 Imbabura Real Estate Tour ($749) Nov. 11-14 Coastal Real Estate Tour ($749)
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.
We have over two dozen Cotacachi & Ecuador tours and courses scheduled in 2009. Many have asked what they are like…so let’s take a tour of the tour…then I’ll share an investing tip.
Our November International Business & Investing course began yesterday…so we’ll follow this group. This is a typical schedule…beginning with a course, then followed with an Adean real estate tour and concluding with a real estate tour on the Ecuador coast.
We try to schedule three courses together like this so delegates can choose one two or all three tours…whatever works best for them and this allows us to provide substantial discounts on the second and third tour.
Most delegates arrive in Quito the night before. Alberto, Steve and a few of our staff drive up to meet everyone and deliver them to a hotel (usually Hotel Quito or Radisson – we negotiate a discount for everyone so the hotel that offers the best deal gets the business) where they spend the night.
Next morning they all meet and have a ride around Quito before heading north to Cotacachi.
Before the main group is arrives, the staff at our Inn goes into hyerdrive bringing in fresh food. Here is our manager Franklin with makings for fresh vegetable soup.
Consuelo and her helper follow.
They fill up the bodega. Here is our chef Santiago checking the inventory.
while his assistant Alberto starts the soup.
A few early arrivals are already in the courtyard waiting and talking. Here a couple are discussing economics with Peter Laub of Jyske Bank.
Eduardo and his assistant, prepares juice and quinoa cake for everyone to enjoy.
This time Eduardo has created a mango alfalfa drink..delicious.
Finally the bus arrives.
Delegates disembark and the courtyard comes alive.
Many friendships are made. Guests dine, sit round the fireplace and discuss what they expect…what they want…what they think we’ll learn.
Tomorrow we begin next door in the Museum’s meeting room at nine.
Our hotel, of course, is fully booked so we place delagtes at La Mirage, several hostels as well as condos near the hotel.
Subject matter in the course begins with global economics and were to invest now. We have several speakers who join me. In this case Peer Laub of Jyske Global Asset Management (JGAM).
We look at the long term economic fundamentals at work and how investors can react now.
This week JGAM pointed out:
“The main attention this week was the US presidential election. Up to the election we saw markets in Asia acting with euphoria due to positive signs of improved conditions in the credit markets as well as the prospect of Obama winning office. Europe and Wall Street continued with the positive sentiment and Tuesday became the strongest presidential election day rally in history. After the election celebrations, markets woke up to the outlook of a severe economic contraction and the euphoria turned into panic selling, with declines up to -10% over two days. Bank of England (BoE) chocked the market Thursday with an aggressive cut of 150 basis points on the key interest rate. This move sparked a mid day rally for 45 minutes until the European Central Bank (ECB) disappointed the market with only a 50 basis point reduction. The EUR/USD has been very volatile over the week ranging from 1,2520 to 1,3120 now trading at 1,2797. We anticipate other central banks to follow the US and EU with reductions over the next few weeks. “
Then we looked at how this volatility and lowering interest rates would create opportunity in bond markets…my message was “a golden bond opportunity is coming.”
Today we will be lookng at this as the course continues.
Until next message good global investing.
Gary
Join us at a course in Cotacachi or on Ecuador’s coast this winter.
You are also invited to tag along to the beach where we visit all types of Ecuador beach property for sale. Here is one f our previous tours enjoying a visit to Vistazul condos.
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