Last year we took a trip to Salinas and visited surrounding areas. Loved it. Had a blast. This trip, we wanted to explore some other areas of the coast before deciding exactly 'where' to plant our feet. And, we decided to try using public transportation, to see if 'we could do it.' Crazy, yes. But, even though it is a pain to take the chicken bus, and dangerous according to some, it was a great adventure, and we are even more confident next time we are left at the side of the road in a strange city...that we are SUPPOSED to get off here and find another bus to get on, that will eventually take us to our desired destination." Yes, that sounds about right.
So, after traveling to: Guayaquil, Manta, being dropped off in Rocafuerte (didn't know where we were until we asked, lol....story coming later, it's a riot)....Jipijapa (pronounced hippy-hoppa-SERIOUSLY), Bahia, San Vicente, Puerto Lopez, Las Tunas, Canoa, Jama, all places in between, and Salinas....then back to Guayaquil.....we have found our future home.
Drumroll please ------- Bahia. Yep, that little city between the Pacific Ocean and Chone River. New bridge that connects Bahia to the northern coast..... little sleepy Bahia aka Mayberry. Yep, both of us actually agreed on a city!! Lights, camera, action, we need to get this documented - we BOTH agree where we want to move.....and of course we are not in agreement as to when. Me, I want to move NOW. Ken, he is more patient. Of course. He is the model adult, I am the pain in the ass 'want to do it now' kind of gal. We are perfect together :)Future posts, complete with pictures, will follow. Soon. Right now I need more (really good) wine, and relish in the fact I can #1 = brush my teeth with tap water instead of 'clean water' from a bottle, and #2 = flush my TP down the toilet. Oh, the little things we enjoy in life, heeeheeeheee.
Hasta luego, Chao chao, and all the good stuff,
Tami
Congrats on finding the place you can agree on. We hope to come and visit you up there and hope you will, in turn, visit us down in Ballenita :) If you want names of Attorneys or advice on visas - I can share my personal experiences with you. At least you have loads of awesome people who have gone before you who can assist with the myriad of questions you'll have.
ReplyDeleteI was just watching a Travel Channel special on Ecuador and thought of you! The food looked INCREDIBLE.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Suzie
Leigh, you will always be welcome at our home in Bahia or wherever we are (San Vicente maybe?) We will visit you for sure, I love the Salinas area and have friends there, so you will see us ! Tami
ReplyDeleteHey that's great. The thing that I can tell about you two is that you would be happy anywhere. There are no "deal breakers" for that for either of you. You're going to grow strong roots and sprout beautiful flowers wherever you go.
ReplyDeleteThat's great to know Tami....we will be looking forward to your arrival. It's great to know we will have new neighbors that are as nice as you two are! Let us know if we can help in any way.
ReplyDeleteWe are heading to Ecuador for our first time in June. So excited and nervous at the same time. Enjoyed reading your blog. It was encouraging after reading a terrible post about Salinas on another blog earlier today.
ReplyDeleteLori Baker
You will love Ecuador - everyone has their own likes, and even though Salinas is a wonderful city with fantastic people, we felt Bahia was more for what we wanted at this time in our life. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask away, if I can't answer I can direct you to those that can help - there are a lot of very nice expats along the coast!!
DeleteTami
Congrats, Tami & Ken!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you found your "slice of paradise"....
Only sorry that we weren't able to get together while you were here...we were in Cuenca most of that time.
When are you coming back?