Mary and I have lived in Ecuador now for almost four years. We’re to the point where we almost feel like foreigners when we travel to the United States to visit family. On our recent trip to Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida we were asked many times if we felt more “at home” in the United States or in Ecuador. Without hesitation Mary and I both answered, “Ecuador!”
But, how can that be? What is it about living in Ecuador that so appeals to us?
Yesterday morning I was talking with a friend named Ken about this very subject. He said that he tells people that it is impossible to describe the feeling of living here and that one must come and experience the feeling themselves. That is probably true, but we thought that we would try to do the impossible and tell you what it feels like to live in our little fishing village of San Clemente, Ecuador.
I worked for many years out of the Riverside, California office of the FBI. The workload there was monumental and the stresses of everyday life were pervasive. I was transferred to the Salt Lake City office and felt like I had died and gone to heaven. But, a few years after I transferred, my daughter decided to marry a Californian and I had to travel back to Southern California for the ceremony.
I had some extra time one afternoon and stopped in to my old office to visit with my former work mates. As I approached the door to the office I remember feeling the pressure build up in my chest as my heart rate increased. I actually had something of a mild panic attack as the memories of day to day life in Riverside flooded over me and I had to force myself to open the door and step into the office.
The feeling of uneasiness remained throughout the trip until I was safely back in the Rocky Mountains again.
To a lesser extent, but in very much the same way, that is what it feels like now to return to our former “home”. Almost from the moment we step off the airplane and see people rushing and pushing though lines, ignoring one another while communicating on a variety of electronic devices, brusque officials issuing orders, and the general hubbub of life in the U.S. we start longing to be back in Ecuador.
We had a great vacation and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with family. We loved shopping in huge shopping centers and having virtually everything available. It was great to have restaurant choices and to eat favorite foods again. We stocked up on items that are difficult to buy in Ecuador and we sorted through the last few items of keepsakes choosing what to bring back with us. It was a great time and we will cherish the memories forever.
But, we breathed deeper and felt a wave of relaxation envelope us as we stepped in to the airport of Guayaquil. Now Guayaquil is a big city and has just as much hubbub in its’ international airport as can be found in Miami, New York, or Los Angeles.
But there are subtle differences. The officials are smiling, families are laughing with each other, people are helping each other find luggage, and even though people are rushing about they were all aware of each other. People did not pass by oblivious to those they were passing. They interacted.
That may sound like an odd observation, but it may be the key to why life is so much more fulfilling here. People see each other. They actually care when they ask you how you are doing. Even the harried officials seem to treat you as an individual and are genuinely glad that you have chosen to visit (or adopt) their country.
We realized that we had too much luggage to try to wrestle onto a bus, so I called Ramon at 7:00 in the morning after we arrived and asked him if he could possibly come and pick us up. He asked, “Hoy dia? (This day?)” and I said yes. He told me he would have to make some calls and that he would call back in a few minutes. He called five minutes later and told me he would be there by 11:00. It is usually a four and a half to five hour drive from San Clemente to Guayaquil, so I thought that 11:00 was a bit optimistic. I thanked him and told him he did not need to rush.
He dropped everything at home, got a friend to ride with him and arrived just before 11:00. When he stepped out of the truck his bright smile lit up the day and he gave me a hug like I had been away for years.
In the days that followed I rode around town many times on my bicycle and was stopped often by scores of people asking me about our trip. Most of these people asked me to take off my sunglasses and stepped up to examine my cheek and eye to see how the surgery I had two months ago had healed. They would feel the cheek bone (actually now titanium) and thanked God (Gracias a Dios) that my eye and cheek had healed so well. We have literally been enveloped in a caring, loving community that is very much like a family to us.
In a nutshell, that is it. We live in a part of the world that has the most ideal weather possible. We are surrounded by the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean. We eat fresh seafood and vine ripened fruits and vegetables year round. The cost of living here makes it possible for a retiree to live in comfort. We have great health care, dependable high-speed internet, and a good infrastructure of public facilities. But, most importantly, we are surrounded by people that are, “aware of each other” and show that in genuine smiles, open arms, and heartfelt love.
Mary and I are still Americans and love our former home, but in our hearts we are pure Ecuatorianos!
We know that words fail to fully convey feelings, so we invite our family and friends to come on down and experience the sweet difference that is available here where…
Life is good in Ecuador!
Great post!
Thanks for sharing!
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It is our pleasure. We feel blessed to live here!
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Thanks for sharing those special thoughts.. Ecuador is indeed a wonderful place to live if you find the spot that works for you
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Yes, it is indeed. We are some of the lucky ones to have discovered it.
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That was a good read, John and Mary from Ecuador. That’s where I think you’re from too. And I think you hit on the heart of a place, any place for that matter, and that is people who live and love there. Sure sounds like moocho many good people in Ecuador.
So when you moved down there, did you know any one? Any family or friends? Or was it starting from scratch, so to speak….
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You are so right, my friend. We are surrounded by good loving people. We did not know anybody in Ecuador before moving here, but within a few weeks we were accepted into this community and now it is clearly our home. Life is good!
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Very cool!
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Thanks, John!
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You are welcome. I know you know what we mean. Hope to see you soon.
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John, great post – so well said! I will always remember fondly our visit and stay in the friendly, wonderful village of San Clemente – the fishermen bringing in the nets, a cold beer at Viviana’s or, wondering if the German/Austrian? pizza guy would be open on a particular evening. Joe (of Joe’s Retirement Blog).
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Thank you, Joe. San Clemente is a unique spot and we feel so lucky and blessed to have discovered it.
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You are truly blessed to have been fortunate enough to find this magic place on earth. If only that mentality was so contagious that it spread the seas, and the lands on its own! This is how humanity should live….in peace & love. Blessings to you both. K
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You are so right. Life here is what I assume life was like in small town America in the fifties where everyone knew everyone else and cared for each other as family. It is truly unique.
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Those were the things we long to have back!
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So true.
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Reblogged this on Stone Soup with karensamenow and commented:
I loved the passion with which this blog was written, and wanted to pass along his to my bloggers. It is my hope that you enjoy this description of how we could be living in a different kind of society. Enjoy!
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As a supplement to these feelings John, how does this “fulfilling” life compare to the expectations you had of Ecuadorian life, before you left the States four years ago?
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We came to Ecuador in 2009 on an exploratory trip primarily to walk amongst the people and see what they thought of Americans. At that time we were pleasantly surprised and happy to find so many people who accepted us and welcomed us.
So, when we came back in 2011 we knew the people would be welcoming. But, still we were surprised by how quickly we were assimilated into this community and by how many friends we amassed in such a short time. We continue to be amazed at how loving and caring virtually everyone is. Life is good.
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Beautiful tribute to coming home. It is all about kindness and a no stress lifestyle. Welcome back.
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Thank you. We are lucky to have found this place and to have so many good friends. It seems that you have a similar close relationship with your neighbors there too.
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Cool post, Dad! I’m so glad that you guys are happy. I look forward to being to come out there and visit.
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Mark it would be so good to have you and your family come on down. We love you guys!
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this is so beautiful! you’ve captured why many of us love this country and its people! love, lisa
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Thank you, Lisa. I know you know what we mean and how nice it is to be surrounded by people who like to interact with people, sharing love and joy and adding depth and meaning to everyday life.
Hope you are well.
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[…] For another heart-warming post about why ‘we’ transplants love Ecuador, visit John and Mary McDonald’s post, WHY ECUADOR IS HOME. […]
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Lisa, thanks for the ping-back!
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I think you expressed it very well and the bit of traveling we have done and then come back home, it almost makes me cry. See the supermarkets filled with all these choices and driving down the road and everyone is almost frantic. Not seeing each is a very good way to express it. Wonderful post!
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Thank you. We really do feel like Ecuador is “home” to us and it is always good to come home.
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