Ten years?! An entire decade?! It’s hard to believe that it has been over ten years since that unforgettable February evening when we touched down in Quito, Ecuador. Our family then consisted of seven young children, Mom, and Dad, and not a single one of us spoke a lick of Spanish. This quickly became evident, much to the amusement of the airport staff, as they asked us questions in rapid-fire Spanish. I, being a young teenage girl, naively thought it polite to respond with “gracias” despite not understanding a word, which, in turn, provoked peals of laughter.
As time went by, our family grew with the addition of another member. We gradually gained varying levels of Spanish proficiency and encountered the highs and lows that come with being immigrants in a foreign land. Our journey has been a rich tapestry of experiences, from navigating the complexities of the immigration process to learning about—and often being confused by—local traditions, customs, and holidays.
Ecuador has so much to offer concerning beautiful nature and phenomena. The beautiful Andean mountains traverse the entire country, offering breathtaking views. You can experience all types of climates here: wet, tropical weather in the Amazon region, cold (and sometimes snowy) weather in the highlands, and warm, humid weather on the coast. We had the chance to visit Cuenca, Guayaquil, Ambato, Riobamba, Quito, Puyo, Salasaca, and, of course, Macas and Sucua, where we lived about 20 minutes from Macas and 40 from Sucua.
The Ecuadorian people have a positive outlook on life, are generally optimistic, and welcoming. Using the dollar as the currency throughout the country made it easier for us, coming from the United States. Ecuador is a great place to learn Spanish, as most of the population speaks Spanish exclusively. Additionally, there is a large indigenous minority that speaks several different indigenous languages and maintains a rich cultural heritage. After overcoming the initial culture shocks and adjusting to differences and delays, we found that the cost of living is much lower, allowing for a slower and calmer lifestyle—a big contrast to the fast-paced life in the United States.
Several immigration options ensure easy entry for people coming from the USA or Europe. One can obtain a temporary visa (which, after two years, can be changed to a permanent one) through a family member (citizen or resident), work, investment, having a college degree (a professional visa), retirement, volunteer work, among other options. This flexibility made our transition smoother and allowed us to build a new life in this vibrant country.
As we close this chapter in our lives and move to another country, we will always remember how much we enjoyed the good experiences in Ecuador and how much we learned from the challenging ones. We will cherish the friends we made and the places we visited.
Ecuador, thank you for a decade of unforgettable memories!
Pictures of our time in Ecuador: 2014 onward
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