Hola Don! Post whatever you want to post and whenever you want to post. If the author of that Ecuadorian version of "Tiny Bubbles" wants to convey a different message, let him post his own vlog. Keep safe - Abrazos
Have dipped my toes in expat life in Peru for extended stays. Each time it got better. Now wanting to go back for much much longer. Much love and respect for your open-minded take on things.
Don, this may be your most valuable podcast/video to date. First, please DON’T stop making these!!!! However the points your contact and you raise are critical to finding peace and happiness with any move abroad. Your reactions to coping and adjusting to the differences between the US ( in our cases) and Ecuador have helped me hone in on my potential move. Things you discussed early on, like the bureaucracy and noise, to the more recent crime and electrical issues…all have helped me work through how I might react, and whether this is a good move for me. I sincerely appreciate your efforts here. Thank you!!!!
I've learned a heel of a lot since moving here and I'm always finding a way to deal with what doesn't please me. It helps a lot haveing close friends that are Ecuadorian. Inspite of the shootings close by, the power outages, political corruption, I've managed to make it one day at a time. And will continue.
Geez what happened with my writing? I put it's not safe now with this son USA born in NY I think and studied in Yale now in trying to be a president in Ecuador, a third world country . He doesn't know how is life for we the people. USA is not safe also read, I just copied from a knews: Madison school shooting will soon be forgotten. Just like 82 others. | Opinion
Don't let comments or emails stop your insightful observations. Integration into local culture is critical as I learned living in Tunisia for 4 years before coming here 3 years ago. We need to adapt. Not the locals. If not, gringos should go home. Best wishes.
Don I have never thought of your videos as perpetuating the Gringo myth. In fact I think your channel is an antithesis of all the rainbows and sunshine expat videos. I feel your honesty increases the odds that someone will move abroad with the right mindset and have a better chance of fitting into a new culture.
Please tell it like you see it! We your viewers are making choices, should we be coming to Ecuador? The worse thing that could occur is for your viewer to come down to Ecuador and complain that things are not what we can adapt within, that will produce expats that can not fit within a community. The generators, noise, exhaust, loud music are items that are of concern to myself, I have no business coming to Ecuador and complaining about the daily realities that Ecuador now faces. I do wonder how things are outside of the big cities, it maybe a much better experiences for myself ( Same as large North American cities are not a place for myself to spend time within)?
Because of the fact that I can live here so cheap and continue to save money, I feel pretty confident to I'll move to another city in EC instead of rushing off to the US in a haste, just so I can live in the slums or on the streets.
Hi Don. From an Ecuadorian perspective, don’t go to Cotacachi. If Manta is somewhat boring, Cotacachi will be twice as much. Additionally the indigenous communities that live there are not very welcoming to foreigners. I am from Quito and I can tell you they are not even welcoming to us city people. It’s a very closed knit community. Just a thought.
I have to disagree with your comments about the Cotacachi community. My husband and I have found the community and especially the indigenous people to be very welcoming and friendly. We do try to integrate with all people there. And feel very welcomed from all sides of the cultural spectrum.
@@DonShader Wait... This email was from a gringo telling us how Ecuadorians see us? Wow. I wasn't expecting that. Okay, now I think I have a better handle on the perspective. I wonder if this person may fall into the category of Expat that hates their own country for various reasons < usually political > leaves in a symbolic huff and continues to project that frustration onto Expats abroad? If so I would say that's pretty 'arrogant' for an insignificant irrelevant gringo to speak for Ecuadorians.
Don, thanks for still being in Ecuador. You are a very honest person and kind. Doesn't matter where you are from but honesty and kindness are always appreciated from most of course there are always exceptions to everything. In general it is appreciated! I just hope your tinnitus is better and you forgot or got used to it. Please take care. I understand the situation in Ecuador is not the best with fire in some parts, dry rivers, not light, drugs, narcos, mafiosos from Mexico and Colombia etc etc. Please take care and stay there. Here in USA is also not the best... Believe me. This is worldwide! They are talking about IllWW! The end of the world 😢, children being murdered by illuminati etc etc. really is scary. I hope Mr. Trump make it better with God protection because there are many many who hate him!
Rosa, things will get better. The US is a very powerful country and has been through era's like this before and always pulled through. I don't see a WWIII in our future at all. People to STOP listening to Social Media. You're going to be okay, I'm going to be okay. -ds
Gringos noisy?? All the videos I have seen about living in Latin America name too much noise as one of the downsides. Gringos in general expect their neighborhoods to be quite.
Thank you so much for sharing this dear Don! And likewise, a thank you to the person who wrote you! As you know, also I plan to move to Ecuador when I finally can get my European pension... Hopefully in a years time from now. I am planning Ecuador, simply because this beautiful country and not least her people, have always been my plan to retire among. Not because of other Westerners living there but, because of the Ecuadorians whom I truly hope to become a part of.. I am aware this is not utopia or paradise but, it's what I've always wanted and yes off course, if I meet other westeners in the country I will speak to them as well but, they are not and never were, my main reason for moving there - Ecuador and her people are! I don't expect the grass to be greener in Ecuador than it is in Ireland but I know it's different and, I'll enjoy settling down there.. My 6th and, probably last country and, I can't wait ♥️🌹♥️ And finally, as I'm not noisy, don't want to change anything but just want to live and keep learning, I truly hope and believe the Ecuadorians will accept me in their culture!! Take care Don and, have a good week!
Hello Don,I really do appreciate this podcast because it does(in my sometimes not so humble opinion)open up how sometimes Foreigner's don't do a very good job of integrating into the new countries ways(good or bad)it's theirs.Toooo many times we thinking we know better, that's not integrating,if they're not asking our opinions or solutions(well you know)Yes Don you do give your take on living in Ecuador,some day I'd like to have a coffee and chat with you when I make it back to Ecuador and I do appreciate your contributions,Cheers Don
Noisy? Really?!! 😂 I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around that one. Good episode! Goes to show gringos have no clue how some locals view them. Perhaps that lack of awareness adds to the arrogance moniker? Rare to be accepted, lucky to be tolerated but overall irrelevant and insignificant complainers- got it. I think any sincere person when faced with that definition will strive to be more mindful and involved in their new adopted community.
Hola Don! Post whatever you want to post and whenever you want to post. If the author of that Ecuadorian version of "Tiny Bubbles" wants to convey a different message, let him post his own vlog. Keep safe - Abrazos
Don, your videos are always so educational and insightful. They're much appreciated. You say it the way it is; no sugarcoating.
Thank you Don! :) It’s always good to hear from you.
Be well. Alex
Have dipped my toes in expat life in Peru for extended stays. Each time it got better. Now wanting to go back for much much longer. Much love and respect for your open-minded take on things.
Don, this may be your most valuable podcast/video to date. First, please DON’T stop making these!!!! However the points your contact and you raise are critical to finding peace and happiness with any move abroad. Your reactions to coping and adjusting to the differences between the US ( in our cases) and Ecuador have helped me hone in on my potential move. Things you discussed early on, like the bureaucracy and noise, to the more recent crime and electrical issues…all have helped me work through how I might react, and whether this is a good move for me. I sincerely appreciate your efforts here. Thank you!!!!
I've learned a heel of a lot since moving here and I'm always finding a way to deal with what doesn't please me. It helps a lot haveing close friends that are Ecuadorian. Inspite of the shootings close by, the power outages, political corruption, I've managed to make it one day at a time. And will continue.
Geez what happened with my writing? I put it's not safe now with this son USA born in NY I think and studied in Yale now in trying to be a president in Ecuador, a third world country . He doesn't know how is life for we the people. USA is not safe also read, I just copied from a knews:
Madison school shooting will soon be forgotten. Just like 82 others. | Opinion
@@rosaarodriguez9968 Okay thanks for sharing.
Don't let comments or emails stop your insightful observations. Integration into local culture is critical as I learned living in Tunisia for 4 years before coming here 3 years ago. We need to adapt. Not the locals. If not, gringos should go home. Best wishes.
Don I have never thought of your videos as perpetuating the Gringo myth. In fact I think your channel is an antithesis of all the rainbows and sunshine expat videos. I feel your honesty increases the odds that someone will move abroad with the right mindset and have a better chance of fitting into a new culture.
Thanks Glen. It's good to hear from you.
Please tell it like you see it! We your viewers are making choices, should we be coming to Ecuador? The worse thing that could occur is for your viewer to come down to Ecuador and complain that things are not what we can adapt within, that will produce expats that can not fit within a community. The generators, noise, exhaust, loud music are items that are of concern to myself, I have no business coming to Ecuador and complaining about the daily realities that Ecuador now faces. I do wonder how things are outside of the big cities, it maybe a much better experiences for myself ( Same as large North American cities are not a place for myself to spend time within)?
Because of the fact that I can live here so cheap and continue to save money, I feel pretty confident to I'll move to another city in EC instead of rushing off to the US in a haste, just so I can live in the slums or on the streets.
Hi Don. From an Ecuadorian perspective, don’t go to Cotacachi. If Manta is somewhat boring, Cotacachi will be twice as much. Additionally the indigenous communities that live there are not very welcoming to foreigners. I am from Quito and I can tell you they are not even welcoming to us city people. It’s a very closed knit community. Just a thought.
I have to disagree with your comments about the Cotacachi community. My husband and I have found the community and especially the indigenous people to be very welcoming and friendly. We do try to integrate with all people there. And feel very welcomed from all sides of the cultural spectrum.
I've actually wondered about that.
Is that email writer gringo or Ecuadorian?
Gringo
@@DonShader Wait... This email was from a gringo telling us how Ecuadorians see us? Wow. I wasn't expecting that. Okay, now I think I have a better handle on the perspective. I wonder if this person may fall into the category of Expat that hates their own country for various reasons < usually political > leaves in a symbolic huff and continues to project that frustration onto Expats abroad? If so I would say that's pretty 'arrogant' for an insignificant irrelevant gringo to speak for Ecuadorians.
Don, thanks for still being in Ecuador. You are a very honest person and kind. Doesn't matter where you are from but honesty and kindness are always appreciated from most of course there are always exceptions to everything. In general it is appreciated! I just hope your tinnitus is better and you forgot or got used to it. Please take care. I understand the situation in Ecuador is not the best with fire in some parts, dry rivers, not light, drugs, narcos, mafiosos from Mexico and Colombia etc etc. Please take care and stay there. Here in USA is also not the best... Believe me. This is worldwide! They are talking about IllWW! The end of the world 😢, children being murdered by illuminati etc etc. really is scary. I hope Mr. Trump make it better with God protection because there are many many who hate him!
Rosa, things will get better. The US is a very powerful country and has been through era's like this before and always pulled through. I don't see a WWIII in our future at all. People to STOP listening to Social Media.
You're going to be okay, I'm going to be okay.
-ds
Gringos noisy?? All the videos I have seen about living in Latin America name too much noise as one of the downsides. Gringos in general expect their neighborhoods to be quite.
Thank you so much for sharing this dear Don! And likewise, a thank you to the person who wrote you!
As you know, also I plan to move to Ecuador when I finally can get my European pension... Hopefully in a years time from now.
I am planning Ecuador, simply because this beautiful country and not least her people, have always been my plan to retire among. Not because of other Westerners living there but, because of the Ecuadorians whom I truly hope to become a part of..
I am aware this is not utopia or paradise but, it's what I've always wanted and yes off course, if I meet other westeners in the country I will speak to them as well but, they are not and never were, my main reason for moving there - Ecuador and her people are!
I don't expect the grass to be greener in Ecuador than it is in Ireland but I know it's different and, I'll enjoy settling down there.. My 6th and, probably last country and, I can't wait ♥️🌹♥️
And finally, as I'm not noisy, don't want to change anything but just want to live and keep learning, I truly hope and believe the Ecuadorians will accept me in their culture!!
Take care Don and, have a good week!
Good perspective ❤
Hello Don,I really do appreciate this podcast because it does(in my sometimes not so humble opinion)open up how sometimes Foreigner's don't do a very good job of integrating into the new countries ways(good or bad)it's theirs.Toooo many times we thinking we know better, that's not integrating,if they're not asking our opinions or solutions(well you know)Yes Don you do give your take on living in Ecuador,some day I'd like to have a coffee and chat with you when I make it back to Ecuador and I do appreciate your contributions,Cheers Don
Noisy? Really?!! 😂 I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around that one. Good episode! Goes to show gringos have no clue how some locals view them. Perhaps that lack of awareness adds to the arrogance moniker? Rare to be accepted, lucky to be tolerated but overall irrelevant and insignificant complainers- got it. I think any sincere person when faced with that definition will strive to be more mindful and involved in their new adopted community.
My thoughts exactly.