My main source for Ecuador news. Thank you.

I continue to love this new format. Really give you a lot of credit for integrating yourself into daily life. Wish that all expats were as interested. Bravo, Mike!

Mike, I still love this format. Thank you!!!!

Thank you for information on ecological and economical impacts on Ecuadorian life!

Great reporting MIke.

Great Update! TY!

Great that things are improving in Equador but the mining in the Amazon is concerning especially with the situation in Venezuela and how it’s affected their fishing industry. Canada and other countries need to be accountable in my opinion.

Thanks again Mike, would love a video about the benefits for retirees. Cheers.

Thank you very much for the update. We will be there on March 27th

Thank you, Mike. Your Ecuador news updates are great and needed by me. I plan to move to Ecuador in the near future from the US Pacific NW. Wearing shorts most of the year is very alluring.

Thank you! With your reports I feel like I know a lot more of what is going on in Ecuador than I know about what is going on here at my home in the US. I feel like I keep making this same point but, homicide numbers don't tell the whole story and you have said this. If most homicide victims are people engaged in crime, how much should that concern me? I live in a safer, suburban neighborhood. When my wife left me she bought a patio home about a mile from me, nice place, small complex, somewhat rural, mostly older people that had downsized. She's since moved and sold it to her sister. February 12 there was a 79 year old woman found stabbed to death in her patio home there. All the information the public got is below. My son knows some police people and he told me it was a carjacking, taken to her home to steal there and she was killed. They have or had somebody ? and I may or may not find out what happens from there. Nobody really is concerned, another day in the big city. Closer to me, February 26, 4 people were shot, one died, police say there are no suspects and that's all I know about that. I'm hoping that was some sinister characters shooting other sinister characters but, I don't know that. People say don't worry but, I do. A woman was killed in Fern Creek last week, according to Louisville Metro Police. LMPD spokesperson Dwight Mitchell said police found a woman dead inside a home in the 10000 block of Chenoweth Vista Way, near Billtown Road, on Feb. 12. LMPD's Homicide Unit conducted a death investigation and determined she was stabbed. Her death is now a murder investigation. Mitchell said LMPD's Homicide Unit is investigating and following leads

We opt not to file for VAT refunds. We pay no income tax here, and we feel we need to leave our tax for much needed public services. I appreciate that refunds are an option for senior citizens who need it. Our high US property tax and insurance costs alone are such a tremendous savings, VAT is nothing in comparison. And with savings from those are can easily support local charities. We love our life in Cuenca.

If you dont want 15% VAT refund, get, go buy specific needed supplies for public school. Badly needed.

Hi Kris and Mike, being a fellow Canadian who wants to travel to the country, do I need to have an armful of vaccinations before going to Ecuador? When I Google it, the CDC and WHO recommend so many - Hep A and C, rabies, Yellow Fever and on and on. Thanks Roger

Homicides: These figures need some detail. They are generally location based to start with, Guayaquil, the coast and especially The Esmeraldas are the major areas. Plenty of small towns up in the Sierras are very quiet and safe. Also, too many are family based. The number of Ecuadorian women murdered by husband or boyfriend is very high, and these are part of the overall figures. Those who may see this and dont live in Ecuador may worry for family without reason. The Gov is still not paying the VAT refund to those entitled to claim it. I have had a claim submitted last October still not paid.

Not middle weight, batamweight or 135 lbs..