Today in lesson 2 we’ll learn the pronunciations of the alphabet in Spanish.
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Category: Ecuador for Investors
Lesson 1 of 15: Numbers in Spanish – Spanish in 30 min a Day
I love Spanish.
Actually, i love speaking another language, and Spanish is one of the most useful second languages you can learn, it’s true when people say it’s almost like having a “super power”.
Over these next few days, on this site we’re going to study a few of the key aspects of Spanish for beginners …
…so you can acquire the super power. And learn to speak and defend yourself in Spanish.
Study it, practice it, for about 30 minutes a day.
You’ll be glad you did.
At the end of the 15 days you will know enough to get around and carry light conversations in your new language.
Heck, maybe you could even property hunt in Spanish…
So here we go!
We got to start at the beginning… numbers…
Numbers… you just got to know this stuff before you come!
Literally, you’ll need to know your numbers in order to catch a taxi out front of the airport! That’s how quick you’ll need it (in case you were wondering)…
So follow these next two links to listen to and practice both the numbers in Spanish…
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Holiday Weekend “Feriado” Great for Tourism Industry
As reported this week by the El Comercio Newspaper, this past weekend 25-30,000 tourists dispersed themselves around Ecuador, completely filling areas like Atacames on the north coast, Imbabura (the area north of Quito), and Cuenca in the south.
One area that didn’t do so well is the Salinas or southern coastal area, however most attribute the poor performance to the chilly weather and cloudy skies this time of year.
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Internet Connection 31.4% in Ecuador
31.4% of the 14.3 million people in Ecuador have affirmed that they have used the internet over the last 30 days, a 5.7 point increase over the figure compared to 2008, according to MINTEL.
Among people aged 5-15 years old the usage is 38%, among 16-24 year olds 59.4%, and among 25-34 year olds 39.6%.
This shows the serious and incredible lack of connection that Ecuador still has.
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Latacunga, a hidden gem tucked deep the Andes
The main plaza in Latacunga, Ecuador.
“Snow on the Equator?” I thought scratching my head.
Wow, ok, there it is.
Referring to the massive, snow-capped mountain that resembled the Matterhorn that stood before me.
A true “Matterhorn” in Ecuador.
But this one is named “Cotopaxi”.
At 19,300 ft it’s one of the tallest active volcanos on earth.
And you can climb it without needing to be an expert (with a guide).
Or bike down it in groups that leave from Quito daily which drive you up to the snow line and then lead you on an all day bike descent as you pass from one micro-eco-system to another.
A few brave souls even ski it.
And it’s near a town a few hours south of Quito called Latacunga, where I’m writing from this week.
Latacunga is a small town nestled deep in the Andes Mountains with an old colonial center and surrounded by lush, green farms.
It’s truly a hidden gem ideal for you if you’re looking for a small, cooler mountain town in which to have a small farm or maybe restore an old colonial.
It’s gotten no international press like other, similar places in Ecuador like relatively nearby Cotacachi, Otavalo or Vilcabamba and currently there are very few permanent foreign residents.
Prices are still cheap with country town homes on the outskirts starting around $30k.
Nearby Broccoli and Strawberry farms start around $8-15k a hectare (1 hectare = 2.5 acres).
And I couldn’t help notice, myself being in the hospitality industry, that the few hotels in town are full.
But who can be surprised with one of the top draws in Ecuador nearby, Cotopaxi, as well as Quillotoa, a volcano with a turquoise-colored lake in the crater you can hike down to without even needing a guide.
And the also nearby, locally-famous Andean Market of Saquisili.
Which is a more authentic version of the Otavalo indigenous market hundreds of tourists are shuttled to daily.
I’d stay in Villa de Tacunga, a boutique hotel in the old-colonial style with an excellent restaurant (try the Trout for $5!) Singles start around $45, and doubles $60.
For smaller budgets I’d try the Hostel Tiana, also in the city center with singles starting around $15, and doubles $25.
If you don’t eat in the restaurant in the Hotel Villa de Tacunga, try the one in the nearby Hotel Rodelu, the Filet Mignon ($10) is a good choice.
Even if colder climates aren’t where you’re looking to live as an expat, Latacunga and this area of Ecuador is a must-see on any trip itinerary to this country!
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