I get a lot of questions about our upcoming journey to Ecuador. Here are some of your burning questions answered.
Q: How do you spell Ecuador?
A: Not like this: Equador. It’s tricky because equator has a ‘Q’ but Ecuador only rolls with a ‘C’.
Q: When do you leave?
A: January 4th
Q: How long are you going for?
A: It depends. We have tickets to return on June 12th, but we would potentially like to stay longer if we can. That depends on 1. visa issues 2. money issues 3. wanting to stay or not
Q: Is it hot there?
A: The coast and jungle of Ecuador are very hot. We are going to the mountains where it will be approximately 65-75 degrees every day of the year.
Q: What are you going to do there?
A: Aaron is going to hopefully do some telecommute work. Kelsey is going to continue to stay home with the kids. We all hope to be pretty involved with the orphanages. And the eating of pizza.
Q: Do you have a place to live already?
A: While we are sure we are moving to Cuenca, we don’t know where we will be living. Initially we will stay in a family hostel/hotel and look hard until we find something more suitable. We imagine a house in the city or bigger apartment to start.
Q: Is it really cheap to live there?
A: Ecuador is not the cheapest country in South America, and the city we are going to is probably the most expensive city in the country, but it is less expensive than living in the US. Much of the cost benefit also comes from the easiness of living simply while there.
Q: Why are you moving to Ecuador?
A: A lot of reasons. Love of Ecuador, love of people in Ecuador (friends, nuns, orphans, etc.), higher enjoyment of life when living more simply, love of good weather, love of Ecuadorian food, and an overall feeling that it is what we are supposed to do.
Q: What is the deal with the orphans?
A: The orphans collectively are amazing. They are kids of all ages with so much potential and so much love to give. Love that they give pretty much unconditionally. Being with them and feeling their love and joy is awesome. Aaron and I both look forward to seeing old and new friends, and our kids getting to make a lot of new friends. Also we love the foundation I worked with in the past, Orphanage Support Services Organizations (OSSO), which helps provide volunteers, food, medicine, school, teachers, social workers, etc. for the orphans of Ecuador. If you were wondering what you should do with all those dollar bills you get for Christmas…
That’s all the questions I can think of right now. Any I forgot?
Such a great thing you guys are doing. I hope you continue to blog and keep everyone posted on the neat things you do and expereince there!
Are these orphans people can adopt?
Yes and no. There is a long legal process to have kids ready to be adopted, so some kids are fully through the process and ready, whereas others need a lot of paperwork/background stuff done first.
No these Orphans are the “Show Orphans” the ones for adoption are in the back. LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Hey, there are all sorts of orphans Americans can’t adopt!
Oh my I must apologize it was just the first thing that popped into my head and it just seemed so funny, call it my Evans style humor (Aaron is my brother), I meant no offense and apologize if there was any.