5 minute watch | January 28, 2021
That deep soul-itch, that anxious feeling of wanderlust–you know it. I’ve been feeling hardcore urges to fly and explore for months! Matt and I were in deep in self-quarantine in Miami, FL, USA; an epicenter of this pandemic that has plagued and halted the whole world. Surrounded by the safety of our walls, we were feeling stuck here in the Magic City and it’s COVID-rampant airspace. Frozen from fear and lack of funds, we reevaluated our lifestyle. My roots are dug deeply at home, but I ached to wiggle free and skip around the world.
The truth is my illness is progressing: after 15 years with MS, I have a subtle gait in the heat, my fingers tingle and my feet drag. Planning is all-the-more-challenging with a chronic disease and an elderly dog; but carpe diem, “no day but today,” and YOLO feels more urgent than ever. We’re breaking the boundaries of what’s expected of us as a young couple, because we’ve never been interested in the white-picket fence when there are white-peaked mountains to explore.
Holding Matt’s hand along the way, I’m now in Quito, Ecuador living here throughout the extent of my tourist visa. We’re doubling up on that 3-month travel window, settling in here for a bit, and then to the next country and the next after that, telling my story around the world and living out my lifelong dream of global travel as a digital nomad; because MS may slow me down, but it isn’t going to stop me from moving.
Out of all the places you can travel to, why Ecuador!?
I’ve heard that over so many times, even from Ecuadorians themselves. So let me explain.
We got you with 10 reasons why we moved to Quito, Ecuador during the 2020 COVID pandemic in this 5ish-minute video. We tell the details about why we chose this country in all its beauty, affordability and security! We got you with 10 reasons why we chose Quito, Ecuador as the best (for us) to start this lifestyle of exploring in the world:
1 // COST OF LIVING
The United States is expensive. There, I said it. Our household comfortably managed to afford U.S.-living with a steady income, only after years of expensive schooling and easily 50 hours per week of work for decades. But that’s all changed after our industries collapsed from the 2020 COVID pandemic. Now we’re counting American pennies in our savings account and asking ourselves: how do we stretch our money and pivot to a digitally nomadic lifestyle?
We chose Ecuador largely because of it’s cost of living. It’s wildly low as compared to the cost of the standard American way of life. We were excited to learn we could get around the city for just 25 cents, eat a huge meal for $5, and find a comfortable apartment in Quito, the bustling capital of Ecuador, for an easy $400 per month.
Yes, dollars. They’re on the dollar system so there’s no need to calculate conversions. That’s a winner.
2 // U.S. DOLLAR CURRENCY
Ecuador’s national currency is the U.S. dollar; so as U.S. Americans, we don’t have to deal with conversions. BAM.
#ProTip:carry cash on you! Most businesses don’t even accept large bills (typically $50+). In fact, because cost of everything is lower, be prepared to collect a lot of coins here. Dolla dolla coins, ya’ll
In Ecuador, they call it pagar en efectivo, or to pay in cash. With the instability of the Sucre threatening Ecuador’s economy, Ecuador’s government transitioned into use of the U.S. Dollar back in 2000. You can even find Ecuadorian minted coins in amounts lower than one US Dollar (used interchangeably with US coins here too).
3 // CHEAP AND EASY TRANSPORTATION
We love using Uber here, and it makes us feel safe when we go from door-to-door, especially at night. The app functions the same in almost every country we’ve visited, including Ecuador. We typically spend about $1 per ride to nearby neighborhood spots (when we don’t feel like walking). Or we’ll spend $5 to go across town on a-30 minute ride. We spent less than $20 for an hour+ ride for long-distance driving out of Quito.
But heads up: Uber may not be available in smaller, rural towns nearby. Like for example, we went to the village of Papallacta and couldn’t return home in an Uber because the service wasn’t available in that location. So we went to a local hotel to request an expensive late-night taxi. Poor planning on our part, but lesson learned.
There are also plenty of local, private services that will exclusively chauffeur. They offer packages to go anywhere for any amount of time as a personal tour guide. This also offers an immense amount of security to ensure safety around the community (and to avoid exposure to too many people during COVID times). We had a private guide pick us up from the airport and also take us to small villages more than an hour away.
Alternatively, bus fares are only $25 per ride and it’s another easy way of getting around the city. Buses and trains are also available to travel to different cities cross-country.
*COVID notes:
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- Buses are only allowed 50% occupancy.
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- Some Ubers and taxis have a divider for added physical distance. Alcohol disinfectant is often provided.
The prevalence of MS is extremely low in Ecuador! There are areas on Earth where MS is less frequently diagnosed, and Ecuador is one of the lowest on that list because it’s right on the equator line. That’s what Ecuador‘s name means, actually–it’s named after the Equator, the imaginary line around the Earth that divides North and South.
“Multiple sclerosis (MS) is less frequent in areas near the Equator, while the incidence and prevalence rises with increasing distance from this particular area, determining a clear north to south gradient. During the last decade several published reports provide recent data on the prevalence in Latin America. The main objective of this article is to report prevalence data in the three largest cities of Ecuador, a South American Country located on Latitude zero North-South.”
Since the country is in the middle of Earth, or la mitad del mundo, on the widest point closest to the sun, I wonder if it’s a greater absorption of vitamin D that lowers the risk of contracting this neurological disease. Is it the cool climate, or geothermal activity, or the cultural lifestyle? I’m not sure, but I’m feeling good here.
Since I have MS, it’s a break from my temperature-intolerance that causes constant fatigue. Stepping outside is a slap in the face from the humid pang that lives in the air where I’m from in South Florida; that sticky sweat from the short voyage to the car, that constant squint from the blistering sun. I’m thrilled to spend a day outdoors in cool temperatures without a dragging foot to accompany the weather. Ecuador’s climate provides a constant homeostasis that ensures no relapse-inducing overheating. I can now walk a few neighborhood blocks outdoors without the dreaded foot drop, a drag of the foot when walking. I’m feeling fresh and I have a lot more energy here!
The downside is that with fewer patients comes few treatment options. There are several local neurologists, but I created a preparedness plan with my own personal neurologist that gave me options for treatment while I’m away.
5 // COMFORTABLE CLIMATE
Ecuador is known as the land of eternal springtime, eterna primavera; perfect, glorious weather year-round. The warmest it gets in Ecuador is a mere 80F (26C) during their dry season (June – September); but the highlands are hanging at a constant 40-60F (4-15C) range. They only have two seasons; wet and rainy (October – May), dry and warm (June – September).
It’s a change for those who are familiar with a four-season year, but I’m not at all. I originally come from a tropical state of scorching heat, a humid 90F (32C) degrees in Miami, FL, USA. I was raised in a city with one season of various degrees of hot. Suffice to say, I’d easily welcome this change of scenery if only for the pleasant weather. A warm day in Ecuador is a beautiful winter day where I’m from, so it’s very exciting for me.
6 // BIODIVERSITY
Ecuador, the country that separates the northern and southern hemispheres of our planet; I’m starting my global romp in the middle—the center of the world, the equator. Ecuador sits cozily in the Central Valley between the Andean Mountains. It’s known as the most biodiverse country in the world featuring four distinct geographical areas—the Sierra mountains (the highlands), the Oriente (eastern rainforests), La Costa (Pacific coastal plains), and the Galapagos Islands. In this small country, there’s a little of everything for all kinds of travelers. There are so many natural wonders in Ecuador, like numerous cascading waterfalls, bustling cities, white-sand beaches and breathtaking landscapes; mountains to climb, nightlife to play, trails to hike, and delicious food to discover.
The people of Ecuador are warm and welcoming, and it’s history goes far back and runs deep as evident in the beautiful colonial architecture found in all of Ecuador’s main cities. And then, there’s the glorious Galapagos Islands; accessible only by cruise or plane, off the mainland, perched deep in the Pacific Ocean over 3000m (1000km) away. Here, our planet’s most exotic animals call it home. In fact, the Galapagos Islands are so dazzling in wildlife that it inspired Charles Darwin to develop his theory of evolution when he visited in 1835.
7 // SAME TIME ZONE
Taking a big leap into this digital nomad lifestyle felt a lot less frightening because we weren’t THAT far from home. Ecuador sits in the same time zone as where I’m from, so there’s no jetlag and no time shift when settling in.
Being a digital nomad requires the location freedom that a remote job offers, but time freedom isn’t always available. Being in the same time zone also promises less scheduling conflicts with work or personal schedules. Ecuador seems like the right fit to jump into this new lifestyle.
8 // RESPONSIBLE COVID PREVENTION
Truth is, I feel safer here. Because COVID numbers were desperately high in November 2020 when we moved (and still are), we fled to find a safer space. It’s not that Ecuador has immunity or zero cases of COVID–that’s not their status at all. But numbers are lower as compared to where we come from, and the practices here are more responsible.
Airline passengers to and from the U.S. (ages 2+) must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Travelers to the U.S. may also provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.
To start, wearing a mask in public is mandated by law and noncompliance is subject to hefty fines! As in, if you’re outside your house and you’re not wearing a mask, you get a fine; and you get a fine; and you get a fine–Oprah-style. And it’s not low-cost-of-living fine either. For endangering public health, you’ll face repercussions.
When walking into any public building; be it a bank, store or restaurant; you’re greeted with a temperature check, alcohol for your hands, and a full-body spray of alcohol for your clothes. Oftentimes, one’s bags and coins are sprayed with disinfecting alcohol. Their safety practices can seem intense, but I feel a sense of security from these strict precautions.
Even traffic circulation for private automobiles are restricted nationwide. Depending on if driving with a license plate that ends in an even or odd number, you can drive on certain days of the week. For example, if a license plate number ends in an even number of 2, 4, 6 or 8, you may only drive on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays; and if your license plate ends in an odd number like 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9, you may only drive on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Everyone can drive their own cars on Sundays. Special permits are required in circumstances like for special services and events.
Even with so much precaution, hospitals and clinics are full here. Numbers are lower than back home, but treatment centers are at capacity. Scary times.
Here are the official COVID protocols in Ecuador from the U.S. Embassy themselves. Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.
9 // EASY TO COMMUNICATE
Many people we’ve encountered in Ecuador’s bigger cities speak or understand English; although when you ultimately run into those that don’t, there are so many tools and resources to help.
The Google Translate website and the app (available in the App Store and Google Play Store) helps immensely in the moment as a digital interpreter. When you can’t read a menu, point your device to the menu page and voila, an easy translation. When you don’t know how to ask a question, ask the app and it’ll repeat your question aloud in your desired language! It’s saved us in so many languages in various countries.
Duolingo supports learning a new language by providing practical lessons based on your personal experience and preference. What I love most about this app is that it provides basic language techniques based on how you’ll use the language most. Meaning, you can choose if you want to learn usage for restaurants, shopping, family, travel or common phrases. (Available in the App Store and Google Play Store)
Of course, being a Spanish speaker helps, although there are cultural differences between my form of Spanish and the Ecuadorian-style Spanish, like pacing, common slang and polite pleasantries.
10 // THE RIGHT TIME IS NOW
We don’t have kids, we have remote jobs, and we decided we’re ready to live a little.
Whether you’re visiting here for travel or you’re looking for a long-term stay, we totally recommend Ecuador!
After months in straight self-quarantine in Miami, we’re escaping into the biggest adventure of our lives thus far, despite my physical challenges and my fear. To be honest, I’m more fearful of the regret I’ll feel if I don’t do this now. If not now, when?
But my status quo, or my current condition, cannot be set in stillness, in waiting for opportunity to come to me. I’m setting my status quo to GO.