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Thursday, October 3, 2013

HOW TO BRING STUFF BACK TO CUENCA - WE'RE BACK IN CUENCA, AT LAST, and this is how we brought our STUFF back.........

It all seems so surreal now - being back in the USA for exactly two months, and all we did during that time.  Especially the cross-country motorcycle journey.  By the time we arrived in Florida after a month of riding, we were ready to get off the bike, permanently.  Someone asked me today if we camped along the way.  Yeah, right!  I'm a "Four Seasons" or "Ritz Carlton" kind-a-camper.  Those ritzy days are over - but because of Bo's corporate traveling points, we stayed in some very comfortable and much appreciated Hampton Inns throughout our journey - that is when we weren't staying with friends and family.  Yes, we're both glad we did it!  We're even more thankful for precious days spent with family and friends along the way.  A once-in-a-lifetime dream came true before we're both too broken physically to straddle across a bike for hours or to hop on and off one several times a day.  For now, we still got it going on!!!

Two weeks in Florida with dear family and friends went quickly.  Probably because every day I was shopping - checking off my list - carefully figuring out what to take and what not to take.  We already had FedEx'd five suitcases from Oregon to Florida (they wouldn't fit on the bike!),  and we also knew we could check in up to 10 suitcases on American Airlines if we flew Business Class back to Ecuador.  We really thought this through while we were still back in Cuenca.  Should we ship a pallet or two, or just do the suitcase route?  We both agreed that doing a container or pallet(s) was not a wise decision financially.  We did contact a couple of shippers and knew if we went the pallet route, we'd be out at least $3,500 for just one pallet.  WOW! I could buy A LOT OF STUFF with $3,500 dollars.  No way!  We came here to simplify and have less STUFF, and I had to keep reminding myself that this was our journey in life now.

So, my shopping would be done thoughtfully, as economically as possible, and mostly focused on NEEDS not WANTS.  I say "my shopping" 'cause Bo ain't a shopper.  He's a buyer and a minimalist.  He did tell me before we left that I could get whatever I "needed" to make me more comfortable and happy in our little Cuenca apartment, and I knew I had the option of up to 10 suitcases with AA Business Class - woohoo!!  Again, my list was mostly practical, but I did have a few luxuries on there.  If not for my dear friend, Patty, daily taking me all over Largo and Tampa to fulfill my shopping list (oh, how she loved helping me spend my money), I would have quit way before the list was completed.  When I would get "shopping weary" she would say, "Get what you NEED and you'll be glad you did when you get back to your Cuenca HOME."  She was right!

Know that American Airlines allows each "Business Class" traveler the first three check-ins up to 70 pounds FREE.  The next two would have been $150 each up to only 50 pounds.  That would have meant $600 for both of us if we had gone over the six suitcases for free limit.  WE DIDN'T!  I'm pretty proud of myself for keeping the shopping spree as simple and minimal as possible.  Oh, I could have bought a lot more STUFF, but what I got was just right for us.  Plus, I was being money conscious.  On Monday, 9/30, we hauled those six fat bags that weighed 70 pounds each to the airport, and once again we found God's favor waiting for us.  Our checker, Calvin, never weighed the bags (he probably didn't want to lift them onto the scale), and he was so cheerful, helpful and kind to us.  Six bulging bags were checked all the way to Guayaquil so we never had to deal with those huge and heavy "suitcases from hell" again until we arrived in Ecuador.

Finally, we were seated in Business Class on the way to Miami, then Business Class to Guayaquil.  I never want to fly economy again.  What a wonderfully relaxing and comfortable flight to Guayaquil.  Food and drinks, cozy blankets and pillows, wide cushy seats, plenty of leg room, and more - and all for only $150 more each above the Economy rate.  So, why didn't we book our flight all the way to Cuenca?  I heard that Quito would have never allowed those bags on without charges, if at all.  When we got to Guayaquil that evening, all our luggage was waiting for us.  We stayed at the Hotel Jeshua who had a driver waiting for us at the airport.  His $20 fee was well worth it.  Remember, we also had 4 carry-ons - two large back packs each, and two carry-on suitcases (and those were abundantly packed!).  After a fairly restful evening, OperAzuayTur Van Service picked us up on time Tuesday morning at 9:30 AM, and by 1:00 PM we arrived outside our apartment in El Centro with ALL our STUFF.  Ahhhhh, it was so good to be HOME.  We paid our driver $90, and he unloaded our heavy bags into the hallway.

I know I always mention God's favor in my life - but that's because He's always taking care of us.  When we were in the van, turning the corner a block from our apartment, I suddenly saw two of our dear ex-pat friends walking near the market. I yelled out their names, ".......we're back!!!"  They smiled and waved and walked that block to our apartment to greet and hug us - and then to help us carry those crazy heavy bags up four flights of stairs.  Now, those are true friends.  Who does that?  We thought we were going to have to take the rest of the afternoon pulling each bag one step at a time (Bo has a fragile back) - but our dear friends insisted (really, I'm not making this up) on helping us.  Thank you, thank you!  We couldn't have done this two month journey without all the help and favor we encountered along the way.  Then, our flight back to Ecuador was smooth sailing and still the best was yet to come.  Walking into our warm and colorful apartment!!  It was definitely HOME!  After living on the road for two months like gypsies out of our suitcases or bike bags, we were glad to be back in Cuenca ready to settle into our nest.

So, what did we bring back?  What did I so carefully select to shove into those six huge bulging "free" bags and four solidly packed carry-ons?  Why did I decide on certain things and not others? 

Stay turned for a posting on "What We Brought Back to Cuenca - AND WHY!!! 

 BEAUTIFUL CUENCA - We're so happy to be back and to call this home (for now!) 

One thing I missed most about being home was our daily lifestyle of exercise.  We walk miles and miles here in Cuenca, and we also climb the stairs along the river for our cardio.  Oh, and Bo takes YOGA - "seriamente"!!!  How did we eat while back in the states? Like a condemned man!  We both put on unhealthy pounds eating the USA way.  Too many hamburgers and fries AND too much cheesecake (how we love the CHEESECAKE FACTORY).  Ahhhh, to go to the market produce shopping first thing when we returned was one of the highlights of being back for both of us.  I'm thankful we didn't have to bring in the heavy Vitamix and Omega Juicer this trip, and it was here waiting for us to get back into our HEALTH.

Every morning I make a different juice - sometimes it's green, sometimes it's red.  This one is a carrot-beet-ginger combo.  A toast to being back and to our Cuenca HEALTH!  Yes, it's good to be Home!!!!


13 comments:

  1. Welcome home - it is a great feeling when you get back to your own place...

    But, of course, I am confused/concerned about your two month adventure. As I understand it, during your first two years in Ecuador, you are only allowed to be out of the country for three months. As I know that you have not been in Ecuador very long, why did you decide to use up two of these three months so early into your two years?

    thanks

    Denise
    Charlotte NC
    (Ecuador, soon, very soon, I hope)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Denise,
      Yes, being back in our own home is wonderful after being gone so long. To help with your confusion, your information is not accurate. We received our residency visas in May of this year. This allows us 90 days out of country through May 2014. The second year of residency begins again May 2014, at which time we are allowed another 90 days through May 2015. So, we still have a few weeks left for going out of country. We hadn't been back to the USA since our initial arrival in December, and once we obtained our residency, it was our plan to return so we could bring back things we now knew we needed. So we did! I hope this clears things up for you.
      Stay in touch and best to you as you plan your "very soon" transition to Ecuador.
      Linda

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  2. Replies
    1. Thanks, Steve and Mary,
      It's so great to be back!
      Linda

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  3. I'm currently in the US and am booked 1st/Business class back to Ecuador from Phoenix on American after my own shopping spree. I've scoured the AA website and can find no reference to a 70 pound bag limit - only 50. Can you direct me as to where to find the heavier weight allowance.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Terry,
      I called American Airlines and was given the three free 70 lb bag per traveler information via phone. I too did not see this on the website, but this is the information I received from a person. I'd suggest you call American Airlines to confirm this for yourself. It worked for us! Hope your journey back to Ecuador is luxuriously confortable and you have smooth sailing too.
      Linda

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  4. WOOT!!! Glad you had such a tremendous journey and a safe trip home. We are stuck in SoCal with the Santa Ana winds. Hoping to make our last Rt 66 leg to Santa Monica tomorrow morning, then head homeward to start packing for Cuenca!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Donna and Stu,
      Yes, home at last - and what a journey to remember. We're so glad we did it! We've settled back into our simplified life and we're content. The weather's been FABULOUS! May your journey back be memorable and safe. Ahhh, soon you'll be packing and before you know it you'll be back to Cuenca and beginning your new journey here. We look forward to welcoming you and celebrating together.
      Linda

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  5. I love the picture of Cuenca, air so clear, clouds so beautiful! I hope you are resting up.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Carolyn,
      Cuenca is a beautiful blue-sky city. We are enjoying this adventure in our lives. We're finally rested up and settled back into our simplified life after our USA adventure.
      Stay in touch,
      Linda

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  6. Re: Luggage Allowance. You may have been lucky! The info I got from AA was that 3 bags up to 50 pounds are free in first/business. However, if any of those bags are overweight up to 70 pounds, then the charge should have been $100 per overweight bag - if any weigh in between 71 and 100 pounds, then it's $200 per. Bags over 100 pounds are not allowed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Terry,
      Sometimes it depends on who you talk to. Even Calvin, who checked in our baggage at the airport entrance said it was 3 bags at 70 lbs. So, either you got wrong information, or I had God's divine favor, once again. Hopefully, you will be able to get three 70 lb bags on board without any difficulty too.
      Best to you,
      Linda

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  7. On the off chance that Calvin doesn't work the early morning shift at Phoenix Sky Harbor AP - think I'll stick with just the 3 50's. (Actually I'm having a hard time coming up with that much stuff on this trip anyway)

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Leave us your comments and I will respond with any questions you may have. Enjoy our Blog! Linda (y Bo)