February 2021

Yes, Karen some folks living in San Miguel Homes & Gardens in little Cotacachi, Ecuador might tell prospective property buyers that it is not a legit HOA. However, the city has declared in writing that we are indeed recognized as an HOA and required to follow the Ecuadorian Horizontal Property Law. Makes sense to me if you live inside the walls of a gated community that you are responsible for paying your fair share to keep the community safe and beautiful. When in doubt you should check out the facts with the Cotacachi City Attorney, not just a private local attorney.

I never understood the term Ugly American until my experience in Ecuador. So you might think to live in Ecuador you might worry about the Ecuadorians, Columbians, or Venezuelans. So far the only folks we have had to worry with are the Ugly Americans that are rude and bring their US attitude of entitlement packed in their luggage. We moved to Ecuador primarily because it is a county where we could actually live well on our retirement plus the wonderful weather and Andean’s Mountain beauty. What we did not count on was that other folks did the same but from a different class of people. Now that sounds snobby doesn’t it but I think people have a civic responsibility to treat others with kindness, and respect and pay their bills. I am no longer the President of San Miguel Homes & Gardens  HOA simply because I could not take the abuse from the terrible emails sent to me by my neighbors. Society has lost the art of verbal communication and only can respond to others in a one-sided email devoid of body language and tone.  I worked too many years in healthcare with bosses from “hell” to put up hateful nonsense.  We are simply guests in this beautiful county.  Enough said since I make an effort to keep my blogs upbeat so thank you for indulging me in this simple rant about my fellow Americans.