Dorward - Words To Thrive by for World Travelers: Footprints in Ecuador

WORDS TO THRIVE BY

FOR WORLD TRAVELERS: FOOTPRINTS IN ECUADOR

Mary Anne Dorward

Powerful Voices Press

Port Townsend, WA

WORDS TO THRIVE BY

for

World Travelers

Footprints in Ecuador

Copyright 2015 by Mary Anne Dorward.

All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever

without written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief

quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

All photos were taken and copyrighted by the author except where noted

on page 53. All rights reserved.

Powerful Voices Press

2023 East Sims Way, Suite 211

Port Townsend, WA 98368

www.powerfulvoicespress.com

To book Mary Anne Dorward for a speaking engagement,

visit www.myrealvoice.com.

FIRST EDITION

Book Cover and Interior Design by Anita Jones, Another Jones Graphics

www.anotherjones.com

US Trademark: 4471808

ISBN: 978-0-9963691-1-4

Praise for Words to Thrive By for World Travelers:

Footprints in Ecuador

I love this wonderful gem of a travel book. Full of wonderful stories, practical tips and photos, you will get a totally different feeling and experience from the typical topical travel books out there on Ecuador. Written in the style of Paul Theroux, this travel book will surprise and delight you at every turn. Mary Anne Dorward is a writer who travels. She gives a balanced perspective of Ecuador and teaches you how thrive anywhere you go and whatever happens.

Simon Abbott, Author of Been There. Done That. A Travel Journey Through Life

A must read for the serious traveler. Dorwards Footprints in Ecuador is the perfect starting place for the South American visitor, whether the trip is short term or for longer. The trail that is blazed in this beautifully illustrated guide is both thoughtful and heartful. Pack this book in your carry-on and bon voyage!

Kieran OMahony PhD, is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a fellow wold traveler.

Mary Annes Words to Thrive By: Ecuador is charming, candid and informing. Most travel books are informative without revealing the heart of the land and culture being written about which Mary Anne does very well. This is not a travel book. It is a journey through Mary Annes eyes about her life and the beautiful way she connects and truly sees those she engages with.

Ecuador comes alive in rich and personal ways in her book, in different ways than the many books I have read about Ecuador in order to determine if it would be a good place to retire.

Her short vignettes of experience and moments of insight have compelled me to re-think the trips I have had in the past. I find myself allowing those precious memories to surface and significant connections to be remembered for the magic they created.

You will totally enjoy this wonder-filled book and I am sure you will have many new insights about what is important when considering living outside the U.S.

Janaki Severy, Founder and CEO, Managing Dynamics

As to be expected from Mary Anne Dorward, her words from Ecuador are personal, reflective, insightful, hilarious, and, most of all, generous. I can see, feel, smell, taste and touch living in a foreign country through reading her book.

Janice Barnard, World Explorer and Professional Volunteer

If you are looking for a travel guide that explores both the inner and outer landscape of wondrous ECUADOR, youre in the right place. Mary Anne Dorward goes traveling in such profound ways, creating a new definition of her self while experiencing the culture of Ecuador in such a fresh and insightful way. Not only is this a book of practical how tos but even more importantly, many useful how not tos. Mary Anne is a seeker of truth and lives by the motto Know where youre going in life, you may already be there. Then she takes you there, as only a person whos eyes are open to the clues and mysteries, dangers and joys, of such an inviting culture that is ECUADOR.

Barry Bostwick, actor

Mary Anne Dorward recounts her life changing journey from both the practical and the transformational aspects of living in Ecuador. WTTB Ecuador inspires us to step out on a limb, dare to accept foreign cultures on their own terms and learn the art of global citizenship. You will understand more fully that home truly is where the heart is and that lifestyle is a choice for all of us.

Molly Knight Forde, classical pianist, spiritual mentor, speaker and world traveler

For my husband, Rupe. You are my ultimate travel companion.

Acknowledgments

Ones destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.

Henry Miller

There are several people who have helped me find a new way of seeing my self during the course of my writing this book.

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to my husband Rupe who has opened my eyes to the true meaning of respect, support and love.

Dr. Jared Hendler helped me see with a new perspective the many challenges of transitioning to living in another country. His wisdom and good humor reminded me to trust my own vision of a self-designed future.

Anita Jones. All of my Words To Thrive By books are beautifully designed because of Anita. Anitas artistic talents showed me possibilities I could not have seen for this book.

And finally, I would like to acknowledge you, Dear Reader. Whether you are considering moving to Ecuador to start a new life, visiting Ecuador as a tourist or simply being an armchair traveler from your living room, I hope this book allows you to see both yourself and Ecuador in a whole new light.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD Written By Paul Theroux

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

PART ONE: GETTING TO KNOW ECUADOR

CHAPTER 1. Ecuador First Impressions

CHAPTER 2: Culture Shock

CHAPTER 3: The Real Ecuador

CHAPTER 4: Getting Inside The Ecuadorian Psyche

CHAPTER 5. The Many Cultural Highlights of Ecuador

CHAPTER 6. The People of Ecuador

CHAPTER 7. Getting Around Ecuador

CHAPTER 8: Ecuadorian Food

PART TWO: TRAVELING AROUND ECUADOR

CHAPTER 9. Travel Highlights of Ecuador

CHAPTER 10: Other Common Challenges of Visiting or Living in Ecuador

PART THREE: DAILY LIVING IN ECUADOR

CHAPTER 11: The Nuts and Bolts Costs of Living Ecuador

CHAPTER 12: A Daily Living Budget in Ecuador

CHAPTER 13: Medical References in Ecuador

CHAPTER 14: Keeping Yourself Secure In Ecuador

CHAPTER 15: Conclusion

MORE HELPFUL REFERENCES, BOOKS, BLOGS AND HOTELS

AFTERWORD

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

OTHER WTTB TRAVEL BOOKS COMING SOON

FOREWORD

The trick to travel writing is to discover places that

force you to look rather than merely sightsee.

Paul Theroux

PREFACE

Why Ecuador?

The great travel writer Paul Theroux said, I wouldnt say that Im a travel novelist but rather a novelist who travelsand who uses travel as a background for finding stories of places. I traveled to Ecuador in search of stories of the heart of Ecuadors people, to understand Ecuadors rich history and see its beautiful lands.

Ecuador truly is a beautiful country with a warm and welcoming people. It has breathtaking vistas and a wide range of tourist attractions. It has both tranquil settings and everything you could wish for in terms of extreme sports opportunities. It has first world cities to extremely rural communities. It has both the Sierra and the Coast. Depending on what you are looking fora busy city life, a tranquil life living by the ocean or in the mountains or a life of adventureEcuador offers it to you, all in one country.