Ecuador:
The property is located in Ecuador,
South America. If a group of travelers sat down to design the most
interesting destination they could find, they would be hard pressed
to come up with a place that would rival Ecuador. This is the most
beautiful spot in the world to build that special vacation or retirement
home. If you are thinking about relocating, this is also the place.
There are four major regions in Ecuador:
The Amazon region to the east, with its exuberant and lush tropical
vegetation, rainforests, diverse flora and fauna and its many rivers;
The Andean Highlands, with a chain of fertile valleys in the midst
of majestic mountains spreading north and south; The Pacific Cost
to the west, a tropical region featuring lovely beaches and dozens
of quaint fishing villages; and the Galapagos, an archipelago of some
thirteen islands and a nature lover's paradise.
The country offers an array of vibrant
indigenous cultures and well preserved colonial architecture. The
Pan-American highway criss crosses less traveled roads and stopps
at dozens of small colorful villages and towns that dot the landscape
along the way to search for unique and special crafts. Despite modernization
Ecuador's cities and towns have preserved their distinct local flavors
perhaps because it is its people and its culture and not just its
historic sites that give the country its character and essence.
Visitors to Ecuador are readily seduced
by the colorful embroidered blouses, the ponchos, the woven belts
and the head gear of its many indigenous groups. But these are not
just worn on a special day or holiday, they are worn every day and
they distinguish and identify different native groups who have been
residents of this land for centuries.
Ecuadorian indigenous groups are still
using the same tools and methods passed down from immemorial times
and taught by the Spanish masters in the 16th century. The visitor
will find entire families making exquisite handcrafted goods in their
own homes using old looms and hand tools to create some of the most
beautiful and unique items to sell at the local markets or directly
from their homes
The people of Ecuador are incredibly
hospitable and gentle. Their genuine candor, geniality and unwavering
smiles are contagious. It is amazing that in spite of the differences
in climate, culture and environment which create different life styles
and habits, the Ecuadorians live in harmony and are open and welcoming.
Arriving at the Otavalo market in
the north of Quito, considered the largest and most famous open market
in the world, you are presented with such an explosion of colors and
aromas and with such a conglomeration of indigenous people wearing
their colorful regional dress that it almost makes you dizzy with
pleasure! Visiting the market is a once in a life experience. Chatting
with the craftsmen, seeing the beautiful Ecuadorian children and eating
wonderful foods while you perused textiles, woolens, jewelry, handicrafts
and hundreds of other goods in this colorful indigenous market is
quite an unforgettable experience.
From the time of the Incas, textiles
have been in a position of great importance in Ecuador. The history
of the textiles include the colonial days when a weaving workshop
was set up in Otavalo by the Spanish. The Otavalenos were already
skilled weavers and with the new tools and techniques provided by
Spain, they supplied most of the textiles used in South America surpassing
those of Europe in the same period!
Carrying their textile weaving tradition and still using old fashion
tools, the Otavalenos produce a huge selection of colorful weavings
most made in their homes using 100% wool yarn. And even though most
people living in this valley are involved in some phase of textile
production, each weaver is unique and independent, choosing his or
her own colors and patterns. Still in use today are old fashion and
time consuming backstrap looms (named form the belt or strap that
fits around the back of the weaver who controls the tension of the
warp with his or her body) although most weavers use the much faster
floor looms. When the backstrap loom is used, the entire process of
creating a single blanket takes the equivalent of eight hours of work
every day for a month!
Ecuadorians are involved in many aspects
of the art world, using whatever is at hand and applying their imagination
to create works of art. And the Ecuadorians are very creative indeed,
producing incredible hand made jewelry - using not only precious and
semiprecious stones, but also colorful seeds and nuts; original oil,
acrylic and watercolor paintings that rival those of any established
and well known artist can be found throughout the country in markets,
small shops and parks; stunning hand made purses are produced in the
same tradition of Panama hats are handcrafted using the paja toquilla
fiber and the finest leathers; hand carved gilded wooden eggs and
religious figures, beautiful rosaries made from natural seeds, ceramics,
massagers handmade from the seeds of the "vegetable ivory"
plant, animal figures combined with ostrich eggs, etc. The list of
beautiful handcrafts found in Ecuador is endless!
Investing Internationally
is Easy, Affordable and Potentially Income Producing!
Call Today
For More Information:! (727)
939-8585
