“Sunny day, hot and humid.”
“The Ts made the call about the visa extension and are awaiting a call back. Looks like it doesn’t make sense to apply now before we leave. Probably apply after returning in December.”
“They have made reservations for La Cabana in November anyway – two weeks at this point.”
“The town has turned off the water for most of the week and the reserve tank is down again.”
“Do we need to have the tanquero come again.”
“Hopefully not. They may turn the water back on tomorrow morning in preparation for Carnival.”
“Have you been noticing the gasoline prices as we travel about Nilla.”
“Yes I have. The price for the economy brands jumped just after Christmas by about forty cents.”
“Looking at comparative pricing earlier this month, the average cost of gasoline per liter was $0.01 in Venezuela, $0.13/L in Sudan with Ecuador at number twelve with $0.49/L.”
“You know a lot of folks complained when the prices went up, but if you consider prices worldwide, it’s still a bargain.”
“Ecuador ranks second, behind Venezuela, in Latin America for the lowest price of regular gasoline, with Uruguay at the highest with over $6.00/L.”
“One of the reasons for price variation are the taxes – and in Ecuador there is no added tax.”
“Ecuador ranks sixth lowest for the price of diesel/liter fuel. The government had planned to eliminate the diesel subsidy in January, except for public transportation.”
“They decided against that plan – the increase would have been more than $1.25.”
“People argue that these subsidies are unsustainable and cost the government millions.”
“I suspect Nilla, that come the presidential elections in 2020, the subsidies will be a major campaign issue.”
“We’ll have to see – if they are reduced or eliminated entirely that will impact the tricimoto and bus fares as well as the cost for taxi rides.”
“Tricimotistas are not going to want to make change, and I would not be surprised if they raised the price to an even $1.00.”
“That’s double what they are now – and this is pure speculation based on ‘what ifs‘.”
“You also have to consider the impact on the fishing industry – the price of your precious shrimp will go up.”
“Enough of that Jackson. Let’s face it – the cost of living would go up, the impact could be devastating for those who are already barely getting by.”
“Economics, very complex, keeping things in balance is not easy. What are the plans for today anyway?”
“Other than checking the water situation and waiting for the return call about the visa inquiry, nothing in particular. Aventurero must not have internet again today, the text messages aren’t being delivered.”
“The town is really sprucing up for Carnival – people painting store fronts, homes, cleaning, even the malecon is being repaired.”
“Looks like they are going to patch up some of the holes left from the water earlier this year.”
“Electricity is out again.”
“Jackson, hope no one tries to call now – we are incomunicado.”
“It’s back on Nilla – time for the Ts to heat up the second cup of coffee.”
“Just got the return call they’ve been waiting for.”
“Did they find out the answers to their questions?”
“Yes. This is what I understand Jackson. The standard tourist visa is for ninety days. Toward the end of that ninety days, for a fee, they can apply to the office of migracion for a prorroga. This is not a visa. The prorroga ninety-day extension starts the day of the approved application and continues without interruption for the extension time regardless of whether one is in Ecuador or not.”
“So it’s different than the ninety-day tourist visa which allows you to leave the country and ‘bank’ the balance of any remaining days, until you return during the 365 days from original entry.”
“That’s right. So, toward the end of the ‘prorroga’ if one is now beyond the 365 day period from original entry, and want a standard ninety day tourist visa, one needs to leave the country – even if just for one day – and then come back to Ecuador for the free visa.”
“I know that this is done all the time, just seems a bit complicated.”
“Probably the first time Jackson. Aventurero wants to get a prorroga this year – so he’s going to leave Ecuador before his ninety day tourist visa expires, ‘bank’ those remaining days, return later this year and during the remaining visa days apply for the prorroga.”
“He’ll have to leave the country toward the end of the prorroga and return to receive the free visa.”
“That’s my understanding Jackson.”
“Will the person the Ts were talking with assist him?”
“Yes. Once Aventurero has internet service he can contact him with any questions.”
“It’s almost 4:00 PM – he should be coming down the hill.”
“The Ts messages just got delivered – his internet service must have just been restored.”
“What’s the plan?”
“Dinner at Rimini. The Ts will share the information about the prorroga.”
“We’re going to stay here. Lazy day Nilla.”
“By the way Jackson, have you looked at this map for Carnival events?”
“Yes I have.”
“Did you notice all the parking signs have a big ‘E’ on them?”
“Yes.”
“But they’re called ‘parqueaderos’.”
“Haven’t you wondered why the ‘E’ and not a ‘P’?”
“Not really Nilla, I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
“The ‘E’ is for ‘estacionamiento’ which is ‘parking’.”
“So what does ‘parqueadero’ mean?”
“Parking.”
“So…..”
“If they are going to use the word ‘parqueadero’, then the signs should have a ‘P’ and not an ‘E’.
“Nilla, I’m sure people will be able to determine where they are allowed to park.”
“I wonder if they will turn the water back on tomorrow. We may need a tanquero.”
“Worry about that tomorrow Nilla.”
Adventures of Nilla and Jackson 