Well I guess it's one form of research...

Note:  If you are not interested in hearing about my hospital visit, skip to the bottom for the Cost of Living section.

I have not eaten one thing in four days.  No it's not because of lent and no I'm not on some fad diet, I just lost my appetite and had a couple of other symptoms I will not describe because it even makes me queasy to write them.

Yesterday I decided to go to the hospital rather than doctor myself with my own ideas and the suggestions of everyone else in the b and b.  Took a dollar cab ride to the local Cotacachi Hospital, a socialized medicine establishment and walked in the front door.  There, sitting and standing in line had to be sixty to seventy people, all standing about waist high to me, and all waiting for their respective specialist.  Of course having had experience with this in Costa Rica I was not surprised and gave my little Kindle a loving squeeze.

I walked over to the info both to ask where to register and the nice lady asked what was wrong.  I gave her a brief description and she said I belonged in the emergency room.  Ok, off I go.  I walked in and a young nurse greeted me and asked the same question.  After giving her a better description she immediately led me into one of the many exam rooms.  Within five minutes a doctor, a very pretty, young doctor came in.  She spoke perfect English which made things much easier for me.  It took her no time to diagnose "Traveler's Diarrhea".

Within the next ten minutes I was hooked to an IV, covered with a nice sheet and told to rest for a half hour. 
My doctor explained that this is a very common occurrence for gringos and it's a result of bad water.  She stated that Ecuador has bad water and tourists have not produced the antibodies to combat it.  I explained that I had not had any water other than bottled having read about the bad water.  She stated that even one ice cube or a glass of juice made with bad water would do me in.  Yup, ice and juice had passed my lips.

Along with the IV I had to drink lots of water containing all those things the body needs that I had not received in four days.  When done I was sent home with some meds and a couple of more pack of the electrolytes mix to be used for the next few days.  They took my passport info and said my visit and supplies were free.  Even after eight years of almost cost free care by my clinics and hospitals in Costa Rica it startled me because I am a tourist expecting to pay. 

I'm far from feeling back to my usual eater status, but I have had a couple of bananas today that have decided to stay with me for a while.  All this in the name of research.  I'm sure my friends appreciate me sacrificing my body to the cause.

Now some really good stuff...  Cost of living is a major consideration for moving anywhere.  There are so many variables and things change so quickly it's hard to get a handle on them.  Costa Rica's has increased considerably since I moved there and all of my friends are also feeling the pinch.   A major goal here was to get a true handle on costs rather than count on or believe the Internet sites and the various blogs about Ecuador.  So here's a synopsis of costs averaged from lots of gringos living in Cotacachi, Otavallo,  Ibarra and Cuenca.  Cuenca is actually a little cheaper than elsewhere, but I've averaged for the sake of ease.  All amounts are for one month's expenses. ( sorry, but I couldn't get the columns to cooperate)

Rent:  Three and four bedrooms, furnished and nearby town                 $600
Water:                                                                                                            7
Electricity:                                                                                                   45
Gas (propane)                                                                                                8
Telephone:                                                                                                   10
Direct  TV:                                                                                                   75
Internet:                                                                                                        33         Groceries:                                                                                                   400
Transportation: (buses and taxis)                                                                 40
Entertainment:                                                                                            250
Health Plan: (Caja per person)                                                                     80
Miscellaneous:                                                                                            250

MONTHLY TOTAL:                                                                            $1,798
  
As you are well aware, every one's lifestyle is different and the total could fluctuate considerably.  Buying or building your own home and buying and maintaining a car and having private health insurance are examples that would skew the total.  Living near town or away from town would also affect these costs, especially rent.

Ok, just a week left in the big adventure in little Ecuador.  I am ready to be home in the warmth of my own place and wrapped in the hugs of all my friends.