Santa Marianita, Ecuador

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I had an itinerary set for my Ecuador trip that starts out flying into Guayaquil, driving to Posojra, then up the coast possibly as far an Tonsupa.  However, I have fallen in love from afar with Santa Marianita.  It's only about 15-20 minutes outside of Manta, which is a fairly major city of 250,000 people, and provides all the luxuries you would expect from a similarly sized American city.  You can even eat American fast food chains like KFC or Papa John's, if you're so inclined.  (I'm not.  I've had enough of that drek.)

Many years ago, I saw a picture of a dirt road, still unpaved, going down to the beach in Ecuador.  I found it exciting and beautiful, but did not know where it actually was in Ecuador.  I could imagine myself driving that road in my Jeep.  I saved that picture, but can't seem to locate it now.  Looking at a YouTube video the other day, I realized the video is of the same road I was fixated on so many years ago!  The road is now paved.  Here's a screen capture from the YouTube video.  I think it is quite beautiful.  I can see myself driving that road someday.



So after some thought, I have changed my itinerary.  I think I will fly into Manta.  That puts me only a few minutes from Santa Marianita, which is currently my number one pick to investigate for my future home.

Look at the picture.  Mostly unspoiled coastal property, just a few miles from a major metropolitan area.  I'd call that paradise, myself.

I am aiming for my last day on the job to be October 31, 2021.

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