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Vilcabamba Glimpse #02

Downtown Vilcabamba and the Climate

Most towns in Ecuador, I understand, have a town square. A photo of Vilcabamba's is attached. The town, by the way, is kept very clean.

There are no traffic lights in Vilcabamba. No stop signs either. Not that many cars. There are always parking places. Usually right in front of where you want to go. Not that many people can afford cars or trucks.

I bought a Mazda truck in Loja (35-minute drive from Vilcabamba) about five months ago. Nice truck. Front and back seat (double cab). I use it for work every day. The entrance to Hacienda San Joaquin is about four kilometers (about 2.4 miles) west of Vilcabamba.

I live in a hotel, Hosteria de Vilcabamba. It's reputably the nicest hotel in southern Ecuador. Really lovely. Big room. Two double beds, modern bath, good size closet, two desks, marble floors, beautiful high wood ceiling and chandelier. I rent the room (and board) monthly. Very reasonable. Beautiful grounds too. I'll live here until one of the two houses we are working on at Hacienda San Joaquin gets finished, about another month or so.

A few nights ago, I had dinner in Vilcabamba with my assistant and field supervisor. We have 70 people working on the Hacienda now, i.e., we are financially supporting 70 families, more or less, at the moment. Back to dinner. Victoria, Roberto and I each had an entree, shared two beers, had one dessert (home made apple pie and ice cream). The bill was $13.45. We ate at the Terrazzo restaurant, my favorite, a sidewalk cafe where you can eat outside or inside.

The incredible year-around mild climate in Vilcabamba (one of the best climates in the world) allows easily for inside and outside living. Most homes are designed with outdoor living spaces. No one uses either heating or cooling. Nature has set the temperature just right here. It's warm (shirt sleeves) and usually sunny during the day and a little chilly at night (sleep with a blanket). Every day. All year.

There is, however, a rainy season. It's from October to April. I moved here last August. I dreaded the arrival of the "rainy season". People told me it rains mostly at night. I didn't believe it. It's extraordinary but it's true. It rains mostly at night. In fact, since the "rainy season" began, we have not missed one day of work because of rain. The "rainy season" is very nice because everything is so beautifully green. And when it rains, the temperature is no different. Always in that same approximate 65 to 83 degree range.

The photos:

Best, Joe

Joe Simonetta
Owner/Architect
Hacienda San Joaquin
Vilcabamba, Ecuador


P.S. International Living named Ecuador "The Best Place in the World to Retire" http://www.haciendasanjoaquin.com/best_in_the_world.html