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Vilcabamba Glimpse #14

Climate, Horses, Friendly People, Home & Furniture Building

The temperature was cool last night and early this morning in Vilcabamba. Cool enough to sleep with a blanket. That's normal. It will be warm during the day. Warm enough to be in a t-shirt. Even go for a swim. That's normal too. Every night and day is pretty much like that. Year around. That's why no one has or needs heat or air-conditioning in Vilcabamba.

I've been here a year now. I'm still struck by this hard-to-believe climate (one of the world's best) as well as the unique combination of other amenities: the pure air, beauty of the Andes mountains, the friendly people, et al. You may wonder, with such a climate, at what time of the year is the growing season. When do you plant? The "growing season" is anytime. It takes about three months from planting to harvest.

On the land on which I will build my home, I have just planted papaya, banana, avocado, and guanabanar (delicious fruit) trees. Already existing are many mandarin (like tangerine), orange, mango, and guava trees. I am getting ready to plant numerous herbs and vegetables in gardens surrounding the three ponds I've created. The two smaller ponds are stocked with talapia fish. This week, we will stock the large pond with trout.

In Vilcabamba Glimpse #10, in June, I sent you a photo and description of my Peruvian horse, Zamorano, who is now being trained to be ridden. In the attached photo, Zamorano stands behind Rio, one of six other horses I have acquired (Zamorano, Torbellino, Rio, Palomino, Rocky, Sam, and Josepha). Pump-house number one (of three) is in the background along with a view of some of the mountains that are all part of Hacienda San Joaquin. Diego and Gilberto are making final preparations before they get into the saddles. Zamorano is doing great with his training. Josepha, the only female (embra) horse of the seven, and the youngest, was born at the hacienda on my birthday last November. She was named and given to me by friends who had horses (including Josepha's mother) grazing at the hacienda then. Everyone likes Josepha. She is as friendly as an affectionate (big) dog.

Speaking of "friendly", one of the striking aspects of life here is the friendliness of the Ecuadorian people. When men and women greet each other, a kiss on the cheek is customary. Between men, a handshake, upon greeting and departing, is the norm. People make eye contact here. An "hello" to a perfect stranger results typically in a big smile and a return greeting. Very normal.

Back to the horses. Torbellino, Rio, Palomino, Rocky, and Sam, all about 4 years old, are wonderful horses. All are gentle and used to being ridden. I've purchased saddles and all the other paraphanalia (whcih I've learned is the second set of expenses after the initial purchase of the horse...this is all new to me) for all the horses (except Josepha who is too young). So when you visit, you will have wonderful horses to ride upon throughout the hacienda (if you wish).

Don and Sylvia, two Americans from Florida who were here in June and purchased a magnificent Lot at the hacienda, have returned. They will be here for a month. They are staying at the Hosteria de Vilcabamba where I have been living (I expect to move permanently to the hacienda within the next two weeks). Don and Sylvia are in the process of selecting the architect and builder they will use for their home, guest home, pool, and caretaker home. They are very pleased with the two Loja architects who have separately made presentations. In fact, Don and Sylvia are challenged to decide which of the architects they like best as both are excellent and likable. Building costs, at $30 per square foot, as confirmed by these architects, make building a home very affordable. As an aside, this week Don and Sylvia bought themselves a car in Loja. We will look after their car for them when they are away.

The house and guest house we have remodeled are just about complete. We are in the landscaping phase. The larger house, which came out beautifully, will serve as our office and showroom. It also contains a couple of guest bedrooms. I will move into the smaller guest house. We just about have both houses furnished. We have had the furniture made in Vilcabamba and Loja. The furniture, which I've modeled from Shaker and Mission style furniture, is stunning. Three photos are attached of furniture in the larger house. The cost to have this furniture made is a small fraction of the cost in the United States. The quality is superb. The carpenters can and will make any style of furniture you prefer. Perhaps in a future Vilcabamba Glimpse, I will attach some before and after photos of the two houses.

Until then....stay well.

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

48 beautiful riverfront and hillside home sites located at Hacienda San Joaquin, a very private, gated, deed-restricted, tranquil paradise within the paradise that is Vilcabamba, Ecuador. The lots, .24 to more than 6 acres, priced from $30,000 to $250,000 offer spectacular views of the Andes mountains and Vilcabamba river, an Equestrian and Hiking Center (with 2 stables and 3 corrals), a river park, all utilities including high-speed Internet, and remarkable hiking and horse trails on the self-contained 663-acre 5,000-ft elevation property. Approximately 80% of the land will remain in its natural state. The year-round spring-like climate ranges approximately from 60 to 80 degrees, perfect for indoor-outdoor living in a humidity-free and pure-air environment. Options include beautiful home design, construction, and property management. www.HaciendaSanJoaquin.com Note: at this web site, only the 24 larger home sites are shown. The smaller sites, .24 to 1.98 acres have just been completed and will be added to the site in the future.