Λ Introduction
V Previous

Vilcabamba Glimpse #45

BoomerScape Interview

BoomerScape, the leading online international lifestyle community for baby boomers, features Joe and San Jaoquin in its Ecuador destination pages. To learn more about BoomerScape, go to www.boomerscape.com

Is there a particular story or moment when you realized "I'm not in Kansas anymore"?

Once a week, I travel from the ranch to nearby bustling Loja, about a 35-minute drive. Loja, with about 120,000 people, is one of Ecuador's (about the size of Colorado) larger cities. I go to Loja for numerous business-related tasks. I always take one of my assistants, Yadira (bilingual), with me. One day, as I looked around at the many people scurrying around town, I said to Yadira, both tongue-in-cheek and as a realization that I was not living in my home country anymore, "I've noticed there are a lot of Ecuadorians in this town."

Tell us about your project, Hacienda San Joaquin

Hacienda San Joaquin, a 663-acre ranch, is located in the beautiful Andes Mountains in southeastern Ecuador. The ranch is approximately two miles from the attractive, quaint and internationally renowned village of Vilcabamba, the jewel of Ecuador. The private entrance to the ranch is located where the public road ends in the small and friendly community of Chaupi.


Hacienda San Joaquin. The ranch and the setting.

The ranch is bordered and protected on three sides by the Andes Mountains and on the fourth opens to the Vilcabamba River. Feng Shui experts who have visited tell me this is perfect. The elevation of the ranch rises from the valley floor at 4839 feet to the mountaintops at 6512 feet.

The setting, within one of the world's most spectacular regions, is extraordinary, magical, private, tranquil and soothing. There is a special feeling on this ranch noticed and commented on by visitors. It's an oasis, an uncommon place on the planet.

Equestrian and Hiking Center Entrance.

At the heart of the property is our world-class Equestrian and Hiking Center. It features a separate arched entrance-way for vehicles and pedestrians, two stables (forty stalls), a horse-grooming area, an information center (with community bulletin boards and maps of our hiking and horseback riding trails), an organic ranch store, an outdoor cafe with wonderful views of the Andes Mountains, and the entrance to our hiking and horseback riding trails. The tile-covered structures at the Equestrian and Hiking Center wrap around a traditional white three-railed fenced corral. Two areas of colorful bougainvillea-draped hillsides also surround the corral. Comfortable benches allow for relaxed visits to this attractive gathering area.

More photos:
Entrance to Equestrian and Hiking Center.
Equestrian and Hiking Center OVerview.
Equestrian and Hiking Center - Stable #1.
Equestrian and Hiking Center - Stable #1.
Equestrian and Hiking Center - Stable #2.
Cafe Mural .

Entrance to the River Park

We've created a beautiful river park on the ranch to give access to the Vilcabamba River to all residents.

We have begun construction of a small world-class mountainside hotel with spectacular views, an extraordinary riverside health spa, and some additional home sites with panoramic views.

A limited number of unique riverfront and hillside home sites, most at about 5,000 feet elevation, each of various sizes and amenities, are offered for purchase. The vast majority of the property has been retained in its natural habitat, ideal for hiking and horseback riding, a private preserve for the exclusive use of residents and their guests.

All roads are well-lit and paved.

In addition to the stunning setting in the Andes Mountains, another remarkable aspect of the area is the year-around spring weather. The days are warm and the nights are cool. No one uses either heat or air-conditioning here. All of this and much more is described at our we site: www.HaciendaSanJoaquin.com

...and what led you to make this inspiring leap?

How did I discover Ecuador and Vilcabamba, places not typically on the radar screen of people looking for exceptional locations to live outside the U.S. (and outside other first world countries)? How did I end up developing properties on an extraordinary riverfront hacienda?

The best answers are probably serendipity and synchronicity. They have been a common thread in my life.
In the early part of 2005, for numerous reasons, I began my search for a place to live beyond U.S. borders. It didn't occur to me to look as far as South America.

I researched countries in Central America. The humidity and hurricanes felt too similar to Florida's where I lived for many years. Also, the many Americans already moving to these countries have inflated real estate prices.

I looked to South America. Ecuador, easily reachable in the northern part of South America, drew my attention when I read about its Andes Mountains region (there are also the coast, jungle, and Galapagos Islands regions). I was struck by the fact that I could live in the mountains where the climate is attractively mild year around. It was just what I was looking for.

A good friend from California mentioned Vilcabamba. I had never before heard of it. I read a lot about Vilcabamba. I was very drawn to it for many reasons (the beauty, the climate...perpetual springtime, the healthy environment, pure air and water, the elevation, the people, and the prices).

I intended to only live in Vilcabamba, not develop home sites. Never in my life had I developed land although I have the requisite background and skill-set.

Now, I own the largest hacienda, 663 acres, in Vilcabamba and with my business partner, Carl Wescott of San Francisco, have developed extraordinary riverfront and hillside home sites on a property whose beauty and uniqueness defies description and are beyond what photos can convey.

How are you getting involved with and having an impact on the local community?

We are involved with local communities in multiple ways. We employ about 100 Ecuadorians. Many, for the first time in their lives, have regular employment. This translates into secure homes, regular meals, and educational opportunities. Our relationship with our Ecuadorian employees is one of respect and appreciation for their work, friendship and warm acceptance of us.

Moreover, each property owner at Hacienda San Joaquin contributes $10 a month to our Community Assistance Fund. This money is contributed to local communities to assist in various ways. For the community adjacent to our entrance, Chaupi, for example, we have, among other projects, built a road (at their request), provided new desks, chairs and school supplies for the teachers, and built a beautiful outdoor stage with a traditional ceramic tile roof (again at their request).

On a larger scale, we have established, in accordance with Ecuadorian laws, our Hacienda San Joaquin Foundation. Its purpose is to provide health, education, legal, economic and other assistance and services to children, the disabled, elderly, those of limited economic resources, and the like. Key Ecuadorians from Vilcabamba sit on our board of directors with residents of the ranch. An improved waste treatment plant is the focus of our first major project. We plan to fund the foundation through grants, donations, and fund-raising events like horse shows and concerts at the ranch.

What does Ecuador have to offer as a place for prospective retirees from abroad?

Ecuador (less than 4 hours from the U.S.), with perhaps the world's best climate, is one of the most beautiful, most diverse and least expensive countries on Earth. In relation to its surface, Ecuador holds the greatest amount of species of plants and animals on the planet. From the Amazon rainforest to the peaks of the Andes, from the miles of Pacific shoreline to the Galapagos Islands, you are limited only by your sense of adventure.

Ecuadorians, warm and appreciative, are friendly, helpful, polite, and hard-working people. They smile easily, look you in the eye, shake hands and kiss on the cheek when greeting and parting.

Ecuador makes it easy to obtain permanent residency, allows free importation of your household goods, and has a great retiree program that even includes half-priced airfares. The weather where I live (Vilcabamba) is spring-like every day, never too hot or cold. There is no need for heat or air-conditioning. Warm days are followed by cool evenings. The sun rises and sets at the same time year round (no daylight savings time) allowing your body to fall into a natural rhythm.

Vilcabamba, with its dramatic mountain scenery, has a magic of its own. People come to visit and don't want to leave. For comments about Vilcabamba and Hacienda San Joaquin from our guest book, please visit http://www.vilcabambahomes.com/glimpses/gl042.html

What do you see when you look out your window in the morning?

This is what I see when I look out my window in the morning

If you could change one thing about your new home country, what would it be?

When one moves here, one moves to a different country, culture, language and era. When I sometimes think that I would like to change this or that, I hesitate. I do so because I realize that the changes that I think may be desirable may be counterproductive. They may result in making this place resemble that which I found objectionable in the place I left behind.

Pretend you work for the tourism board and you have to convince me to come visit your new home country. In a sentence or two, what would your sales pitch be?

Return to an unspoiled time in a place of astonishing beauty. Live again.

What is the most adventurous and/or spontaneous thing you have ever done?

In my early twenties, my observations led me to conclude that I did not want to "be anything". I wanted only "to be". That led to an unusual and adventurous life of many rich and diverse experiences as I responded, often spontaneously, to life's callings. For example, for about a year, I lived in a tiny hut (8' x 12') on a mountainside in New Zealand. I was 43. By candlelight, I wrote a book, Russell, Alexandra and John, A Story of Personal and Planetary Change. After writing an earlier book, this time in Sarasota, FL, The Heroes Are Us, A Call to Rescue Our World, I returned to my home town, Bethlehem, PA. I launched a campaign for the U.S. Congress although I hadn't lived in that area for fifteen years and was completely unknown in political circles.

Seventeen months later, I won the Democratic Party nomination. I was 42. When I was 32, I started to study architecture. Several years later, 1979, I graduated at the top of my class in graduate architectural school (University of Colorado). With growing concerns about the state of the world, in 1989, I started "Pro Earth", an environmental educational non-profit to alert people to the unpredictable consequences of interactive and escalating environmental crises. I studied at Yale and Harvard Divinity schools, achieving a Master of Divinity from Harvard when I was 50. I went to these schools to study ethics, issues associated with global ecological problems, and world belief systems in general. I wrote a book titled, Seven Words That Can Change the World that New York Times best-selling author, Neale Donald Walsch (Conversations With God) refers to as "The Formula. The Answer. The Way." Perhaps my most "adventurous" book is Religion, An Obstacle to Human Progress (http://www.lulu.com/joesimonetta). All of those kinds of experiences, and many more, led me to Vilcabamba, Ecuador. Here, the story continues to unfold in an extraordinary fashion. For me, life itself is an adventure and, more often than not, unpredictable.

Joe - It's your birthday. BoomerScape just gave you an all expenses paid trip to any destination in the world. Where are you going? What are you going to do there?

First of all, thanks. :-) However, this is the most difficult question to answer. I ask myself why that is. There are many places one could go. It is difficult for me to answer because I am so engaged in what I am doing. For the moment, my mind has no desire to entertain thoughts of being elsewhere.

You've been a candidate for US Congress, and entrepreneur, student of divinity, among many other things. What do you consider your greatest life accomplishment?

Clarity.

About what? About the phenomenon of life. The desire to achieve that clarity is the thread that runs through my life. Its achievement has insisted upon diverse experiences and countless trials. It's been well worth the journey, one that continues.

Given no constraints, describe your perfect day at the Hacienda.

Most of my days are extraordinary as I am involved in non-stop creativity as well as countless other tasks. But let me describe a special day: In Vilcabamba each year, Carnivale, is celebrated for several days in February. On one of the days, typically a Sunday, there are a number of equestrian events. Elite horse owners from around Ecuador enter their horses to compete. Town officials asked us, Hacienda San Joaquin, to host a dinner for these owners after the horse event.

It was early Sunday evening when about 60 guests arrived at our ranch. They were seated at well-appointed tables set on our front lawn. They dined to classic musical. They were waited on by our workers dressed in white shirts and black tie. At nightfall, our guests departed. Then, the more perfect part of the day began.

About twenty workers and I sat down to dinner in the main house at two long white-clothed tables. A few of the workers served dinner then sat down to dine. The same classic music played. The same food and drinks were served. All sat quietly, and enjoyed dinner, each other's company, and the warm ambiance of our main house (http://www.vilcabambahomes.com/glimpses/gl019.html). To be treated with the same dignity and respect of the elite was a first-of-a-kind experience for these workers. For me, it was the perfect end to the day.


Small sampling of hacienda workers during our clearing stage.

What final words of advice would you give to others considering BoomerScaping abroad?

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth (the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans). That is the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would have never otherwise occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meeting and material assistance which no person could have dreamed would have come his way.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can begin it.
Boldness has genius power and magic to it. Begin it now.

Jonathan Goethe (1749-1832)

Attached photos are of Zamorano. Remember Zamorano from Glimpse #10, June 21, 2006.

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