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Vilcabamba Glimpse #47

Workers...Building a Ranch Community

The workers you see in the photos and the attached web album (http://picasaweb.google.com/jrsimonetta/WorkersAtHaciendaSanJoaquin) are representative of the 140 Ecuadorians who work at Hacienda San Joaquin currently. They are from communities in and around Vilcabamba (Chaupi, Linderos, Cucanama, San Pedro) and from distant cities like Loja, Cuenca, Quito. Some, not Ecuadorians, are from Peru. They are diligent, reliable and skillful workers with many talents. They are resourceful, caring and have a "can-do" attitude...all of the time. With their help, we are building an extraordinary ranch community.

I first visited Vilcabamba in June 2005. My intention, like others who come here, was to find a home. Life had additional ideas. As described in an earlier Glimpse, I purchased this large and neglected riverfront ranch, Hacienda San Joaquin.

When I acquired the ranch, I did not want to develop it. I contacted a couple of affluent associates in the U.S. I related that the ranch is too special of a property to develop into home sites. I suggested that we establish a community and invite like-minded people. I got no response. The development of the ranch followed, evolved, and continues to evolve.

When I was young, I thought one day I would like to own an island and live there with my friends. Perhaps not an unusual thought. This ranch is that island. For countless reasons, it is far better than an island. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and open to the Vilcabamba River on the fourth, it's an island of tranquility. Extraordinary people, new friends, are being drawn here. A remarkable community is forming.

As one spends time on this ranch in this peaceful valley, one becomes aware of it's unique combination of qualities. As one connects the dots, it becomes clear that this is a very special place on planet Earth.

The scenery is spectacular. As good as the photos look at our web site, one of the first comments of people who come here is, "The photos do not do it justice." The climate is one of the best in the world, perpetual spring time. There is no need for heat or air conditioning. Days are warm. Night are cool. Year around.

It's an extremely healthy place. The negative ions are off the chart. High concentrations of negative ions make people feel energized and invigorated, relieve stress, alleviate depression, and boost energy. They likely contribute to that "feeling" people say they experience here.

The elevation, at 5,000 feet, is conducive to excellent coronary health. The water is pure, abundant and heavily mineralized. The air is pure. We do not even have airplanes that fly overhead. Organic fruits and vegetables are abundant. The growing season is year around. Building costs, at about $55-$60 per square foot, are very low for high-quality construction.

The Ecuadorians are a warm people. The crime rate here is very low. It's a safe place.

People who come here from North American and Europe describe it as "paradise"....a "refuge".

The people who chose to live here are special. They have to be. First, they are adventurous. They are intelligent and successful. They have done their homework. They've looked beyond the U.S., beyond Central America, to South America. They discovered Ecuador. They found Vilcabamba...and the ranch, Hacienda San Joaquin.

They are designing and building homes. They are moving here. They are interested in their Ecuadorian neighbors.

In addition to being an extraordinary place aesthetically and environmentally, the ranch will have exceptional social, cultural, intellectual and recreational dimensions. The mountainside hotel, Sunrise at Hacienda San Joaquin (construction starts in 2008...infrastructure is going in now) will offer cabanas, meeting rooms (seminars, classes), dining, a lounge, swimming pool, and breathtaking views. The Equestrian and Hiking Center provides two stables (40 stalls), an organic ranch store and cafe, bicycle racks, community bulletin boards and gathering areas and more. The riverfront Health Spa (construction starts in 2008) will provide a menu of world-class spa and exercise facilities in a wonderful setting. The River Park, a great place to walk to, provides river access to everyone. The hiking and horseback riding trails, with incredible views high up in the mountains, traverse the ranch from the Equestrian and Hiking Center to the hotel (Sunrise). The administration building (construction complete in March 2008) provides a large community meeting room (with kitchen) for presentations, exercise classes, and ranch meetings. Periodically, there will be horse shows, musical concerts, volleyball tournaments and the like at the ranch. And the Hacienda San Joaquin Foundation affords owners opportunities to interact with and assist Ecuadorian communities.

The ranch is an aesthetically beautiful place in a spectacular and very healthy setting. Beyond that, it is multi-dimensional in opportunities for the residents to enjoy their lives privately and in association with their very interesting neighbors in a wide range of activities.

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