Yesterday, I had to make a trip to the US Embassy in Quito to renew my passport. During my wait, I happen to overhear a conversation between an older couple for the US and an embassy employee. Apparently, the couple, probably in their 70s had arrived in Quito the night before from the US and were told at the airport to make sure they registered their visas, so they were at the embassy to accomplish that. They had their International Living--Living in Ecuador book in hand. Of course, you can't register and Ecuadorian visa at the US Embassy, but the clerk was helpful and gave them the address. Of course, they wanted to know all the particulars of how it worked, and he could only provide the address and hours of operation. The couple spoke little if any Spanish and wanted the embassy to call a cab for them. Of course, they couldn't do that, and fortunately, their are always cabs outside. I know from helping others register visas that they are going to get to the registration office and make several visits. Go to the bank and pay the fee, return. Make sure that you have the copies of your documents in a folder or go buy a folder and get them copied. When I was at this office, no one spoke English, so that can be a very traumatic experience for people new to country, culture and language. I suggest that those of you entering on a visa ask the Ecuadorian Consulate exactly what you will need, so save repeated trips and frustrations.
Carol
Carol
