Posted on 08/01/2009 10:45:43 PM PDT by Cindy
Note: The following text is a quote:
YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report Warden Message: Ecuador Conterfeiting Problems CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS Americas - Ecuador 30 Jul 2009
U.S. Embassy Quito issued the following Warden Message on July 30, 2009:
The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General in Ecuador wish to inform American citizens visiting or resident in Ecuador of the continuing problem of counterfeit U.S. dollars circulating within Ecuador. We remind American citizens to check your currency carefully when leaving any banking institution or private business within Ecuador. Recently, we’ve received reports of counterfeit bills being dispensed from ATMs within Ecuador.
Before leaving the window of a banking institution, we recommend inspecting each bill for accuracy, wear and tear, and counterfeiting. If you discover a counterfeit bill while still at the banking institution’s window, inform the cashier and, normally, they will exchange the bill. However, if you depart without inspecting your currency, it will be difficult to prove that you received the bill from that particular institution.
Below are tips to spot and determine a counterfeit bill:
Portrait – The genuine portrait appears lifelike and stands out distinctly from the background. The counterfeit portrait is usually lifeless and flat.
Water Marks – In each of the new U.S. bills, there are distinctive water markings imbedded into the paper. These markings are of the same image that corresponds to the denomination on that bill. This is one of the most difficult details for a counterfeiter to re-produce. For additional tips on detecting counterfeit bills, please visit the U.S. Treasury’s website on the subject at: http://www.ustreas.gov/usss/money_detect.shtml --------------
Americans living or traveling in Ecuador are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Ecuador. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. Please see the following links for local warden message information in Quito and Guayaquil, respectively, http://ecuador.usembassy.gov and http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov.
U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information for Ecuador and the latest Travel Alerts and Warnings and Worldwide Caution at the Department's web site at http://travel.state.gov. Updated information on travel and security in Ecuador may also be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States or by calling 1-202-501-4444 outside the United States.
The U.S. Embassy in Quito is located at Avigiras E12-170 y Eloy Alfaro. The telephone during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) is (011) 593 2 398 5000 X3800. Within the same city use the last seven digits. Add the city code for intercity telephone calls. See also the Embassy web site at http://ecuador.usembassy.gov. American Citizen walk-in hours are between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Thursday, excluding U.S. and Ecuadorian holidays.
The U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil is located at the corner of Avenida 9 de Octubre and Garcia Moreno (near the Hotel Oro Verde); telephone (011-593-4) 232-3570 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or 232-1152 for after-hours emergencies; fax (011-593-4) 232-0904. See the Consulate General web site at http://guayaquil.usconsulate.gov
RELATED REPORTS 26 May 2009 WARDEN MESSAGE: ECUADOR SAFETY AND SECURITY TIPS 15 May 2009 WARDEN MESSAGE: ECUADOR CONFIRMS H1N1 2009 INFLUENZA CASE 24 Apr 2009 WARDEN MESSAGE: GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR TAXICAB WARNING 23 Apr 2009 WARDEN MESSAGE: ECUADOR NATIONAL ELECTIONS- APRIL 26 12 Feb 2009 WARDEN MESSAGE: CAUTION URGED OVER ECUADOR'S CHAQUINAN CYCLING PATH
OK, I copied the article, but the title should read - spelling correction: COUNTERFEITING
This means that the US Dollar still enjoys a huge draw from foreign criminals, financial institutions, and rogue governments. Testimony to it’s present popularity. When I lived in Ecuador in the 60’s, the Dollar was as easily spent as 20 Sucre del Oro were. Nothing has changed much.
But it was strange being in a foreign country that uses US Dollars as their currency.
It has changed in that the US Dollar is the only currency in circulation in Ecuador.
“From what I could tell, the entire economy is floated on US Five Dollar Bills.”
That sounds about right to me still to this day. At ages 10 & 11, I never had more than that to just spend at any one particular time, anyways:). I lived on the Hacienda San Carlos (60 klicks to the east of Guayaquil), & life was very, very good for a kid, with $5. I have changed my mind about a return trip, however, as the country has turned Socialist and does not deserve my tourist $, at least until the next coup.
“It has changed in that the US Dollar is the only currency in circulation in Ecuador.”
That really got my attention. If our currency tanks, so does theirs. We could defeat Chavez’s ally simply by embracing Obamanomics....
Beautiful country.
The wife, kids and I always wanted to do the Galapagos, so we did that as well as the coast, and Quito.
But yes, their currency is the US Dollar which more than anything inflates their economy and makes things more expensive than they should be. It is still very cheap for our standards but hard on the poor people.
“It is still very cheap for our standards but hard on the poor people.”
In ‘67 & ‘68, cane cutters were paid the high rate of $1 a day and $1 for every snake they killed, (the hide market). Dangerous, but highly profitable. Our hired maid in comparison received $20 a month (2x normal...my mom always had a way of irritating the neighbors).
By the way, Hacienda San Carlos, was a sugar cane plantation, complete with refinery, & paper mill (Papalera National). Sugar cane pulp (b-gas) to banana boxes made in Guayaquil (Cartinera National). Check out a Chiquita Banana box sometime. My dad was the Piping & Welding Engineer who helped put the paper mill together.
There are a lot of memories coming to mind, now. My father just passed away on the 28th, he was 87.
Our family went on a few vacations while living down there, Cusco, Quito, La Playa & drives about the local countryside; Lima, Peru; & Bogota, Columbia, but I am and was regretful that The Galapagos were missed.
I’m hoping for a coup down there...shouldn’t take too long, though. It’s a way of life for them.
The Galapagos were amazing and not all that different than how Darwin described them in that many of the animals had no fear of humans. Small birds would land on your hands or shoulders, seemingly just to get a look at you. The reptiles would not scurry away when we approached and neither did the sea mammals.
I also spend those same years in the mid to late ‘60’s in S. America going on those Sunday drives with my family in the countryside.
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