Thirty Days In Quito: Two Gringos and a Three-Legged Cat Move to Ecuador

by K. Kris Loomis

In the summer of 2013, Kris Loomis and her husband sold all their worldly possessions and, along with their three-legged cat, Triplet, did just that. They left their comfy life behind and moved to Ecuador!

Follow along as they battle ‘mañana’ time, stinky buses, and the dreaded ‘Frankenstein’ shower. Will they adjust to South American culture? Will Triplet learn to meow in Spanish? Will the stupid black beans ever cook at that altitude?

Thirty Days In Two Gringos and a Three-Legged Cat Move to Ecuador is a humorous first-hand account of a couple stepping out of their comfort zone, holding on tight, and learning to breathe at 9,000 feet.

Also by K. Kris Loomis

How to Sneak More Yoga Into Your A Doable Yoga Plan for Busy People
How to Sneak More Meditation Into Your A Doable Meditation Plan for Busy People
The Monster In the Closet and Other Stories

Visit www.kkrisloomis.com and get a FREE short story!

You can connect with Kris on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest @kkrisloomis.

Thirty Days In Two Gringos and a Three-Legged Cat Move to Ecuador is a fun read for anyone interested in travel or curious about other cultures, and future expats will get a glimpse of what moving abroad is really like!

Genres: Travel, Memoir, Nonfiction

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 23, 2017

About the author

K. Kris Loomis is an eclectic author who writes both fiction and nonfiction books. She is the author of the novel, The Sinking of Bethany Ann Crane, as well as the short story collection, The Monster in the Closet and Other Stories. Kris has also written several books about yoga and meditation and a humorous travelogue about the time she, her husband and their handicapped cat moved to South America called Thirty Days In Quito: Two Gringos and a Three-Legged Cat Move to Ecuador! 


When Kris isn't at her standing desk writing, you will find her playing chess, folding an origami crane, or practicing a Beethoven sonata on the piano. She lives in Rock Hill, SC with her husband and two cats.


NONFICTION by K. Kris Loomis


Kris’ interest in writing nonfiction came from teaching and learning from her yoga students for almost twenty years and her experiences in learning about Ecuadorian culture after moving to South America in 2013.


Thirty Days In Quito: Two Gringos and a Three-Legged Cat Move to Ecuador


After Namaste: Off-the-Mat Musings of a Modern Yogini


How to Sneak More Yoga Into Your Life: A Doable Yoga Plan for Busy People


How to Sneak More Meditation Into Your Life: A Doable Meditation Plan for Busy People


FICTION by K. Kris Loomis


Fiction has been an integral part of Kris’ life since childhood, when she would borrow twelve books at a time from the library, spread them out on her bedroom floor, and move one to the other, reading a page at a time, until she finished them all. She believes that fiction should not only entertain but should also challenge the reader.


The Sinking of Bethany Ann Crane


The Monster In the Closet and Other Stories


Join Kris's other subscribers at www.kkrisloomis.com and receive a free short story! You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram @kkrisloomis!

Reviews

[Nancy Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

After spending 30 days in Quito acquiring their residency visas, the couple and their cat moved to Cuenca, Ecuador, where they spent the next three years. That three years would have made a much more interesting story than these 30 days.

The author gives us excruciating detail of her days waiting for the government mill stone to turn, including what songs the buskers on the bus sang each day, and how talented each of them was. Most did not get her approval. In fact, not much got the author's approval, despite her claims that she's a "glass half full" kind of person. Half full of the negatives, I would say.

[Eden · Rating 3 out of 5]

2019 bk 106. A quick read. The author moved to Ecuador because it was his dream to live in a Central or South American country for awhile and she could bear the thought of not letting his dreams come true. This is the story of their first month in Ecuador. They chose Ecuador because it was recommended as the #1 place for American expats and its economics were such that they could live just on their social security pension. While the book is about Quito, they ended up moving to another city with a large expat community and a more arts centered environment. Things to remember - Ecuador is more of a dog, than cat, country. They abandoned their money and use U. S. dollars - but shopping involves carrying a lot of change as usually vendors do not have change for a Twenty. Showers can be tricky, check to see if the water is heated by electricity or gas - gas being preferred.
Overall I enjoyed the book and I wish they had continued with their life beyond the first month. I would have liked more of a longer term look at life in the country. They did have some excellent advise for those considering moving to another country - take a preliminary visit, but locate some local contacts first (notary, lawyer, someone to advise on the visa / residence issue).

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I’m traveling to Ecuador next month, I decided to read this book to pick up some pointers on sites and culture. It did, indeed, provide some interesting information on the city and places to see. I also learned many things about money, riding buses, and interacting with the locals. Being a cat owner, I also enjoyed the stories about Triplett, the cat that traveled with the author from South Carolina.

[ElanMarae · Rating 1 out of 5]

Missing Ecuador

I was missing Ecuador and hoped to find a witty memoir of an expat experiencing the rich culture, history, and landscape that I fell in love with. Instead I found a book that was completely devoid of everything that makes up Ecuador, and could have been set in literally any developing country. One of the only books I’ve wanted to abandon this year, “Thirty Days in Quito” is lackluster when it comes to writing, personality, and depth.

[John Holst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book for the traveler! Great cultural and social insights for those traveling to Ecuador.

[Tom Palker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read before we head to Quito.

Gives a good flavor of the experience of moving to Quito. I liked the characters and little adventures. Thank you.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect quick read after spending a day in Quito!

[Boni · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, this is an AWESOME book if you’re planning retirement abroad, and especially if in Quito. Cooking at 9,500 ft? A uniquely Quito problem, si? Pero covered! Though very much reading like your friend’s diary, this proved to be a great cultural tour from the eyes of an expat looking to retire along with her husband and 3-legged cat in a very different country, a very different place than South Carolina where she’d spent her ENTIRE life. The author’s humor is gentle (e.g., her 3-legged cat was named Triplet), more observational, as though thinking out loud one’s feelings and frustrations. Most of the time I found it helpful (like flagging down buses with no designated stops, the mail system can’t be trusted, or the Frankenstein ‘electric wire’ showers) and a little of the time I found it veering off-rails with a bit of American-tourist-venting… instant coffee? (My God, the Savages), no taxi meters!?, how long things take at the immigration office, envy of a nicer hotel than the tour guide gave them last year, having to drink wine from coffee mugs (how bourgeoise), impatient waiting for Landlady Nora, impatient waiting for Visa Nora, impatient waiting for the plumber, impatient waiting for Godot 🙇🏻) The thing is… I am too-often that same American-tourist venting (internal frustration too, thank God)! So, her writing is NOT Bill Bryson, but I’m appreciative nonetheless, and do feel her traveller frustrations… and am visiting that same Quito soon. (Note: Sometimes her anecdotal stuff is crazy-interesting… A baking soda shortage because Ecuador doesn’t want to feed the cocaine cutting process in neighboring Columbia!)

This book was like talking with a friend to learn travel details, some details a little too tangential, but that comes with the territory, right? The leap of faith into retirement abroad provided interesting insights into that lifestyle, especially hearing of the varied situations that fate, luck, and life philosophies placed expats and locals she’d encountered during her own journey. And the Epilogue was so touching. Would love to hear the rest of her anecdotes in the 3 years that followed before their return home to South Carolina.

[Jarrod Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this travelogue of moving to a new country to be very entertaining. The author, her husband and their cat arrive in their one bedroom, fully furnished (except, not really) apartment and set out to explore the town of Quito via bus.

Anyone who has spent quality time in a 'basics only' country can relate to their adventures. The help of friendly locals can go a long way, and the people of Quito come across as kind and generous. I also learned a few things about their history and customs that Loomis makes interesting and intriguing.

I found myself wanting to visit the open markets and historical landmarks and certainly hope there are more books involving the couple and Triplet the cat and their time in Ecuador.

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely, funny book. I didn't know anything about Quito or Ecuador before, but now I almost feel I have been there myself! K. Kris Loomis has produced an easy to read, humorous travelogue/memoir. She shares countless memorable anecdotes with her readers, from her struggles with showers and her adventures on public transport, to her encounters with various Noras and the wonderful Maria. As well as being a warm and engaging read, it is also a fascinating look at another culture and a couple brave enough to go and immerse themselves in it. Written in a flowing and accessible style, this is the book for you if you enjoy reading about foreign lands. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Carole Mckee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Thoroughly Enjoyed This

I'm kick g in Montanita, Ecuador and when I saw this title, I just had to purchase it. It was fun comparing the author's experiences to mine. Some I could relate to and others not so much. I was a little envious that she and her husband d met such nice, helpful people, as I have not been so lucky. I enjoyed reading about their experiences. It was a lot of fun. Great story.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read about the first month in Quito of a couple from the US who moved to Ecuador as they go through the process of getting their visas to live there. There are some amusing stories and a few insights into the culture there, but it's pretty lightweight. I would have enjoyed it more if it had been more about their settling into their actual Ecuadorian home.

[Stephen Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty interesting to hear about these people moving to Ecuador on a whim, and both the positives and negatives of their experience.

I wish that there was more to the story than just the first 30 days, and I want to know what made them move back to the US in the end (besides homesickness).

Overall, it was a fun, quick read.

[Carrie LeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about a couple who "retire" to Ecuador with their cat. It was interesting to read about the people, geography and conditions of living in Ecuador. I don't think I would enjoy living there.

[Kimberly Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartfelt, first person play-by-play of expat re-orientation. Recommend for anyone considering an extended stay abroad, or those interested in SA cultures & customs.

[Elly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Light reading and funny as heck! Author’s words and expressions made me smile all along.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book with cultural interest and humor as an American expat couple (and their three-legged cat) adapt to living in Quito, Ecuador.

[Kate Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thirty Days in Quito, by Kris Loomis, is a breezy, easy-to-read, lighthearted, journal-style memoir of a couple and their cat moving from the US to Ecuador.

I had fun discovering Quito with Kris and comparing and contrasting lifestyle differences between South America and the United States. This is a great read if you are considering a move to a completely different land, or even if you're planning a lengthy visit somewhere new and different. I think you could take Kris's lessons and advice and warnings and apply them in similar situations.

This memoir will have you laughing and sympathizing at the same time. Based on Kris's vivid accounts, if you go to Ecuador, be sure to experience a heladeria and Old Town, but beware of Frankenstein showers and marinated cuy!