What to do in Loja, Ecuador: Enchanting Botanical Garden | Abundant Living

[@AbundantLivingEcuador]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 - Welcome to Loja's Botanical Garden, showcasing entry details. 🚪 00:38 - History and diversity of the garden's flora. 🌳 01:05 - Rules for a respectful visit. 📜 01:41 - Informative signs on native plants. 🌺 02:05 - Connection to the National University of Loja. 🏛 02:30 - Enjoying the lush, man-made forest. 🌲 03:14 - Special highlights: Bonsai, Porto Carpus, and medicinal kasaria. 🍃 04:00 - Exploring edible plants and the orchid section. 🍴 05:36 - Agricultural area with diverse crops. 🌾 07:18 - Closing thoughts on the garden's educational value. 💡 10:41 - Invitation to visit and note on future videos. 💌

[@glenbirbeck4098]

I was in Loja today. But not at the botanical garden. No, I was at a musical instrument store in the middle of the city. The day was about 72F fifty fifty overcast light breeze. Near the market I encountered a gaggle of Police and ask if Guitars were sold in the market. One of the group took the trouble of walking me to a store on the other side of the building. This is common. He gets a little diversion, the tourist gets personal attention. Ecuadorians are like that. The store had guitars and keyboards and more. I was looking for a guitar. Student level because learing the instrument is on my bucket list. I was reminded what a difference speaking a bit of Spanish makes. That AND having some feel for the culture. The owner is out on the sales floor, his wife at the register. He seems gruff, almost hauty...not so, he is testing me. My response is a smile and some jokes. After a while he is smiling too. we're at the counter and his wife is asking me where I'm from. Ive chosen the guitar, gotten a set of strings, and he's included a nylon carrying bag....all for $73. Here there's a discount for being nice and friendly.

[@AbundantLivingEcuador]

Great anecdotes Glen - thanks for sharing!

[@rosezaz6607]

Another great snippet video. Fun and informative.

[@AbundantLivingEcuador]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Rose!

[@FlyDreamEcuador]

Nature - Life - ECUADOR!

[@AbundantLivingEcuador]

🌳 🇪🇨 ☀️ ❤️

[@westcoastkitties]

Wow!! Must be new as it want there last time I was in Ecuador. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing

[@AbundantLivingEcuador]

Thanks for watching! ❤️ 🙏

[@The-way-of-the-peacefulwarrior]

Nice vid!

[@AbundantLivingEcuador]

🙏 ❤️

[@michellemariposa7253]

What a beautiful, serene & lush garden!!! Would love to visit here when in Loja. I am really enjoying these on location videos!🙏🏼would love to see some videos on some of the hiking trails in Vilcabamba!Ecuador has so much to offer. Thank you

[@AbundantLivingEcuador]

Thanks for sharing! We’ll look to get some hiking videos on calendar!

[@daviddurango9562]

Exactly where I belong and what I do.

[@AbundantLivingEcuador]

Right on David! Thanks for watching 🙏 ❤️

[@mikeA2010]

P.S. in Mexico, you are welcome to bring your dog into the Botanical Gardens ( much more beautiful) and even into the restaurant. They also have a pet cemetery.

[@AbundantLivingEcuador]

Interesting… what part of Mexico do you live in Mike?

[@mikeA2010]

@@AbundantLivingEcuador Rosarito, Baja California, although I travel extensively throughout the country. I've never seen a different price for nationals or foreigners.

[@mikeA2010]

Hello! Why do they charge double for " gringos?" Is that Ecuador wide or just this botanical garden? I find that discriminatory and is a big turnoff. Recently I visited the botanical gardens in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Everyone, Mexicans and foreigners pay the same entrance fee. Perhaps when Ecuadorians visit Disneyland in California, we should charge them double? Just saying. I personally would have turned around and left after I inform park mgmt...I know it's only 50 cents more, but it's the morality of the matter.

[@AbundantLivingEcuador]

Hi Mike, Thanks for your message. I mostly agree with what you said. Just wanted to mention two things. First, I was thinking about why there's a different price for foreigners compared to Ecuadorian citizens. Since Ecuadorian citizens pay taxes here, they might get a better deal, the botanical garden being a branch of the government owned university. When my family and I, all Canadians, visited the botanical garden, they charged us the local price, not the foreigner price listed on the sign. I'm not sure if it's because I had an Ecuadorian ID card (cedula), or if they just always give the local price to everyone despite the difference in pricing listed on the sign.