Crime Wave in Ecuador & Driving in Ecuador

[@jayklink851]

I've been wondering about this guy and his family the past few months, glad to hear he's doing okay!

[@FallofftheMap]

Yep, we’re going ok, but definitely worried for the future of the country.

[@commonman711]

In a world of unreasonable people, it's nice to hear someone call 'balls and strikes' fairly, even if it means calling a strike on yourself. Good job! Glad you listened to your gut and are safe!!

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks. This is perhaps exactly what I needed to hear today.

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

Good update, this is some wild stuff man. Be careful out there.

[@FallofftheMap]

I don’t feel like it’s that wild. At least once a year there is some sort of social crisis in Ecuador it’s always overblown.

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

@@FallofftheMap fair.

[@SgtProstar]

Hey man .. long time since I've seen a vid from you... Glad to see you are still around

[@FallofftheMap]

Still putting out vids, though mostly lazy KZbin short videos. KZbin has a bad habit of not showing videos to people that have subscribed unless they interact further, watching and liking multiple videos.

[@ValueNL]

Man, I honestly love your stories. I have been following you for a long time now, in The Netherlands we have our own "western bubble" things, but what you encounter absolutely is by far worse but also interesting. Stay safe out there, that we may have lots of more cool stories from you in the coming years!

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks. For better or worse I guess I prefer living in “interesting times” over being bored. I’m happy to hear my stories and adventures provide some entertainment to others.

[@jessiesheldon-huffey1824]

I have first hand experience driving in Ecuador. 3 weeks ago I rented a car in Quito. In Quito, driving can be horrendous as there are areas where there is no paint to indicate any lanes so people just make up their own and they drive very aggressively. Surprised I made it out of Quito unscathed and credit that 100% to God answering my prayers to protect my family. The roundabouts in certain areas of Quito are NASTY. I then drove to Cuenca, which was fine except the roads in Ecuador are very unpredictable. Unmarked random speed bumps, areas where asphalt turns into dirt road all of a sudden, etc. People ( including a group of kids) that will block the road until you pay the $1 toll😂. After Cuenca, we drove to Vilcabamba, where we were stopped at a checkpoint and I showed my Idaho DL and passport and was let through no problem. Then drive through Guyaquill ( thankfully no incidents) and on to Ayampe. To end our trip drove from Ayampe to San domingo and then back to Quito ( where we got stopped at a checkpoint by the airport and I got a ticket cause my adult child wasn't wearing her seatbelt). Turned the rental car in and caught my flight. In short, I probably won't rent a car in Ecuador again but I am glad we did and it went as well as it did as it enabled us to really explore the country how we wanted to and we had lots of flexibility.

[@FallofftheMap]

Last time one of my friends visited and rented a car he ended up having me drive it for him because he found Quito driving way too difficult. You’re a brave soul for doing that much driving on vacation. You aren’t kidding about the unpredictable conditions on the roads. I was once driving a road from Esmeraldas to Ibarra at night. 90km speed limit. No lights along the road. There was some little car following close behind me, kind of using me as a guide through the dark difficult road. There was a giant unmarked speed bump. I hit it at full speed and somehow managed not to break my old 4x4 and retain control. The little car behind me was not as lucky and didn’t make it. Not sure if they crashed or just broke something, but that NW corner of Ecuador is too dangerous to stop and help someone at night.

[@a_pomerleau]

Nice trip!!

[@JohnZingerellaFLORIDAPETS]

​@@FallofftheMap, I'm sorry, laughing 😂 picturing you suddenly flying through the air in your vehicle at night. Oh no!😲😲😲 Not funny. I'm so sorry. Sincerely thank you very much for your channel.

[@combiner008]

Thanks for the update! I had similar driving, crime and accident issues when I lived in Mexico. That was bad enough, but the crime didn't seem as bad as you describe. Maybe I was just to unaware to notice. Keep your head down and on a swivel.

[@FallofftheMap]

Yeah, just based on the homicide statistics, Ecuador has shot past Mexico, not for total numbers, because it’s a small country but per capita. I don’t know Mexico well, really only been to the tourist areas of Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. Seemed like the mafias there were a lot more organized and low key compared to the mayhem here, openly declaring war on the government.

[@JohnZingerellaFLORIDAPETS]

Very good video. I am sorry that you had those difficult situations. Thank you for relaying them to us.

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks. It was definitely a wake up call. It gave me an opportunity to evaluate some of the things I do. I’m way more cautious now when meeting sellers off FB and more careful about what time of day I drive to avoid the most hectic hours when people are commuting.

[@lipmanderek]

I've traveled across the country with my wife who is Ecuadorian. The only thing on the roads I find very different and scary is the tendency (and frequency) of vehicles passing on two lane highways head-on. It is nuts with hairpin turns in mountains

[@FallofftheMap]

Yeah, the driving culture here is not one of the positive things about Ecuador. I’ve seen many terrible accidents. When my brother visited a few years ago his bus rolled over, killing one passenger and injuring pretty much everyone else. The driver climbed out the window and ran off.

[@therehastobesomethingmoore]

We just spent a year in Matagalpa, Nicaragua. Two weeks ago we moved to Xela, Guatemala and will be here for a year. We still plan to spend time in Cuenca and Manizales, Colombia among other places. I remember you loved Manizales…

[@FallofftheMap]

Yeah, if I were going to live in Colombia it would probably be around Manizales, for the coffee, the climate, and the unique culture there.

[@therehastobesomethingmoore]

My wife is Nicaraguan. We have lived in Costa Rica and Nicaragua…now Guatemala. We really have never been a victim of any crime, especially violent crime. We like the Latin culture. We are up early and home by supper, just our lifestyle. We rarely even think about safety, but things happen like what is going on in Ecuador. Oh well, sounds like we think alike….cant just run around scared and worried through life. SE Asia is too hot so….. Love your videos ! Scott n Lidia

[@clazy8]

Sorry to hear things there seem to have generally deteriorated. I guess dodgy electrical isn't a big deal when you're worried about carjacking. Stay safe!

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks. I’m not particularly worried about the current crisis in a long string of crisis. My prediction is that Ecuador will follow El Salvador and the Philippines based on the conservative fierce nature of people. They will opt for a brutal fascist solution before returning to a calm semi-socialist path.

[@MrAmhara]

@@FallofftheMapLatin American culture is not “conservative”. There is a two face and insincerity in the culture. They smile in your face but hate your guts.

[@billkipper3264]

I recently made a trip to Ecuador with the intention of maybe moving there. Now, however, I think I'm going to stay put and see how things develop over the next year or so. Thanks for the update.

[@FallofftheMap]

Yeah, if I was not here already I’d probably hold off a bit at least until after the next election.

[@techmedia1360]

hey, how is safety on your farm? Is the crime wave reaching the rural parts too? I was pondering about homesteading in Ecuador

[@FallofftheMap]

My farm is still very safe. Rural Ecuador is hot or miss. Some areas are very safe, some areas are not. It’s important to take time to get to know the community before buying a farm to avoid the unsafe areas.

[@jerrygarcia4390]

This is my third night in Mindo. It’s been very tranquil here, thankfully.

[@FallofftheMap]

That’s good to hear.

[@NanaMerc]

Thank you for ur informative video n a better understanding of what's going on there , for myself. I was born there n ive been in the USA all my life but i still have family there.

[@FallofftheMap]

You’re welcome. Hopefully some of those with a more positive outlook will turn out to be right.

[@formica.]

Thank you for actual news and tips. Been checking other YT expats, who are not near the streets, reassuring their audiences that Ecuador is still wonderful. Not if Jalisco and Sinaloa are taking over. And driving in Ecuador sounds like a bad idea if that's how the traffic cops handle the scene.

[@FallofftheMap]

It’s not that most of the other expats are wrong, they’re just describing their experiences from within the few parts of Ecuador that have remained safe throughout this crisis. In particular, Cuenca remained relatively safe, so their advice is fine for that particular area. Cuenca is kind of a safe little expat bubble. There is one guy in Manta that does seem to have his head in the sand about what is happening in his city. Because I spend half my time in Quito in a mixed neighborhood where there is some mafia presence and the other haft out on my farm in an area where there are very few foreigners I get a significantly different experience and view of what is happening. My opinion, and I would consider this only a semi-educated guess, is that this was the first battle in what is going to be a long war between the narcos and the state. Things are likely to quiet down for a few months, but the narcos will reorganize and adapt their tactics, probably running surveillance on the military and police to figure out where some of them live so they can get at them through their families just as they do in Mexico.

[@formica.]

@@FallofftheMap Sure. I'm in Vietnam but I like to keep up with the world of expat retirement "communities", we're planning to visit Central American this summer, maybe. Thanks for your candor and stories living in Ecuador. I feel sorry for the people in little countries and the troubles their corrupt leaders make for them. Another person I follow is Luis in Cuenca. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6DZYXaha5Z8eLc&ab_channel=LuisofEcuador

[@theprophetlive]

I'm confused bro. You said the Mafia declared the 11pm curfew. But that was the order from the Prez. Did you misspeak? or did I miss something

[@FallofftheMap]

No, the president also declared a 11pm curfew. I think the statement from the mafias was just a response. Like, you want a curfew we can make a curfew, we can make a curfew too.

[@bryanpiggush8897]

What is the link to the telegram web site you mentioned? PS. I like your KZbin channel

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks. Here’s the link. It’s definitely changed in the last two weeks. It’s now dominated by videos posted by the police and military with occasional spam and posts about traffic accidents and crimes. Previously it was a tsunami of horrific crime. t.me/NoticiaUrgenteEcuador

[@NeoCynic1]

Nice hat. I was robbed outside San Mateo recently. Thinking of getting T-shirts to sell tourists: "I was robbed in ECUADOR!".

[@FallofftheMap]

How about just “Ecuador stole my heart, and my cell phone”

[@xaviertayo6208]

Stay Safe.

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks. I’m pretty sure that is the goal, right after have fun be awesome.

[@dbuck1964]

So that disappearing Facebook ad was your first clue. The funny feeling you got was the second. Never disregard those kind of funny feelings, especially in a foreign country.

[@FallofftheMap]

Yeah, the whole situation was fishy. It all happened in the first few hours of the crisis, right after there was a massive prison escape. I don’t know if it was connected in any way, but my instincts told me to bail. I tend to trust my instincts as they helped me survive a few situations in Afghanistan that I definitely should not have survived.

[@gen-X-trader]

I was considering going here. There are enough stories like yours though, back your head you start thinking should I be wearing body armor when I'm out in public. Get a firearms license. You think about that for a day or two and it's like if I'm having to actively go on patrol that's not really a relaxed way of living. Maybe they will get a handle on this in the future but operating in soldier mentality does not sound like my favorite way to be an expat

[@FallofftheMap]

I think how peaceful it feels really deep on where you are. I still feel more vulnerable in major cities in the U.S., though it’s hard to say how much is perception vs reality.

[@ohmedarick1]

I agree with your analysis of Ecuador in both of your KZbin videos. Regarding the extortions, even poor people are now paying $2 a week for protection. Those people are really poor and can't afford to pay. I'm hoping that Ecuador becomes a state as Salvador Bukele-like government but, the corrupt political system won't allow it. The politicians work for the narcos and not the people. Also, the problem is the justice system is so corrupt, and it's for sale to the highest bidder. It's common knowledge, that to become a judge in Ecuador you have to buy in, between $30000 to $50000 to be assigned a judge. Of course, the government will deny that. I currently live in Guayaquil where it is super dangerous according to the stats and it has affected my day-to-day sports activities. I'm part of a cycling group that goes out at night and now we are more careful where we travel. We used to go out to different routes including Duran which is very dangerous without any problems.. Now we only have two or three destinations that we mainly go to. The group has been robbed twice in the last 5 years. We are careful now, who we include in our WhatsApp groups and our cycling trips. We also do mtb and travel on weekends to the mountains. we have to be careful on the road because we do not want to get hijacked by another car bumping into us. So we have to travel during the day and together with other cars... we are at a stage that Colombia was in back in the 90's. It's the same playbook.

[@FallofftheMap]

I’m jealous. I was really getting into mountain biking around the backroads in my area until I had an accident (on my motorcycle) and detached my ACL. With luck and a planned surgery in Bogota I’ll be back on the bike again in a year.

[@ohmedarick1]

Why have surgery in bogota and not ecuador. Knee surgery ouch. Good luck and recover soon.Enjoyed your video @@FallofftheMap

[@FallofftheMap]

@ohmedarick1 I pay out of pocket. 5 to 10k for the surgery here, 3.5k in Bogota. Several recommendations against having the surgery here and highly recommend surgeons in Bogota. The doctor I chose dose this surgery over 100 times each year. Medical standards are reported to be higher there. Even with the flights and hotel it will cost less and I have more confidence in a favorable outcome.

[@ohmedarick1]

@@FallofftheMap Thanks made me think about having surgery in Colombia. Good luck.

[@EGM-he8sd]

Oh heck no. I would never tolerate this!!

[@FallofftheMap]

What would you do? Move away after investing in a farm in Ecuador?

[@Expat-happy-hour]

Yeah all we can do is try to have situational awareness as best we can. Here in Montanita , seems like business as usual right now. Im hoping this might be a turning point for Ecuador , just like in El Salvador.

[@FallofftheMap]

I’m surprised Montañita is ok right now. Montañita has always had a lot of low level drug dealing, selling to tourists. Those kind of activities tend to be the lowest level in the mafia, the guys with nothing to lose and the easiest targets for police.

[@Expat-happy-hour]

@@FallofftheMap yes its true , all that kind of stuff does go on here . The only change right now is the curfew. But just walking around , all the businesses , banks, restaurants are open. I have not seen extra police or Military here.

[@mbwahaha]

I am ecuadorian, left the country 24 years ago, this is shocking to hear. I always thought that police favored americans or white tourists, i dont know about judges, but this is wild to me, what a shame, so sorry.

[@FallofftheMap]

I think it depends on the situation. When police are stopping cars just to check papers or if they’re stoping people and searching for a specific criminal they tend to favor expats because we’re typically not the ones driving with an expired matricula or doing something else they can bust us for. When it’s a car accident they assume the foreigner is at fault more often than not, or they just kind of feel like regardless of fault it’s more fair to make a “wealthy” foreigner pay than a poor Ecuadorian.

[@guillermogouldburn763]

People get arrested in Ecuador for fender benders in which alcohol is not involved? That's crazy.

[@FallofftheMap]

This is what I’ve been told by a few different Ecuadorians. Though I haven’t tested it out myself by waiting around for the police.

[@BubbleGum-s5c]

I understand that in Mexico, if blood is present, both parties in an accident go to jail until it’s sorted out.

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

Worldwide Rule # 1: The foreigner is always at fault.

[@driftwood858]

You and your family be safe my friend.

[@FallofftheMap]

Thank you. We’re certainly trying.

[@aeromaker_fpv]

Contact sport!! really funny! I call it freestlyle driving, some people dont understand round abouts over here for sure but driving in Perú (Lima) is a lot worse...

[@dfaidutti]

Law is there can only be two people on a motorcycle if they are family. Crazy

[@FallofftheMap]

Yeah, but it does make some sense given the circumstances, and it’s a common law in several Latin American countries facing frequent murders and other crime done by pairs of guys on motos. It gives a powerful tool to the police to stop and check 2 up motos.

[@FightFilms]

Do Ecuadorians in Quito pull over to the right to make a left hand turn as well? So strange. And dangerous.

[@FallofftheMap]

It depends. If there is oncoming traffic that will require them to stop and wait before turning left they sometimes pull to the right side to be out of the way before making their left hand turn, but it’s inconsistent and maybe happens about 20 percent of the time in the city and slightly more often in the surrounding countryside, making it completely unpredictable. I understand the thinking, Ecuadorians understand that other Ecuadorian drivers are extremely impatient and will try to push around them so it’s best to just get out of the way and pull to the right side of the road while signaling and preparing to turn left, but it only makes sense in a broken system where no one even knows the traffic rules.

[@BBTeZeT]

Combe back and visit Poland,, we have cozy -14 C degree temperature today hahaha, but seriously I wish you all the best, stay safe.

[@FallofftheMap]

No but thanks.

[@BBTeZeT]

@@FallofftheMap I know, just kidding.

[@will-l2g3t]

Sounds much like driving in Dallas, Texas

[@FallofftheMap]

Somehow I doubt it. I’ve been behind the wheel in most of the U.S. perhaps if you mixed Alaskan road conditions, Boston attitudes and behaviors, Alabama police and court systems, and threw in a few Florida man drunk drivers and a couple meth head ND truckers you might come close.

[@SRFDriver]

but not as bad as driving in Houston!

[@genearbogast7525]

Narco terrorism is correct.I recently spent time there and although I did not experience this personally, I know for a fact that the violent crime rate has increased by 100% or more just in 2023.......

[@FallofftheMap]

True. Ecuador went from being one of the safest countries Latin America to having a homicide rate higher than Colombia and Mexico in the span of 4 years.

[@DaveG-qd6ug]

I saw the guys at the news station waving the guns and explosives. scary. makes things here in buenos aires seem tame. be safe and be well.

[@FallofftheMap]

Yeah, the video of the narcos taking over the news live on air was wild. I wish I had seen that before I recorded this vid and had included it. Definitely a weird time to be living in Ecuador.

[@DaveG-qd6ug]

The night is darkest right before dawn. 🤠@@FallofftheMap

[@hrollinsnyc]

What's going on in BA?

[@FallofftheMap]

@@hrollinsnyc Buenos Aires? From what I’ve heard hyperinflation and protests from the unions and those that wanted to continue the Peronist policies.

[@hrollinsnyc]

@@FallofftheMap will the hyperinflation benefit me since I will be spending USD?

[@nicoabraxas8965]

😬 oh, I see what you mean now.

[@wholderby]

Sounds like a living nightmare down there - and by the way - even in the States I would not recommend doing anything on Facebook Marketplace.....scams left and right both seller and buyer side.

[@duotronic6451]

Link to the equador telegram channel you mentioned please?

[@FallofftheMap]

t.me/NoticiaUrgenteEcuador at the moment most of the content is being uploaded by the military and police, videos of people they caught and contraband seized. A couple days ago it was videos of the military beating prisoners and laughing but I suspect they were ordered to stop because of the optics. There’s still a steady stream of videos of murders and bombings. It’s pretty hard to watch.

[@duotronic6451]

@@FallofftheMap Thank you.

[@jackieonate3439]

Ecuadorians aren't violent, is the gangs from other countries. 90 percent of prisoners were Columbians Venezuelians and Peruvian. I'm so sorry that this happened to beautiful Ecuador. Praying for Ecuador.

[@FallofftheMap]

This used to be true, but the younger generations are different 12 of the 13 gang members that took over the TV station were Ecuadorian. Los Choneros are a gang that was born in Chone and is had always been primarily Ecuadorian. At this point the majority of the gang members in Ecuador are Ecuadorian kids that grew up glorifying Mexican, Colombian, and Venezuelan cartel mafia.

[@GeraldBeagan-ee6se]

Government just needs to build some big 40000 capacity prisons like el salvador did

[@FallofftheMap]

That’s exactly what triggered this crisis. The government got serious and started building a new super-max prison and the gangs were upset that they might not be able to continue to run their operations from a real prison so they fought back.

[@Ghos3tfac3e]

I Enjoyed the video. It’s interesting to see it from your perspective with what’s going on in Ecuador. Stay safe out there! Buy that property 😮

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks. I appreciate it. What’s your perspective/opinion about what is happening here?

[@Ghos3tfac3e]

@@FallofftheMap of course! just from what I gathered from newsfeeds. It does almost seems like similiarities of narco terrorism especially when Pablo was in power. The government has allowed it to spiral out of control and this has made the Ecuadorian government look even more weaker with the stunt the criminals pulled on live TV. What do people like to do? Watch TV? So I am pretty alot of folks there saw it happening live. People are going to feel more scared because of this. Seems like the people need to rise and fight for a good cause to weed the criminals back in place. El Salvador is a great example. Maybe The Ecuadorian government should reach out for assistance from the their president 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@chuckmorton8823]

Sounds like highway robbery to me

[@FallofftheMap]

The fender bender or the FB marketplace meet that seemed dodgy? My guess is that the FB marketplace meet was probably either a robbery or kidnapping attempt. That was within the first few hours of this crisis while a lot of escaped criminals were trying to get out of the cities. The fender bender was that and nothing more. I probably could have argued and not paid anything but for the $160 in my wallet it was more than worth it to go quickly before the police showed up. This was a very busy part of the capital in a roundabout blocking one lane of traffic.

[@SRFDriver]

@@FallofftheMap Just a guess but I think he was making a joke

[@duotronic6451]

Great life lesson here.

[@FallofftheMap]

What’s the lesson? Roll with the punches and keep your head on a swivel, or don’t move to a place like Ecuador? In spite of everything that is happening I don’t regret my move here. I believe this current crisis is temporary and I still have a better quality of life here than in the U.S. most of the time. Without risk there is no reward.

[@duotronic6451]

@@FallofftheMap USA is already like Ecuador in many places. As corruption in USA increases, so will crime. Be aware of surroundings. Stay calm. Try to give yourself an escape for every situation.

[@FallofftheMap]

@@duotronic6451 former military?

[@duotronic6451]

@@FallofftheMap Common sense. Stay safe.

[@adcaptandumvulgus4252]

Also thankfully cameras for cars are pretty cheap now and since they're connected to your cell phone you can access it at any time whether you're in the car or not and as long as the battery works which you'll need for your car to work obviously you'll always have proof which sounds like from getting rear-ended it's always going to be handy to have that I think that's what common in Russia because of things like that that happened daily I don't know if timu or wish or Alibaba I'm sure one of them has a cheap camera that's decent has good reviews well good luck hope Murphy leaves you alone

[@FallofftheMap]

Yeah, I’ve tried out a couple car cams, though both were forward facing only. I usually use a GoPro as a car cam because the image quality is way better, but I took it down foe whatever reason and was too lazy to reinstall it.

[@TIG2MAN0]

Yikes, thats extreme. Driving in lebanon is similar. The crime thing is craźy.

[@FallofftheMap]

It’s a sad day when folks compare Lebanon favorably to Ecuador. I moved here after working in Afghanistan because I convinced myself that this was a peaceful part of the world.

[@TIG2MAN0]

@@FallofftheMap I heard these days south america was good. Ive been considering it myself.

[@FallofftheMap]

I still consider South America a good option. Here in Ecuador because of the current crisis there are opportunities for investors that buy low during a crisis. If I were to do it all over again right now I’d probably be looking hard at Colombia and Uruguay due to less risk for return on investment and almost certainly a better quality of life.

[@TIG2MAN0]

@@FallofftheMap Theres a youtuber contractor called "Overseas Contractor Academy" and he was saying great things about Colombia. Either way, god bless America but there are a lot of better places to go. Health care, education and the USD goes a lot further outside USA. Also a lot of the time college is either way cheeper or free.

[@FallofftheMap]

@@TIG2MAN0 Colombia has a lot going for it, but there is still an ongoing conflict there with the ELN. It’s weird, in Ecuador when there’s trouble it tends to be in the cities and short lived. In Colombia it’s rural areas that are much more dangerous and have been for decades, especially for land owners because their rebels are, in theory, marxists.

[@GIJeaux1]

20 minutes of looking up some guys nose. Why do people think this is a good format for a video?

[@FallofftheMap]

What’s up my nose is the least of my worries. The best video format is just using whatever is at hand even if it isn’t perfect and not worrying about the one or two people that bother to complain.

[@d.f.9064]

Dude, if you're afraid of random prople in ski masks robbing you, you're living in the wrong place. When people come here you need to shop around. Ecuador is very different from side to side and top to bottom. Advice to Americans: Don't drive in Ecuador. Taxi's are cheap and cars are expensive. Your driving habits, things you take for granted, can't be counted on here to keep you safe. The driving habits here are VERY different than what you're used to. People don't have insurance here, so accidents are actually rare. That said, I was hit on my motorcycle in a roundabout. This is the only accident Ive witnessed personally. My mistake? I was in the right by American standards, but I was at fault by Ecuadorian standards. The guy came from my left (enough said for EC police to find me at fault). But the guy entered the roundabout from the keft side entrance and gunned it all the way across the roundabout to the right side exit, cutting through all lanes like lines dont matter. He wasn't even in the rou dabout when I entered it, so I didn't even see him. Solution: Watch yourself and your surroundings, expect the unexpected at all times, and dont relax. On the bright side, traffic laws are a bit squishy. If you need to do something sketchy, you'll probably get away with it,

[@FallofftheMap]

I’m not really concerned about police, military, or security in ski masks, but a random guy cutting through traffic in a ski mask in a place that is way too hot to be wearing a ski mask is out of the ordinary. It’s not something I’ve seen in my 10 years here, and your comment about it comes across as both ignorant and judgmental. This occurred in the very first hours after the current conflict in Ecuador started, just after Fito escaped and as the news of the prison takeovers broke. There were a few folks sympathetic to the cartels out trying to intimidate people which is what I assume this guy was doing. This was in a location that always gets a roadblock during paros.

[@luiscastro5456]

Why would you end up in jail if you get into a car accident and the police gets involve?

[@FallofftheMap]

I assume it’s because they don’t really know who is at fault until a judge reviews the facts and hears the arguments, and it’s assumed a lot of people would just flee rather than pay more than they make in a year. My little brother and sister-in-law were visiting a few years ago. Their bus driver took a corner too fast and rolled the bus. He climbed out the window and ran off before the police could arrive and arrest him. He probably would not have been able to pay whatever penalty was determined by the courts because one passenger died and many others were badly injured. Since Ecuadorian prisons are some of the most dangerous in the world, if you find yourself in that situation it could easily be a death sentence since if you can’t pay the penalty to get out you probably can’t pay the gangs that will try to extort you in there.

[@luiscastro5456]

@@FallofftheMap but there are no car insurance in Ecuador? If there isn’t I am not driving in Ecuador..

[@FallofftheMap]

@@luiscastro5456 when you pay your matricula (registration) you’re automatically provided a minimal about of liability insurance for injuries only. You can buy additional insurance, but it’s really difficult to get the insurance companies to honor the policy when you need it. It’s mostly just paying a dishonest company to pretend to give you coverage.

[@GM4ThePeople]

Holy dude, stay seguro. We could try to pick the bottom of the crisis (could be years tho?), then pass around the hat & try to pick off some prime assets for a song, like for instance the Casa Gangotena hotel at the Plaza San Francisco in Quito (just an example). Or maybe assets that banditos are less likely to interfere with are better in these times. Examples? I dunno, maybe server farms (think cocooning effect during the 2020 Coof for streamers like Netflix), marginal farmland that could be rented out as livestock pastures? Just thinking out loud.

[@FallofftheMap]

I have always been an advocate of buying farmland, especially places where the soil has been exhausted by over grazing or intensive short cycle agriculture.

[@yflegal6503]

You are at your own risk. South American counties are cheap to live for a reason.

[@FallofftheMap]

I feel like you’re at your own risk most places. Everywhere has some type of problem or another, well, almost anywhere. NZ and Japan both felt extremely safe. I definitely experienced more crime in the U.S. than in Ecuador. It’s just that in Ecuador there are moments when it all goes bad like this. In the U.S. it was never as intense as this but it was constantly shitty.

[@Tearanew]

How could you see his mustache if he was wearing a ski mask?

[@FallofftheMap]

Because his upper lip was sticking out of the mouth hole of the ski mask. It’s part of what made it weird and memorable. In retrospect, and now knowing this was the first day of the war between the Ecuadorian government and the narcos my guess is he was out deliberately scaring people in traffic as a form of protest against the government. I think that might also be why he shook hands with the motorcycle behind me that was breaking the 2 people on a moto rule. In the first few hours there were a lot of people doing their typical silly protests before they realized how serious it was.

[@chrisdellwo6986]

Driving in Quito is fun!

[@FallofftheMap]

Said no one ever

[@thedoubleop]

Stay safe

[@FallofftheMap]

I’ll try. Thanks.

[@thedoubleop]

@@FallofftheMap your videos by the way provide immense insight to Latin America for me and it’s much appreciated as I have work there. Understanding the landscape really helps me professionally plus your story is such a unique one that I also enjoy hearing about it personally. Thanks again for all your content.

[@FallofftheMap]

I can’t imagine better feedback. Thank you.

[@marceloarboleda2980]

Love Your Looks Adventurous but Cautious Now! I like The Noble Ex- Pat u Look more like Robison Cruzo. Maybe is With an S.

[@walterdavies6434]

@17:10 post link for notocias de ecu

[@FallofftheMap]

www.lahora.com.ec

[@walterdavies6434]

@@FallofftheMap Thank you

[@glennedgar5057]

Be safe, can be worse than Afghanistan.

[@1Grandoptimist]

Funny I was just thinking how Afghanistan is safer than ecuador now

[@FallofftheMap]

The most important lesson that Afghanistan taught me it that it can always become worse.

[@JacquesTreehorn]

You are spending too much time on the farm. You need to get back to work. Amentum bought PAE and DynCorp. Two places you have worked for. When you get on with Amentum they will use your PAE employee number from your time in Antarctica. Maybe from DynCorp if that is who you were with in Kwaj. I have been a few places you have been. I know people that know you, but we have never met.

[@FallofftheMap]

I can never spent too much time on the farm

[@m.garcia6893]

Dont worry bout cheif , EQ is a blessed country and this too will pass. Just be careful use common sence.

[@FallofftheMap]

Yeah, my impression is the most likely outcome is Ecuador will come out the other side of this stronger, but it’s not a sure thing. A lot of countries have fought the narcos and lost.

[@m.garcia6893]

@@FallofftheMap We wont. Fuck the narcos, unfortunately EQ is situated between the largest producers of cocaine.