House-sitting in Ambato

Needs and animals

1 Dog

We have a 3.5 year-old bluetick coonhound named Jethro, aka The Brat and Dorkhound. As my husband likes to say, he's borderline special needs, because he can't make up his mind whether he's a cat or a dog. He's supremely independent, but he's also semi-needy. He loves going outside any chance he can get, but he's also a fan of the couch, our bed, his bed and anywhere else that's soft and preferably sunny for long afternoon (and morning and evening) naps.

The biggest thing with Jethro (and hounds in general) is that a tired Jethro is a good Jethro. We endeavor to give him at least two 30-45 minute walks/romps a day, with a mid-afternoon and late-night potty break thrown in. He can hold it for longer amounts of time and go without the long walks, but he gets really fractious after about a day or two of us being stingy and he tends to cause a ruckus at that point whenever we leave the apartment. As a hound, he's pretty loud so we endeavor to keep him happy and our neighbors non-homicidal by sticking to the schedule as much as possible.

There is a really nice park just …

We have a 3.5 year-old bluetick coonhound named Jethro, aka The Brat and Dorkhound. As my husband likes to say, he's borderline special needs, because he can't make up his mind whether he's a cat or a dog. He's supremely independent, but he's also semi-needy. He loves going outside any chance he can get, but he's also a fan of the couch, our bed, his bed and anywhere else that's soft and preferably sunny for long afternoon (and morning and evening) naps.

The biggest thing with Jethro (and hounds in general) is that a tired Jethro is a good Jethro. We endeavor to give him at least two 30-45 minute walks/romps a day, with a mid-afternoon and late-night potty break thrown in. He can hold it for longer amounts of time and go without the long walks, but he gets really fractious after about a day or two of us being stingy and he tends to cause a ruckus at that point whenever we leave the apartment. As a hound, he's pretty loud so we endeavor to keep him happy and our neighbors non-homicidal by sticking to the schedule as much as possible.

There is a really nice park just around the block from us and our apartment backs up to the mountains that form the valley Ambato sits in. There are hiking paths that you can take up to the top of the ridge as well as a 20ish minute walk down to the barrio below us, where there's some really nice parks along the Rio Ambato.

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Additional information about these dates

We have not solidified our specific travel dates yet, but we should be getting that settled within the next month. This sit would best be suited for someone who has traveled/lived in South America before and/or has at least a conversational grasp of Spanish. However, we are willing to consider all applicants on an individual basis :)

We have not solidified our specific travel dates yet, but we should be getting that settled within the next month.

This sit would best be suited for someone who has traveled/lived in South America before and/or has at least a conversational grasp of Spanish. However, we are willing to consider all applicants on an individual basis :)

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House

We live very simply in a 2-bedroom apartment. It's not luxurious, but it is fully furnished and cozy. We're in a very quiet culdesac with a primary school on the corner. We're on the SW side of the valley as well, so the ridge is right behind our apartment and a 5 minute walk from trails that will take you to the top. Our home is very simple. We have 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Our water in the shower is heated by an electric elemtent, and it works well enough to be comfortable on the morning when it's pretty chilly here (40F). We don't have a TV, as we choose to watch videos, shows and anything else on our laptops. We share the second floor terrace and washing machine with our second floor neighbors. They are really wonderful people and are more than willing to help, should you have any questions. Our balcony off the bedroom is absolutely wonderful! You get an amazing view of the city and when it's clear, you can see volcano Cotopaxi to the north. There is a mini mercado a few blocks up as well as several panaderías within a block or two, where you can get fresh …

We live very simply in a 2-bedroom apartment. It's not luxurious, but it is fully furnished and cozy.

We're in a very quiet culdesac with a primary school on the corner. We're on the SW side of the valley as well, so the ridge is right behind our apartment and a 5 minute walk from trails that will take you to the top.

Our home is very simple. We have 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Our water in the shower is heated by an electric elemtent, and it works well enough to be comfortable on the morning when it's pretty chilly here (40F).

We don't have a TV, as we choose to watch videos, shows and anything else on our laptops.

We share the second floor terrace and washing machine with our second floor neighbors. They are really wonderful people and are more than willing to help, should you have any questions.

Our balcony off the bedroom is absolutely wonderful! You get an amazing view of the city and when it's clear, you can see volcano Cotopaxi to the north.

There is a mini mercado a few blocks up as well as several panaderías within a block or two, where you can get fresh bread every morning.

Buses go a block past our house all day every day. You can take any of them to some of the main travel viaducts and from there, go north or south throughout the city. You can also catch taxis a block from the house, and for $2 or less you can get to just about anywhere in the city.

Ambato is quite high in altitude, roughly 8500 feet above sea-level. This location would be best for someone relatively fit and/or someone acclimated to higher elevations, especially since people do A LOT of walking here and it is quite hilly where we live.

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Apartment | City | Mountain | City/Urban

Comfort and Luxury

One floor
5 rooms including 2 bedrooms
Internet access
Washing machine

Tourism and Leisure

Ambato isn't called 'the land of fruit and flowers' for nothing. This area is literally the breadbasket of Ecuador, and there are countless markets to vouch for that. The one we like the most, La Mayorista, is a $2 taxi ride away from the house and we like to go there weekly to fill up on our fruit and veggie needs.

Ambato is also known as 'the land of the 3 Juans', to reflect on 3 historical figures - Juan Leon Mera, Juan Montalvo and Juan Benigno Vela. There are museums, quintas and botanical gardens in their honor all over the city. Especially check out La Liria in Atocha - about a 5 minute taxi ride from the apartment. Sprawling botanical gardens and a large quinta to wander through.

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Location

Community opinion

clyde and terry C.

Tavira, Portugal - October 2015

Victoria and John were great hosts who tried hard to make sure we had everything that we needed. They showed around the city, left us a map, a book on Ecuador and plenty of contacts that could assist us too. And they were even sweet enough to provide us with food so we didn't have to shop immediately. We had a great time taking care of Jethro their dog, and really enjoyed our time in Ambato. Thanks again to a sweet couple!

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