Gustavo Villeda — To another place with my music

My Family were the most difficult thing about leaving my country. I come from a large family, I have four siblings, seven nephews, and at that time my grandparents were still alive, and of course my parents… Always such a close family, doing everything together, very united…

I basically decided to leave my country because I was in love with who is my wife today. She received an offer for work in Atlanta, Georgia USA.

The thing that struck me the most when I arrived for the first time, was the totally inhospitable weather as I arrived in the middle of the winter. We couldn’t find the hotel, so we went to a gas station to try to figure out where it was. When we called the hotel to get directions, we told them we were near a Burger King… Of course they laughed out loud as there are Burger Kings everywhere… One way or another we found the hotel.

But what struck me the most was the harsh winter, so raw. The wind was blowing hard, snow was falling and of course I missed the spring.

Using my bilingual abilities, I was able to work as an interpreter in Cobb County for the School District. I have been working in this position for the last four years.

The best thing that has happened to me in this country, apart from having my two wonderful children, was buying this home. We got approved by the bank, thanks to our hard work and sacrifices.

Would I go back home? The answer is yes. It’s like the Americans say: It’s a no-brainer question. I don’t even have to think about it: I would love to retire in Ecuador.

My wife and I have talked about this a lot, and we think Ecuador is one of the best countries in the world for a nice and peaceful retirement. Even better with an American pension!