11 more things I'm learning about Ecuador

It's day 25 in Ecuador for me!! I've visited 8 cities now (not counting those cities I passed by on bus), and I have about 5 more to go. I'm picking up on how things work here in Ecuador little by little. Here's 11 more things I'm learning about Ecuador!!! 11 because I'm feeling rebellious- deal with it. :)

1. Food Fact 1: Eat less and less as the day goes on  

Disclaimer: Not every Ecuadorian eats exactly the same way so know that I'm speaking in general about this one.

Typical lunch

Ecuadorian Tortilla for a Snack

In my opinion, Ecuadorians have got this food thing figured out!! Most start off the day with a medium to large breakfast between 6 and 8 a.m. (A medium meal would be an almost full plate and large would be a full plate almost overflowing with food.) Around 10 or 11 a.m some "toman un cafecito." It's time for some coffee or maybe a cappuccino and an empanada, tortilla, or a piece of fresh bread.  This is just right because lunch isn't served until 1:30, 2 or sometimes even 3. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day. Almost every day of my 25 days here in Ecuador, I have barely finished lunch because it's always so much food. Then around 4 or 5 in the day, it's time for a small snack. Something like a smoothie, ice cream cone, or crackers will do. Lastly between 6 and 8:30 the day is wrapped up with coffee and another piece of bread or a couple empanadas.  

Now, on weekends, I've gone out with friends where we ate a big meal at a nice restaurant in the evening, but we usually walked around or went dancing after. 

This is an incredibly logical set up of meals throughout the day!

Sopa con espinacas y queso

2. Food Fact 2: Soup and rice anyone?? 

Another common occurrence with food in Ecuador is that they love their soup and rice! Almost every lunch includes soup before the main course, and it is not at all dependent on the weather. In Esmeraldas, we had soup for lunch. I was already sweating before the steaming hot bowl was passed to me. It doesn't matter- soup is healthy so soup is eaten. Sometimes I'm full from the soup before we even begin the main course which of course always has rice. Sometimes half the plate is rice! The food here is truly delicious and fresh, but these are two things I will probably eat less of on my own when I cook for myself.

3. Leggings= perfectly acceptable 

In general, I feel as though leggings are not completely acceptable in the States. I can wear leggings if I have a long shirt or a dress over them, but in Ecuador it's a different story. Here leggings are just another kind of pants, and I'm a fan of that. They are incredibly comfortable, and I look good in them! hahaha

4. Street and bus vendors= sometimes awesome & sometimes annoying  

As I've taken the bus more and more- I've started to expect vendors to jump on and sell their goods. They usually pitch their sell for a few minutes then make their way up and down the aisle. Sometimes it's annoying because I'm not all that interested in hearing their speech. In those times, I can play the "clueless gringa" card and act like I don't understand what they are asking. Other times, it's proven nice. If I'm a little hungry, I'll buy some peanuts or if I'm thirsty, I'll buy bottled water.

Some of the most interesting "sells" I've experienced are musicians. They'll jump up on the bus or walk into the restaurant and begin to play, sing, or sometimes rap. After a song or two, they will wave a hand in front of you asking you to pay them for their performance. So far I have not been moved to thank them for their interruption. I suppose some day if I meet someone truly talented, I might give them a dollar or two.  

5. Water service: Use it while you have it! 

Some places in Ecuador do not have consistent running water. So those who live there, save water for the days when they won't have running water. They keep big big jugs available and fill them with water from the faucet or even rain water sometimes. Again I'm impressed by the ingenuity of it all. I took a cup shower one day and it was refreshing!

6. Centers of town are like long strip malls 

The best way I can explain city centers here in Ecuador is to compare them to strip malls in the U.S. If I need something and I may not know of a specific shop to go to, I can just walk around a few city blocks and I'll find what I need. There are tons of one room stores here- stores with clothes, office supplies, furniture, fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, ice-cream, hair salons, pretty much anything you need or want. It's wonderful to me.

7.  Bills versus Cards

Before coming here, I switched credit cards to a card that doesn't charge international fees. This is still useful for getting money out of an ATM for example, but other than that- I have not used my credit card once. They use cash here not cards. And sometimes it's even difficult to break a 20. Small store owners might lose your business just because they can't give you change if you only have a 20. I ended up buying a "monedero" for every day use.

8. Backpacks in stores

In many bigger stores with more rooms or a wider space: backpacks are not allowed. In those stores, there is usually a guard. He or she will require your backpack to be handed over and kept in a locker while you shop. Sometimes a ticket or token is given until all the purchases have been made. This is an incredibly smart way to prevent theft!

9. Laundry: Do it at least 2 days early 

There are 3 ways to get laundry done here in Ecuador. 1. Take it to a laundry service who will wash and dry it for you for a fair price. 2. Wash laundry in a machine and set it out to dry. 3. Wash laundry by hand and set it out to dry. I have yet to meet anyone who has a dryer. So far I've done #2 and #3 at my friend's houses. This means that clothes are set out on clothes' lines, and it usually takes 2 or sometimes 3 days to dry completely. The reason it might take more time to dry is because it frequently rains here. Praise God I haven't gone without clean clothes. Now I know to wash it little by little so I have dry clothes in time.

10. Can I get some yummy fruity juice please? 

Colada Morada Deliciosa

I love love love the juice here in Ecuador! About once or twice a day juice is served. At one of my friend's houses, we went into her small backyard, picked a babaco fruit from the tree, pealed it, sliced it up, put it in the blender with water and sugar and wallah: sweet refreshing juice!! Not only is the juice amazing- they have fruits here in Ecuador that do not exist in the U.S. Some of them are: Babaco, Guanabana (I love saying this fruit), Naranjilla, Tomate del arbol, and probably a few more than I'm not thinking of right now. Thank you God for fruit!

11. The key to the latin curvy booty

This one is just for fun! If you haven't noticed, many Latinas have great curves. After these days of being here in Ecuador, I think I've figured out some reasons behind their amazing curves. Yes yes genes are a part of it, but there are other factors. 1. Jeans can do a lot to help. There are certain jeans here that don't have pockets in the rear with certain dyes that really show off the curves in the right spot. 2. Los tacones: many are not afraid of heels that give greater shape to their legs. 3. Most importantly...the key to the curve.... THE STAIRS. There are stairs in almost every building here in Ecuador. Walking up and down the stairs is the secret people!!! That's how they have these amazing curves!!! You better believe I'm going to work on it! 

Well, I hope that made you smile. If you're curious about any part of my trip or things I'm learning here, just post a comment, and I'll respond! 

Much love, 

Melody