Andrea in Ecuador
Wednesday, June 29, 2005 10:53 PM

Claudine and Eve and I came up with two lists of why Ecuador is cool, one is the sarcastic version and the other version has real reasons we think Ecuador is cool. Thought I should warn you about the sarcastic version though. It is SARCASTIC, got it? especially #6 & 15. We had a good time with the sarcastic ones...they were much easier to write although there are many reasons Ecuador really is cool. I'd say the people here are much friendlier and welcoming here than in North America or Europe, especially considering the cities are so big. Some would say it's because we bring money to spend here and boost the economy but I actually think most of it is genuine.

Here are the lists.

Why Ecuador is cool (Sarcastic Version)

  1. You can throw your garbage anywhere, at any time...or all the time.
  2. There are no child safety laws...or any safety laws.
  3. Honking is appropriate for any occassion (e.g., look out! you're cute!, need a ride? or, get out of my way pronto!).
  4. Traffic is fluid and lanes don't matter (i.e. 4 cars for two lanes is ok).
  5. You can drive as fast as you want and dodge pedestrians at will.
  6. You can have as many boyfriends as you like as long as they are not in the same room.
  7. You can buy pork fat on every corner.
  8. You can buy a dog in a bag at the market or just pick one up off the street.
  9. You can build giant paper maché castles and set off fireworks from them (setting someone's pants on fire is fun).
  10. Toilet paper (or seats) is (are) optional.
  11. You can get your soup with chicken feet or your meal with cow stomach.
  12. Seatbelts are for woosies.
  13. Cilantro is in every meal.
  14. You can always find a sexy Jesus.
  15. You can always get forgiveness on Sunday (in confession) for what you did Saturday night.
  16. There are always entertaining brand names like Snob jam or Horneyman tea.
  17. Drinking cocaine (coca tea) isn't illegal.
  18. You can eat any meal with a spoon (forks are in short supply for some reason).
  19. The disinfectant of choice (Zumir) is also "drinkable"
  20. Bodily functions are never private.

Now for the real reasons Ecuador is cool:

  1. You can buy almost anything for a dollar or less.
  2. You can get to your destination muy rapido (very quickly; $1 to taxi anywhere in the city of Riobamba or 10 cents for the bus).
  3. Salsa dancing is fun (the men can actually dance...and they do).
  4. Avacados rock.
  5. Internet access is easy to find and inexpensive.
  6. Even Claudine (5'1") is tall.
  7. Even the garbage truck has a jingle (song).
  8. You can buy anything you might want in the street (e.g. blender, broom, dog, chicken, fruit, belt, ice cream, propane, dry cleaning, bottled water, fried potatoes, or a small child...just kidding on that last one...at least we think so).
  9. The scenery is breathtaking (if you mentally block out the garbage).
  10. Massage for 1 hour $25 and swank hotel/spa for $15 in Baños.
  11. There is a traditional remedy for any illness.
  12. Alpaca is soft, warm, and beautiful.
  13. Every price is negotiable.
  14. You can buy a dvd of a brand new movie that's playing in the theatre (sounds of people crunching on popcorn doesn't cost any extra).
  15. Music choices in restaurants, internet cafes, and stores are always surprizing (and often humurous).

Here are some photos of the excavation at Sicalpa Vieja Iglesia.

Here are pictures from our end of the season party in Sicalpa, as well as a post end of the season gathering at Chiefa Hong Kong after our trip to the Banco Central Museum with the workers from Sicalpa and their families. This was the first time any of them had ever heard of or been to the museum. It was also the first time they had ever had Chinese food.

A few more photos:

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Last updated July 1, 2005