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Getting Around

How to stay safe on Ecuadorian buses

Sara Shahriari

30 Sep 2009

Ecuador

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Most Ecuadorian towns have a central terminal terrestre so you can check out all the bus companies in one place. Be careful with your belongings. Watch the porter put your bags under the bus, and carry your most valuable things in a small bag onto the bus. Keep that bag on your lap; never put it in the overhead rack or on the floor. Whenever you go on a long trip, take a bus that goes direct and will not stop to pick up passengers on the road. I lived in Ecuador two years ago and recently returned, and my impression is that crime levels have risen. I would not take an overnight bus anymore, especially on, to, or from the coast. Personally, I travel direct by day. Also, learn when the dry season is and travel then to minimize mudslide issues.

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Festivals & Events

Fireworks and cows

Jon Brandt

29 Jun 2009

Ecuador

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During the Corpus Christi celebrations in Ecuador, week-long celebrations take place in almost every town. You can expect to find candy being sold by churches and cathedrals all week long, and every night fireworks and "castillos" or castles are burned down. But there's a twist. The "vaca loca" or "chola loca" is a large paper mache doll that shoot fireworks into the crowd. The cows shoot out of their horns, and the doll out of their hands. People run and scream in fear but also laugh, as this is a tradition here. It can be dangerous, and once in a while something will catch on fire, but it's worth checking it out if you're around.

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Culture Shock

Not your typical graffiti

Sarah Henningsen

02 Jan 2010

Ecuador

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In urban corners of Quito, the graffiti artwork adorning buildings is shocking not for the hateful messages, but for the lack thereof. Instead, the streets are decorated with romantic shout-outs (like "I love you, María" or "you are my princess"), and calls to political action. Or just simple displays of national pride: on the walk to one of my favorite heladerías, the concrete walls were lined with colorful paintings featuring the condor birds that are so special to Ecuador. The refreshingly positive attitude of Quito manifests itself through its street graffiti, something so often misconstrued into a forum of hate and vulgarity. Here, a Spanish equivalent for the f-bomb is usually nowhere to be found.

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Must Do

There's a lot more to see beyond the Galápagos

Sara Shahriari

30 Sep 2009

Ecuador

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Many people who visit Ecuador go straight to the Galápagos and never see more of the country. I've spent over a year in Ecuador, and thought the Galápagos are amazing, there is so more to see. Cuenca is the country's most beautiful colonial city. All the visitors I've brought there have really enjoyed it. The town of Baños also has a wonderful climate, and is a good place for outdoor sports. I haven't gone myself, but I know many people who really enjoyed Tena as a kind of "jungle-light" experience. If you have a bit of time, I these are the must-see places in Ecuador that many tourists will enjoy.

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Etiquette

Don't bother waiting in line

Jon Brandt

29 Mar 2009

Ecuador

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That's right. Don't bother waiting in line because Ecuadorians certainly won't respect that you were there first. It's usually a free-for-all just about everywhere you go, and the one at the front will be served. The only thing you can do is try to push your way forward and be firm. A perfect example of this in on the buses. Even if you are in the front seat and let an elderly woman go first, the rest of the bus will blow past you, leaving you to wait five minutes while the whole bus gets off. That is, of course, unless you cut someone off first.

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Food

Quesadillas: NOT the same as in Mexican restaurants

Emily Rusca

18 Feb 2009

Ecuador

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Quesadillas in Ecuador are not tortillas stuffed with cheese (and veggies and beans... yum). They're actually essentially a pastry, but they still do have a bit of cheese in them. You should order one when you go to get helado de paila (an absolutely delicious treat) or with a cup of coffee.

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Packing

Bring some slippers

Ashley Haugo

03 Jun 2009

Ecuador

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Despite being advised to pack a pair of bedroom slippers, I decided to use my precious luggage space for something more practical. However, upon getting settled with my host family, I noticed everyone did indeed wear some sort of slipper around the house. Remaining frugal, I declined to purchase a pair and opted to make do with stocking feet, thinking no harm could be done. It wasn't until two months into my stay when my mother called my little brother (who is seven years old) "uncivilized" for walking around the house in his socks that I realized it is best to follow advice and observations when trying to fit into a different culture.

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Religion

What religion are you?

Jon Brandt

26 Mar 2009

Ecuador

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Living in a country that's 95 percent Catholic, I often find it a little awkward to tell people that I'm Jewish. Most people assume that you're Catholic, but even if you've just met someone they will ask, "What religion are you?" I don't advertise for various reasons, but I'm not going to lie about it when someone asks. The Ecuadorians I talk to are usually very surprised to hear that I'm Jewish, mostly because I'm the first one they've ever met. Though they ask a lot of questions, which can seem annoying and almost insulting, for the most part they aren't meant to harm. They are just curious.

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Sports

Fútbol frenzy

Ashley Haugo

03 Jun 2009

Ecuador

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To truly get to the heart of Ecuadorian life—especially that of a young adult—you must attend a soccer match. Many Ecuadorians practically live and breathe by their soccer team. However, be cautious when you go to a match... and maybe wear a hat. I discovered the fans often pass around rolled up "sticks" of newspaper and light them on fire to serve as torches. While the sea of light makes quite a beautiful spectacle around the stadium, I found I had to keep close vigil so that none of the flaming pieces of paper that broke off landed on me!

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Health

End that stomach pain without going to the doctor

Emily Rusca

17 Feb 2009

Ecuador

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When your intestines feel like they're going to explode because they're filled up with gas or you have nothing left inside of you after a long night of no sleep and a lot of time in the bathroom, you've probably got yourself an infection. If you've had unboiled water, get yourself to the doctor. If you've just eaten street food, head to the nearest pharmacy and ask for "10 tabletas de ciprofloxacino" and "suero" (saline solution). Take one pill once every 12 hours. The "suero" is to get yourself rehydrated with electrolytes. You'll be just fine in a couple of days--but no alcohol, as this pill is an antibiotic!

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Slang

Everything's an -ito (and not because it's small)

Emily Rusca

18 Feb 2009

Ecuador

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In Ecuador, almost everything anyone says ends up with the diminutive -ito or -ita at the end: cafecito, pancito, momentito, etc. When someone says, "aquicito nomás," that doesn't necessarily mean that whatever they're talking about is actually RIGHT THERE. It probably means a couple of blocks away. It's just an Ecuadorian affectionate/cultural thing that everyone makes everything an -ito or an -ita, no matter what the size or distance. It's pretty cute, actually, and is a quintessentially Ecuadorian habit to pick up while you're there. You'll find yourself calling a big doberman "un perrito" even!

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Being an American

"Gringo" isn't all that bad

Emily Rusca

18 Feb 2009

Ecuador

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The term "gringo," though invented as a derogatory term, doesn't always mean that an Ecuadorian hates you. Many host families are proud of their "gringitos" and use it actually as a term of affection. La Mariscal in Quito, the main clubbing/restaurant/bar area of Quito, is nicknamed "Gringolandia." Gringos are generally loved in Ecuador, even if they are thought to be filthy rich and get robbed sometimes.

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