The country of 
Ecuador
All Insider Tips
Ecuador
Cherish the chivas!
Throughout the country, you will see them bouncing, jam-packed with both tourists and locals. The wooden, open-air chiva buses are a unique aspect of quotidian Ecuadorian culture. In the busy ... read more
02 Jan 2010
by Sarah Henningsen
02 Jan 2010
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Ecuador
Not your typical graffiti
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 ... read more
02 Jan 2010
by Sarah Henningsen
02 Jan 2010
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Ecuador
Galápagos on a Budget
if you can get to the Galápagos you don't need a zillion dollars to enjoy it. First, it is true that if you go to Puerto Ayora (fly to ... read more
01 Oct 2009
by Sara Shahriari
01 Oct 2009
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Ecuador
Hello and goodbye, to every one of you!
In the United States, when I enter or leave a large gathering I hug my close friends and give everyone else a wave. Don't do that in Ecuador. Greeting ... read more
01 Oct 2009
by Sara Shahriari
01 Oct 2009
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Ecuador
There's a lot more to see beyond the Galápagos
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 ... read more
30 Sep 2009
by Sara Shahriari
30 Sep 2009
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Ecuador
How to stay safe on Ecuadorian buses
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 ... read more
30 Sep 2009
by Sara Shahriari
30 Sep 2009
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Ecuador
Fireworks and cows
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 ... read more
29 Jun 2009
by Jon Brandt
29 Jun 2009
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Ecuador
TP in the toilet is a no-no
The pipes in Ecuador are too weak to handle toilet paper, or basically anything other than human waste. So do not throw toilet paper into the bowl! There is a ... read more
20 Jun 2009
by Jon Brandt
20 Jun 2009
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Ecuador
Order up a guniea pig
Like in the United States, guinea pigs are common in Ecuador. However, you will more likely see them roasting on a stick on the side of the road rather than ... read more
04 Jun 2009
by Ashley Haugo
04 Jun 2009
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Ecuador
Fútbol frenzy
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 ... read more
03 Jun 2009
by Ashley Haugo
03 Jun 2009
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Ecuador
Tell me that again?
Instead of the typical "¿Qué?" to indicate you have not heard and/or understood what someone said, you will often hear Ecuadorians say "¿Mande?" However, both are common and you ... read more
03 Jun 2009
by Ashley Haugo
03 Jun 2009
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Ecuador
Bring some slippers
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 ... read more
03 Jun 2009
by Ashley Haugo
03 Jun 2009
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Ecuador
Eating pizza
Pizza in Ecuador is similar to pizza in the United States, though generally more expensive. Searching out local pizza places, or the Ecuadorian chains, is worth the adventure but if ... read more
02 May 2009
by Heather Heinz
02 May 2009
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Ecuador
A bus driver by any other name...
Luckily for students of the Spanish language, the term for many professions can be described by adding "-ero" to a relevant noun. Thus, an "ingeniero" is an engineer, a "marinero ... read more
15 Apr 2009
by Heather Heinz
15 Apr 2009
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Ecuador
Don't bother waiting in line
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 ... read more
29 Mar 2009
by Jon Brandt
29 Mar 2009
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Ecuador
Go ahead, continue no more
Something you hear all the time in Ecuador is a contradictory phrase. Generally, the words, "No más," are added on to directions that would mean the opposite. An example of ... read more
29 Mar 2009
by Jon Brandt
29 Mar 2009
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Ecuador
Kiss on the left
When greeting a woman in Ecuador you always kiss on the left cheek and that's it. If you are more familiar with her, you can put your hand on ... read more
29 Mar 2009
by Jon Brandt
29 Mar 2009
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Ecuador
No sea malito!
A very common phrase in the sierra is the phrase, "No sea malito!" It's usually said in a whiny voice when bargaining for something, and should be pulled out ... read more
29 Mar 2009
by Jon Brandt
29 Mar 2009
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Ecuador
Ya mismo
In Ecuador, "Ya mismo" is a common saying. Literally translated, it could mean "soon" or "right now." Yet in this country, it means anything but -- usually referring to a time ... read more
27 Mar 2009
by Jon Brandt
27 Mar 2009
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Ecuador
What religion are you?
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 ... read more
26 Mar 2009
by Jon Brandt
26 Mar 2009
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