1. Lunch (Almuerzos) is a super big deal for most.
It consists of soup (usually potato or broth based with some sort of meat), followed by a heaping plate of rice, a huge chunk of meat, and a "salad" (likely of the slathered in mayonnaise-like-dressing variety), and then a nice piece of cake. All with some bread and juice and coffee, if you can handle it without bursting. It's the main time during the day to socialize and, apparently, eat 90% of your daily calorie intake. Students are often given a full two hours for it. Weekend lunches with family can take upwards of four hours. Many people don't even eat anything other than some bread and maybe fruit and coffee for breakfast and dinner because lunch is just so huge.
2. Ecuadorians add "-ito" and "-ita"to the end of a lot of words. In Spanish, the diminutive term for perro (dog), for example, is perrito (puppy). Ecuadorians do this to nearly every noun at some point. It's like their world is permanently small and adorable. I've been called "Julita" after introducing myself multiple times already.
3. The terms gringo and gringa are not considered racist in any way. Instead, they are endearing. It can refer to anyone not of Ecuadorian descent, and it's really quite friendly and even familial to be referred to as "mi gringita"- "my little white girl." The same actually goes for those with African heritage - "mi negrita" is equally as friendly. I don't know how I feel about this.
4. Bread here is great. The end.
5. Time here is a suggestion. When making plans, punctuality is not vital. Things might happen anywhere from 15 minutes before to an hour and a half after the agreed time. It's a serious test of my patience, but probably good for me. I call it ecua-time.
6. Sun rays on the equator are no joke. Especially at about 9000ft in Quito. Sunscreen, y'all.
7. Quito is insanely polluted. I'm hesitant to even try to run here for the health of my lungs.
8. Bus drivers are the most insane people on earth. For drivers in general, speed limits and lines of any color seem to be more of gentle suggestions rather than actual rules. Delayed warning honks of horns are preferred over turn signals, pedestrians have the right away in the law but not in practice, and I'm pretty sure there's no quality control for bus brakes. Bus drivers take these habits to the extreme and seem to believe their vehicles are only the size of a small minivan. I'm now convinced that if anything happens to me here, it's most likely a bus accident. Just today, my bus home broke down and we had to flag another in the middle of the highway and transfer right there.
Some stats to consider: Automobile accidents are the second leading cause of death in Quito. The first? Respiratory illness. Just to put #7 and #8 into perspective.
9. If you are a woman, you will get whistled and hollered at. Especially if you are white. And blond. Cat calls followed by "holá, linda, mi angelita!" or some comment about your hair are not uncommon. The best response? Ignore it and consider it flattery. If you respond negatively, you're flirting.
10. The people here (especially those I met in Baños) are incredibly friendly. Everyone is up for a "Buenos días" and friendly chat, and meeting people will usually include a brief hug and kiss on the cheek. On the flip side of #9, people here will often treat you even better if you are a gringita - the bus will actually stop to let you off rather than expect a running dismount.
11. Ecuador is a beautiful country, I don't get to go to the Amazon, and I haven't yet been to the coast, but what little I've seen so far of the mountains has taken my breath away on more than one occasion.
12. Guinea Pig (Cuy) is surprisingly tasty.
We spent last weekend in Baños. It was incredible. At some point I'll post a little bit about it with some pictures, but for now I have a massive homework load for this week to attend to. Buenas tardes, amigos.
It consists of soup (usually potato or broth based with some sort of meat), followed by a heaping plate of rice, a huge chunk of meat, and a "salad" (likely of the slathered in mayonnaise-like-dressing variety), and then a nice piece of cake. All with some bread and juice and coffee, if you can handle it without bursting. It's the main time during the day to socialize and, apparently, eat 90% of your daily calorie intake. Students are often given a full two hours for it. Weekend lunches with family can take upwards of four hours. Many people don't even eat anything other than some bread and maybe fruit and coffee for breakfast and dinner because lunch is just so huge.
2. Ecuadorians add "-ito" and "-ita"to the end of a lot of words. In Spanish, the diminutive term for perro (dog), for example, is perrito (puppy). Ecuadorians do this to nearly every noun at some point. It's like their world is permanently small and adorable. I've been called "Julita" after introducing myself multiple times already.
3. The terms gringo and gringa are not considered racist in any way. Instead, they are endearing. It can refer to anyone not of Ecuadorian descent, and it's really quite friendly and even familial to be referred to as "mi gringita"- "my little white girl." The same actually goes for those with African heritage - "mi negrita" is equally as friendly. I don't know how I feel about this.
4. Bread here is great. The end.
5. Time here is a suggestion. When making plans, punctuality is not vital. Things might happen anywhere from 15 minutes before to an hour and a half after the agreed time. It's a serious test of my patience, but probably good for me. I call it ecua-time.
6. Sun rays on the equator are no joke. Especially at about 9000ft in Quito. Sunscreen, y'all.
7. Quito is insanely polluted. I'm hesitant to even try to run here for the health of my lungs.
8. Bus drivers are the most insane people on earth. For drivers in general, speed limits and lines of any color seem to be more of gentle suggestions rather than actual rules. Delayed warning honks of horns are preferred over turn signals, pedestrians have the right away in the law but not in practice, and I'm pretty sure there's no quality control for bus brakes. Bus drivers take these habits to the extreme and seem to believe their vehicles are only the size of a small minivan. I'm now convinced that if anything happens to me here, it's most likely a bus accident. Just today, my bus home broke down and we had to flag another in the middle of the highway and transfer right there.
Some stats to consider: Automobile accidents are the second leading cause of death in Quito. The first? Respiratory illness. Just to put #7 and #8 into perspective.
9. If you are a woman, you will get whistled and hollered at. Especially if you are white. And blond. Cat calls followed by "holá, linda, mi angelita!" or some comment about your hair are not uncommon. The best response? Ignore it and consider it flattery. If you respond negatively, you're flirting.
10. The people here (especially those I met in Baños) are incredibly friendly. Everyone is up for a "Buenos días" and friendly chat, and meeting people will usually include a brief hug and kiss on the cheek. On the flip side of #9, people here will often treat you even better if you are a gringita - the bus will actually stop to let you off rather than expect a running dismount.
11. Ecuador is a beautiful country, I don't get to go to the Amazon, and I haven't yet been to the coast, but what little I've seen so far of the mountains has taken my breath away on more than one occasion.
12. Guinea Pig (Cuy) is surprisingly tasty.
We spent last weekend in Baños. It was incredible. At some point I'll post a little bit about it with some pictures, but for now I have a massive homework load for this week to attend to. Buenas tardes, amigos.