As two blonde girls who have been living in Ecuador for a few months now, we’ve noticed a few Ecuadorian specialties. We would like to tell you about some of our observations, daily life in Ecuador and prepare you for how you can manage not to stand out so much as a gringo.
A daily struggle for us became dealing with currency in Ecuador. We are constantly seeking change for that 20-dollar note as it is almost impossible to pay with larger bills. Coins definitely reign here, so you start feeling richer when you have small change than with bills. Once you managed to get change for the ticket, riding a bus becomes a matter for itself, as you learn to make the required half-jump to leave the bus or make the bus stop in the middle of the street with just making a special hand sign like waving when the bus approaches. By riding Ecuadorian buses you experience daily travel in a different way, in the middle of the chaos of live music performances and the constant chatter of bus vendors. You can also let go of fixed schedules, the buses run more on hope and spontaneity.
Plus, everything is enjoyed at full volume. From the music on buses, melodramatic tunes that make you feel like someone is dying from heartbreak all the time, to videos playing non-stop on the phones of strangers and lively conversations, silence is a rare commodity. Another common occurrence are scheduled power outages for a couple of hours each day due to the ongoing energy crisis, disrupting daily routines and prompting creativity and adaptation at home and in the workplace.
There is plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in this country, which we have learned to appreciate very much. Enjoy the simplicity of picking ripe avocados and lemons straight from the tree. Attention: naranjilla is not just the sweet form of naranja. Sometimes it is not possible to even know which food you have already tried by now because it is too difficult to memorize all the complicated names. And don’t forget to leave your backpack at the entrance as you enter a supermarket, a small specialty in Ecuadorian shopping.
As a vegetarian, rice, lentils, and eggs become your best friends and it takes creativity to find affordable alternatives for proteins instead of meat. Plus, everything is eaten with a spoon. So don’t be surprised if you forget to use a knife, even if you have one to hand. Street vendors offer a culinary adventure for usually just a dollar in every corner, they never disappoint you with unknown delicacies. And you can take advantage of very budget-friendly meals with full lunch menus for often just three dollars, learning to love rice, soups, and a fresh juice just like the locals.
But prepare your taste for a sugar overload, as many people here like to overdo it with sugar in their drinks. You can also expect instant coffee on any occasion. It is not uncommon to mix your own coffee in a restaurant from hot water, coffee powder and sugar. And don’t be surprised if you are offered a bright blue drink at a party, it tastes good haha. In a culture of sharing, everything is enjoyed among friends and family, from experiences to drinks. And we would like to prepare you for special Ecuadorian birthday rituals, which involve belt spankings and smashing your face in the birthday cake.
Last but not least, we came to really appreciate the Ecuadorian slang, which mixes Spanish and Quechua words, making it kinda special. To sound even more authentic, randomly add vocabularies like «pues», «o sea», and «aha» to every sentence. Forge connections with the locals, as strangers quickly consider you their «veci» (neighbor), «ñaño» (buddy/brother), «mi vida» or «mi amor».
In embracing these small observations, you’ll find yourself blending in, at least with your behavior, and thriving in the customs of Ecuadorian life. We hope that we could give you an insight into some typical characteristics we consider worth mentioning and that you will enjoy them with us.