How to Become an Ecuadorian...

Living in Ecuador isn't that easy. Between the altitude, the rapidly changing weather, street muggers, the terrain (which can lead to accidents involving feet and bookcases), and inevitable food sickness (which I am currently experiencing less than a week into my stay), it takes a somewhat strong-willed person to thrive here. The native Ecuadorians definitely have that mentality. I have had conversations with both my host mother and my Spanish language teacher about what it is like for them to live and work in a country that for North Americans is so cheap, but for natives is relatively expensive. The people here work hard and have little to show for it. Each day is a constant reminder of how lucky we Americans are to have daily modern conveniences like indoor heating and AC, steaming hot showers, clean tap water, FAA food regulations, personal computers and internet access, and the ability to experience personal gain from hard work. Here, it is nearly impossible for the middle class (which is much poorer than the middle class in America) to become wealthy or to improve their conditions at all. And since the people here are so poor relative to other countries, they cannot afford to move to a place where they might find better opportunities. In a sense, they are stuck, working day to day, living dollar by dollar. 

Despite this, the people here are so incredibly good-natured and agreeable. Everyone I have come into contact with is positive and happy. Maybe this is a result of the fact that Quito is so beautifully situated. While much of the city is rundown, the backdrop is breathtaking. All you have to do is peel your eyes away from the fast-moving taxis, street vendors, and crowded

 streets for a second to look up between the buildings and see the mountains (which surround the city from every angle). During the day, you can see each individual house built on the mountainside, the trees, the rocks, and the clouds. Some of the clouds float halfway up the mountains so that the people who live there have only to look out their bedroom window to see them. During the nigh

t, all the little houses are lit up with people eating dinner or visiting with family. The side of the mountains look like they have been carefully decorated with Christmas lights for some festive celebration. Coming from Dallas and Ohio, which are both extremely flat, it's fantastic to have such a beautiful landscape each and every day. 

Food, on the other hand, is a completely different matter. Those of you who know me best know that I am a big fan of food, which can make traveling to certain places somewhat difficult. The good thing about the food here is that it's cheap. A typical "almuerzo" that you find at most street cafes costs about $1.50 to $2, a roll at the Panaderia is anywhere from 30 to 60 cents, and when they're in season, I hear you can buy avocados 6 for a dollar. The bad thing about food is that a lot of it is unsanitary for Americans (especially fruit washed with tap water), and Ecuadorians don't seem to know anything about the food pyramid. Every lunch and dinner I've eaten has for the most part consisted of potatoes, rice, rolls, and some type of meat. I am completely starched out. At least with breakfast we have a plate of fruit and some cheese to put on the rolls, but in 6 days I've been served vegetables once (and they weren't very good). What I wouldn't give for a huge salad from Central Market! I can't wait until we move into the Manna house in two weeks and begin cooking for ourselves. Does anyone have a good recipe for enchiladas?