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Ecuadorians have a unique way of celebrating Carnival - they hit unsuspecting passersby with water. Water balloons, buckets, supersoaker waterguns, we saw it all and a few of us were lucky enough to be targets. Ecuador has an interesting history and a visit to the National Museum ($2) covers ancient history to the present with displays of archaeological artifacts and works of art.
I think it's very important to at least learn key phrases in Spanish. If you attempt to talk in Spanish, the Ecuadorian people will be most helpful and friendly. Even in Quito, we found very little English.
Ingapirca, near Cuenca, is a site with the most important Inca ruins in Ecuador. The sight is not exactly breathtaking, nothing like Peru, but it is worth taking a guided tour anyway. The perfect assembly of stones making up the central 'dungeon' is incredible.
Please, do not give candies to the children ! Just give them something useful, there is a big lack of didactic material, instead of letting their teeth fall out or letting a child get used of begging and expecting, give them a pencil, a puzzle or a book !
Quito cemeteryHere is a typical south american cemetery. Since they are very religious, I tried to be as respectuous as possible. Many people were in to pray for close ones and family, and some were selling flowers at the gate.
People are generaly very friendly, but the indiens can seem closed and hard to get to. Don't dress in their clothing even if it is tempting as it is so beautiful. Ask before you take pictures. If you wanna get to them, try take part in their doings. Wash your clothes in the river (they all came running to help me, thinking I was hopeless) eat at their small stalls in the maket and help them a bit. This has a very positive efect. As to get in touch with the other locals Salsa and Cuba libre are the sure ways.
When the Spanish army "discovered" Ecuador in the XVI century, the Inca empire was very well established. General Ruminahui and Inca Atahualpa fought fiercely to defend their way of life, but lost the war. The establishment of Spanish rule marked the beginning of the genocide of indigenous populations, the reduced number who survived the massacre and the forced work imposed to them had no choice but to settle in marginal uplands, where dry and cold climate gives no opportunity for agricultural production. In the beginning of the XVIII century, the Spanish rulers proclaimed their independence from the Emperor, giving way to a de-centralised colonial power which is going on until today. In the most recent years, the indigenous peoples federation (CONAIE) supported the establishment of an indigenous party (Patchakutik) which achieved good results and a key position in the...
ECUADOR HAS A DIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES, CULTURES.YOU CAN FIND BLACK, WHITE AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE IS SPANISH BUT QUECHUA(INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE)IS ALSO A COMMON LANGUAGE.THE ACTUAL CURRENCY IS THE AMERICAN DOLLAR BUT THE SUCRE WAS THE CURRENCY UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2000.
Ecuador is still under a very Spanish influence and the Machista culture is still very much in evidence. It is quite normal for the women to do all the work and the men to do nothing - in fact it is expected! Also what many travellers forget is that most Ecuadorians have indian roots and are therefore dark skinned and with dark hair and eyes. Therefore blonde hair and blue eyes are not normal! This means that travellers are more likely to be noticed and find it very difficult to blend into the background. Ecuadorian men are also (mostly) totally deviod of any qualms about infidelity. They will chat you up incessantly and have no shame in soing so - even if their girlfriend is sitting with them, Also do not be surprised if you get whistled at constantly on the streets.... this is perfectly normal and you learn to ignore it after a while. Well after six months I had anyway! I'm not saying...
When you enter a shop, greet the clerks. (Buenos dias, buenas tardes, buenas noches) If you enter a room or house full of people, greet _each one_ individually - if you are a woman, kiss everyone on the cheek once, and if you are a man, kiss the women on the cheek and shake hands with the men. In a restaurant you will usually have to ask for them to bring you the bill. You don't need to tip in restaurants.
Four Points by Sheraton Quito Quito
6 Reviews and 82 Opinions I knew this hotel as the Sheraton Quito, but I suppose that it was, at least at one time, a Four...
Hotel Victoria Cuenca
1 Review and 46 Opinions I arrived without a reservation at the end of a long and exhausting day (see my Alausi page). The...
Samari Spa Resort Baños
33 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Ecuador attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Ecuador sightseeing.
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Q: Hello I leave in Ecuador next month and i'm looking a spanish school, located in the Pacific Coast. I know there is a school in...
A: Hello Enrico You're right, Montanita is such a touristic place. I understand you want to avoid it. Last year, I have spent one month in a spanish school in Sua, near...
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