Some Lessons I've Learned...

1. Peatones (pedestrians) do NOT have the right of way. Be very careful with this.
2. If they are boiling bananas, run away (I very literally almost threw it back up on my plate).
3. Get used to sleeping with the light on...it doesn't go off until everyone's in bed, and it comes on as soon as someone wakes up.
4. It's OK for boys to stare at you for any period of time.
5. Because I am white, I get honked at and talked about all the time..."Oh, que linda!" (How beautiful!) They think you don't understand. Just say "Gracias!"
6. Only use yellow taxis with numbers on the side.
7. Malls here are not cheaper.
8. Alex Campos is one of the greatest Latin artists ever.
9. You must turn the hot water on and let it run for about 5 minutes before it's actually hot....and you just don't use the cold water knob.
10. Children can do whatever they want here.
11. Don't make much eye contact with guys. Don't go out to town alone with a guy. Don't have a long conversation alone with a guy. These all mean that you are interested or are dating.
12. Almost no one wears wedding rings.
13. Wear layers just in case...the weather changes constantly.
14. SPF 50 is a must...SPF 30 will still get you burnt.
15. You can buy a movie for $1.50. But this may mean that someone filmed it in the theater and put it on a DVD. Good luck finding which ones those are...
16. Don't touch the dogs on the street.
17. If you buy fruit/vegetables on the street or in the market, WASH before you EAT.
18. Only buy Pinguino ice cream. This is critical.

I'm sure there are more I'm not thinking of...but this is a pretty good list for now. Maybe I'll write a Survival Guide for Ecuador! I probably won't learn enough in 4 months for that...

Chau!
Amy Jo