More Fun Facts...

Continued from here.

Quirk #5: They don't refrigerate their eggs or milk here. The milk comes in boxes, and is stored at room temperature until it is opened and then it goes into the fridge. Hmm.

Quirk #6: Peeing in public is totally acceptable. Eew. Also, since most people live with their parents until they themselves get married, the only way they can ever hook up is in public. Making out on a street corner, in class, at the grocery store, etc. is pretty common. PDA, put it away.

Quirk #7: Both students and professors alike find it ok to answer their phones in the middle of class. I think it's distracting and disrespectful.

Anyways. More to come later. This weekend we are going to an Afro-Ecuatorian community called Playa de Oro. I will let you know how it goes!

Some Fun Facts...

Ecuador has a lot of quirks. And I've taken note of them.

Quirk #1: Remember Sacagewea dollar coins? Ever wonder where they all went? The answer to that one is: Ecuador. They are SO much more common than $1 bills because they last longer.

Quirk #2: Gas prices in Ecuador are up to 1/4 of what they are in the USA, with Diesel being the cheapest. The reasoning? All the oil production in the Amazon (see this post). That is also why transportation is so cheap (25 cent bus ride anywhere in the city? Ok.)

Quirk #3: You can tell an institution is fancy if they provide toilet paper for your use. For example, Universidad Politecnica Salesiana is not fancy because you have to bring your own TP, but FLACSO provides you with some. Gas stations, public restrooms, etc. do not, fancy restaurants and hotel lobbies do. Interesting.

and Quirk #4: Our resident director, Juan, is one of the most well connected men in Ecuador. They tried to entice him to become a politician, but he declined saying he "wanted to sleep every now and then". Here are some Paparazzi pictures of him taken this weekend (sorry Juan!):

He's great.

So yes. More quirks to come when I have time to write them down again.