Alright, send the hate mail in. I’m ready. Friends. Readers. People I’ve never met. When I did research about Quito, and when I meet foreigners visiting Quito, all I hear about is one thing – the Mariscal. “Yeah, we heard you should check out the Mariscal,” “The Mariscal is so dangerous,” “The Mariscal is where…
Category: Quito Ecuador
Confidence: fake it until you make it
Alright, sista. Get your mean face on. I used to laugh when I would realize how differently I walk down the street in Quito, Ecuador, a city of three million people where I stick out like a sore thumb versus how I am in the town I grew up in. I look rude. I’m not…
Beware of the street food
Street food at your own risk. There’s something about those people who try everything, never worry, and never get sick. You know what I mean? They take every risk in the books and nothing happens so it only emboldens them to take more risks. They’re gonna eat the street food, love it, and be fine….
Please dress up for birthday parties
I was running a little late, but excited because me and my girlfriends were having a birthday brunch for one of my favorite friends! We picked a cute restaurant downtown and all chose to start the day at 8 a.m. I walked in, my black ankle boots clicking, hair curled, lipstick on, earrings in place,…
Spanish phrases you didn’t learn in school (that you’ll use in Ecuador…)
So we all learned about the red fire truck and “¿dónde está la biblioteca?,” right? Well, here’s some bad and good news – a lot of that stuff you (obviously) don’t use in everyday speech, and a lot of the phrases you do need to get by you didn’t learn in school. So that’s the…
The Quito bucket list: food edition
I think I’m hungry. This was hard to narrow down. Here’s a few things to consider trying before you head out of the city: Higo con queso Figs with cheese – a kind of healthy dessert option, but so delectable, and apparently not common in many other parts of the world. They come drizzled with…
Fruterías
I forgot about the wonder of the frutería. Being from Wisconsin, we have lots of good food. Cheese curds, ice cream, steak, some corn and apples that are out of this world. However, some other parts of the planet have got a leg up on a few tropical fruits — not to mention fruits I…
Don’t wear shorts in the mountains
After living 2 years in Quito, I could tell apart the other fair-skinned blondes who LIVE in the city and those who were VISITING the city. It was that easy. One of the biggest ones? Tourists wear shorts. If you’re going to the beach of Ecuador, wear shorts, flip flops, crazy hats, whatever. If you’re…
Welcome to Guayaquil
Guayaquil was, hands down, one of the best trips of my life. It probably had to do more with the company and that it was one of my first experiences of freely traveling and seeing whatever I wanted, but it will always stick in my mind. Plus, I love water, I love hot, so Guayaquil…
Where you (should) be fine to eat greens
I accept no liability for this article or anything on this website. Some of my friends would tell you anywhere. Some would tell you nowhere. I tell you… this is my list. MadMex – walking on Naciones Unidos in CCNU mall before you hit the Stadium or Quicentro. I have eaten the veggies there countless…
Amy Aventurera 