…or anywhere else. I can’t count how many times I bought an item from an artisan on the street or in an outdoor market in different cities in Ecuador. I’m not new to artisanal markets, but my trips here in Ecuador were definitely more successful and kind to my pocket because of a few tipsContinue reading “A Shopaholic’s Guide to Artisanal Markets in Ecuador”
Author Archives: Same Footprints Blog
A Hard Goodbye
Sunday, July 9, 2017 The Ecuador Journals: #7 Final Part “No, I haven’t tried quimbolito, but I want to,” I said to C in Spanish. “You haven’t tried it because you haven’t come to my house”, she replied in more fluent Spanish. What followed was an invitation to her house which we regretfully turned downContinue reading “A Hard Goodbye”
A Forest of Clouds
Another week, another part of this country ticked off a list I never had. If you had told me in May that I’d get to see this much of Ecuador, I would have asked you where the time would come from. Between our often busy weekly schedules and my graduate research project, I didn’t expectContinue reading “A Forest of Clouds”
6 Misconceptions about Travel
The other day, my friend and I were talking about common travel misconceptions and I felt inspired to bring the discussion to my blog. Some of these I’ve always known to be misbeliefs, while the rest I’ve learned while traveling or planning for travel. 1.You have to leave your home country to TRAVEL. Not always. TravelContinue reading “6 Misconceptions about Travel”
Clear Blue Skies
Sunday, June 25, 2017 The Ecuador Journals #6 On some mornings, very rarely, the skies up here in the mountains are an almost crystal clear shade of blue. On days like this, if you’re in the right spot, you can see the peaks of mountains and snow-capped volcanoes. But every day isn’t like this; onContinue reading “Clear Blue Skies”
Have you been to Baños?
“Conociste a Baños?” “Have you been to/ visited Baños?” For the past few weeks, my answer to this question had been no. In response to this, I would often receive a reply saying I had to visit Baños. Now, I know why. From hiking up Ilaló mountain to spending a relaxing weekend at the beachContinue reading “Have you been to Baños?”
La Vida Ecuatoriana
The Ecuador Journals #5 Monday, June 19, 2017 L & C had invited friends over to their home for pizza, drinks, and dessert. As we ate, I tried to follow along with the conversation that eventually became so rapid and filled with novel words that I struggled a bit. Before I could translate a phraseContinue reading “La Vida Ecuatoriana”
Ecuador: The Country of Love
Sunday, June 11, 2017 The Ecuador Journals #4 I had just hit my toe on a rock while trying to say hello to some kids on the street. Note to Self: Look where you’re going. As I sat at the bus stop trying to stop the bleeding, an older man walked up to me findContinue reading “Ecuador: The Country of Love”
The Middle of the World?
What do you do when you find out everything you’ve ever known is wrong? Okay, I’m being a tad dramatic here. I had only known about this place for 2 weeks, and it’s hardly everything I’ve ever known. ∗∗∗ On a particularly sunny and clear Sunday afternoon, a few of us interns arrived at Ciudad MitadContinue reading “The Middle of the World?”
The Kids Are Alright.
Sunday, June 4, 2017 The Ecuador Journals #3 It was time to clock out from one of my shifts at the Centro (center) where we work, when a little kid who wasn’t even as tall as the table walked up to me, stretched out his hands towards mine and said “ciao!”. He hadn’t spoken toContinue reading “The Kids Are Alright.”