Integrated?

After living in Ecuador for almost two years I have come to learn a few things. A few things that now seem normal to me, but I remember were strange when we first got here. I would like to think I have at least a better understanding of the thoughts behind some of these things, but if anything they are fun to reflect on.

Halls can be candy

Eric's favorite street food; grilled meat.

I remember the first time someone turned to me and offered me a Halls like it was a mint or gum. I was confused. Then a second time I picked a piece of candy out of a random bowl of candy to find it had a Hallsy menthol flavor. Interesting... I can't figure out this one. I remember as a kid eating those Luden's sore throat lozenges and my dad telling me that they weren't candy. But now I eat Hall's like the rest (take that, dad) and I'm even starting to enjoy the cool sensation when you breath in.

Here's an up close picture. The coloring is a little off. 

There is a parent of some kids that were in our English club that gives Eric an unopened pack of halls every time she sees him. It makes me think that she goes around carrying a bunch in her purse in case the occasion arises where she needs to give one away.

Toilet paper can be scented
I guess maybe I never thought of this being a necessity before but then again we don't throw way our toilet paper in the trash can in the US. You would be hard pressed to find toilet paper that is unscented here. I've tried. The jury is still out in my opinion whether or not this is a good thing. I'll let you think about it on your own and decide for yourself.

Salad of onions

Eric passing out candy for Halloween at the school.

When we first got in country this is something I never thought I would eat. I remember reading on menus or listening to the almuerzo choices and thinking, "Oh a side salad, that sounds good." I was always disappointed when that salad included red onions and tomatoes or a random assortment of vegetables with mayonnaise. This one isn't really too different from what we have. I mean we do have potato salad, pasta salad, fruit salad, etc. I guess what took some getting used to is that there is no specifying what your salad is. If it comes with a salad, it could be almost anything not to mention only onions. I hate raw onions (although the way they soak them in salt here seems to take some of the bite out). Anyway, now I don't think twice about what the salad is. I just mix it in with my rice and eat it.

Continuing our celebration of Halloween with our town.

Drinks in plastic bags
I remember the first time I got an almuerzo to-go to find my fruit juice put in a plastic bag. I love this! It is very common to see people with to-go drinks in a bag. Sometimes there is a straw and sometimes you just bite a hole in the corner and drink it like a big melted freeze pop. It seems smart to me. The plastic isn't the best, but it takes up less space in the trash. I bet there is a bio-degradable material that could be used now...

Next in line please...
Wait, there's a line? I haven't quite figured out what the order in lines is, or maybe there isn't any. I have to say that it completely depends on where you are, but  it is not at all uncommon to be standing in line to have someone walk to the very front. Ooo this gets me. Something else interesting is when using the public bathrooms often people will stand in front of a stall instead of standing in line and waiting until the next opens up. This has so far worked to my advantage, but you just hope you don't pick the wrong stall with someone who takes a long time.

These are just a few normal aspects of life here in Ecuador we have grown accustomed to. As we think of more we will continue to share them in future posts.

For the fiestas of the school Eric put together a Family Feud style English competition for the students.

Another picture from the English competition