Travelers' Reports – Ecuador:

Name:Sofie
E-Mail:
Date:11/11/2005

Viva Ecuador!

I've been living in Ecuador for nearly a year as an exchange student, and I really fell in love with the country! I lived in a small costal village just outside Machala, and I really had the time of my life. I attended classes at a local colegio, got many friends and a great host family=) I ate chicken and rice for almost every day, empanadas, ceviche, helados, jugo de melon, arroz con menestra and carne asada... Ahh, que rico=)

I also got to see a lot of the country, and visited places like Loja, Vilcabamba, Galapagos, Guayaquil, Quito, Cuenca, Ibarra, Otavalo, Pinas, Machala... And a trip to the wonderful beaches of Peru.

So, enjoy Ecuador, it has a lot to offer, and you won't be disappointed.

ciao ;)

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Name:Lynetta Almony-Karlson
E-Mail:cisdbj@aol.com
Date:1/26/2004

As a child I lived in Quito and I am trying to find anyone who I might have gone to school with at Cotopaxi Academy from 1968 to 1973. I would have been in K-2 grades. I have fond memories of my classmates and school. Quito was beautiful to me then and I probably wouldn't know it now. My dad worked for NASA and tracked satellites at the foot of Mt Cotopaxi. If you read this and think you might know me, E-mail me. Thanks

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Name:Cindy
E-Mail:cindy1304@msn.com
Date:12/2/2003

I was two years of age when my folks migrated here to the U.S.A, New Jersey, to be exact. Since than I have been back to Ecuador only twice; I am 34yrs. I love to visit my family in a small but very lively town called, Alausi. They host a three day festival of bulls, street dancing and music during the last week in June. It is a must to travel to. You'll enjoy the breath-taking scenery. Ambato too, is a great little city to visit. I believe it's one the country's major business and exportation cities. Ibarra is another beautiful place to stay.

And let's not forget the coastal towns from what they call La Ruta Del Sol. They have great seafood!!! Oh, don't forget to stop by Puerto Lopez where the Humpback Whales make they're migration through. Ecuador is a wonderful place to tour if only you come to embrace its culture and its people!!! We visit family and friends during the months of June and July, which is Ecuador's coolest months of the year. Explore and live the adventure in Ecuador. I will update with more specific information as I come across the names of special restaurants and hotels that we stayed in as we visited certain towns and cities.

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Name:Roderick Eime
E-Mail:rodeime@iname.com
Date:6/17/2003

I've just returned from a three week vacation in Ecuador. It was my first experience in the country and I was pleasantly surprised. I came without any pre-conceptions and did very little study beforehand (you can argue the pros and cons of that policy). I toured Quito, Galapagos and the Amazonia east of Coca.

Sure, there are a lot of things that might make "softie" westerners uncomfortable, but traveling to new destinations is all about moving out of the "comfort zone." I've written my own story and I invite visitors to see it for themselves at: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rodeime/amazonia/

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Name:Terry Mockler
E-Mail:tmockla077@rogers.com
Date:5/22/2003

It was my privilege to live and work in Ecuador for a period of about three and one-half years between 1998 and 2001. These were hard times for the country. Leadership was crumbling and longstanding structural economic problems were once again coming to a boil.

The Ecuadorian people are a stoic lot. There are also many myths and contradictions there. They also have a positive outlook on the future that I find refreshing. Perhaps it is the good fortune of having one of the most naturally beautiful locations on earth that inspires them. The soil is very fertile due to volcanic ash and anything grows there. It seems very difficult to imagine anyone going hungry since there is food displayed everywhere. But some do go hungry.  Poverty continues to be a problem there as in the rest of the world. Seeing children begging in big cities bothers even long time residents who say it has not always been that way. The climate seems ideal but it is also damp and many have told me about arthritic complaints. There is a great deal to see in a small space. Almost too much. If you are the type who likes a lot of variety Ecuador is ideal. At first everything seems new and interesting there like a fantasy world. If you do not believe me look at old Quito from a hill at night at the pink and pale blue houses lit up like a Christmas tree. This is a fantasy world! There is a sense of adventure everywhere you go as if you might be the first outsider to ever see or go to a certain place. Of course this isn't true except in rare cases in remote mountain areas or jungle recesses. Ecuador will give you a perspective on life that is hard to get elsewhere. The fusion of art that is part aboriginal culture and part European is still apparent everywhere. It is like going back in time for a little while.

A lot of what Ecuador is is also disappearing so even if you are not the first to visit a volcano or walk through the street of a particular village you may quite possibly be one of the last to see it the way it has been for many hundreds of years or more. So I recommend when traveling there to do your best to go as far off the beaten track as possible. Please be charitable to people when possible even if you are hardened by living in some industrial city in The North. It will make you feel much better about yourself. The people are often as curious about you as you are about them. If language is a problem take a few Spanish lessons outside the capital where they are less expensive. It will help you to appreciate the culture more. Ecuador left me with many memories some good, some bad. But some lasting lessons about life and how precious what we have is and how we can all make a difference have stayed with me. So enjoy and don't forget to bring a camera.

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Name:Marcos Palacios Barboto
E-Mail:gorreitz@mail.com
Date:5/8/2003

I have been to Quito and I really liked it. My parents are from Ecuador. I myself was born in Caracas, Venezuela. I was trying to email Peter Barboteaux, who made a comment in 2001 about Quito. It seems that hotmail account is no longer available. If you see this please respond!

One thing of genealogical interest I found in Quito was a record of an ancestor, with the original spelling of the last name, Barboteaux (at some point it was "hispanized" to Barboto.) This is my mom's maiden name and the name my relatives on my mom's side.

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Name:Jorge Parreno
E-Mail:jorpar0236@aol.com
Date:10/16/2002

If you have any questions regarding Ecuador for your next trip, send me an e-mail. I would love to help you out with your next trip. I was born in Quito and it is nice to hear such great comments about my country.

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Name:Corinne Drumheller
E-Mail:corinnedrumheller@yahoo.com
Date:8/13/2002

I am just finishing two months of travel in Ecuador. What a great country! I wanted to take a minute to tell people about a few great places.

We just returned from our fourth visit to Pequeno Paraiso, a small guest house near Banos just past the beautiful Pailon del Diablo waterfall. I definitely recommend Pequeno Paraiso. Nina and Franco (the Swiss couple who own and run it) are wonderful and it is a great place to relax, walk, and especially to eat.

We also did a one-day rafting trip and then a four-day kayaking course with Rios Ecuador (same company as Yacu Amu rafting). Both experiences were wonderful and I would highly recommend Rios Ecuador/Yacu Amu.

Casa Sol in Quito is a great place to stay. We returned to Casa Sol every time we returned to Quito. The owners and staff are great and the atmosphere is really nice.

Enjoy your trip to Ecuador!!!

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Name:Mr. Serrano
E-Mail:fserrano0521@hotmail.com
Date:2/25/2002

My family and I visited Ecuador in June of 2001. My sister, brother and mother all went together from Miami to Guayaquil, Ecuador. The flight was very nice and comfortable. Also, 80% of the passengers were American Tourists. If you like comfortable weather conditions as in the jungle, mountains and volcanoes, June to August is the best time to go.

The people in Ecuador were very very nice and friendly. At first I was very nervous (which is about normal if you're in a different country). But afterall, it was great!

Quito was our next stop, the capital of Ecuador. High mountains and volcanoes, especially the most famous Cotopaxi. We went to the Cotopaxi volcano and absolutely loved it! The view from 1/2 way up the volcano was breathtaking, beautiful and lots of friendly people from all over the world just to see the tallest snow capped volcano in the world.

Take a trip to Ecuador, you will love it!!!!!!!!

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Name:priya joseph
E-Mail:pjoseph2002@yahoo.com
Date:1/28/2002

I was in Ecuador about 5 years ago. I went with the specific purpose of doing environmental volunteer work in a biological reserve. The experience was amazing, and the reserve is to this day one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I have seen. It requires a 6 hour bus ride and then a 6 hour hike to reach the reserve, where there were about 4 houses total. All the food was grown there, except for the rice. The water was solar heated, the electricity was hydroelectric from a nearby waterfall. The reserve was self sufficient. And gorgeous, undisturbed beauty. The name of the reserve is Los Cedros Biological Reserve, and it is under the care of Jose, a man from California who settled there years ago. If you have any interest in taking a few weeks to do simple environmental work in such a location, I strongly recommend taking a trip to Los Cedros Biological Reserve. My experience there changed my life, and my memories are so beautiful that it is sometimes still hard to remember which are real and which are dreams.

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Name:James Brown
E-Mail:jcbrown007@hotmail.com
Date:1/21/2002

I recently visited Ecuador. My flight on Continental airlines from Panama City to Guayaquil took just a little over one and a half hours. Then a four hour bus ride to Portoviejo. I was not prepared for the poverty there. Guayaquil and Portoviejo reflect the poverty there. The streets were dirty and there were many beggars. A lot of petty street crime, pick pockets etc. Enough of the bad.

The people were very friendly and helpful. Although poor, they were certainly a happy people who enjoyed life. The family I stayed with were excited that I was visiting them. They had me cook one American meal for them. I chose Italian spagetti. We spent the day at the beach at Manta. Beautiful beach, but the waves were very high.

The highlight of the trip was New Years Eve night. There are celebrations all over the city. They spend days getting ready, building huge displays depicting the past year. There were some very good creations of the twin towers in New York with the jet just hitting the tower. Under the display was a message expressing Ecuadors grief over the tragedy. Each display had several mannequins on it; numerous Bin Ladens. These are burned at midnight to burn the bad part of the past year. Mannequins are also for sale throughout the city to be burned also. A custom is that the young men will dress up as women and walk the streets asking the auto drivers to contribute money so he can buy a mannequin to burn. The people made the trip very enjoyable.My trip was a social trip not an ecological vacation. Maybe next time the Galapagos.

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Name:anca
E-Mail:naturefan2001@yahoo.de
Date:10/26/2001

I just returned from a climbing expedition to Ecuador and I'd like to offer my e-mail address for everybody who needs more information.  I climbed on COTOPAXI and CHIMBORAZO, I was in Bano, on the "Waterfalls boulevard" til RIO VERDE, in QUITO, at the HACIENDA EL PORVENIR & LA RELECHE, VOLCAN EL ALTAR with the marvelous LAGUNA AMARILLA, around LAGUNA CUICOCHA, on VOLCAN RUMINAHUI and other destinations.  It was just a wonderful journey for 18 days, during which I took a lot of pictures (about 500).  I'm sorry I don't have enough time at the moment for writing more, but I'll surely come back for further details.

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Name:Jeannette Leon
E-Mail:missyjanne13@yahoo.com
Date:8/23/2001

Yes, I have been to Ecuador, SA. My parents come from the country and have found it to be a great place to explore. The country is the least developed place that I have been to, but it is a place of comfort. I spent a month traveling around Quito, a small town Riobamba, and the coast of Echeandia. All areas were very beautiful. Everyone was very friendly, especially if you spoke the language. I enjoyed the fresh fruits and drinks. I plan to go back next early spring 2002.

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Name:Jennifer Reynolds
E-Mail:jreynolds63@hotmail.com
Date:7/25/2001

I had the chance to spend 7 days in the Galapagos with my husband: we were onboard the 16 passenger Lammer Law and it was an experience of a lifetime. After arrival in Baltra it was a very short time before we were onboard the yacht, fed, and then ashore on our first land visit North Seymour. It was amazing to be able to get so close to so many animals, I shot off a ton of film on that first day just on the sea lions. There on the shore to greet us was a mother nursing her pup, and when we returned from our nature walk the pup was asleep on our lifejackets!

The ride out to Tower Island was very smooth, but the Lammer Law is a tri-maran and I think that helped for a smooth ride. Once at Tower there were boobies everywhere, and in fact you had to pay attention not to step on the birds nesting on the ground. The snorkeling was very good here, although the water had a slight chill it was well worth it as sea lions played with us and schools of fish swam by.

I think the Mangroves at Elizabeth Bay were one of my favorite stops, we saw several penguins on the rocks and while in the mangroves with no engine, just paddling, there were many sea turtles and rays to observe below the surface of the water.

Puerto Ayora is kind of a shock back to reality but I thought the town was lovely and welcoming, I am not a shopper but could not resist sticking my head in a store or two to pick up some cards and the English book selection at the Charles Darwin Station was really very good. Seeing the tortoises in the wild on Steve Devine's farm was a sight to behold, I still can not get over the fact that I got so close to an animal of that size : simply awesome.

It was a fast week, but well worth it. Our traveling companions were most amiable and a pleasure to share the experience with: I can not imagine being with a group much larger than the 14 we made. The Lammer Law was perfect, the crew were great, food was good and the captain was always patient when we wanted to go for a swim at the end of a hike. We attracted a great amount of dolphins while sailing off Isabela Island and they loved to jump in front of all the pontoons and made a dazzling display.

It is hard to put into words the type of experience one has in the Galapagos, it is so down to earth and real. I felt very humbled and enlightened by my experience, and would suggest this destination to anyone who wants to experience a world unlike any other.

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Name:Peter Barboteaux
E-Mail:peter_2b@hotmail.com
Date:3/31/2001

As a student I decided to visit Ecuador last year and a French ambassador from Paris near my hometown asked me, "where are you going?" I responded, "Quito." He then said, "Quito is one of the loveliest cities in the world." I was like wow . . . . After visiting all its religious works of art, cathedrals like I have never seen before; and after walking in the beautiful modern part of the city, I came to the conclusion that he was right. I don't know what it was. There was something special about this city. Perhaps its setting with all those volcanoes that you see.

Anyway, as a student from Paris, I am kind of surprised that you would make such an absurd comment as "Quito was unattractive!" With respect, "where are you from!" This city was declared as a "World Heritage site" by UNESCO. That's why I went there!

[Editor's Note:  While I have many fond memories of Quito and particularly its warm and friendly people, and I think its setting among the mountains and volcanoes is certainly spectacular, I still do not regard the city itself as one of the more attractive I have visited. The Old City, and the Plaza de la Independencia, is the best preserved historic center in Latin America and certainly deserves it's World Heritage site designation, but as for the other parts of the city, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and reasonable people can come to different conclusions about how beautiful those parts are.]

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Name:Jerry
E-Mail:jerrys2k@home.com
Date:2/27/2001

Just returned from a wonderful 12 days in Ecuador, traveling with another architect and his age 11 son. We first stayed 2 nights at the Hotel Real Audiencia(***)- right on the Plaza Santo Domingo in the Old Town part of Quito. It's not too safe after dark, but they have adequate rooms at $10./pp (ask) and a good top floor restaurant with a terrific view of plaza. Spent all day Saturday on self-guided walking tour of the Old Town, including Observatory, Basilica, browsing and people watching, Plaza S. Francesco and Monastery/Museum/Cloister (enjoyable, with young female arch'l student as guide). On Sunday morning, we flew from Quito to the Galapagos for a 3 night/4 day tour (set up through Metropolitan Touring) which included a stay at the Delfin Hotel on S. Cruz (beautiful spot on the water w/pool) and day sails on the Delfin II yacht to Bartolome, James, Plaza South and Sante Fe Islands, along with time at the Darwin Research Center. Up-close enjoyment of sea lions, exotic birds, iguana, tortoises, as well as snorkeling with giant sea turtles.

Returned on Wednesday pm to Quito airport and picked up a 4wd rental car (Budget), and discovered the wonderful Hosteria San Jose in Puemba ($40) for an overnite . . . perhaps 20 mi. east of town . . . hard to find. Continued the next morning through the Pallajact Pass and down the east slope of the Andes into the Amazonas, with a wild ride on rough roads. Arrived in Tena in time for very nice lunch ($2) at the Chuquitos, overlooking the Napo River. Crossed these Amazon headwaters and turned down (unmarked) dirt road, about 20 km. past the Jatsun Sacha research center and on to the Cabinas Alinahui. This is a neat eco-resort on a high bluff overlooking the river. Our 3 day/2 night package (found on the Internet and booked through their Quito office) at $196/ adult and about $100 under 12, including 3 meals/day and 2 half day tours: one to the primal rainforest nearby and one exploring the river, visiting a native Quechua museum and an animal rescue center. This was only the fringe of the jungle, but gave us a nice taste of the Amazon.

On Saturday, our journey returned us to the Andes, with a stop in the pleasant resort town of Banos. Lots of backpacker types here, attracted by the scenic mountain location and cheap rates. We stayed at the El Marquesa Parador, with view of the Falls of the Virgin from my balcony; $6/pp/night for a very nice room and an enclosed courtyard for our car. Enjoyed walking around and shopping for baskets, cane candy and some of the colorful small paintings that seem to be a local craft. We continued on Sunday afternoon to the east and discovered a local semi-pro soccer game in Ambato; stopped to see the game and enjoy some local folks. Our overnight stop, within sight of the Cotopaxi Volcano, was the Hosteria de Cienega in the small town of Lasso. It's an old hacienda complex, with its own chapel, rose gardens, decorative pools and courtyards. My two room suite with fireplace was $33./night! We enjoyed a 4 course dinner for $6.31 each in the fireside dining room.

On Monday, our last day, we drove through Quito and continued north 2 hours through the mountains via the Pan American highway to Otavalo. Enjoyed shopping for sweaters, textiles, hammock. The main market was practically deserted on this "off" day. Back to Quito to return our car (total $560. for a week, unlimited miles; we drove 800 km) check into the Hotel Aeroporto (run-down and overpriced at $30., but right across the street from the airport), and then went exploring to find a restaurant in the neighborhood nearby, not a typical Americano haunt! Went to sleep early, in view of our scheduled 8 am Continental flight on Tuesday, 2/20, but this was cancelled due to alleged "mechanical problems". So we got an extra day to taxi into Quito for exploration of the New Town on the North . . . looking at the street scenes, lunch at a small local restaurant (businessman's special for $1.20, including dessert), followed by an hour or two at the Museo del Banco in the Cultural Center. We took the bus back to the airport for about $.20 each. Our red-eye flight left on schedule...bringing an end to a terrific and varied 12 day visit to Ecuador. My traveling companion has already made plans to return and bring his two children here for a month of Spanish study in July!

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Name:Lynne Deane (nee McCabe)
E-Mail:ldeane@blueyonder.co.uk
Date:2/8/2001

I attended Colegio Americano school in Quito, Ecuador between 1968 and 1970 and really enjoyed the experience. I arrived in Quito from England knowing no one but within a very short time was accepted within the community. If anyone was in the 'American' section of the school at the time and would like to get in touch – please do so.

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Name:LD
E-Mail:rdiaz@cssupport.com
Date:1/16/2001

I arrived in Quito December 21 and stayed in Ecuador till January 3,2001. My family and I had gone to pick up my daughter who was an exchange student for 5 months at the University of San Francisco. The people were great!!!  Very helpful and willing to go out of their way for foreigners without expecting anything in return except a thank you. We visited the churches in Quito – La Compania is especially beautiful – and we stopped at Cafe Moderna which is a historical landmark with great sandwiches and hot chocolate with empanadas serviced by the owner Guillermo Baez. This place has been there for over 50 years and has been written up in the London Times. Ipeales, the marketplace, in the center of Quito near the churches is wall to wall Ecuarorian people and you really need to experience it.  However, hold your pocketbook and wallet close to you because they have bands of children who smile at you and pickpocket you at the same time!!!!  Good restaurants include HUNTERS, THE MAGIC BEAN (excellent for breakfast/brunch) AND POLLO GUS.

A visit to Otovalo market on Saturdays is lots of fun and this tribe of Indians are fine artisans. We also flew to Cuenca, which cost us about $80 round trip and we stayed at a beautiful place Hosteria Duran for about $26/night for a suite with TV, Private Bath and Fireplace. The place had a sauna and 2 Olympic size pools whose water was hot as it came directly from the hot springs. The place was very clean with great food at the restaurant area. This area had a church built right into the side of the mountain and the people in this area are noted for their higher standard of living than the rest of Ecuador and a very cultured place with beautiful Inca ruins nearby and mummified Inca royal family members. We went to the factory where Panama hats were made, which I thought would be boring, but not at all. To see this city it is worth your while to hire a tour guide.  We did through a friend in Quito and they provided a van for eight of us with a guide and a driver for 2 days (8:30am-6pm) we paid $180.00.

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Name:Dianne Last
E-Mail:diannelast@yahoo.co.uk
Date:12/2/2000

We arrived at Quito as our first port of call on a 60th birthday celebration trip! We managed to experience a massive hailstorm on day 2 (19th October 2000) but apart from this the weather was kind. We managed a trip to the hot springs – sorry, can't remember the name – which entailed a journey over a range of mountains over 14,000 feet. Then we went to the Galapagos Islands – fantastic! We had no idea of how isolated these islands are. The wildlife was really odd – we had no experience before of birds actually hopping TOWARDS us! Anyway, the people are really friendly: we have only one reservation re: the poor people who are reduced to begging in Quito. This is most upsetting: I felt very uncomfortable. We have traveled extensively throughout the world and this was almost the worst confrontation `twixt the haves and have-nots.

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Name:Karen C. Snyder
E-Mail:karen@strategyteam.com
Date:7/8/2000

Two companions and I were in Quito, Latacunga, Cotopaxi and – ahhh – the Galapagos in May of 2000 and our hearts still sing with the beauty of the experience. Our first day in town was Primo de Mayo, Ecuador's Labor Day, and we stayed out of the old city & away from demonstrations, but had a good time nevertheless visiting Panacilla Hill (world's ugliest statue, but great view of Quito) and the Equator Monument.

The next day, a visit to the native Indian market at Latacunga was a trip into another world. And Cotapaxi volcano, with it's top usually shrouded by clouds, was a worthwhile trip.

But the crown jewel of our visit, and the real reason to be in Ecuador, was our visit to the Galapagos. Even flying there was beautiful. The old TAME airplane that took us to Guayaquil flew down the valley of the Andes and the pleated velvet ridges broken into geometric patterns by two-mile-high farms caught my breath and drew tears to my eyes. Incredible!

Once in the Galapagos, we boarded the Andando, a 105-foot motor sailing schooner with teak decks and a first-rate captain, crew and naturalist. The next eight days were magical. I learned to love our panga and our trips to the islands, submerged volcano for snorkeling, pristine beaches, tortoises, and more durn iguanas than I can count. Our "death marches" over lava were wonderful adventures, and always ended with another magical panga ride and cool beverages and snacks aboard boat.

I will go again next year, in 2001, and will get myself scuba certified by that time. Most of my friends are not as adventurous with boats, lava, snorkeling, etc., as I, so I will have to add a few new ones who are. It's great fun to have a travel companion or two.

Ecuador, with all its problems, is an enchanted land with enchanted isles. The Galapagos, especially, our truly a world treasure. Go there, if you can.

Karen Snyder, Ph.D. (Columbus, Ohio)

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Name:Kris
E-Mail:kiwikitty3@aol.com
Date:5/27/2000

Going to the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador, South America, was the most exciting thing I have ever done. I saw black mantled tamerin monkeys, macaws, a boa constrictor, a bird called a blue-crowned manakin, leaf cutter ants, morpho butterflies, and many other things. We also saw a coral snake about 7 feet away. A coral snake bite can kill a person in 2 to 3 seconds! My friend got stung by a conga ant, also called a bullet ant. Its sting feels like being shot by a bullet. OUCH!

We saw an amazing diversity of plants in the Amazon. We saw a latex tree, a dragon's blood tree, halaconia plants, banana trees, and many others.

I ate some pretty interesting things on this trip! I ate lemon ants and beetle larve. They actually tasted pretty good. The lemon ants taste like lemon. The beetle larve tasted like chicken. Yum!

The best part of the whole trip was making friends down in the Amazon. We played a game of soccer against the local school children. They loved it! We made friends with our tour guides and other friendly people down there. I want to go back to the Amazon Rainforest as soon as I can!

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Name:Christan Lambert
E-Mail:musikgurl13@aol.com
Date:1/26/2000

I went on a missions trip to Ecuador last August where I visited many different places. Among those were Cotopaxi, Tungurja, Quito, Baños, etc. The people of Ecuador were extremely kind and unusually trusting. I learned patience and thankfulness daily from these people. If you would like to know more about my trip, feel free to contact me via email. I would love to share my experiences.

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Name:Erica Carrillon
E-Mail:EricaCarrillo@excite.com
Date:1/8/2000

I've just returned from a five month stay in Ecuador.  I was on a student exchange program and spent most of my time in Quito; however, I did have the opportunity to travel to nearby Baños, which has since been evacuated because of the volcano Tungurahua.  Another volcano, Gua Gua Pichincha, located seven miles from the Quito, erupted throughout my stay there.  I don't discourage people from traveling to Ecuador because of the volcano, which is more of a nuisance than anything, with the ash fall adding to the already terrible pollution in the city.  There are far greater problems such as pick pocketing, which is very common and gringos are definitely a key target.  I recommend getting out of the city, which is dirty and polluted, and with the devaluation of the sucre, which is now 25,000 sucres to 1 U.S. dollar, crime is on the increase.  There are also many children begging for money on the streets, which is not a pleasant sight.  There are many beautiful haciendas in Ecuador.  My favorite was San Luis, located in Cayambe, just a few hours from Quito.  They are very affordable and peaceful and offer horseback riding and other opportunities for exploring Ecuador.

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Name:Faith McMullan
E-Mail:fm14@st-andrews.ac.uk
Date:12/1/1999

I was in Ecuador this summer (1999), and I absolutely fell in love with the place. I was teaching English with a mission society and was based in Guayaquil, but while I was there I got travel inside of Ecuador.  It is the most beautiful country and the people are so warm and welcoming.  It certainly had a wonderful impression on me and I definitely want to go back!

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Name:Lynetta Almony-Karlson
E-Mail:locura62@hotmail.com
Date:12/3/1999

As a child I lived in Quito and I am trying to find any one who I might have gone to school with at Cotopaxi Academy from 1968 to 1973.  I would have been in K-2 grades.  I have fond memories of my classmates and school.  Quito was beautiful to me then and I probably wouldn't know it now.  My dad worked for NASA and tracked satellites at the foot of Mt Cotopaxi.  If you read this and think you might know me, E-mail me.  Thanks

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Name:Rachel Lahr
E-Mail:rlahr@kent.edu
Date:3/24/1999

I traveled to Ecuador the summer of 96 and was very fortunate to stay with a beautiful family in Quito. I was on an exchange program studying Spanish. I was able to take many trips from Quito. I traveled to the Amazon and was amazed at it's seclusion and beauty. I was able to see fresh water dolphins, small versions of our alligators, many monkeys, a few birds, edible ants, and we ate piranhas from the same water we bathed in. My friend and I took an excursion to Cotopaxi and our group of four tourists and one guide were able to make it to the top. What a challenge and view!!! I also traveled to Otavalo, where there is a huge market of beautiful authentic Ecuadorian things. I traveled to Baños where there are natural healing hot springs! I was unable to travel to the Galápagos, but will be returning shortly and hope to make it there this trip. Ecuador is a beautiful place to travel and I recommend it to anybody who strives for challenges, adventure and natural surroundings!!!!!

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Name:Albert Terigo
E-Mail:Alterigo@hotmail.com
Date:12/27/1998

Warnings about Ecuador: I live in Ecuador permanently and have learned to adapt to the general filth and primitive thinking. The common sight of seeing grown men urinating on the sidewalks, on building walls and on the tires of busses and trucks (as you would expect from a dog) never makes the postcards. Often the drivers themselves are the source of irrigation. Hepatitis strains are prevalent and spread in this way.

I would warn tourists at this time away from Quito and Guayaquil as the violent crime there has manifested itself in many robberies at knife or gunpoint. My friend, an Ecuadorian doctor, was just accosted over the 98 Christmas season by two women with knives, but he got away unharmed after pushing one of the women into the traffic. This happened in Cuenca at 4PM Dec. 23, 1998 in the heart of Christmas rush. He didn't report the crime to the police because it is fruitless to do so. Ecuador has hit on hard times and stealing has become the way of life of many. Tourists are sitting ducks. A camera represents three weeks food to a thief who would sell it in 10 minutes. The police and military are simply asleep when it comes to preventing and dealing with crime and night patrols are non existent in most areas of Ecuador. Law enforcement is Ecuador is a joke. Ecuador is best (and safest) seen from the streets of Cuenca and the jungles of the east part of Ecuador, sidestepping Guayaquil and Quito. But be careful no matter where you are. Columbia is even worse, don't even think about going there.

Ecuadorians are somewhat childlike in their constant use of skyrockets (called "torpedos"), it sounds like a virtual war during fiesta times. To drive in any part of Ecuador is suicide since the police do not ticket anyone for illegal turns, illegal passing, passing in an intersection, using your lane when coming towards you, and general rudeness. Roads don't have centerlines most of the time and have horrible potholes which would swallow some small cars. Ecuadorians use their horn at the slightest opportunity and are very rude while driving. It is true statistical facts that Ecuador is: Number 1 in traffic accidents and deaths per capita of drivers in all of the Americas. Number 1 in drunk driving incidents in all of the Americas. Most corrupt country in all of the Americas as of an article which appeared in El Comercio Newspaper in 1997. Ecuador holds the distinction of being the 16th most corrupt country in the world according to that article. Most explosive population growth in the Americas. On a lighter note, Ecuador now has an honest president and congress and will begin to develop in the years to come. Future evaluation of the Sucre is almost 100% predictable and the Sucre is a good speculative investment. Presently it is around 6,400 sucres per USD. Heretofore, Ecuador had the highest inflation (42% a year) of any South American Country. Now it is stable.

Do not eat lettuce or uncooked vegetables in restaurants, they have not been washed in disinfectant and you may get the same larvae which infect pigs with trichinosis. They live in your brain and extensive chemotherapy is required to rid yourself of them. I knew two people who contracted the parasites from pork and uncooked vegetables. Lifetime tests are necessary in most cases to be sure the larvae are not still with you. Do not walk around with a large backpack on or flashing a large camera or jewelry. This attracts the wrong kind of attention and likely you will be relieved of said articles. For photography, use a small automatic 35mm camera. Really watch yourself in bus stations. Ecuadorian bus stations are filthy, stinky and crime ridden. Until the Ministry of Tourism and the so called National Police wake. up, keep an eye on your back here. Better still, just wait a year or so until the new government gets things under control, visit in 2000. Fictitious Name.

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Name:Stef van Dongen
E-Mail:stef@worldonline.nl
Date:3/22/1998

In January and February 1998, I went to Peru and Ecuador.  The best choice in my life. We didn't have specific plans or a schedule.  I think it is better to make a description about me and my way of traveling.  I am a student of 22 and that's why we went low budget.  We brought our tent, we stayed with families and if we slept in a hostal we did the cheapest.  Hiking and climbing are our addictions so we did a lot.   We spent a lot of time with mother nature.

We started in Lima, went to Cusco, Mollepata, Puno, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Pisco, Nasca, Lima, Huaraz, Lima, Quito (Ecuador), Pappallacta, Baños, El Chaupi, El Licto, Urbina, Otovalo and some little villages (houses!?) around Peru and Ecuador.  El Niño forced us to do this more or less 'touristic route', a lot of land was underwater so we couldn't go to the north and a great part of the inland.   We also climbed in Ecuador (only in Ecuador because climbing in Peru was not possible).  We did Chimborazo (6,310 meters [Editor's Note: about 21,000 feet]), Cotopaxi (5,900m. [19,600 feet]) and Illinzas (5,200m. [17,300 feet]).  For some good guides and equipment go to Explorer Travel in Quito and ask for José (the owner).  Our guide was Fausto – he's good!  Another good one is Safari tours.  If you would like a good guide and are willing to pay something more for him, go to House of the Guias.

A tip if you are coming from Peru: don't use Quito as home base, use Baños.  Baños is beautiful, cheap but very touristic – I think better than Quito.  If you still want to go to Quito, go to hostal Auberge Inn at the Gran Colombia. Peru was great, I think it is more fun without tours or guides, because you can do your own things and you can stay longer in places you don't want to leave!  Actually, perhaps it is better to take tours because they will force you to continue the trip you were on.  Sometimes we where sitting a whole day to enjoy our view and rest, or we were invited to birthday parties or a dinner.   If you have specific questions about Peru or Ecuador, feel free. . . .    Stef

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Name:D. Brush
E-Mail:Deputydawg@hotmail.com
Date:12/20/1997

My personal experiences of Ecuador are probably somewhat biased as my wife was born and raised there. I have traveled all over the world and have found Ecuador to be one of the world's best kept secrets. One must take into account that Ecuador, as most other third world countries, lack certain amenities that we may be used to. I think that due to that fact, Ecuador has a lot of charm that one cannot find elsewhere. Quito, the capital, is somewhat polluted and dirty, but if you look in the right areas, you may find secret treasures that most tourists never see. Enough on the commentary. If you go to Ecuador, you've got to check out Esmeraldas and Otavalo. The drive there is incredible, the sights to see will amaze you. Watch out for crazy Ecuadorian bus drivers. Esmeraldas is a beach resort with extremely reasonable prices and excellent fresh seafood. Otavalo is an incredible city inhabited by traditional Ecuadorian natives where old customs reside in everyday life. If you are seeking native artifacts and other goods such as flutes, blankets, and things of that nature, Otavalo is the place to go. I have been to Ecuador twice this year for two weeks at a time and will be returning next year for a month or two. In the meantime, if anyone has questions about Ecuador that can only be answered by an honest to goodness Ecuadorian, drop me a line and if possible, my wife or family will send info in return. Adios.

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Name:Jeremy Sher
E-Mail:foodbunchjs@msn.com
Date:11/25/1997

Ecuador: When going through Baños, you must eat at Cafe Hood. I worked there for 2 months, and the people are wonderful. Great, cheap, healthy vegetarian food. Gringos yes, but gringos of all nationalities. Tell Ray and Karina I said "hola," and ask for a chatty Brit named Claire when looking for amazing horseback trekking around the splendorous volcano, Tungurahua. She virtually lives at Cafe Hood. Any questions about anything else, e-mail me. I love talking about Ecuador!