I am back in Ecuador
for the first time since July 2007. My flight was delayed 5 hours in Miami but after $20 in free food from the airline and a painless 4 hour flight I arrived at 3 in the morning. The next day was busy. I went from working every day not leaving my Mom’s house in Miami to hanging out with friends all day.
I walked down the familiar streets of La Mariscal to the South American Explorers house, which is where I volunteered a while back. Sitting in the lobby was my friend Marcelo. We caught up over some coffee and then drove in his car for some ceviche (marinated raw fish). In Ecuador they do it a little differently as its common to have fried plantain chips and popcorn with the dish.
After lunch another friend Carolina picked me up from my hostel and we drove a few block to a cafe. I met Carolina in Buenos Aires last year through a friend and during my last few weeks in Buenos Aires a bunch of us went out a lot. The weather was perfect and like earlier in the day it was nice to catch up. She offered me a place to stay with her and her family. Of course its a great offer but I am still deciding because I prefer being close to all the cafe’s and restaurants. Otherwise I may find myself lazy, rarely leaving the house.
Almost immediately after meeting up with Carolina Marcelo picked me up at my hostel and drove us to a bar nearby for a few beers. It was a friend’s birthday and so on a Monday night we drank and had some cake with some expats.
I had a great first day in Quito though to an outsider it may not sound so exciting.
Ayngelina says
What do you think about the South American Explorers membership? I've heard it wasn't worth it and wasn't planning to get it. Have you found it useful?
Jason says
It depends. If you are going to stick around for a while in the city where the clubhouses are located (Quito, Lima, Cusco, Buenos Aires) then it is worth it. That’s because they organize lots of activities so it becomes a cool place to meet locals and foreigners whether its just hanging around the clubhouse, going to a weekly pub quiz, or going on an organized trip. Its also worth using if their is a specific discount you see that would negate the price of joining.
Any reasons other than those are not worth joining SAE.
Locationless Living says
It depends. If you are going to stick around for a while in the city where the clubhouses are located (Quito, Lima, Cusco, Buenos Aires) then it is worth it. That's because they organize lots of activities so it becomes a cool place to meet locals and foreigners whether its just hanging around the clubhouse, going to a weekly pub quiz, or going on an organized trip. Its also worth using if their is a specific discount you see that would negate the price of joining.
Any reasons other than those are not worth joining SAE.
Locationless Living says
It depends. If you are going to stick around for a while in the city where the clubhouses are located (Quito, Lima, Cusco, Buenos Aires) then it is worth it. That’s because they organize lots of activities so it becomes a cool place to meet locals and foreigners whether its just hanging around the clubhouse, going to a weekly pub quiz, or going on an organized trip. Its also worth using if their is a specific discount you see that would negate the price of joining.
Any reasons other than those are not worth joining SAE.