25 Things I Learned in Ecuador

25. The proper “bus stance”   (i.e. one that keeps me from falling into some else’s lap)

24. Some natural medicines are totally legit, I’ll be keeping oregano and jello on hand for tea when my stomach hurts. (No, one does not put those two together)

23. Its really easy to accidentally say bad words while learning a second language…and no one will ever let you live down something really embarrassing you've said… (learning another language always makes for good stories)

22. Anything goes with rice--lasagna, noodles, mashed potatoes…anything…and I am truthfully going to miss it.

21. Tuna is a fruit not a fish.

20. Taking too much pepto turns your tongue black.

19. There are proper techniques for eating certain foods…seminary students enjoy waiting until after the first try to explain them…I love my friends (…I may also be guilty of doing this to our new students :)

18. The tooth fairy is actually a mouse (Raton Perez)

17. It’s possible to get sun burnt when it’s cloudy

16. How to play “Settlers of Catan” …I think I’m better at it in Spanish than English, and for all of you skeptics… we've started a nerd revolution in Ecuador.

15. Bartering techniques: Step 1: Ask an Ecuadorian friend what a good price is. Step 2: Offer a price lower that what you’re willing to pay. Step 3: Buy in bulk or go in with a friend if possible. Step 4: Know when to stand your ground and walk away if necessary. Step 5: Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you just bought what you wanted for half the price of the last tourist :)

14. Often you learn the most about your own culture while living in a different one.

13. Just because you literally live 20 minutes away from the Equator does not mean you shouldn’t bring a winter coat…and a scarf.

12. What American foods are “weird” for other cultures…raw vegetables, peanut butter, broccoli and cheese, cereal and cold milk, sugar packed deserts…I’ve also learned how to get my Latino friends to try them…hehe.

11. There are some things about living at 9,000 ft. that just don’t make sense. Although I’ve ran a 10K at that altitude, the stairs up to the NILI office still get me.

10. How to ask for directions in Spanish…I’ve been lost a time or two.

9. The closest I can get to scoring a goal in Ecuador is in Foosball.

8. Not all sermon illustrations are culturally relevant…even ones about chocolate chip cookies, darn.

7. Some cultures are better at sharing than us.

6. I have not outgrown pajama parties…

5. Often the things that change our lives most are the things we never saw coming…

4. Church services are way cooler in three languages…particularly if those three languages are Spanish, English and Quichua

3. Sometimes watching someone else experience something new for the first time is almost as good as experiencing it for the first time yourself.  

2. NILI is the best Spanish-immersion program in the world!...and I have no problem shamelessly plugging it.

1. I’ve fallen in love with Ecuador, its culture and its people.  What started off as a crazy adventure became “home”.  I made some incredible friends who will probably never truly know how much they impacted my life. I will miss you Ecuador, Seminaristas, NILI staff and Students. Que Dios les bendiga.