Don’t get me wrong. I love a sandwich or wrap with chips for lunch. But the Ecuadorian guarantee of a soup every afternoon is a traditional staple that I will rave about once my days eating in Burwell dining hall start over. Lunch in Ecuador takes the place of American dinner as the heaviest meal of the day, and I have no complaints. Whether it be Sancocho, Encebollado, or cream of asparagus, I look forward to the liquid complement of every meal.
Sitting in one clock tower of “El Basilica del Voto Nacional” 
Overlooking Quito from the “Basilica del Voto Nacional”
As much as food represents a cultural exhibit in any foreign place, cultural differences are best navigated through conversations with local folk. I was originally very sad do be in a small town forty minutes from Quito, but the individuals I have met here in Puembo have quickly become friends. In this way, our group has begun to integrate into the local community.
One of the coolest local connections we have made is with a local handyman. He has about three different careers a week, but for us, he is the taxi driver with capacity for thirteen people… in other words when the whole group needs to go somewhere, he is the man. Not only does he drive us around, but he also tells us where we need to visit and patiently waits while we explore. His generous patience allows us to be spontaneous within our constraint of no public transit. Last week he drove us to the Teleferico, a cable car which takes you to the top of a volcano right next to Quito!
It is not just the driver who is so helpful, but the entire community I have met so far here in Puembo. There is this genuine desire to help which is so refreshing and different from my experience in the United States. One of the receptionists at our hotel had trouble directing me to the local library, so the next day she brought me five books herself to borrow. Another friend who works at the local library, immediately reached out to her daughter who bicycles frequently when I asked for a place to rent one. In the vacuum of robust online presence for businesses and places to visit, it is wonderful that individuals are so willing to share. In the US where we can simply search for places online, there is an absence of similar experiences. I am so excited to see where else I can interact with locals and learn more about Ecuador and its culture!