There are so many cultural anomalilties and 'different ways' to approach situations that lie below the surface of life here (tourists don't see them) that people should know about. For new readers, I'd like to recommend a book, "Culture Shock--Ecuador" by Nicholas Crowder. It's a nice general overview in an entertaining, easy to read format that addresses some of the cultural differences here and what to expect. I have told Nicholas about this forum and perhaps he will be kind enough to share some of his insights here!
For example, a delicacy here in Ecuador is toasted beetles and corn. These inch long 'katsos' come out during a rainey full moon at certain times of the year. People go out in the middle of the night to gather them. The wings and feet are pulled off, and they are put in a big 'paila' and roasted with oil, corn, scallion. They are highly esteemed here! Also for a hangover (chuchaqui) the people here make a blended drink of the little rock snails and also they eat them with lemon. I would have never thought to eat a guinea pig as a child in the states, but it is a delicacy here! There is a place in Malasia where eating roasted scorpions is a delicacy too! Along with these different eating habits come all kinds of 'different habits' and one just has to spend the time and patience to get to know them, little by little.
For example, a delicacy here in Ecuador is toasted beetles and corn. These inch long 'katsos' come out during a rainey full moon at certain times of the year. People go out in the middle of the night to gather them. The wings and feet are pulled off, and they are put in a big 'paila' and roasted with oil, corn, scallion. They are highly esteemed here! Also for a hangover (chuchaqui) the people here make a blended drink of the little rock snails and also they eat them with lemon. I would have never thought to eat a guinea pig as a child in the states, but it is a delicacy here! There is a place in Malasia where eating roasted scorpions is a delicacy too! Along with these different eating habits come all kinds of 'different habits' and one just has to spend the time and patience to get to know them, little by little.
