Job Discussion Forums

Mattaro · Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 16 Location: historical center

Okay instead of criticising tourists I will target Ecuadorians,
Car drivers do not respect pedestrians, zebra crossing, or green pedestrian lights. This is contrary to the law but zebra crossings mean nothing in ecuador, be careful.
Very difficult to trust anyone here, its amazing how many people want to be your friend and will then defraud you.
Drivers will sound there horn at the approach of any intersection, whenever they need to use their brakes, or at the lapse of 45 seconds, depending on the size of their *beep*.
Efficiency - how many Ecuadorians does it take to change a lightbulb? 6 - one to hold the ladder, one to put the bulb in and the other 4 to shout �dele dele dele�. Service is painfully slow and inefficient.
Punctuality: the general rule is that the time or date specified will never be met. Dont expect a phonecall to tell you to come tomorrow, they will wait for you to arrive first and think nothing of your inconvenience.
Spitting in the street, right in front of you as you walk , but at the same time you can�t burp in public or it will offend.
People use the street as a trash can - ie. plastic containers thrown out of bus windows without thought.
The prize and quality of Pizza and fast food. McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza hut, dominos, actually charge more than in my home country (australia). People regard it as a luxury here. Can you imagine dressing up to go to Mcdonalds?? And the pizza is really bad! People here seem to regard anything out of the US as being as symbol of affluence and status. There is also racism and sexism and a huge gap between rich and poor, ignorance about sexual health and blind allegiance to religion.
Having said that I chose to live here and start a business here. The culture is also interesting and fun. I am happy to be here and feel lucky. Just wanted to get a few things off my mind.
Cheers

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:19 pm Post subject:

I just don't know where to start.

Mattaro, do you live in Quito? If so, I'd like to take you for a drink some time. It sounds like you really need one.

Best,

Justin

Mattaro · Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 16 Location: historical center

Yes I live in quito and yes you can buy me a drink!

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I found Quito more polite and the people faster than in Lima. Here in the bank, you can expect to wait a long time, however, it only took about five minutes in Quito.

Although I was annoyed that people called me ni�a

that pull is hale with an h and not a j

that no one could understand me becuase I spoke too quickly

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:21 pm Post subject:

When were you here, Naturegirl?

ANd yes, every new accent/rythm takes time to get used to. When I was in Lima it took a few days before people stopped simply staring at me and started understanding me..

It's interesting that to pull a door is "Hale," (Subjunctive of "Halar") either pronounced or spelled wrong according to standard Spanish phonetic spelling. I thought I was the only one this bothered. Very Happy

But if you pull somebody's ears, a common expression, it's "jalar las orejas."

Hmmmm.

But you've got to admit, it still isn't anything like the vagaries of English spelling.

And Mattaro, I wonder if we've met? Expats in Quito aren't that thick on the ground...either way, let me know where you hang out, and we'll have a cold one sometime.

Best,

Justin

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I was there in late October for my Peru visa
I liked it, thought it to be cleaner than Lima, reminded me, at least in the centre, of Spain.

Mattaro · Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 16 Location: historical center

Hi don�t think we have met Justin. I used to teach at KLS but The last few months I have been renovating a colonial type house I bought I the historical Centre and turning it into a backpacker hostel. Should be open in a couple weeks. Don�t know if I can say the name of it because it might count as advertising.
I like to drink and shoot pool at Patatus in Mariscal on Friday night, Busters bar across from Qui Centro in the day, occasionally Huaina Bar, Shooters in the afternoons (ice cold beer), and lately in my own bar which I have just about finished. I also like a bar called Osiris, next to Seseribo across from the Catholic University. Mostly locals and good mix of people, great fun. A little pricey but good is also Naranjilla Mecanica, super cool place, Reina Victoria pub but only for happy hour. I think I will stop here before I am labelled an alcoholic.
Hope we can catch up for a beer soon, Cheers

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 5:22 pm Post subject:

I don't know about being labled an alcoholic, but I know most of those places....

Maybe a cold one in Patatus next Friday...

Best,
Justin

matttheboy · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 854 Location: Valparaiso, Chile

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:41 pm Post subject:

The "trattoria de chianti" is still there (Italian on Juan L Mera and L Garcia.) Now run by an Argentinian of Italian descent. Lovely guy, good gnocchi.

The G-spot is still there, and reputedly makes good burgers. (I'm vegetarian, but everybody else likes them.)

I believe Forrest has left, and I haven't seen Nick around for a while, but this is just hearsay; they weren't really friends of mine.

All the best,
Justin

matttheboy · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 854 Location: Valparaiso, Chile

Forrest has left? Run out by the mothers of every girl under the age of 40 no doubt...or maybe went for reconstructive surgery on his septum...

I think the Trattoria is the place actually on L Garcia just up from JL Mera. The pizza place run by the belgian was pretty much opposite El Rey sandwich bar (best sandwiches in quito 3 years ago) on JL Mera just up from the corner of L Garcia. Started out as a tiny hole in the wall and then expanded into the shop next door.