The search for Internet...

Our first week in Ecuador has definitely been different than anticipated.  After Carnaval the hostel we were staying at almost cleared out and the population of Canoa dropped by at least 50%.  The streets have quieted down and the true beauty of this small town has begun to shine through.  However, so have the downsides.  The main downside being the lack of Internet.

I had originally thought that I could live anywhere in the world.  I have recently learned that that statement should be clarified-- I can live anywhere in the world that has a working Internet connection.

Dan and my first few days here were spent traveling around the town to every hostel to check the Internet speeds.  I feel like a spoiled American endlessly searching to find an Internet connection equivalent to the one I had in the States.  Ecuadorians here don't seem to understand the importance of Internet since most of them or either vacationing or don't rely solely on the Internet as their source of income.

A few of my lessons had to be cancelled and others tested not only English skills, but also the patience of my students.  After a few days of searching, we decided that we'd have to pay up for our own connection, or leave this town.

That's when an opportunity was offered to us.  The couple managing our hostel told us that they were leaving for a month and asked if Dan and I would run the hostel while they were gone.  They told us that they'd try their best to get a router and Internet connection installed before they left.  Our sole responsibilities would be to tidy up the rooms, refill the water jugs, empty the trash, and feed the dogs.  In exchange we'd have a free place to stay, and the pretty cool experience of running a hostel.  At first this idea sounded great...but soon we began to learn more.

The hostel was not registered and not legally allowed to be operating.  No wonder all Ecuadorians were turned away!  The owners were drug dealers.  Last year there was some sort of fight in the hostel that led to things being set on fire.  After doing some research and learning that the punishment for being caught with drugs could be twelve years in an Ecuadorian prison and that Ecuadorians were guilty until proven innocent, Dan and I decided to decline the offer.

Instead we moved into a beautiful condo complex 15 minutes down the road with Internet already installed.  We're renting the condo for 2 weeks until we decide what to do next...

Our current home...

Things I've learned so far about Ecuador:

Getting about 20 small bug bites on each elbow is a normal occurrence and something not to be worried about.

The drug trade is quite rampant on the coast.

It is normal for giant lizards (slash miniature crocodiles) and fist-sized crabs to run around hostels.

It is possible to eat a meal containing shrimp for $2.

I've learned the definition of the slang term "square" and that Dan and I are as square as they come.

Salt-water showers don't do wonders for the skin.  And salt-water teeth brushing isn't so great, either.

I can tell almost the exact humidity level by the curliness of my hair.

I have no self-restraint when it comes to itching my mosquito bites.  This has and will continue to result in scars developing on my legs.  But at the time, it's worth it.

Wi-fi is pronounced "wee-fee" and I love to say it.