Food & Clothing:

Though known for exotic fruits, exquisite seafood, and potatoes, Ecuadorians pride themselves on homemade savory soups and hot sauces (aji). The former include Chupe de pescado, a coastal specialty of fish and vegetables, and Locro (cheese, avocado and potato); the latter vary tremendously in flavor and spiciness.

Rice and potatoes (and aji) are typically served with every meal - from lomo salteado (thinly sliced beef immersed in onions and tomatoes) to ceviche (seafood "cooked" in a marinade of citrus and onion.

While vegetarians suffer in rural areas, Quito menus frequently offer a variety of green options. Quito also provides a wide range of cosmopolitan cuisines, from Argentine steak to Japanese sushi. Great food tends to be quite affordable by Western standards, especially if you stick to the menu (set plate meals). These typically include soup, a main course, and dessert, all for the equivalent of US$1.

Empanadas (crispy meat or cheese-filled pastries) and llapingachos (potato and cheese pancakes make great snacks, but be sure to allow yourself time to adjust to the new cuisine before venturing out to the street vendors. It is also wise to avoid drinking tap water. Ecuadorian spring water, distilled and sparkling, is omnipresent in Quito. Participants are responsible for their own meals, though some meals are also included for TESOL Plus participants while staying with your host family.

Ecuadorians, particularly in the central region where Quito is located, tend to be conservative dressers. While it is rare for Teachers to wear suits, some of their students will, and certainly many language schools have dress codes that don't permit jeans or athletic shoes. At the least, males will find that having a few ties with them can be an advantage.

Western visitors should also note that Andean peoples tend to be relatively small. If you are female and over five and a half feet tall or male and over six feet, don't count on clothes being easily available.