My Host Family’s B&B

I had no idea before coming to Ecuador that I’d end up not only meeting Ecuadorians, but also people from many other countries, such as Australia and Japan. It turns out that my host family owns a Bed & Breakfast (although technically it’s more of a Bed & Breakfast & Dinner). So far I’ve really enjoyed the experience. I get the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, learn about their backgrounds, and find out why they’ve chosen to come to Ecuador.

The reasons are numerous. Some are students, studying Spanish at the local Spanish school. One was taking a vacation after having spent several months working on intelligence in Afghanistan. Another is completing a fellowship in the coast of Ecuador, helping a village with microfinance and tourism.

Although some of the guests are staying for extended periods of time, I’m the one staying with my host family the longest. It’s a bit of a strange experience, because at some point, the guests will up and leave, but I stay behind. I think I prefer the permanence, though. It’s nice to be able to recommend places to travel to and to really get the chance to be immersed in Ecuadorian culture.

Currently, there’s a student from Holland staying in the downstairs apartment. In a couple weeks, though, who knows who will arrive?

I’m looking forward to the adventure.