Comida

There are many reasons that I chose to study abroad in Ecuador. Food is not one of them. Potatoes are far from my favorite (I don’t even really like potato chips or french fries) as as a former vegetarian, I prefer to only eat small quantities of meat once or twice a week. Prior to arriving, I hated bananas (I’m learning to like them now, especially if they’re fried!) and I crave vegetables more than I ever imagined (I’m working on convincing myself the dill sprinkled on my soup and the herbal tea I’m served after dinner count as my daily serving of vegetables).

All complaints aside, the food here is delicious! While I’m still asleep, my host Dad runs to the local panaderia for fresh morning bread. I wake to the whirring of the blender making a batch of fresh juice. We have a fridge, but its almost always empty – fruit and meat (and veggies if I’m lucky) are purchased daily and sometimes before every meal. Even “junky” foods such as chifles and empanadas con queso are made from fresh ingredients and fried right before my eyes. I’ve become addicted to my daily jugo and I would no longer consider a meal complete without a first course of sopa. In short, I’m being fed fresh and delicious food (and lots of it)!