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As the world clusters in fear of what glorified movies have unfairly painted of the world today, this travel writer is out there to help you reset that reality and unveil the true color and pallet of these regions.

Ecuador – The Sprawl, the Civilization

Mention travel in Ecuador to the average person and the response is generally met by caution. As my flight came in 10:30 at night over Quito, the capital of Ecuador, I could easily see from my tiny cabin window the dense sprawl of city lights and thoroughfares flowing over rolling hills that this was going to be no small adventure.

By daylight, I discover that Ecuador is several steps above Mexico’s tourist haven where tourists vacation in clean gated hotels and condos in cities built strictly on the façade of tradition while the local workers live in slum mere meters away. On the contrary, much of the people of metropolis Ecuador live in dignity. Perhaps more similarly equated to my resent sabbatical in Spain. But rightfully so, the Spanish invaders and colonizers of 470 years ago still hold a significant influence on the evolution of this civilization, today comfortably honouring both Incan and Spanish characteristics.

For those of you familiar with my travel writing, it is to no surprise that yours truly couldn’t wait to get off the beaten trail to explore and discover the real world. Ecuador made this easy for me as locals and visitors mingle side-by-side in sidewalk terrace cafes and bars. The only differentiating factor is that the tourists sport shorts and sandals and the locals always fashionable dressed. Matching shoes and jacket being their quiet statement.

Going off the trail even further now, observe now the practical merchants whose storefronts are traffic lights and public buses. As I rode (hunkered down) on public transit on my way to place my feet at the “Middle of the World”, the exact zero of longitude, I got to experience a bold but casual interaction between citizens commuting in their everyday world. At any given time while riding public transit, one can buy anything from limes from juggling road vendors to puréed fruit cups. You might even experience a ‘bus ride and a show’ performed by a pretty darn good one-man-band selling his CD’s. But of course! So if you’re okay bringing home a whole album of cover tunes of ‘I did it my way’ and “The Girl from Ipanema” as your memorable oratory experience of Ecuador, then hey folks, this is your lucky bus ride!

Well only day-two into my journey of Ecuador and I sense I have only yet skimmed the surface. If you’re catching this scribe then please know home still holds a very special place in my heart. I wish you were here.

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