Good things in Ecuador that are unique to Ecuador (or Latin America)

I think it will be more interesting if we steer away from the benefits of the money going farther. We already know about that. Let's make this be about Ecuador.

They fix things here. They make things here. For example I have had a pair of leather shoes, work boots, tuxedo, shirt and pants all made here. We have had a blender repaired and a zipper replaced on a pack. They make saddles. You can easily have zippers in your pants replaced, a custom shirt for your suit or the entire suit tailor made.

Greetings,
I've been interested in knowing more about Ecuador for some time, I am new to this forum and find Tsaxton's reply a breath of fresh air. I cannot speak for all the states in America, but from my local experiences nearer west, it's rather a throw-away mentality; actually since I was a child. The attitude is, "just get rid of it and buy a new one." Rather sad, and I feel like an outsider because I am of the mindset that things should be repaired, made and sought out locally.

gMantisLove wrote:

I cannot speak for all the states in America, but from my local experiences nearer west, it's rather a throw-away mentality; actually since I was a child. The attitude is, "just get rid of it and buy a new one." Rather sad, and I feel like an outsider because I am of the mindset that things should be repaired, made and sought out locally.

I consider this an important benefit of living in Ecuador.  When in Quito, I frequently have the local fluff-and-fold lavandería on Benalcazar do all kinds of clothing repairs and alterations.  Outside of a couple of jackets, some Elvis-tribute gear and one shirt-buying spree in Lima, I have bought precious little clothing in South America since moving here in 2013.

I got a rude re-awakening about the different way things are handled in the USA when I recently completed a year in Reno, Nevada (successful medical attention), before arriving back in Quito this month.

After a year of normal usage (no excessive wear and tear), the furniture supplier used by my landlord in Reno asserted that half a dozen pieces of rental furniture were damaged beyond repair, and I was presented with a bill for $600 in replacement costs, plus tax.

I requested that the furniture in question be preserved for inspection, but the company threw it away within days .. and the corporate-housing landlord demanded full payment.

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I tried to sic the state consumer agency on the landlord .. and while the agency disavowed jurisdiction, the ploy apparently worked .. as the landlord stopped dunning me.  (The lease had ended in late April.)

A charge of $222 appeared on my Visa card in May in the landlord's attempt to collect partially on the bill.  I am not contesting that, as I consider a settlement of $222 on $600-plus-tax in charges to be a fair resolution under the circumstances.

cccmedia in Quito

Now to my choice of a great and unique product in Ecuador.

I nominate sugar-free Guayuse brand tea in a bottle!

The product is guayusa-based and labeled as "El Secreto de la Amazonía."

Guayusa is not actually a secret.  It's famous -- not among Expats necessarily, but among Ecuadorians in the Amazon region where the leaves are harvested and among their countrymen nationwide.  The guayusa tree is a caffeinated holly tree that is native to the Amazon Rainforest.

I found out about guayusa 20 years ago on my first trip to Ecuador.  At a health conference here in Quito, I met a man from Tena, an Ecuadorian gateway city to la selva (the jungle), who had started producing powdered guayusa and wanted to market it nationally and internationally.  He touted guayusa as a naturally-produced energy drink with curative powers.

I contacted an international vendor in Holland on his behalf, though nothing came of it .. as (I learned later) the friend in Tena had died and thus did his project end.

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Fast forward to last week, when I came across bottled guayusa tea at my local store of the Mi Comisariato chain here in Centro Histórico.

The 'Guayuse tea', as the name appears on the label, is delicious -- sweet but not too sweet.

So much easier to consume than circa 2001 when I was cooking the tea leaves in boiling water, then waiting for the tea to cool and sweetening to taste.  I didn't stay with that regimen for long.

This is also easier than using my Tena friend's product, which involved mixing powder and water .. and adding sweetener.

Now, any time I'm near Mi Comisariato, I can do as I did today -- pick up a few bottles (500 ml or 16 ounces each) and put them in the fridge for anytime use.

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I do not know how the Guayuse people sweeten this non-sugared beverage.  It may state that on the label, but the print is so tiny I can't read most of it even wearing reading glasses.

My guess is stevia.  That's only a guess.

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I don't think this is the first time that guayusa tea in bottles has been produced and sold.  However, in my recollection from years ago, the bottled guayusa did not taste as good as this brand and was not sugar-free, so I tried it and did not buy it again.

Good job, Guayuse!

(I do not receive any financial compensation -- or tea -- for recommending this product .. or any other product I may discuss on this thread.)

cccmedia in Quito

I'm curious about the sweetener for the tea.  I'm gonna search a bit and see if I can find out.

cccmedia, my condolences. I'll be moving out of my apartment soon, and I expect the terrible management company to attempt some gouges for things that were a problem already when I moved in. We tried to have them fix things, but....   
Well it sounds like you dodged much of that cost; still not fair. C'est la vie.

Also, cccmedia, I have noticed that "Elvis" look in your profile pic. Do you perform?

I performed the 20 Elvis hits in my repertoire from 2013 to 2016 .. at Expat-hosted parties held here in Quito by the South American Explorers (no longer active here), at karaokes with Inter------- in Quito and Lima, and outdoors at two Quito plazas -- Foch Plaza in Mariscal and Plaza del Teatro in El Centro.  The accompaniment was usually via a CD player attached to a speaker playing background music on disc while I sang into a microphone.

One time, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, I had the thrill of performing a few Elvis hits in full costume accompanied by a live band on stage at a major casino's showroom.  That was in 2012, possibly my final trip to Asia.

The medical issues I alluded to on this thread have slowed me down some and I have not been looking to perform lately.

But if my energy allows, perhaps someday I will put on the Elvis-inspired black or white outfit with scarf, black wig and gold-rimmed sunglasses .. and belt out Jailhouse Rock, Blue Suede Shoes and Love Me Tender once again in the style of the King of Rock 'n Roll.

cccmedia

I hope that happens!

cccmedia wrote:

Fast forward to last week, when I came across bottled guayusa tea at my local store of the Mi Comisariato chain here in Centro Histórico.

The 'Guayuse tea', as the name appears on the label, is delicious -- sweet but not too sweet.

So much easier to consume than circa 2001 when I was cooking the tea leaves in boiling water, then waiting for the tea to cool and sweetening to taste.  I didn't stay with that regimen for long.

This is also easier than using my Tena friend's product, which involved mixing powder and water .. and adding sweetener.

am 10 years in every day boiling a gallon of water, crushing up some leaves  I get sent to me from a contact in Tena and putting in a flask to keep it hot through out the day. No need for sweetener, no need for purchasing a plastic bottle from the shop, no need to add to the landfill problem.

Occasionally will do another gallon after lunch