By Mara Precoma

​Whether you consider visiting Two Rivers Reserve, have a passion for anything artistic, or simply need something to do during quarantine – this article is here to help! Apart from food, art is one of the best ways to get to know a country, especially from afar. Unfortunately, many Ecuadorian works have not been translated into English, which limits their visibility and reach. On a positive note, though, they might inspire you to brush up on your rusty school Spanish!
 
Literature 
 
Los Que Se Van (1930)

• Authors: Demetrio Aguilera Malta, Joaquín Gallegos Lara & Enrique Gil Gilbert
• Genre: Short stories
• Plot: Set in the countryside of the Ecuadorian coast, the work tells the stories of several characters who live in poverty, and illustrates their relationship with family and nature. 
• Why to read: The book was published by members of the so-called Guayaquil Group, a literary collective which emerged as a response to a chaotic political and social climate during this 1930s and 1940s. It was criticized for its harsh language and crude themes upon publication, but is now considered one of the most famous pieces of Ecuadorian literature. Its implementation of literary realism marks a break with older styles of Ecuadorian writing.

 
Huasipungo (1934)

• Author: Jorge Icaza
• Genre: “Indigenist” novel, “proletarian” novel
• Plot: The novel tells the story of Indigenous Ecuadorians who work on a hacienda without adequate compensation. When their landlord makes a deal with US-American business men looking for oil, a savage massacre of those who protest ensues. 
• Why to read: Icaza is arguably the most notable Ecuadorian writer of the 20th century. A work of social protest, Huasipungo is often compared to Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath. Unlike many Indianismo works, the novel does not romanticize the experiences of Native peoples.   

 
La Nariz Del Diablo (2010)

• Author: Luz Argentina Chiriboga
• Genre: Historical fiction
• Plot: The story follows the path of Jamaicans recruited to build a railway across the Andes as part of President Alfaro’s modernizing program, which brought him into conflict with the church. In order to succeed, workers had to conquer la nariz del diablo, one of the most dangerous peaks in the mountain. 
• Why to read: Chiriboga, of Afro-Ecuadorian heritage, was one of the first writers to address the duality of African and Hispanic cultures. She portrays women in ways which challenge stereotypes. 

 
Movies 
 
Ratas, Ratones, Rateros (1999)

• Genre: Action, crime, drama
• Director: Sebastián Cordero
• Plot: The movie follows the life of Salvador, a young petty thief from Quito, after he is visited by his cousin Ángel, an ex-convict in search of easy money and a hideout. Salvador gets wrapped up in Ángel’s dealings, dragging his friends and family along his criminal path.
• Why to watch: The movie shows Quito and Guayaquil as they truly are – neither “developing” country disasters, nor untouched Andean paradise. It depicts the harsh reality that is life as part of the lower economic class. 

 
Qué Tan Lejos (2006)

• Genre: Road movie, drama
• Director: Tania Hermida
• Plot: Ecuadorian literature student Tristeza and Spanish tourist Esperanza unexpectedly travel together from Quito to Cuenca when an Indigenous-led strike makes it impossible to continue to travel by bus. They are forced to improvise and make new acquaintances along the way. 
• Why to watch: The movie is an ironic reflection on identity, outlines the protagonists’ search for meaning and satirizes folkloric-like and tourist-like images of Ecuador and Latin America. It is the second most seen film in the history of Ecuador. 

 
La Muerte de Jaime Roldós (2013)

• Genre: Documentary
• Director: Lisandra Rivera & Manolo Sarmiento
• Plot: The movie examines the probable assassination of Jaime Roldós, the first democratically elected president of Ecuador, in a suspicious plane crash in 1981. It covers the significance of his death for the historical memory of Ecuador. 
• Why to watch: Combining investigative journalism with original film footage and compelling interviews, the documentary depicts an unknown chapter in Latin American history. 

 
 Music  
 
Pasillo        

• Ecuador’s popular “national music.” It dates back to the 19th century, when Ecuador was part of Gran Colombia. The songs are slows and melancholic, often covering themes of disillusionment, lost love and longing for the past. Over time, pasillo incorporated European features of classical dance such as waltz. 
• Listen to: Julio Jaramillo

 
Afro-Ecuadorian Music

• Northwest Ecuador is the heart of the country’s Afro-Ecuadorian population, and source of a distinct type of music called marimba. Typical instruments are the marimba, the cununo, the bomba and the guasá. The Afro-Ecuadorian community of the Chota Valley (located in the highlands) blends Indigenous elements such as pan flutes with African rhythms into a style called bomba.
• Listen to: Azúcar, Grupo Bambuco

 
Mestizo Music

• For a long time, the mestizaje (“mixing”) process brought up identity challenges for many Ecuadorians. Recently, people have started to embrace the artistic potential of mestizaje. At the forefront of this change are musicians who build cultural bridges by combining tunes from grandparents’ homes with those found at nightclubs. 
• Listen to: Nicola Cruz, Quixosis, Ataw Allpa, Lascivio Bohemia

 
 
Sources
“Arts & Music.” Lonely Planet, 2020, www.lonelyplanet.com/ecuador/background/other-features/2f9308fe-3076-4f61-bfad-1a18bc297ae6/a/nar/2f9308fe-3076-4f61-bfad-1a18bc297ae6/363337.
Bogaard, Cecilia. “Top 5 Ecuadorian Movies.” Terra Diversa, 1 Feb. 2016, www.terradiversa.com/top-5-ecuadorian-movies/.
Davila, Damian. “Ecuador: What Are Some Good Ecuadorian Films?” Quora, 6 Dec. 2012, www.quora.com/Ecuador-What-are-some-good-Ecuadorian-films.
“Huasipungo.” Wikipedia, 29 Sept. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huasipungo.
Leon, Carolina Loza. “How Cultural Mestizaje Has Shaped Ecuador’s Music.” Culture Trip, 12 Aug. 2017, theculturetrip.com/south-america/ecuador/articles/how-cultural-mestizaje-has-shaped-ecuadors-music/.
“Los que se van.” Wikipedia, 23 Apr. 2020, es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_que_se_van.
“Qué tan lejos.” Wikipedia, 3 July 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qué_tan_lejos.  
“The Devil’s Nose.” Good Reads, n.d., www.goodreads.com/book/show/25189920-the-devil-s-nose.

By Hannah Dora
 
Después de que las empresas de perforación hubieran descubierto 796 millones de barriles de crudo bajo el bloque Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini (ITT) del Parque Nacional Yasuní en el año 2007, el gobierno ecuatoriano de Rafael Correa, presidente en ese momento, se enfrentaba a un dilema sin solución fácil. Por un lado, el presidente y su partido fueron elegidos por promesas de respeto a la Madre Naturaleza y a los derechos de las comunidades indígenas, después de un largo período de políticas neoliberales que habían hecho justamente lo contrario. La región particular del Parque Nacional Yasuní que iba a ser explotada es el hogar de dos comunidades indígenas no contactadas (los Tagaeri y los Taromenane) y muestra más biodiversidad en una hectárea que toda la vida silvestre de América del Norte. Por otra parte, el Ecuador es uno de los países más pobres de América Latina y altamente dependiente de la exportación de recursos naturales. 
 
El ministro de energía del país, Alberto Costa, formó así un plan sin precedentes para dejar el petróleo bajo tierra sin renunciar por completo a los beneficios necesarios.  Con la consigna de "dejar el petróleo bajo el suelo", el gobierno firmó un tratado con el Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD) en el que Ecuador aceptó renunciar a la explotación petrolera, si el 50 por ciento de los ingresos esperados por las exportaciones de petróleo eran recaudados por la comunidad internacional. El papel del PNUD era principalmente la administración del fondo Yasuní, al que se debían pagar las contribuciones. El discurso de la iniciativa era que la Amazonía, a menudo llamada "el pulmón de la Tierra", no sólo sirve al Ecuador, sino que es un factor importante en cuestiones globales como el cambio climático. Aunque este plan ya había sido propuesto mucho antes por diferentes organizaciones ambientales e indígenas, sólo bajo la administración de Correa tuvo la oportunidad de ser ejecutado.
 
La iniciativa Yasuní recibió atención y aplausos de diversos actores y regiones, tanto que el término "Yasunización" se utilizó entre académicos y activistas para describir proyectos similares para dejar los combustibles fósiles en el suelo en todo el mundo. La iniciativa no fue menos popular dentro del Ecuador, donde alrededor del 85 por ciento de los ciudadanos aprobaron la idea y propusieron lemas como 'Yo soy Yasuní' o 'Todos somos Yasuní'. A pesar de todas estas buenas intenciones, el gobierno no ocultó la existencia del Plan B para el caso de que los aportes exigidos no se recaudarían y significaba la liberación de los yacimientos petroleros a la industria petrolera.  El 15 de agosto de 2013, después de que sólo se había logrado el 0,37% de las donaciones proyectadas, el presidente anunció el aborto de la iniciativa Yasuní-ITT y autorizó las actividades de extracción.
 
En consecuencia, Correa hizo culpable a las naciones ricas por el fracaso del proyecto y justificó la explotación afirmando que los ingresos eran cruciales para las reformas sociales destinadas a combatir la pobreza y construir escuelas y hospitales, especialmente en la región amazónica. "No era caridad lo que pedíamos, era corresponsabilidad en la lucha contra el cambio climático", dijo el presidente cuando hizo pública su decisión. Era de esperar que el presidente se volviera muy impopular entre los ecuatorianos, dado que una parte tan grande de la población estaba a favor de dejar el petróleo en el subsuelo. Sin embargo, muchos comprendieron el argumento de Correa sobre la necesidad de programas sociales e incluso algunos pueblos indígenas aprobaron la explotación por las mismas razones. La Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador CONAIE, por otro lado, no estaba de acuerdo y lideró las protestas contra el gobierno. 
 
A pesar de su fracaso, la iniciativa Yasuní-ITT no ha sido completamente en vano. En primer lugar, se convirtió en un "símbolo de otro mundo posible y un rechazo del capitalismo extractivo", como lo demuestra el movimiento de "Yasunización" que promueve la idea de dejar el petróleo bajo tierra en lugares tan lejanos como Nigeria. Por otra parte, destacó la corresponsabilidad de nuestro medio ambiente independiente de los estados nacionales, aunque parezca que la comunidad internacional aún está lejos de darse cuenta de ello. Por último, dio visibilidad a un dilema al que se enfrentan especialmente los países pobres con una rica biodiversidad, es decir, la elección entre proteger la naturaleza o proteger a sus ciudadanos de la pobreza.

English:
​
After drilling firms had discovered 796m barrels of crude oil under the Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini (ITT) block of the Yasuní National Park in 2007, the Ecuadorian government under Rafael Correa, president at the time, was facing a dilemma with no easy solution. On the one hand, he was elected for promises to respect Mother Nature and the rights of indigenous communities after a long period of neoliberal politics that had done just the contrary. The particular region of the Yasuní National Park to be exploited is home to two uncontacted indigenous communities (the Tagaeri and the Taromenane) and displays more biodiversity in one hectare than all the wildlife in North America. On the other hand, Ecuador is one of the poorest countries in Latin America and highly dependent on the export of natural resources. 
 
The country’s energy minister Alberto Costa thus came up with an unprecedented plan to leave the oil in the ground without completely renouncing the needed profit.  With the slogan of ‘leaving the oil underground’, the government signed a treaty with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in which Ecuador agreed to resign from the oil exploitation, if 50 percent of the revenues expected for the oil exports would be raised by the international community. The UNDP’s role was mainly the administration of the Yasuní trust fund, to which the contributions were to be paid. The initiative’s discourse was that the Amazon, often referred to as ‘the lungs of the Earth’, does not only serve Ecuador, but was an important factor in global issues such as climate change. Although such a plan had already been proposed much earlier by different environmental and indigenous organizations, it was only under the administration of Correa that it received a chance to be executed.
 
The Yasuní initiative received attention and applause from diverse actors and regions, so much that the term ‘Yasunization’ became used among academics and activists to describe similar projects for leaving fossil fuels in the soil around the world. The initiative was not less popular within Ecuador, where around 85 percent of citizens approved the idea and came up with slogans like ‘Yo soy Yasuní’ (I am Yasuní) or ‘Todos somos Yasuní’ (We are all Yasuní). Despite all these good intentions, the government made no secret of the existence of Plan B, which was for the case the demanded contributions would not be raised and meant the liberation of the oil deposits to the petrol industry.  On 15 August 2013, after only 0.37 per cent of the projected donations had been accomplished, the president announced the abortion of the Yasuní-ITT initiative and authorized drilling activities. 
 
Consequently, Correa blamed the failure of the project on the international community and justified the drilling by stating that the income was crucial to social reforms aiming at the combat of poverty and building of schools and hospitals, especially in the Amazon region. "It was not charity that we sought from the international community, but co-responsibility in the face of climate change," the president said when he made his decision public. One could expect that the president turned himself very unpopular among Ecuadorians, given that such a large part of the population was in favor of leaving the oil underground. However, many people comprehended Correa’s argument concerning the need for social programs and even some indigenous peoples approved of the exploitation for the same reasons. The national umbrella organization of indigenous peoples CONAIE, on the other hand, was not in accord and led protests against the government. 
 
Despite its failure, the Yasuní-ITT initiative has not been completely in vain. First of all, it turned into a “symbol of another possible world and a rejection of extractive capitalism”, seen in the ‘Yasunization’ movement urging to leave oil in the ground in places as far as Nigeria. On another note, it highlighted the co-responsibility for our environment independent of nation states, although the international community may still be far from realizing this. Finally, it gave visibility to a dilemma that especially low-income countries with a rich biodiversity face, namely the choice between protecting nature or protecting their people from poverty.


Fuentes/References

​González, Javier Dávalos and Samuel Silveira Martins. 2017. “La iniciativa Yasuní-ITT: Del sueño de la       moratoria petrolera a la pesadilla de los derechos colectivos.” ARACÊ – Direitos Humanos em         Revista 4, no. 5: 346-364.
Lalander, Rickard. 2016. “The Ecuadorian Resource Dilemma: Sumak Kawsay or Development?”.             Critical Sociology 42: 623-642.
Temper, L. et al. 2013. Towards a Post-Oil Civilization: Yasunization and other initiatives to leave fossil    fuels in the soil. EJOLT Report No. 6.
Watts, Jonathan. “Ecuador approves Yasuni national park oil drilling in Amazon rainforest”. The Guardian, August 2013.

By Erick Sandoval
 
Al pensar en las exportaciones latinoamericanas, respeto al sector agrícola, muchas cosas pueden venir a la mente, pero un ganador único sigue siendo vital para la economía de Ecuador: los plátanos. Ya mencionado en un blog anterior en nuestro sitio, Ecuador es reconocido por ser uno de los diecisiete países mega diversos del mundo, produciendo una gran cantidad de frutas agrícolas para la venta en el mercado mundial. Ha ocurrido innumerables veces que uno está en el supermercado local comprando bananas solo para descubrir que tienen etiquetas en ellas que indican que son un producto de Ecuador. Esto no debería ser demasiado sorprendente al saber que Ecuador es el mayor exportador de banano del mundo.
 
De la producción a la mesa de la cocina:
Los plátanos tardan aproximadamente nueve meses en crecer y los plátanos se empaquetan comúnmente para dar protección contra organismos nocivos. Una vez que se cosechan, se colocan en una 'percha' y se trasladan a instalaciones de saneamiento y calidad que preparan las bananas para enviarlas al puerto para su exportación al mercado global. Es muy probable que estos productos se envíen a través del puerto de Guayaquil, el más grande del país. Una vez que los plátanos han llegado al puerto de destino, son llevados a las instalaciones a las que se someten a más procesos de inspección y reapertura. ¡Después de esto, los llevan a los mercados locales antes de que lleguen a la mesa de su cocina! 
 
Las exportaciones de banano representan más del 2% del PIB del país y más de un tercio de la producción agrícola del país. Estratégicamente, los principales sitios de producción del país se encuentran en El Oro, Guayas y Los Ríos, todos bastante cerca del puerto de Guayaquil, en comparación con otras provincias. En algunas de estas regiones, las plantaciones de banano se extienden hasta donde alcanza la vista. Algunos de los principales importadores de bananas ecuatorianas son Rusia, Estados Unidos y la Unión Europea, que representan más del 65% de las exportaciones ecuatorianas de bananas. También hay otros países competidores importantes, incluyendo Costa Rica, Guatemala y Colombia. Curiosamente, Asia produce más bananas, pero Ecuador sigue siendo el mayor exportador en una comparación de país a país.
 
Existen muchas variedades de banano que se producen en Ecuador, pero la más común es el banano Cavendish. Dado que hay una gama amplia de opciones cuando se trata de plátanos, plátanos verdes son bastante comunes para saborear. A veces se les llama maduros cuando comienzan a ponerse amarillos y dulces. Algunos platillos que requieren plátanos en Ecuador son empanadas, corviche, balones de verde, patacones, maduro con queso e incluso empanadas. El plátano es, sin duda, un cultivo importante para el país, económicamente y culturalmente. Para aquellos que aún no están convencidos de la genialidad de los plátanos, aquí hay algunos datos divertidos: los plátanos flotan en el agua, puede frotar el interior de una cáscara de plátano para ayudar con la picadura de mosquito, y las cáscaras de plátano son realmente comestibles si se cocinan.
Ya sea que esté interesado en la cocina, la sostenibilidad o las cadenas de suministro mundiales, el plátano ofrece una forma sabrosa de involucrarse y aprender sobre Ecuador y su abundancia de ofertas. Two Rivers Reserve fomenta el ambiente perfecto para voluntarios y turistas por igual, para sumergirse en un enfoque emocionante y memorable para comprender la cultura local y general de Ecuador.

English:

When thinking of Latin American exports, with regards to the agricultural sector, many things can come to mind, but a lone standing winner remains vital to the economy of Ecuador: Bananas. Already mentioned in a previous blog on our site, Ecuador is renowned for being one of seventeen mega diverse countries in the world, yielding a plethora of agricultural fruits for sale in the world market. It has occured countless times that one is at the local supermarket shopping for bananas only to find that they have labels on them indicating they are a product of Ecuador. This should not be too surprising when knowing that Ecuador is the world’s largest banana exporter. 
 
From production to kitchen table: 
It takes about nine months for the bananas to grow and the bananas are commnonly bagged to provide protection from harmful organisms. Once they are harvested, they are placed on a ‘hangers’ and moved to sanitation and quality facilitaties that prepares the bananas to be sent off to the port for export to the global market. It is very likely that these products are shipped via the port in Guayaquil, the largest in the country. Once the bananas have arrived at the destination port, they are taken to facilities to which they undergo further inspection and ripening processes. After this, they are taken to local markets before they arrive at your kitchen table! 
 
Banana exports account for over 2% of the country’s GDP and over a third of the country’s agricultural production. Strategically enough, the main production sites of the country are located in El Oro, Guayas, and Los Ríos, all fairly close to the port of Guayaquil, compared to other provinces. In some of these regions, banana plantations stretch as far as the eye can see for kilometers. Some of the largest importers of Ecudorian bananas are Russia, US, and the European Union, which account for over 65% of Ecuadorian banana exports. There are other major competing countries as well, including Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Colombia. Interestingly, Asia produces more bananas but Ecuador remains the biggest exporter on a country to country comparison. 
 
There are many banana varieties that are produced in Ecuador but the most common is the Cavendish banana. Given a wide array of options when it comes to bananas, plátanos verdes, or green plantaines, are quite common to savor. They are sometimes called maduros when they begin to turn yellow and sweet. Some dishes that use plantaines in Ecuador are empanadas, corviche, balones de verde, patacones, maduro con queso and even empanadas! The banana is undoubtedly an important crop for the country, economically and culturally. For those who are still not convinvced of the awesomeness of bananas, here are some fun facts: Bananas float on water, you can rub the inside of a banana peel to help with mosquito bite itching, and banana peels are actually edible if cooked. 
 
Whether you are interested in cuisine, sustainability, or global supply chains, the banana provides a tasty way to get involved and learn about Ecuador and its abundance of offerings. Two Rivers Reserve fosters the perfect environment for volunteers and tourists alike, to immerse themselves in an exciting and memorable approach to understanding the local and general culture of Ecuador. 
 
 



Fuentes y Referencias/References
 
“Banana Industry in Ecuador: World’s Largest Banana Exporter.” Bizvibe 8 Jan. 2018,       https://www.bizvibe.com/blog/food-beverages/banana-industry-ecuador-largest-       exporter/. 
“Ecuador and the World of Bananas.” Adama, https://www.adama.com/en/our- commitment/global-farming/farming-stories/ecuador-and-the-world-of-bananas
 “Fried Green Bananas.” Ecuador Beach Front Property, 20 Aug. 2014,        http://ecuadorbeachfrontproperty.com/ecuadorblog/?p=932
“From Farm to Table: Inside the Journey of a Banana.” Inside Edition, 12 Jan. 2019,          https://www.insideedition.com/farm-table-inside-journey-banana-49829
“Fun Banana Facts.” The Banana Police, https://thebananapolice.com/fun-facts/

By Mara Precoma
 
Currently, a lot of us are longing for adventures that extend beyond zoom calls, backyard hangs or grocery store visits. Once it will be safe and possible to go, I highly recommend considering Ecuador as your next travel destination. Until then, here are some tips to get you prepared and pumped: 
 
When to Go
In general, there is no best time to visit Ecuador. When you should go really depends on where you want to go. Visit the coast during rainy season from December to May. During dry season, it can get cool and overcast. The highlands are best experienced outside of the warmer, wetter period which occurs from December to March. It rains all year long in the Amazon, but December to May is especially soggy. It is cooler during this time, but wildlife will be harder to track down whilst mosquitos will constantly track you down. The best months to visit the Galapagos are December to May. There is a higher chance of rain, but it is warmer and the sea will be calmer. If you plan on combining mainland and the Galapagos, try to visit in May. Avoid peak season from June to August and late December to January if you are on a budget. 
 
How to Get Around
The cheapest (but also slowest) way to get around cities is by bus. Taxis are affordable, but only metered in bigger cities. If they aren’t, ask about the fare beforehand. When available, use EasyTaxi, Cabify or Uber to call a ride. For long-distance trips (also to Peru or Colombia), consider taking the bus. Prices are affordable and the network is extensive. You can usually buy tickets at any bus station. Flights within the mainland are relatively affordable and short, but certainly less environmentally friendly or adventurous. Trains are not the best option to travel around the country, but there are routes specifically designed for tourists. Use WAZE or Map.Me to find locations and download maps which work without internet connection. 
 
How to Safe Money
Note that Ecuador uses USD as its official currency. Apart from the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is one of the most budget-friendly countries in South America. $30-35 per day can get you far if you are staying in hostel dorms, eat at food stalls or markets, and use public transportation. Stay at hospedajes (family-run guesthouses) for a few dollars per night. Eat a filling and cheap almuerzo (a set menu) for lunch. Couchsurf for free accommodation and new friends. 
 
How to Stay Safe
Ecuador is generally a safe travel destination. The most common type of crime is petty theft. Be careful when you use public transport and avoid old town Quito at night. Be aware of taxi crimes and only use registered taxis. Install the tourism ministry’s travel safety app so responders can locate you if necessary. Be extra careful in border areas. Remember that some places are at high altitude; be aware of dehydration and altitude sickness. Avoid unfiltered tap water.  
 
What to See

1. Quito. Ecuador’s Andean capital is beautiful and energetic. Churches and old buildings speak of Ecuador’s colonial past. Visit the Equator and hover over both sides of the earth at once.
2. Cuenca. Ecuador’s third-largest city is located in the South. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with photogenic buildings, and often called the “Athens of the Andes.” 
3. Baños. A small town located high in the Andes and on the hillside of Ecuador’s most active volcano, Tungurahua. The country’s “adventure capital” offers numerous recreational opportunities including hot springs and stunning waterfalls.
4. Otavalo. A picturesque town around three hours north of Quito which hosts one of the largest markets in South America. 
5. Ingapirca. The largest known Inca ruins in Ecuador, located a two-hour drive from Cuena. 
6. Cotopaxi. Ecuador’s second highest mountain and the world’s highest active volcano until 1986. Located 55 km from Quito and popular with hikers and mountain bikers. 
7. Cajas National Park. Located 30 km from Cuena. A perfect place to hike, bike, kayak and canoe. 
8. Galapagos Islands. The islands lie about 1000 km from the coast and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Words can’t do justice to their spectacular biodiversity. 
9. Salinas, Bahía and Montañita. Beautiful beaches, warm climate, entertainment and prime surf spots. 
10. Quilotoa. The former volcano collapsed 600 years ago and filled with water, turning it into a beautiful crater lake. The three-day Quilotoa Loop trek is popular for a reason. 
11. Puerto López. A tourist town along the coast which is known for its whale watching opportunities. Nearby, you can find the Isla de la Plata, also called the “poor man’s Galapagos.”
12. The Devil’s Nose. Take “the most difficult train ride in the world” starting from Alausí to experience this spectacular part of the Andes mountains. 
13. Amazon Rainforest. Experience fauna and flora like never before. Take a trip to Two Rivers Reserve to do some good while having fun. 

 
In recent years, tourism has become an important part of Ecuador’s economy. According to the Central Bank of Ecuador, tourism constitutes the third-largest source of non-oil revenues, after banana and shrimp exports. Due to its spectacular natural wealth, the country is best known for ecotourism and adventure travel. Whilst ecotourism can help to finance conservation efforts and support local communities, it is important to note that it can also result in cultural and environmental exploitation and deterioration, particularly if “ecotourism” is used as a marketing strategy only. Be as considerate as possible when traveling so that future travelers and Ecuadorians will be able to enjoy all that the beautiful country has to offer. 
 

 
Sources 
 
Brown, Vicki. “Best Time to Visit Ecuador.” Responsible Travel, 2020, www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/ecuador/travel-guide/best-time-to-visit-ecuador.
Dearsley, Bryan. “10 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Ecuador.” Planet Ware, 9 Sep. 2019, www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/ecuador-ecu.htm.
Kepnes, Matt. “Ecuador Travel Guide.” Nomadic Matt, 25 Apr. 2020, www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/ecuador-travel-tips/.
Maes, Jonathan. “Ultimate Ecuador Travel Guide (43 Tips).” Ecuador Abroad, Aug. 2018, ecuadorabroad.com/travel-tips/.
Pollack, Vanderlei J. “Tourism in Ecuador Contributes Significantly to the Economy.” Tourism Review, 25 Feb. 2019, www.tourism-review.com/tourism-in-ecuador-growing-in-importance-news10953.
Widmer, John. “20 Best Things to Do in Ecuador & Incredible Places to Visit.” Roaming Around the World, 2 Apr. 2020, www.roamingaroundtheworld.com/best-things-to-do-in-ecuador/.
Woodrow, Christy. “Ecuador Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know.” Ordinary Traveler, 31 Oct. 2018, ordinarytraveler.com/ecuador-travel-guide.

By Mara Precoma
 
Eating your way through a country’s specialties is one of the best ways to experience its culture. Ecuadorian cuisine is as diverse as the natural world which yields it. Some dishes can be found in different versions all over Latin America, others are closely tied to specific regions. 
 
Breakfast can be small and quick, or it can mean a cooked, savory meal. Bolón de verde is a typical breakfast or brunch dish made of mashed green plantains which are shaped into a ball, filled with cheese or pork and then fried. Ecuadorians typically eat a bigger almuerzo, a lunch or “menu of the day” which is relatively cheap and consists of three courses. It begins with a hearty soup followed by a second dish which includes a protein and rice or pasta, and ends with dessert (often cake or fruit salad) and coffee. Dinner is usually lighter, and might just be a coffee or herbal tea with bread. 
 
In the coastal region, beef, chicken and seafood served with rice, lentils, pasta or plantain are popular. Shrimp ceviche is a very common coastal dish. Ceviche is traditionally made of raw fish or seafood marinated in lime juice. Other well-known coastal dishes include encebollado (a fish-based broth) or encocado de pescado (fish with coconut sauce). 
 
In the mountain area, typical dishes include pork, chicken, beef or guinea pig (cuy) served with rice, corn or potatoes. A popular street food or family gathering dish is hornado, a pig roasted whole. A popular vegetarian highland dish is locro de papas (potato stew served with avocado). The southern mountain area features typical Loja food such as repe (green banana soup), cecina (roasted pork) or miel con quesillo (a cheese desert). 
 
In the rainforest region, a dietary staple is yuca, a starchy root. Across the nation, yuca is processed into a bread called pan de yuca, which is often consumed with fruit-flavored yogurt drinks for breakfast or as a snack. The rainforest also produces a lot of fruits such as bananas, tree-grapes or peach-palms. 
 
Some dishes that are generally popular include patacones (fried mashed plantains), llapingachos (pan-seared potato balls filled with cheese, often served with peanut sauce), seco de chivo (stew made from goat), fritada de chancho(pork in a red sauce), empanadas de viento (large pastries filled with air and cheese), and humitas (steamed corn dough wrapped in a corn husk). Wherever and whatever you eat, you will probably find aji (a condiment based on tree tomatoes) on the table. 
 
A traditional non-alcoholic drink is pinol, a beverage made from machica (toasted barley flour), panela (unrefined sugar), spices and liquid (usually milk). Another popular non-alcoholic beverage is colada morada, a purple liquid which is prepared with corn flour, fruit and spices. In the Andean highlands, people like to drink a hot, spiced, alcoholic beverage called canelazo.
 
Several dishes are served on special occasions. Leading up to Easter, fanesca, a rich soup made with twelve kinds of beans and grains is usually eaten. During the week before All Soul’s Day, colada morada and t’anta wawa (stuffed bread shaped like children) are consumed. 
 
When talking about food, an important factor to consider is a country’s (mal)nutrition profile. Ecuador performs relatively well against other “developing” countries, but it still experiences a malnutrition burden. Obesity and diabetes amongst children and adults are particularly worrisome. In 2014, the national prevalence of under-five overweight was 8%. 8.5% of adult women and 7.5% of adult men had diabetes. Meanwhile, 14.9% of adult men and 24.7% of adult women were obese. Compared to the global average, Ecuadorians consume more saturated fat and trans fat as well as less vegetables. On the positive side, undernourishment levels have gone down from 18.8% to 7.9% between 2001 and 2017. Ecuador’s food and nutrition situation reflects its’ socio-economic reality and its capacity to produce, transport and commercialize nutritious foods. National policies and nutrition plans (such as sugar-sweetened beverage tax) exist, but more needs to be done, especially with regard to rural areas’ food supply, and nutrition education generally. 
 
Two Rivers Reserve is well aware of nutrition-related problems in its community and hopes to help eliminate community health issues related to nutrition by encouraging intern volunteer projects which include the construction of greenhouses, planting of food or knowledge sharing. At the same time, Two Rivers Reserve wants to make sure that visitors experience the country and the community through delicious local food, prepared with love and according to tourists’ needs. 
 
 
 
 
Sources
 
Barciela, Maria. “8 Traditional Ecuadorian Food You Must Try on Your Trip to Ecuador.” Across Southamerica, 5 Dec. 2019, www.across-southamerica.com/ecuadorian-food/.
“Ecuador.” Global Nutrition Report, 2019, globalnutritionreport.org/resources/nutrition-profiles/latin-america-and-caribbean/south-america/ecuador/.
“Ecuadorian Food: The Most Typical Dishes.” Novo-Monde, 22 Aug. 2019, www.novo-monde.com/en/ecuadorian-food/. 
Longwell, Lance. “15 Ecuadorian Food Dishes Not to Miss.” Travel Addicts, 29 May 2020, traveladdicts.net/10-ecuadorian-food-dishes-not-to-miss/.
“Traditional Food of Ecuador – 9 Dishes You Must Try on Your Trip.” Quito Tour Bus, 2 Sept. 2019, quitotourbus.com/en/traditional-foods-of-ecuador-9-dishes-you-must-try-on-your-trip/blog.