Same Same...But Different

There are often times where Adam and I don´t feel like we are living all that different of a life here in Ecuador because we live in Loja. However, there are often little things that remind us that although things here might feel ¨same same¨...they are definitely different (do you like that Jennifer???). For example:

1. They use the U.S. currency here in Ecuador. Same same right? But different because you are more likely to see a Sacajawea dollar coin than a $1 bill. And forget trying to get change for a $20!

2. It is totally ok to publish photos of dead people in the newspaper. Recently a woman's body was found on the old road from Loja to Catamayo...and La Hora printed a nice close-up of her face as found on the side of the road.

3. Adam and I have running water and a pretty modern apartment (like we mentioned before, this is not a mud hut in the jungle!). But as with most homes here in Ecuador, there is not hot water so we have grown accustomed to washing dishes with cold water and using an electric shower head that heats up water as it comes out (kind of scary with all the wires hanging over your head!).

4. You can get DSL here...maybe...if you wait long enough... Our landlord tried to sign up for DSL so that we could share internet at home. However, one week turned into one month turned into 3. And still no internet! But Easynet is supposed to install it by December 15 at the latest. Oh wait...

5. We have fabric shops, hardware stores, and clothing boutiques in Loja, just like home! Except that you can fine more than a dozen fabric shops in 2 square blocks, hardware stores every other block, and the clothing boutiques all sell the same thing- Abercrombie, American Eagle and Hollister.

There is plenty more that is same same, but different. I just can´t think of any because now this is our daily ordinary life!