10 reasons why ecuador is the best study abroad location ever

1. same time zone as chicago! well, for half of the year because they don't do daylight savings here.
2. they use the US DOLLAR but everything is cheap!! for example, you can buy a good lunch complete with soup, a small salad, a main course, and a small desert for about $2.50.
   
3. the power outlets are the same, so you don't need to buy converters for anything.
4. the weather is pretty much the same all year - in the 70s and completely beautiful.
5. its extremely diverse, in terms of plant and nature life as well as people. there are soooo many different races and ethnic groups here and its super interesting learning about them.
6. bargaining for things when your buying them is also a ton of fun.
7. public transportation is super cheap. to take the bus from home to school = 20 cents. if i were to do a similar bus ride in chicago = $2.25.
   
8. the food is GREAT! i have yet to try something that i dont like. and if ur scared to try different food, they have alot of american restaurants (papa johns, mcdonalds, KFC) and american food here actually tastes better than in the states!
9. theres always somewhere to go and something to do. you will never get bored, i promise.
10. because i said so =)

I'm going to Mindo tomorrow. Expect a blog post on that within the next couple days,