Fun Facts about Ecuador #2:

5. Cilantro. Everything here is cooked with cilantro, lots of cilantro. I don't remember eating much with cilantro at home, but fortunately I do like it. Apparently, though, people are genetically predisposed to either liking cilantro or to being almost physically unable to put it in their mouths. A few people in my group DETEST cilantro, which is difficult because, as I said, it's in everything.

6. The professors at USFQ (University of San Francisco Quito) have no leniency for tardiness. The door stays open for 10 minutes after class has started, but after the door is shut, no one else is allowed in. Also, in one of my classes, more than 5 people have been asked to leave for the day when they were chatting during the lecture. While professors at BU don't enjoy tardiness and side-conversations (who does?) they don't actively take steps against it.

7. MOVIES! There are lots of bootleg movies sold here- there is a store near the university that sells movies for $2 each, 3 for $5. The dvds are of perfect quality, and store has them available even as they are coming to theaters in the US. An entire season of a show is only $12!

8. There is only one synagogue in all of Quito, and it is far on the outskirts. A friend went for Rosh Shoshanna last weekend, and it was quite a hassle to get there. I mean, I know that Ecuador is predominantly Catholic, but it is still hard for me to imagine having only one synagogue, especially since Wayland has multiple.