Misconception

We all know that what you see is not always what you get. But what happens when what you expect is not what you see?  I came to Ecuador thinking that I would be living in an impoverished third world country. I thought that necessities would be hard to obtain and that my house would contain no more than a tiny room with a cot. I thought that I would be living more like they do in Cuba, with horse-drawn wagons and cutting the grass with a machete. I bet when I told you I would be living in Ecuador you thought the same thing.

Misconception. 

When I first arrived to Guayaquil, I thought it resembled Miami. Then again, I have never been to Miami so this may be another misconception.The highway had multiple lanes lined with lush palm trees. It was big and modern. Driving through Ecuador, I seen many communities that lived naturally - chickens roaming freely, cows grazing in the backyard, laundry hanging on the line and houses about to crumble. This is what I expected to live in.

Misconception.

I live in an apartment on the second floor  in a lovely gated community  in the richer neighborhood of Samborondón. My room is not too small - a queen size bad with enough room for a chair and my own bathroom. The rest of the apartment is quaint. Photos and other nick-knacks cover the furniture. It is full of personal touches. Some of my friends have more extravagant houses with pools in their backyards. But I like where I live. It is close enough to walk to school and I am near my friends.

Now don't get me wrong - outside of the city is much different. There are still communities that live how I expected. I would like to try living like this. I think it would be hard, but that's an experiences I want to have. Maybe one day I will have the opportunity.

My street

My bedroom

The living room

The kitchen