Cultureshock! Ecuador by Nicholas Crowder

Introduction     vi
Acknowledgements     viii
Dedication     ix
Map of Ecuador     x
First Impressions     1
The Land and its History     6
Costa     8
Sierra     10
Oriente     12
Galapagos Islands     13
Vegetation     16
Wildlife     16
Provinces     17
Ghost Towns     18
Challenges in the 21st Century     19
The Sombre History of a Divided Land     21
Ecuador's Ancient History     22
The Incas     22
The Conquistadors     24
Colonial Period     26
Independence     30
Baby Republic     35
Chaos and Catholicism     36
Liberals Take the Lead     38
Dark Times     38
The 1940s and Beyond     40
Government and Politics     46
Ecuadorian Society     49
Identity Crisis     50
Class Structure     51
Regionalism     51
The Classes, Again     52
Exodus     57
Prostitution     59
Recent Immigrants     61
Women's Issues     62
Machismo     63
Children     64
Dancing     65
Humour     66
Fitting Into Society     68
Religion     69
Weddings     72
Funerals     73
Customs and Etiquette     74
Ecuadorian Views of Each Other     90
Settling In     92
Accommodation     93
Education     101
Safety     102
Financial Matters     108
Clothing     113
Communications     114
Passports and Visas     118
Transportation     122
Budget Guidelines     135
Legal Issues     136
Some Serious Medical Stuff     137
Final Notes     155
Cuy, Caldos and Chichas     156
Breakfast     157
Lunch     157
Dinner     159
Types of Food     159
Regional Specialities     168
Supermarkets and Shopping     170
Bakeries     172
Food Etiquette      172
Health Tips     173
Restaurant Guide     173
Entertaining     177
Table Manners     177
Enjoying Ecuador     179
Culture     180
Pilgrimages     202
Holidays     203
Entertainment     207
Quito     207
Cuenca     216
Guayaquil     219
Indigenous Markets     225
National Parks     230
Other Things to Do     233
Language     242
Ecuadorian Spanish     243
Slang     245
'Niceties'     247
Names     247
Titles     248
Nicknames     248
Forms of Address     250
Indigenous Languages     250
Learning Spanish     252
Working in Ecuador     255
Economy     256
Unemployment     266
Managing Employees     270
Negotiating     271
Fast Facts About Ecuador     274
Famous People     278
Acronyms     279
Places of Interest     279
Culture Quiz      281
Do's and Don'ts     287
Glossary     291
Resource Guide     302
Further Reading     315
About the Author     323
Index     324