This world has no limits to where you can go when it comes to exploring and adventure. Well, except maybe Cuba and outer space (which are arguably maneuverable.) Why limit your travel itinerary to common front-page destinations or overly-priced and overly-populated locations? The biggest mistake to ever make when considering your travel “To Do” list is write off a country as “one dimensional.” The one dimensional viewpoint is fueled by preconceived and sometimes unjust prejudiced notions of a place fed by media, people and ourselves. It is the idea that there’s nothing much to see in a country except “so…and so…” and hence, nothing to learn. However, such thinking might leave you void of what could be the experience of a lifetime.

When faced with a decision of where I should study Spanish, I went against the grain of what I was advised should be the place to study Spanish. I didn’t go to Spain, Argentina or Costa Rica. I chose to study in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Guayaquil is the coastal and most populous city of Ecuador, also serving as the nation’s main port. It rivals Ecuador’s capital of Quito, located in the Andes mountains boasting architecture with colonial charm. It is often said that while Quito holds the most political power, culture and educational opportunities, Guayaquil is the nation’s “pocketbook” as it generates the most commercial activity. The rivalry I read about in a book didn’t materialize for me until I arrived in Ecuador. I spoke to Guayaquileños (people who live in Guayaquil) and learned about their perspective on the issue. There is enthusiastic pride in being either from the coast or the sierra and the bottom line seems that as long as the aftermath is not destructive then this pride is more “healthy” than anything. The local passion is even competitively unearthed through entertainment—annually each city’s futbol (soccer) teams compete and acquire bragging rights in victory.

The most fulfilling part of the trip was not my time spent in the classroom but the opportunity to explore, along with 11 classmates, Ecuador via bus. Depending on the distance, tickets ranged from $7-$10 one way and each ride offered a view of changing landscapes, “bus” etiquette and the opportunity to experience everyday life as a local. In a month’s time, we visited three beach towns known as Playas, Montañita, and Salinas, and old Spanish colonial town named Cuenca, ancient aboriginal ruins (Inca Pirca), and a sierra town forced into a valley due to volcanic activity, known as Baños. Nothing compared to having a 3 hour lunch break and paying $7 for a gigantic dinner entrée of rice, beans and my choice of meat.

I didn’t spend a bundle of money visiting Ecuador’s main attraction: the Galapagos Islands which is internationally known for its biodiversity in flora and fauna. I didn’t see the elusive “Middle of the World” monument in Quito that demarcates zero latitude. The trade-off is that I got to truly experience a country and all its unknown glory. I wasn’t moved by others who tried to persuade me to go elsewhere, echoing “no one studies abroad there.” I stood my ground. Now I can persuade everyone to give Ecuador, and unappreciated countries like it, a chance. If you’re ever offered the opportunity to visit a place that doesn’t “sound” that exciting, don’t award your assumptions much truth. A place you might believe doesn’t have much “depth” or “impact” might just be the place that changes your life or outlook permanently.—Tracey Calvo Clarke

Additional source: Frommers.com

TAGS: Argentina, COSTA RICA, Ecuador., Frommers.com, Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil, Guayaquileños, SPAIN, Tracey Calvo Clarke