Showing Austin my Ecuador
The places I couldn't wait to share with him, and how he reacted to each one.
Most travel blogs about Ecuador are written by visitors. Half of this family isn't one.
Dennisse grew up in Ecuador before building a life in the United States. Now she's bringing her husband and son back to the country she knows best, and she'll be writing about it in her own words, in both Spanish and English.
Expect the things a guidebook can't tell you: what her family actually cooks, which places locals love, the slang that makes Austin laugh, and what it feels like to come home with a baby of her own.
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DennisseEcuadorian by birth. Mom to Mateo. The family's guide, translator and food critic.
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Bilingual columnWritten in Spanish and English
Dennisse teaches Austin
Ecuadorian slang flashcards
Tap a card to flip it. Swipe or use the arrows for the next one.
Ecuadorian Spanish¡Achachay!Tap to flip ↻
¡Achachay!
"Brrr, it's cold!" From Kichwa.
Ecuadorian Spanish¡Arrarray!Tap to flip ↻
¡Arrarray!
"Ouch, it's hot!" Also from Kichwa.
Ecuadorian SpanishGuaguaTap to flip ↻
Guagua
A baby or little kid. (In some countries it means a bus!)
Ecuadorian SpanishÑaño / ñañaTap to flip ↻
Ñaño / ñaña
Brother / sister. From Kichwa.
Ecuadorian SpanishChévereTap to flip ↻
Chévere
Cool, great, awesome.
Ecuadorian Spanish¿Mande?Tap to flip ↻
¿Mande?
"Pardon?" or "Yes?" A polite reply you'll hear in the highlands.
Ecuadorian Spanish¡Qué bestia!Tap to flip ↻
¡Qué bestia!
"Wow!" or "No way!"
Ecuadorian Spanish¡Chuta!Tap to flip ↻
¡Chuta!
"Darn!" A mild everyday exclamation.
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Ask Dennisse
Your questions, her answers
Each month Dennisse will answer reader questions about Ecuador, family, food and traditions. Send yours.
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Coming from Dennisse
Her first stories
HER COLUMN
FOODThe Ecuadorian food I missed most
Every dish I dreamed about while living in the US, and where we're eating it first.
FAMILYRaising Mateo with my family's traditions
Passing on the songs, sayings and Sunday rituals I grew up with.
CULTUREHolidays the Ecuadorian way
Carnaval, Día de los Difuntos with colada morada and guaguas de pan, and Christmas with the family.
LANGUAGEEcuadorian Spanish, explained
The words and phrases you'll only hear in Ecuador, from ¡achachay! to ¡arrarray!
PLACESThe coast vs. the sierra
Two very different Ecuadors, and why every family argues about which is better.