The currency

When I learned that Ecuador uses the US dollar as the official currency I thought the bills and coins would be the same as in the US. But realized they aren't when I gave a shop keeper a five dollar bill for a $2.30 purchase and only got a few coins for change. I reminded the clerk that I had given her $5.00 and she pointed to the coins I was holding, especially to the $1.00 coins. Do you remember when they were introduced in the US? They didn’t last very long did they? Many of them were exported to Ecuador.

In addition to the $1.00 coins there are nickels, dimes, quarters and $.50 pieces that are made by the Banco Central de Ecuador and differ from those minted in the US. Although they are the same value as in the US they don’t look the same. The language on the coins is Spanish, the people depicted are famous people in Ecuadorian history and the coins are lighter. Even though they only coins we’re continually surprised by what they can buy. For example:

Trolley ride (a double bus with a dedicated lane for about 20 stops) - $0.25
Shoe/boot shine $0.50
Water (1.3/gal) - $0.90
Call to the US $0.05/min
Internet - $0.80/hour
Breakfast at the local bread store (scrambled eggs with ham, croissant with cheese, juice and tea or coffee - $1.50
Various fresh juices <$1.00
Cappucino - $1.71
Haircut, beard trim, and hair wash - $3.00
Laundry 4.5/kilo - $5.40
Homestay with 3 meals/day, room and laundry 1 time / week - $18/person

In general, Quito has been inexpensive for the past month. Next we’ll travel to the Galapagos (5/28/10) then to Cuenca for another homestay and more Spanish classes.