Our first run in with buying Ecuadorian foods, was February 2nd at 7:30 pm after traveling for almost 2 days. We were told by our driver Jo Lynn that Super Maxi in Manta would be closing at 8:30, OK that gave us an hour. We had made up a very careful list of what we would need knowing that this grocery store is approximately 1 hour drive from Mirador San Jose. Jo Lynn thought it best that she stay with her car to watch our luggage. Into the store we go grocery cart and list in hand. It was a real learning experience in a lot of the aisles and we soon realized that any prepackaged goods ie sun screen, toothpaste, toilet paper is very expensive. We had no idea what was already in the house; in the cart toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex (no we can use toilet paper), dish soap, laundry soap. We were already told ahead of time that all toilet paper goes into the garbage can non can go into the toilet because of the system they have in MSJ or you can use biodegradable toilet paper. SHEESH try and find biodegradable toilet paper was impossible we were limited to time, could not read a word of Spanish, exhausted and saw the two guards at the door with bullet proof vests, billy clubs and guns. We knew we had to get the shopping done and fast. Meat counter WOW, the prices unbelievable, T bone steaks 2 for $4.50, chicken 5 drumsticks $2.50, and pork chops 4 for $4.00 etc etc. What was expensive was bacon, weiners, and some deli cuts. Odd things milk (super pasteurized), eggs and margarine not in the coolers and yogourt sold in litre bags. With 10 minutes to spare we had a cart full and spent $141.00, loaded up the car and headed to our place of residence for the next two months.
Because I have IBS I am very careful what I eat and have limited ourselves to which restaurants we eat when we are out. But we have found that every Ecuadorian meal consists of soup, rice and deep fried plantain, all not too bad but very bland. Here at home we stick to things we like and I can eat. With the computer and Spanish dictionary close by we can figure out how to prepare, soups, rice etc.
Every Friday the veggie truck goes around MSJ honking his horn to back his presence known. We can fill our fridge with all the necessary fruits and vegetables that we need for a week without spending very much money (never over $10 a trip). The corner store sells any staples that you might require at a bit higher cost than at the Super Maxi. We usually end up getting eggs, milk, beer, chips etc.
We enjoy eating the eggs they are as good as or better than the farm eggs we buy in Almonte. Bacon is not like our bacon very lean and just a different taste. I am not a bread eater so I have very happy to find English muffins on our last visit to the Super Maxi, but again not like ours very doughy. Leo was itching to have pancakes so we purchased pancake mix and syrup for a breakfast, OH my it was a different experience.
A couple of weeks ago our driver friend Juan took us to as fishing village and we purchased 3 fairly large fish???? For $5.00. Barbequed them and they were delicious. Next time we will fillet them very hard to eat with all the bones. What is nice you can purchase freezer packed meat and fish at the corner store; we have purchased tuna, shrimp, hamburger and steak all at approximately $7.00 per pound.
The pub Ko Ko Mo serves Quebec style pub food ie poutine, fish and chips, some salads and sometimes specials. Prices are good, only the French people from MSJ hang out there so it gets very loud and no one talks to us poor English people. OH well each to their own. The owner is very friendly but does not speak a word of English.
That is it for my food and shopping experiences in Ecuador. But I am very glad I listened to my friend in Canada to
bring spices in small baggies with me, next time I will bring more variety and more of each kind. Thanks Fran.
