I lived in a small fishing village, barring the occasional tourist and surf expedition further afield, and it's still my favorite place in the world. I loved t

I lived in a small fishing village, barring the occasional tourist and surf expedition further afield, and it's still my favorite place in the world. I loved the only street noise being the occasional donkey. I worked over a tiny EDGE connection for years until real connectivity got to my area, working over a 'screen' session to a beefy VPS in the states. I can't help but agree with some of the characterizations of the cities in Ecuador. But then again, personally I wouldn't understand someone who would come to the country with the primary intention of seeing those cities, saying to themselves "oh, wow, I want to see Quito or Guayaquil." I wouldn't get it. Guayaquil is kinda like Bangkok or other big cities in underdeveloped areas; bustling and alive and joyous in its own sort of way, but not something that'd draw me around the world to visit. FWIW, Loja and Cuenca are more pleasant cities to visit. But a laid-back fishing village with good neighbors? With good sand-bottom beach breaks and warm water? Tuna and dorado right from the ocean, fresh local produce ... that's ideal for me, and I was already comfortable with small-town and rural life from my time in the United States.