Not Your Average American

World traveling, blog writing, photo-taking, homeschool mom and military wife.

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The Gift of High Altitude Ecuadorian Roses

Forget to buy roses for Valentine's Day? Share a virtual bouquet of Ecuadorian roses instead!

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My English mother never passes up an opportunity to smell the roses. It’s a trait she passed on to her oldest daughter. Whether I am touring a rose haciendain the high Sierra or meandering the rose garden in Quito’s Parque Carolina, I rarely pass an opportunity…

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Must-Have Apps for Your Trip to Ecuador

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Best Photos from Isla Isabela, Galapagos Islands

What are your favorite things to do on Isabela Island in the Galapagos?

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Isabela is a beautiful name for a beautiful island. In fact,…

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Finding Value in How You Book Travel

What do you look for in a good trip?

“Book travel that makes you feel good” may sound somewhat trite. After all, don’t most people book a trip just to have fun?

Last night, I found myself struggling to make a basic reservation for a bed and breakfast on the coast of Eastern Maryland. I just could not bring myself to click the reserve button even though I really wanted to spend a weekend away with my husband. I looked him in the eye…

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A Spanish-Colonial Church in Sicalpa Viejo, Ecuador

Have you visited this old colonial church in the Chimborazo Province? If so, let us know all about it!

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he road was potholed, the buildings mere gray cement blocks, the businesses closed for the holidays, sliding metal doors locked tight. Little did we know that one of the oldest colonial churches in Ecuador was just around the corner.

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The Ancient Polylepis Forests of Ecuador

Tell us your favorite place to hike out and see the mysterious Polylepsis.

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.96″] Once upon a time, Polylepis forests covered the high Andes. These magical trees with their wind-blown, sinuous trunks, paper-thin layers of rust-red bark, and…

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Best Photos from the Santa Elena, Ecuador

Santa Elena, Ecuador is home to so many great places. If you've never been, these photos might make you reconsider.

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I love Santa Elena. This province along the Ecuadorian Pacific Coast has it all: wildlife, archeology sites, a fairly large city, several towns, and even more small fishing villages, rocky coast, and miles upon miles of sandy beaches. Although we never plan on…

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Potential Eruption From Sierra Negra Volcano

If you are traveling to the Galapagos Islands in the next few days to weeks, please be aware of this potential natural disaster.

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The second-largest volcanic crater in the world is seeing increased activity, causing the Ecuadorian Geographic Institute to advise visitors to…

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The Three Knows of Safe Backcountry Travel in South America

Have you ever traveled the backcountry in South America? We would love to hear your story!

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Ecuador Ranks Level 1 on New State Department Website

Thinking of traveling to Ecuador sometime soon? We recommend double checking the US State Department Travel Information website before you go.

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Travel Advisory Ecuador

At the…

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A Guide to Festivals in Ecuador

Plan to visit Ecuador? Design your itinerary around a local festival!

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Local festivals in Ecuador are the heart and soul of many communities. They are found in the highest Andean towns and the smallest jungle…

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Describiendo Un Hospedaje: Palabras Para Evitar

Tienes un hospedaje y quieres escribir una descripción en inglés? Evitar estos tres errores comunes.

Traducir un idioma es difícil. Soy hablante de inglés estadounidense que escribe en español y sé que hago errores todo el tiempo. Una palabra que significa la misma cosa en dos idiomas a veces tienen diferencias sutiles que no son fácil explicar. A veces, una palabra en inglés parece lo mismo que otro y no es. Ver esos ejemplos de palabras que no deben utilizar en sus paginas web ni redes…

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The Three B's of Safe Travel in South America

Welcome our newest writer, Scott Drake, to the team at Not Your Average American!

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[dropcap]G[/dropcap]rowing up, my parents taught me the three “Be’s” to keep me out of trouble. After living in and getting to know Ecuadorian…

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How the Saraguros Celebrate Kapak Raymi

Kapak Raymi celebrations of the Ecuadorian Andes can be found for weeks before and after the December Solstice.

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El Turista Estadounidense en 2018

Este es el primer artículo de muchos para las guías registradas con Not Your Average American.

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Atractivos turísticos influyen…

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Best Photos from Manta, Ecuador

Check out some great photos from our trips to Manta, Ecuador.

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Our trips to Manta, Ecuador are full of great memories. When I pulled together the nine shots needed for publication in Ecuador Por Mis Ojos, I had a hard time deciding which ones to share. I could focus on the…

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Not Your Average Tips for Urban Safety in South America

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[dropcap]G[/dropcap]rowing up, my parents taught me the three “Be’s” to keep me out of trouble. After living in and getting to know Ecuadorian culture, I find they work really well as a guide to keep safe in urban areas. The…

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