Ever been mistaken for a different race? Probably not.

So here's the thing, I'm NOT MEXICAN! (not that I have anything against Mexicans. They're good people c: )

Yes I have dark brown hair, yes my skin is tan (ok very tan). And yes my eyes are brown. That does not mean I'm Mexican. Almost every person I've met that is not from my country thinks I'm Mexican. So I'm here to give you all a little different lesson, on a race that isn't recognized as much. c:

Well y'all may be wondering what the heck an Ecuadorian is.

Let's make it into a concept everyone will understand (hopefully). Think of South America. Got it? If not, South America is where Brazil is. (world cup anyone?) Now that you've got South America pictured in your head think of the equator. See equator, Ecuador? Make sense? Ecuador is positioned right on the equator, so it's super warm there. (trust me I know)

Anyways Ecuador is a small country right next to Colombia, and Peru. If you can't quite picture it, look it up and you'll see how small we are.

Each country is different, due to that each country has different traditions. Some traditions are tied in to religion, such as Christmas, goodFriday, and many more. Guess what? It's fact time...

Did you know that 91.95% of Ecuadorians have a religion? *cue overly hyper voice*

80.44% being Catholic, most of the country is Catholic, so 14.01% is another religion. So religiously your character may be Catholic, though there are many more religions spread throughout the country! Now here are a few traditions and holidays from Ecuador!

NEW YEARS

For new years eve (which is on December 31st and January 1st by the way) we have a special tradition. This tradition is when we buy these sort of dummies made out of paper, and newspaper. They are resembled to look like people, or animated characters. Usually there will also be political figures and such. There also masks that you can purchase. Mostly people buy these, out in the streets because people will set up booths. Though it is possible to make your own. These people that sell these figures work mostly all year to make as many as they can. Then at exactly midnight we burn the dummy (don't worry it's totally safe!) The fire represents that we are burning away all our worries, and mistakes from the last year and starting a new year. It's very symbolic, and fun. Sometimes we even jump over the flames for fun. Unfortunately my family and I don't do this tradition anymore because we don't live there and it would be impossible to get a dummy in the US.

There are also firework shows and something called noche de viudas. A bunch of people dress up as women and they walk around like that. I've never really understood this but I'll ask my parents if you have more questions about this.

DIA DE LOS DIFUNTOS (OR DAY OF THE DECEASED)

On November 2nd Ecuadorians gather together with their families to think about their dead relatives and friends. This is nothing like how Mexicans celebrate it. Ecuadorians make this pastry called guagas de pan (which mean bread babies in Quechua , which is a native language of Ecuador) They literally look like bread dolls, and then usually the kids decorate it. In the end everyone eats it with colada morada (which means purple sort of drink) it's made from fruits and it's warm and purple of course. It tastes delicious. Usually everyone is happy during this time remembering their friends and relatives, and this is one of my favorite holidays.

CARNIVAL

When you hear the word carnival don't you think of Brazil? Well Carnival in Ecuador is quite different. It is celebrated usually in February , it usually falls between February 3rd and March 9th. To be honest this is one of my favorite things about Ecuador, and something I miss terribly. Let me tell you, carnival is super fun! During carnival we get to throw liquids and things such at each other! Ranging from just water, to juice, to even car oil! Sometimes even eggs, and flour are involved. You get to dunk your family, neighbors, and friends with all things imaginable. Though many commercials run through TV warning people to play safe, and not roughhouse as much. The time when it's the most active, is the day before Ash Wednesday. That Tuesday all heck breaks loose as kids bombard each other with things. Silly string, shaving cream, water, eggs. It is so fun! (This would also be a good place to start your story!)

HISPANICS DON'T EAT TACOS AND BURRITOS ALL THE TIME! ( remember at the beginning how I said my race got mistaken, well I usually get mistaken for Mexican. I don't have anything against Mexicans but wouldn't you feel bad if someone called you something you weren't? Someone thought you we're something completely different than what you are?)

Yes I know you think TACOS , and SOMBREROS, every time you hear Spanish, but that's not everything.

Usually Ecuadorians eat rice. Wether it's just plain white, brown or yellow it is a must have at every meal. We also eat either meat, chicken or fish with every meal. Even with breakfast we make big meals for almost everything. Like when I get home from school, I've already had "lunch" at school but I still eat what I consider real lunch at my house. My personal favorite is my mom's ground beef, with rice, and cut up tomatoes. Another thing about food is that it varies depending on the country. A tradition that my family had when I used to live in Ecuador was getting together every Sunday and eat my grandma's famous molido (molido is green banana which is not sweet at all, blended up with peanut butter and my grandmas secret ingredient to make the most amazing breakfast food.) My dad my mom, my 2 sisters, my grandparents, my dad's 3 brothers and their family would all come to breakfast on Sundays! Each family has different traditions and I just thought I should share that Ecuadorians always stick to their families.

PLACES

If you want your character to be a little bit more different, here are a few add ons that are a bit different about Ecuadorians.

Your character may be from the Galapagos Islands, which is a part of Ecuador. To get into the Galapagos islands you must get permission from the government, usually only Ecuadorians are allowed. The Galapagos is filled with wildlife and nature, and is used to protect a lot of endangered animals. Maybe your character lives there and nature is part of their life.

Secondly a part of your story may be taking place in the exact middle of the world. The exact middle of the world is in Ecuador, where they have a big building sort of thing. (been there done that) They have food, rides and museums. It's actually pretty fun.

Finally if you want your character to live a more sort of poor life, (unfortunately a lot of Ecuadorians don't have all the luxuries of houses, clothes, and food every day) there's a place called Otavalo. Its kind of like a flea market, except it's outside and really big and wide. There are all sorts of booths, with a bunch of stuff such as food, hats, clothes, jewelry and such. Almost everything is hand made, and run by local people.This stuff is considered artisan. I've had the pleasure of going there and getting a few things. ( Fortunately I had a more comfortable life-style when I lived in Ecuador) If you want more information about any of these 3 places you can go ahead and ask me ( at @JTheNerdyFanWarrior)

NAMES AND SUCH

I'll mostly be talking just about Ecuador, but I might go a bit more general in some stuff.

For example most Hispanic people do not have names like (Ex. Juan Jose Hernandez, Maria De La Rosa Guerrera.) Come on we can get more creative!

For example my name is Giuliana, (but it's Italian and my mom's pretty creative) also most people have middle names. Here are a few first and middle names you could use (girls): Fatima, Juliana, Gabriella, Camila, or Kamila, Selena, Pamela, Jessica, and so on. (boys): Daniel, Fransisco, Diego, Eduardo, Fabricio, Joel, Alex, Martin, and more.

Here are a few more creative last names: Manila, Polero, Gomez, Aguilera (did you know Christina Aguilera's dad is Ecuadorian?) Fernández, Ventura, Zamorano, Crespo,like I said there are many to choose from.

MISCELLANEOUS STUFF THAT I PROBABLY FORGOT TO MENTION

*cue super hyper and fake voice*

1. ~not all Ecuadorians have tan skin, brown hair, and brown eyes. In the coast most people have darker skin, and darker hair. Some other people have blonde hair, but that's really up to genetics!

2.~ Capital city is Quito!

3. ~Flag colors are Yellow, Blue, and Red. Yellow is slightly larger on the flag. Also there's a shield in the middle, with a river, plains, mountains, the sun, and a condor standing on top of it.

4. ~The country bird is the Condor! Its also endangered.

5. ~Ecuador is the world's biggest banana producer!

6.~ One of the only countries that grows cocoa beans! (the stuff chocolate is made from)

7.~ Ecuador is divided into regions, not states.

8.~ Ecuador is smaller than Texas! (I know right?! I couldn't believe it when I first heard it!)

9.~ It's usually warm there, so there isn't snow, there have been rare cases of snow and you'll only find it on top of mountains.

10.~ I probably did not mention this but Ecuadorians do speak Spanish, though some speak native languages the most popular one being Quechua.