What A Wonderful World

So I am still without wireless. I think it is a problem with the wireless in Quito, because none of my friends get wireless either. Anyway, these past few days have been fun. Friday night we went to Rusty Burger, the best burger place ever. The owner is from California, and he remembers us from the last time we were there. We told him he should open Rusty Burger in Boston because we love it so much. We even took pictures with him. After Rusty Burger, we went to the liquor store near my house and had a mini fiesta in my house. After this, we went to Nobar and danced the night away. Yesterday, I went out with my family to lunch. It was my mom´s father´s birthday, so we went to this ceviche place. Ceviche, for those that don´t know, is a combination of my least favorite foods. So I got the steak. Then last night, all my friends and I went to this AMAZING Argentine steak house. Now, here´s how you know you´ve adapted to the lifestyle here. This steakhouse has filet mignon for about $8, and my steak was about $7. The bottle of Argentine wine we shared was $15. Now, at first glance I thought these prices were expensive. I mean, the previous times we went out to eat, we paid about $3 for lunch. To me, these prices were expensive. Craig quickly pointed out to me that a good filet mignon in the US would be about $30, and the bottle of wine that we got would easily be about $50. That made me happy, so I decided to order this amazing steak. MY GOD WAS IT GOOD. It was the best steak I´ve ever had for the price. The potatoes were amazing as well. The wine was also good, and what was interesting that unlike previous wines I have had, this does not have a strong taste at all, which according to Craig, is a sign of an excellent wine. He also taught me alot about wine in general, which is good because as soon as I turn 21 I am planning to go to wine tasting parties.
One thing interesting about this particular Argentine restaurant that led to an interesting conversation last night was the service. Now, the standard here in Ecuador is you get your appetizer, when you have finished that, the server takes it, and you wait a little bit for your entree. Once you´ve finished your entree, the server takes the plate, and once again, you wait a little before getting dessert. Now in the States, it is the complete opposite. You get your appetizer, sometimes you don´t even finish before they bring you your entree, and before you even finish they ask for dessert. Now, I personally like the way they do it here because you have time to let your food settle. Last night upon arriving, I wasn´t hungry. However, it was about a good hour between the time I arrived and the time I got my steak, so by then I was hungry. And that´s how it should be. Why are we so impatient in the States? We want our food. I know I was one of those people that would wonder where my food was if I was waiting more than 10 minutes. Yet last night, I found myself not even caring. Marie, who has been a server for many years, says people get mad if the service is slow in the States? Why, it´s better to allow your stomache to digest one thing at a time, that way you don´t feel like you´re going to burst after you leave a restaurant.
Speaking of my previous mention of prices and the US, I think I am going to get a rude awakening when I get back to the States. It´s hard to believe that here I think $4 for a cocktail is expensive, when in the States they are twice that. And nevermind gas, I read an article that said gas is at about $4. What a rip off, I think it´s time to start digging in ANWR. I also decided that during the summer if I need something at Hannford, I am going to walk (yes, walk). It´s probably a little more than a mile, and I´ve walked my fair share here in Quito that I could care less. Yep, what a rude awakening I will get when I get back.