Friday, September 10, 2004

Food in Baños.

Although there is no shortage of food here in Baños , nor is it expensive, however you will find very few obese children or adults walking the streets. The eating customs here are more likely to follow the old adage, “eat to live and not the live to eat. There is also no dearth of restaurants, but as yet no McDonalds, Burger King or Kentucky Fried Chicken. Most of the restaurants are for the tourists as the local population prefer to take their meals at home.

For the tourists who want a choice of Epicurean delights, they will be disappointed. You can expect to pay from $0.90-$2.50 for breakfast and $1.00-$4.00 for lunch or dinner. Tipping is not expected, or warranted for that mater. You will be asked what you would like, it will be served without comment and when you are ready to leave you will most likely have to look up the server. One of these days, things will change. Someone will explain that if you give a little more attention, you can double the amount of the bill and may even get a tip to boot.

While on this subject...Laura, who owns the Internet café and restaurant where I spend a lot of time, was alone a few days ago and to help her out, I waited on a table of three people from Spain.. When they were almost finished, I placed the check on a small saucer and left it on the corner of the table and told them “when you are ready”.. They placed some money on the saucer, and I brought the change. A few minutes later they left and when I picked up the dirty dishes the change was still on the plate. I showed it to Laura and we both laughed. That could be the beginning of change. If this custom catches on....I guess I am the person to blame. Sorry.

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