Taking a shower in Ecuador 101

When you come to visit, if you stay more than a day or two, you may want to take a shower. Since coming here a couple of months ago now, I have come across approximately two showers that work the way the ones at home do. For the rest of the showers, I will include a brief tutorial in this blog entry.

Knobs - These are called llaves in Spanish. I can't think of what they're called in English, so we'll stick with knobs for now. You know what I mean.

• If you are on the coast or in the jungle, if there is a shower with running water, there will likely be one knob to turn for acquiring this water. It will be cold. Since you will probably be quite hot, this will not matter.  You will start perspiring again as soon as you turn the water off.

• If you are in the mountains, you will most likely be presented with the "customary" two knobs. Here are a few things you should know:

1. The knob for hot water is sometimes on the left. Sometimes it is on the right.
2. C does not stand for cold. It stands for caliente. That means hot. F stands for frío. That means cold. Usually there are no letters, so it doesn't matter what stands for what. 
3. Sometimes the hot water is hot. Sometimes the hot water is cold. I'm sure this makes sense to you. 

Water heating systems - Depending on where you come, this section may or may not be applicable. 

• Calefón - Water heater

1. If there is a water heater, do not assume you will have hot water. 
2. Possibly to get hot water from the water heater, you will have to shower between 5:00 and 6:00 in the morning. 
3. Turn on the knob for hot water.  Wait for the water to get hot. Keep waiting. Turn off the knob for hot water. Turn on the knob for cold water in case this is actually the hot water knob. Wait for hot water. Keep waiting. Try the other knob again. Take a cold shower. 
4. If and when the water heater decides to work, it may really work. In this case, you will possibly get scalded at some point in your shower. It will make up for the other cold showers you have taken. 

• Ducha eléctrica - Electric shower

This sounds inherently dangerous. Don't worry; it is. You should always wear your rubber shower suit when you use one of these showers. (Just kidding)

1. You may or may not have to flip the lever to turn on the electric current. If this step is necessary, please do it before you turn the water on. 
2. If there are knobs, try to find hot (see process described above). Open the tap fully until you hear the electricity. Or maybe you won't hear it. You can just pretend you understand what you are supposed to be listening for because this is how it has been explained to you. Next, turn the knob back until the water is almost off. That should enable you to have a hot shower. You will have no water pressure, of course, since you have nearly turned the water off, but one can't have everything. 
3. If there are no knobs, look for some other way to make water come out of the shower head. 
4. You might find a lever somewhere up above you. This could be what you need to move to get water. Or it could be a random lever that causes some disaster to take place elsewhere in the house. Go ahead and try it. 
5. Sometimes the water temperature control might be on the shower head itself. Again, never assume that water of the temperature that you select is what you will get.  Also, this temperature selection should be made before you turn the water on. (Electricity, remember?)
6. If you had to turn on the electric current before you got in, please remember to turn it off when you are finished showing. 

Alternatives to running water

• Cistern - I have never seen a cistern in any kind of enclosure. This means that either a sponge bath is in order or you will need to wait until after dark. 
• Bucket - I don't think a detailed explanation is needed here. The only thing you will have to figure out is how to fill the bucket. 
• Creeks, rivers, streams - Check with your host regarding local piranha presence. 
• Stink - If you choose this option, I will send you to visit the brother workers. 

Q & A

• Q - I see there is a bucket inside the shower stall. Why is this necessary if there is running water?
• A - Never assume there will be running water. If there is running water, do not assume it will run all the way through your showing experience. If you are wise, make sure the bucket is full of water before you begin showering. That way if the water quits before you've gotten all the shampoo out of your hair, you're not stuck with a head full of suds for the rest of the day. 

• Q - Will my hosts provide me with a towel and washcloth?
• A - You may or may not get a towel. What's a washcloth?

• Q - Should I be conservative with my water usage?
• A - Probably. In some places, the water runs out part way through the day. It's a good idea to be as considerate as possible. 

I'm sure you now have as good of an understanding of Ecuadorian showers as I do. When you come to visit, there will be a test. ¡Buena suerte!