You know you’ve studied in the Galapagos Islands when…

After spending three unique months living in the Galapagos Islands the fall 2011 exchange students compiled a list of things that made their experience so special. Not all of them may be clear to someone who hasn’t lived here but, if you are preparing to study here, rest assured that all of these will become clear before you leave.

So, without further ado:

You know you’ve studied in the Galapagos Islands when…

… at 7:33pm, you have a strong urge to go to the panaderia for a postre.

… you can walk from the computer lab to the beach in less then 1minute
… you can draw the Galapagos currents in your sleep
… you find a crowd of ants have transformed your laptop keyboard into a hotel.
… you find sand in your back pack for weeks after camping at Puerto Chino.
… you think you may have gone deaf if you don’t hear a constant moan from sea lions.

… there is a ‘foot washing station’ outside your university so you don’t track in sand from the beach
… you wonder why anyone would EVER want to cultivate papaya.
… you wonder why anyone would EVER allow papaya to ESCAPE their garden.

… your standard response to a plate being placed in front of you is "Gracias, tiene aji?"
… you've never gone more than a day without eating rice
… not knowing the time is okay because no one but shop owners and tourists actually wear watches.
… you’re surprised that a destination might not be within walking distance.
… when you are excited to find a beach where you don't have to worry about a macho sea lion chasing you as you go out to swim
… snorkeling has become an everyday activity.
… you've tried every flavor of Amor cookies and know the secret between the 'vanilla' and the 'classic'

… you plan your day and money spending around Rico!
… you’ve gotten used to giving class presentations barefoot with your shirt unbuttoned.
… you’ve gotten used to your professors giving lectures barefoot with their shirts unbuttoned.
… having class on the beach isn’t a surprise.

… it's December and you can't go outside because you got burnt bad yesterday, not because it's freezing.
… watching the sunset is the best part of the day.
… you know you’ll see Carmen on Sunday to buy an empanada.

… when class assignments include snorkeling with sea turtles, sharks and manta rays, not to mention hundreds of fish.
… you say “hola” to everyone you pass in the street whether or not they saw you. Chances are you already met them.
… dancing in mud is more fun than dancing at Iguana Rock.
… it seems like Fabo paints anything he can get his hands on.
… you go to the panadería even though you just had dessert.

… you are excited when there are vegetables on your plate
… finches landing on the table next to you no longer distracts you.
… peanut butter costs eight dollars?!
… Ziploc baggies don’t exist to you.

… when I climbed into the crevices of the mountains in Punta Pitt in search of Nazca, Red Footed, and Blue Footed Boobies.
… whatever you’re doing right now, you’d rather be salsa dancing.
… you want dreads. Just two. Hanging down your back.

… when you press Alt Gr + Q to get an @ sign on as U.S. keyboard.
… you add ‘-ita’ to the end of everything.
… finding dependable internet to Skype is like finding the end of a rainbow.

… when applying sunscreen becomes as natural as breathing.
… chickens and roosters outnumber dogs and cats in the household.

… when your feet are scared from kicking lava rocks, and your only response is a nonchalant "chuta"

… you don't go anywhere without at least 5 other gringos
… a method of securing the back door is placing a rock in front of it.
… you hurry through dinner so you can get the triangle at Iguana.
… visiting another island is a day or weekend trip.
… rice is an acceptable side to pasta.
… you think twice before flushing toilet paper.

… a hail a white pick up truck as a taxi cab.

… you go back home and still throw the toilet paper in the garbage can.
… you don’t hesitate to walk around barefoot.

… you have (or your stuff has) gotten ran over/laid on/sniffed/etc. by lobos marinos.

… you get the craving for an empanada every Sunday afternoon.

…you think of all things as being chevere and tranquilo.

… when you describe how to get to a location using only strange landmarks (like behind the painted boat on land, or next to the broken flamingo statues).

… you can tell the time of day by the sun's position in the sky.

… you've given a presentation barefoot.

… you've slowed your walking pace to a stroll.

… you get cold when it's 70 degrees outside.

… all of your money has been spent on ice cream and empanadas.