Most of my family is already in the U.S. but that hasn't prevented our traditions from flourishing. In fact, it has prevailed.

Being far from our homeland can make it challenging to continue with traditions, but not for my family. Perhaps because they are so much fun they are hard to forget. That’s why I love it. I know many people feel patriotic about their country but to me being Ecuadorian is very special.

Our delicious food ranges from a variety depending on the region. My family comes from the highlands, and therefore, we eat a lot of a cooked corn called mote and the famous humitas. Humitas are made from corn dough and seasonings and wrapped in corn husks. They are a prehistoric Native American dish in South American countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Perú, and Ecuador. They take a very long time to make but with help from the whole family, it’s very worth it at the end.

Our traditions are also fun. It ranges from traditional colorful clothing and dances to our unique slang. Other Latinos may know us as ñaños, a word used depending on its context. It can refer to a sibling, aunt/uncle or when talking about an Ecuadorian person. For example, personally, I say ñaño or ñaña when referring to my uncles.

A very fun aspect is that we love to dance. At parties, we listen to a lot of Ecuadorian music such as cumbia, techno cumbia, and if we're feeling emotional, pasillos are the way to go. I remember my grandfather used to listen to pasillos when getting drunk, that’s usually the ideal time for them to be heard. My grandfather and uncles would also grab their guitars and while drinking they would sing pasillos and sometimes cry. The pasillo roots come from the European waltz that came to America in the 18th century, according to the Ecuadorian newspaper, El Comercio. Pasillos are very famous in Ecuador and especially in times of celebration as it's considered an emotional type of music.

Family is also extremely important. At least in my family, I have to spend Christmas and New Years Eve with them, there is no getting around it. The family bond is very strong and we are always helping each other out whether it's financially or emotionally. For us, it's always family over everything else. Every Sunday we gather around and make food together, then enjoy the rest of the evening relaxing and chatting.

Yet, the greatest part about being Ecuadorian are definitely the parties that last until the next morning. We are party people. Whether you're Ecuadorian or not, if you come to one of our parties be prepared to dance all night. No person is ever left sitting at their table. I remember for my sisters Quinceañera party, we even had the waiters from the venue dancing with us. It was such a happy moment that my family wanted everyone on the dance floor, literally.

Being Ecuadorian is more than just being part of a small little South American country. It's about the culture and traditions. Especially for me, what makes it more special are the teachings passed down through generations, of food recipes, special celebrations like Carnaval and about the importance of family and home. It’s unbelievable that although we live in a different country, our traditions have survived. Just like my parents did, I will make sure I do the same. Being Ecuadorian is great but our culture is what makes it more amazing.