Internet Cafes in Puerto Lopez #AtoZChallenge
Many families in Puerto Lopez (and much of Ecuador) do not have internet at home. They do have internet needs – communicating with family abroad or school children who need to perform research. Internet cafes (cyber cafes) throughout Puerto Lopez fill both needs. You lease computer access for 15 minute intervals.
School begins later this month, which means many internet cafes will be fairly empty while school is in session. They fill up as soon as the school day ends with kids researching subjects and catching up with distant friends.
Internet cafes do not have wifi
When you are in Puerto Lopez, your hotel will have wifi. If you need to print or copy anything, the internet cafes are the place to go. They do not have wifi so bring documents on a USB stick to print from their computers.
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A look back
Last year, I wrote Iguanas at our Bedroom Window
Emily Bloomquist
I am a US Expat in Ecuador. I grew up on a Minnesota farm, worked in IT in California's Silicon Valley, then moved to a coastal Ecuador fishing village. My goal is to share Ecuador with you, one snippet at a time. Topics include attractions, compassion, ecotourism, Ecuador products, everyday Ecuador, and flora and fauna. Please let me know what you would like to read more about!
34 Comments
DC
Interesting. WHat's the cost for 15 minutes of computer time?
Emily Bloomquist
Most of them charge $.25 for 15 minutes. Thanks for asking, DC.
Anonymous
Lovely post, Emily. Reminded me of a time when cyber cafe was the only way to get connected to friends and family and to download and print study materials etc(around 2001, I believe)
Best wishes for the rest of the challenge.��
Moon.
Emily Bloomquist
Thank you, Moon. Nice to catch up with you.
Heather Erickson
Internet cafes are something you see nearly everywhere but in the States. We have done a lot of traveling and have used them overseas, but I think we take the internet access we have for granted, here. Have a great day!
Emily Bloomquist
I think that is true! Thanks for stopping and commenting Heather. 🙂
Lisa
I enjoy the photographs you include in your posts. I've heard of Internet cafes, but never have seen one. I looked it up, and all I see listed is cafes that have free WiFi. I'm in the US, so most of us have a computer and smart phone. If we don't, we can go to the library and use Internet computers for free.
Emily Bloomquist
Thanks very much, Lisa, for your kindness! I have never seen one in the US either. I think the closest to our internet cafes would be the computer area of the library. Puerto Lopez does have a library but no computers there. Thanks again!
Keith's Ramblings
It seems years ago I last had to to seek out an internet cafe! Thinking back, I really enjoyed going to them!
A-Z of My Friend Rosey!
Emily Bloomquist
Perhaps it is time to head to one with Rosey so you can reminisce. I'm sure she has some interesting memories there. Thanks Keith.
Heidi
We do take for granted the easy access we have to Wifi/Free wifi here in the States….You don't see that in other areas of the world. Finding free wifi in some countries is nearly impossible.
Emily Bloomquist
That is true, Heidi. Ecuador has been installing free wifi in public areas. For example, there is free wifi on the Puerto Lopez pier. You still need an internet enabled device for it to be useful. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Karen O'Connor
I've never been to an internet cafe but it sounds like a great idea. Weekends In Maine
Emily Bloomquist
They are so useful for folks with no internet! Thanks for visiting and commenting, Karen.
Deborah Weber
While I've seen internet cafes while traveling, I've never visited one. I'd certainly find it a challenging adjustment to do without easy access.
Emily Bloomquist
We become so used to having information at our fingertips 24×7. Somewhat related – It was a difficult but welcome adjustment for me to have no internet on my phone unless I am on wifi. After five years, it is normal to me now. It is how all of my friends' phones are, too. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Deborah!
Jz
It's a great thing that these exist, but I'm wondering: is there a discounted rate for students? I'm just wondering about having to pay to get your homework done…
Emily Bloomquist
I am not certain, Jz, but I think students do get 50% off. They also get that 50% off for taxi and bus rides to and from school. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
LauraEhlers
How interesting. Its hard to imagine living where wifi is not easily accessible.
20 years ago, before we even owned a computer, my treat for our kids was to go to a local internet cafe. It was so exciting and foreign to log on to AOL!! Its sort of sad that they are gone now, unless you count coffee shops with free wifi…
Emily Bloomquist
Ahhh, AOL. That was a while ago. If you decide that you would like to take a trip down memory lane and head to an internet cafe, now you know where to find them again. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Laura!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Emily – I've been to the odd one … but prefer working at home – all set up and rarin to go – however quite understand that the kids need access … interesting to read the charge – cheers Hilary
Emily Bloomquist
I much prefer working at home, too. The internet cafes are most popular with the teenage to 30's crowd. I think most people over 40 stop in to do something, do it and leave. Thanks once again for taking the time to stop by and comment!
VARAD L.E.R.T
What about online games? Do these Internet cafes let the users play games and stuff? I remember a spew of such Internet cafes doubling up as gaming centers in the early 2000s in India.
I is for Innocence
Emily Bloomquist
I have seen several people using them for online gaming. It will be interesting to see if any of them become a hub for gaming. Thanks for stopping by and commenting Varad!
DeeDee
Internet cafes have almost vanished in India. I remember, it was a rage about 10 years back..we used to spend hours there, chatting, emailing etc.
nice pictures
Tongue Twister for J
Emily Bloomquist
If you want to step back in time, come on over DeeDee 🙂 That is exactly how people are spending their time in them here. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Arti Jain
Hey Emily. I'm loving all the artwork in your shots. The groovy font in the first picture and that computer thingy in the second…cool captures.
I is for Ishq
Emily Bloomquist
Thanks so much Arti! You remind me that I need to include more of the artwork around town in future posts. There are some very talented artists here.
Eva A.
In Morocco is very easy to find Internet cafés when you need one. So, I'm surprised when I travel in Europe, where those have almost disappeared, if not completely!
Emily Bloomquist
It is easy to grow accustomed to having one in every neighborhood. When they are not there, I have no idea where to print things. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Eva!
Nancy Adkins
Thank you for reminding me how convient life is with our home wifi and cable. I will try to be a little less impatient the next time my internet is interrupted for a few moments.
Emily Bloomquist
It is nice to have a reminder now and then. I am fortunate to have internet at home, too, Nancy. Thanks for visiting and commenting!
Ronel Janse van Vuuren
We have internet cafes too 🙂
Ronel from Ronel the Mythmaker A-Z road-tripping with Everything Writerly: I is for Ill-prepared
Emily Bloomquist
They seem easy to find in some countries and non-existent in others. Thanks Ronel!