When I lived in Quito, Ecuador, every few months I would drive the whole family to the beach for a long weekend. The journey was around 200 miles and took just over six hours to drive. About half the trip was descending the western slope of the Andes Mountains, the rest driving through the flat lands, plantations and following the Esmeraldas River to the coast. Near the halfway mark was a modern BP gas station and dozens of market stalls that lined the highway.

I would always stop, get gas and do some bargaining with the roadside vendors. You could get a half dozen coconuts or pineapples for a dollar. Once I saw an entire branch of bananas for sale. I mean it was like fifteen hands of bananas attached to the same branch. I asked the vendor, "cuanto questa?" He replied, "un dollar". I couldn't believe it, over one hundred bananas for a dollar? I did not even bargain with him and bought them. My wife chastised me, "we'll never eat all those!" True, but the maid's family will. I later counted 110 bananas on the branch.

Next month I was laid over in Miami airport and needed a coffee while waiting for my early morning flight. They had bananas for sale, so I took a banana to go with my coffee. I asked the check out person, "how much for the banana?" "A dollar", replied the clerk. I said, "in Ecuador I can get one hundred and ten bananas for a dollar". The reply came back, "in Miami airport Sir, they're a dollar." I bought it anyway.