having a great time...

...exploring Quito, hiking a volcano, mark and emily at the top enjoying chocolate caliente...

Rotary Club : Quito Norte

¡ my first speech in spanish, exchanging banners with the president and posing with my host counselor !

¡ photos, finally !

Left: Fabiola, Chela and Blackie, the family

Center: volunteering at the ABEI (explanation to follow)

Right: climbing to the first refuge at the still-active volcano, Cotopaxi.

¿anti-corruption committee—is it for real?

A local commercial: two little boys play soccer outside a stadium. They find tickets to the game that fell out of a man´s pocket. They consider using the tickets for themselves, but decide to return the tickets. Everyone smiles. The man goes into the game with his son. The two boys walk away with their arms around each other. Words appear on the screen: paid for by the anti-corruption campaign.

The government has decided to initiate an anti-corruption campaign aimed at children, because there is a lot of corruption here, Good idea, right? Unfortunately, I saw on the news last night that there is corruption in the anti-corruption committee—it seems that the boss gave himself a salary of $5-6 million US and similar amounts to his family. My family seemed a bit embarrassed about it, but we all know it happens in all countries...

¿ How much would you pay ?

My professor and I were reading an article about the nobel prize winner who began micro-credit programs. We both think it´s a fantastic way to help families out of the poverty cycle. She says it´s particularly useful here in Ecuador because the interest rates for a bank loan begin at 37%. One must have collateral as well. Would you be able to take out a loan here?

skinny dogs = sick children

On my commute to work one day, I walked past a skinny yellow dog lying in the middle of the sidewalk. Not curled up next to the building for warmth, not next to an owner and not in the gutter as if he had been hit by a car—but in the middle of a wide, pedestrian-filled sidewalk. His eyes were open and he was aware of where it was, but he seemed to have given up; he seemed to be waiting to die. It was one of the saddest sights I´ve seen.

Since then, I´ve noticed skinny dogs everywhere—emerging from underneath abandoned cars, searching through construction rubble for food, walking along the highway in search of roadkill. I´m not writing about this because I think Ecuadorians should spay or neuter their pets. Simply this: skinny dogs means that food is scarce. SCARCE. The dogs are not able to rummage through garbage for leftovers because there are no leftovers. There is simply not enough food for the people. In a community with more than one skinny dog, there are bound to be hungry, sickly children. Malnourished children are more prone to illness. If there is not enough money for food, there is not enough money for a doctor. A vicious cycle. Skinny dogs = sick children.

For the most part, US dogs have full trashcans through which to rummage and US dogs have the humane society to feed them. When was the last time you saw skinny, homeless dogs?

p.s. another twist: my family here doesn´t let the dog out because sometimes dogs get stolen for meals.

! elections ¡

Very exciting election process is happening at the end of September. The citizens of Ecuador will elect a National Assembly. A few details: voting is obigatory from the 18th birthday. If sick or unable to go to the polls during election day, one must prove the absense was unavoidable to the Tribunal Supremo Electoral. If the TSE find the reason unacceptable, the person will be fined. There three ways to vote: standard, anular (a protest vote), and blanco (leave paper blank if uninterested in voting or if religion prohibits civic participation i.e., Jehovas Witnesses.) Candidates are divided by name of party, by number and color. The number and color allow those who are illiterate to vote. There are over 20 parties. After the election, several “exit polls” are conducted, therefore many people have an idea what the results are before the final results are announced. Results are announced a month later.

I heard recently on US radio that more US citizens voted for American Idol than in the last presidential election...I´m curious what would happen in the US if we all were obliged to vote. more later

first impressions

Two incredibly hospitable sisters in their 60´s, Fabiola and Chela, welcomed me Monday evening with warm tea, delicious cheese and small conversations. They´ve given me the master bedroom and bath. The view from the window includes city lights and a gorgeous mountain. Fabiola cooks mouth-watering food from scratch each meal: mushroom soup, quinoa soup, talapia, bread with cheese spread and “papa” tortillas. Both sisters hug me when I wake up, when I leave for school, when I arrive home from school, and before bed. I could not ask for a more generous host family.

We celebrated their grandson´s eighth birthday on Wednesday. The kids loved the glow-in-the-dark toy I brought from the US. When the little girl turned out the lights to show it, she ran to everyone saying in a very spooky voice, ”¡ojos des gatos, ojos des gatos!” which translates to “Eyes of Cats.” I imagine it is similar to making ghost noises. The adults laughed at the english phrases they spoke with heavy accents, “sit down, excuse me, thank you.” Oh, and I understood a joke! Very intersting evening.