Luz de America

La Despedida

2009-08-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

La despedida, or leaving, of my friends from the U has not been easy. While several have stayed behind in Quito to finish their theses as I am doing, many of my best friends have left for Bolivia or Colombia or wherever else they call home. It is a major change, especially being in the residency and not having my friends a door or two down the hall.

With that said, we did make sure to celebrate la despedida in serious fashion, with an Ecuadorian friend hosting the goodbye party at his parents' country house where we grilled all sorts of meat and danced until the first flight of the early morning took the Bolivian guys home. We had a great time, and while I could hardly move (earlier that day had been the marathon), I managed to find a drum and bang along with the salsa beat. Bless those 7th grade drumming lessons! However, by midnight the day's exertion had caught up to me, and I was pretty much passed out despite the blaring music for the rest of the night...

Maraton de Quito

2009-08-02T18:58:00.000-07:00

Well, so I didn't actually run the full thing, but given that Quito sits above 9,000 ft., doing half of it in under 2 hours should count for something. I ran alone - waking up at 5 AM for a 6 AM 13 mile run isn't everyone's idea of a good time? - but somehow enjoyed myself despite my condition. I was running on fumes the whole way, only two days off of an all-nighter that began when classes ended, salsa dancing started, and then at 4 AM my friends and I embarked on an 8 hour bus ride to the Northern coast, where we spent two days and one night at the beach before the long return in time for the marathon. Maybe that's why I haven't done much running since...

"¡Y llora, y llora, y llora Maradona!"

2009-08-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

And cry, and cry, and cry Maradona! is what this chant translates into from Spanish (without the fun rhyming of course.) Maradona is one of the world's best players and the captain of the 1986 Argentinian squad that won the World Cup. Needless to say, Ecuadorian fans do not see him in quite this positive a light. Rather, he is the hated coach of one of the South American soccer teams that stands between the Ecuadorian national futbol team and qualification for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

On June 10, a group of friends (all fans of the Tricolor of course) went to the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa to sit under the giant flag section and watch these two rival teams face-off. At the time, both teams were about equal in the standings - just on the cusp of qualification. This is not an unusual position for Ecuador - it usually makes the World Cup, sometimes doing quite well. Nonetheless, it is not considered an historically dominant team in the mold of Brazil or Italy.

On this afternoon however, the Ecuadorian team looked the part. A rough first 20 minutes was capped by a penalty called within the box. However, Ecuador's goal-keeper came up huge, making a spectacular save on the penalty-kick that turned the momentum 180 degrees around. For the next 70 minutes, Ecuador controlled the game entirely. They ended up winning 2-0, nearly 3-0 but for a shot that just ricochet off the post. The pictures tell the rest of the story.

Orchids and Guinea Pigs

2009-08-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

What do they have in common? Before domestication, guinea pigs had a highly evolved symbiotic relationship with orchids. The males would pollinate the flowers and in exchange would cover themselves in the orchids' odor, an odor used to subsequently attract female guinea pigs...

That's not true. At all. In fact, I'm not even sure if these creatures ever lived in the wild in the first place. I can't see it defending itself particularly well. Evolution would have had a field day with them.

So what do they actually have in common? In May I enjoyed both at Parque Carolina, among Ecuador's largest and most beautiful parks. And when I say enjoy, I mean I photographed the beautiful orchids and ate a grilled guinea pig, locally known as "cuy" for the sounds it makes (try making the noise in a high-pitch, you'll see the indigenous got the name just right.) I know, it sounds terribly cruel, but in Ecuador the g. pig has traditionally been a very important animal for the indigenous people. In addition to providing protein (tastes like chicken, of course), they were kept indoors as guard animals. I'm actually not messing around about the guard animal part. While not attacking, people believed that the little critters could sense bad energy, and when someone entered the house who could not be trusted, would make the "cuy cuy cuy" noise and alert the host.

El Oriente...

2009-08-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

...is what Ecuadorians call the portion of the Amazon that lies within their border. It used to be far larger, but regional conflicts with Peru and Brazil shrunk its size quite significantly. It's beauty, however, is not diminished, and during my April spring break a friend and I took a bus 6 hours east of Quito to a rainforest ecolodge called Suchipakari.

As part of the trip we had a local guide named Juan who was a really excellent guy. Having grown up in the area and being the son of a local shaman, he was an endless source of knowledge about local plants food and medicinal characteristics, the various animals found in the rainforest, and a wealth of other information. He could even make eyeglasses out of vines, as can be seen on the right.

Besides several hikes through the Amazon (where we saw a coral snake, look up how their bite kills), we took a boat ride on one of the river's primary tributaries, visited an animal rehabilitation center (monkeys try to steal your bag), prepared and drank chica (fermented yucca or corn, in this case yucca) and ate ants (they were small and you just pop 'em real quick; they taste like lemon!), prepared chocolate with cacao we found in the rainforest (Swiss chocolate = nonsense. They just mix in that country and collect the receipts - the cacao itself is imported. You think it grows in those frigid mountain ranges?) and played with monkeys that live in the small town nearby. I really got into that part.

¡Carnaval!

2009-08-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

Carnaval is a Brazilian celebration, a week of masks and mayhem, right? Wrong. Or wrong in that it is only a Brazilian celebration – I think the rest is probably true. Being a very Catholic country, Ecuador also celebrates the holiday, albeit in a slightly-toned down manner. With Monday and Tuesday in early February off, a group of University friends and I left for Baños – a town south of Quito – for an extended weekend. I had visited once before, but was utterly unprepared for the events this time through. There were parades with dozens of dances performed by folks aged 4 to 104. There were solemn processions of the Virgin Mary through the town with people crowding to touch the Virgin’s dress for good luck.

And, most importantly of all, there was espuma. Espuma is basically colored shaving cream that when shaken shoots out from its bottle at dangerous velocities. Moreover, it has an automatic homing mechanism that aims for the eyes of gringos. Or it may be the locals with the homing mechanisms. Regardless, everywhere I walked I heard the warning cry of “¡Gringo!” or roughly translated, “Look, an easy American target that I can shoot with espuma and then laugh at with my friends!” followed seconds later by a stream of foam. I don’t mean to give a negative impression however. The truth is that it was all in good fun, and that five-year old girl who tapped me on the back and then shot me point blank in the eye – nothing but love. Also, I must also admit that I was far from an innocent civilian. I’m pretty sure I went through over a dozen bottles of this foamy joy during my vacation…and you should have seen how that five year-old who started it ended up.

Rotary!

2009-02-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

Rotary events have been picking up of late. Several weeks ago a fellow scholar and I went to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city near the coast. We gave presentations on the United States and our experiences in Ecuador, and were treated to an awesome weekend in the beach town of Salinas. The photo is of the local Rotarian who so generously hosted me for the weekend.

A week before that, I helped the local Rotaract (Rotary for under-thirty year-olds) organize a country-wide conference. In addition to charter and other formal work, we played some mean futbol and went out to a giant discotecha.

Finally, several months ago, I was lucky enough to attend to the reception for Rotary International's President - Dong Kurn Lee. I even got a photo of him holding my sponsor club - Claremont Noon's flag! Not if only I can track the thing down to post it!

La Vida Diaria

2009-02-28T15:16:00.000-08:00

Usually I post about trips I take or events happening in Ecuador. But believe it or not, life here is more than travel and celebration. I live in the dormitory of Universidad Andina Simon Bolivar, one of the most luxurious places I have ever called home. I have my own bathroom, television with cable (rarely used), and a common kitchen area. These are especially fancy amenities in Ecuador where one usually puts used toilet paper in small trashcans and hopes hot water will flow from the showerhead. The reason is that the University is a project of the Andean Community, and as a result, we have many high ranking officials and dignitaries stay in the residency. It is more like a hotel than a dorm in this way.

The other consequence of being an Andean Community institution is that my peers come from all the five countries of the region - Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela and Colombia. The diversity here is one of the reasons I applied, and I have not be dissapointed. It is intellectually and emotionally engaging to be surrounded by so many different cultures. We constantly tease one another over different accents and slang, expressions and foods. We bring unique experiences and viewpoints to bear on issues ranging from political philosophy to how best to cook rise. Above all, we take a genuine interest in one another.

Finally, with regards to my studies, the University's International Relations Masters Program has been a challenge in the best sense of the word. We read an impressive amount - nearly all in Spanish - on subjects ranging from international institutions to theories of development to economic and political systems. Not all of the material is easy to digest, nor are the perspectives of some of my class mates. While I came to Ecuador expecting some resentment towards the United States, I did not understand the depth of frustration held by many students. As a result, my classes are a powerful learning experience. I have grown not only through formal academics, but also in coming to understand other opinions, experiences and forms of expression. Over time, I have learned how to best engage with my classmates on touchy subjects of politics and economics and culture - of how to accept criticism of the country I love and how to explain its strengths and values.

Inauguration Day!

2009-01-26T10:09:00.001-08:00

This past Tuesday was Obama's inauguration, and

Ecuador

was paying attention. The vast majority of people I speak to – students and professors, Rotarians and non-Rotarians – are impressed by Obama. They feel he is very smart and thoughtful, and sincere. The newspapers put him on the front page numerous times over the last week, and followed up with detailed stories about his biography (there is a huge fascination with his being biracial) and some of his policies (especially on economic and “War on Terror” issues.) There is certainly excitement and a repressed hope.

The repressed part stems from a fundamental skepticism of the United States on the part of many, although certainly not all, Ecuadorians. In particular, there is profound objection to Guantanamo, perhaps because of Latin America’s history of human rights abuses, sometimes supported the United States. Its closure will help, but our credibility was pretty badly damaged.

Despite all this, the hope is there. If it were not, nobody would even pay attention the election – and most everyone did. Beneath the openly voiced objections to many US policies, there lies an intense desire for Obama to succeed in re-starting our economy (and thus Ecuador's in large part!), helping to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, closing Guantanamo, and simply reaching out and showing interest in the region.

I tried to do my small Ambassadorial part by inviting several of my University friends to join me at a bar in watching the event. We had a diverse international group – an Ecuadorian, Bolivian, and Colombian joined me and did their best to understand Obama’s speech. They were impressed by what they understood, and certainly by the obvious enthusiasm it generated. I know they also felt my excitement and graciously shared in it, listening to my reflections and asking questions. It is good to have friends like these.

Navidad en Ecuador

2009-01-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Ecuador! While the dorm dispersed across Latin America to be with their families, I joined my friend Ana Maria and her family to celebrate in Quito. Herself, her brother, her aunt and uncle welcomed me in celebrating, a tradition that involves calling family members and loved ones, a big dinner, and waiting until midnight to open presents. My experience was like the rest of mine so far - filled with generosity. Not only was I welcomed into the home of the uncle I had never met, but the group pitched in and bought me a beautiful alpaca sweater, hat and a book of photography. It was a really terrific way to spend my first Christmas outside the US!

Lindo Mindo

2009-01-26T08:38:00.000-08:00

Mindo is a small town - as in one central plaza - with plenty of outdoor adventures. In early December, several friends from University and I took the weekend to visit. We went zip-lining above the cloud-forest and white water rafting down the river, and I also visited the "mariposario," or butteryfly farm.

My friend Jenny zip-lining over the cloud-forest. She is coming out of the butterfly position which involves going upside down and spreading your arms and legs. You look down at the trees and feel like you're moving backwards. It is a pretty cool experience, but you better be ok with heights.

Denise and I getting ready for white-water rafting, Mindo-style. You and two guides - 16 or 17 year old guys - get on a bunch of tubes tied together with rope. There are no paddles. Why not? Because the guides just jump off the tubes at various points they know to be shallow enough and redirect the raft. Or they push off of the rocks. Definitely not street legal in the states, but seriously impressive.

Baños

2008-11-23T15:13:00.000-08:00

Baños is a relatively small city on the edge of el Oriente, the rainforest region in eastern Ecuador. It takes its name from its number of hot springs, and is famous for outdoor tourist attractions such as mountain biking, repelling, bungie jumping (or a form thereof), hiking, and white water rafting. When I went it was very cold, so I stayed away from the water activities and instead did the biking and hiking parts (you wouldn't have done the "bungie jumping" either if you had seen the set-up!)

Besides the good excercise, I met some folks from France and Switzerland backpacking S. America, partook of the nightlife, and passed by the cemetary on November 1st, Dia de los Difuntos (apparently Mexico's name of Dia de los Muertos sounds a little crude here.) The day is also celebrated differently, with slightly less dance and revelry than in Mexico, although the city of Cuenca apparently has some pretty elaborate parties. Instead, families cook delicious food and buy flowers that to bring to the graves of deceased family members. It seems to be far more about respect and memory than mourning.

El Teleferico

2008-11-22T21:27:00.000-08:00

Several weeks ago, my friend Amit and I took Quito's Teleferico, a cable car that carries you up the eastern side of the Pichincha Volcano. The ride ends at 13,000 feet, and from there you can hike even further up. The view is stunning. There are also herds of llamas, which I got friendly with, as well as horses to ride. Even walking about is hard because the air is so thin, but it is also cold and clean. Quito's province takes its name from the volcano whose two highest peaks are two Guagua (15,696 feet), which means "child" in the Andean indigenous language of Quechua, and Rucu (15, 413 feet), which means "old person." The volcano is still active and last erupted in 1999 when it dropped several inches of ash over the city. It is a special place for Quitenos.

Election Night

2008-11-18T14:13:00.000-08:00

On November 4th I went to a bar in the Mariscal - the New as opposed to Historic Center of Quito. There was quite an eclectic mix of nationalities - North Americans, Ecuadorians, Europeans, Central Americans. Support for Obama, however, was nearly unanimous - a reality reflected by the press in Ecuador, by the taxi cab drivers who love to talk politics, and by my friends from the region.

While domestic enthusiasm ranges from those who do not have much faith in the US political system to those who believe Obama will usher in a new US leadership inthe world, the positive reaction was unmistakeable. Whether Democrat or Republican, I think that the positive response of Ecuador to Obama's election - reflected in my personal "gringo" favorability rating rising a remarkable 57% - is noteworthy.

Halloween

2008-11-17T21:00:00.001-08:00

Neither Quito nor the rest of South America I suspect celebrate Halloween. Luckily for me, there is a traveler hang-out spot near the University called the South American Explorers Club. On Halloween they threw a pretty sweet party, and I went as a pirate. My costume cost a total of $5 something, which is probably the least I've ever paid, and I actually think I looked more not-me than on any previous Halloween. Needless to say, it was a big hit with my Andean friends in the dorm.

Mucha Trucha

2008-11-17T20:17:00.000-08:00

This means "a lot of trout." As you probably know, I'm not a big fan of fish.However, when a couple of Ecuadorian friends from Rotaract (Rotary for young adults) asked my friend Alessandra and I if we wanted to go hiking and fishing, how could I resist? About an hour outside of Quito we came to the trout lake, and were welcomed by the sign above. For those of you who don't habla the espanol, the little alien is saying "the trout are waiting for you." Little Alien Man was not lying.

We found a giant lake filled with them, and were given wooden polls with a piece of string and a hook at the end. After I attached some sort of worm, I threw my line into the trout-infested waters. Within five minutes I had caught lunch. My friends were also successful, although Alessandra was struck by a flailing trucha as my friend Maria Fernandez swung her fishing rod around in panick. Once we got things back under control we brough our fish to the restaurant where the chef prepared it to our liking. I got mine cut into small pieces, although I forget the name for this.

The other adventure of the day was taking a lift - cracked plastic chairs held together by rusting metal - up a giant hill overlooking the lake. At the top we hiked around and took turns on a zipline swing similarly unsafe. The pictures capture the good times.

The Jewel of the South

2008-10-08T19:26:00.000-07:00

This is the name given to Cuenca, the country's third largest city (with only 500 K or so residents!) located several hours from the border with Peru. It is a city filled with colonial architecture, with stone-paved streets, and with a river runner through its center. It is, in short, beautiful.

I took a 10 hour bus ride from Quito to Cuenca two Sundays ago so I could see the Andean highlands through the window. I'm glad I did, but 10 hours is a long time. The best part was trying to communicate with an old man who did not speak Spanish but rather the indigenous language of the country's largest native group - Quechua.

When I arrived at night I found the city center packed with people dancing, waving Ecuadorian flags, and setting off fireworks. The country's new Constitution had passed with 65% of the vote, and it had recieved over 80% support in the city.

The next morning I began exploring - visiting churches, small museums, the flower market, and just wandering around the city. While I like Quito very much, there was something about this city that felt really good to me. Perhaps it was the slighter slower pace, or the way people sing their words, or the fact that there is only one major plaza and a few key streets and all are pretty safe, even at night. Whatever it was, I felt at home there.

It helped that I made some good friends over my five days, including Gary from Scotland and a whole bunch of European and Ecuadorians who worked at a non-profit preventing domestic violence. They were really good people, and took me out to a tiny, packed salsa-club on my last night. I'm not much of a dancer, but it was good times.

My greatest adventure was getting lost with Gary in Cajas National Forest. I mean, we were never really truly LOST lost, but it was getting dark and starting to rain and the trail was virtually impossible to see even during day because of the clouds everywhere around us...luckily, we made the right call to leave the trail and cut across some hills to reach the highway. Not going to lie though, there were some moments of fear.

Anyway, it was a great trip, and Cuenca is a city I know I will visit again. OH, and by the way, I went to a museum one afternoon that had more of those shrunken heads!! (Tsantsa) So everybody would have to believe me, I even took pictures of the signs in English explaing the ritual...enjoy!

October 7, 2008 Email

2008-10-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

Compañeros –

Two classes down, two to go. Yesterday at 7:30 AM I had my first class at university – Régimen Mundial del Comercio GATT.OMC (Global Commercial Regime of GATT.WTO). You know, the type of stuff we grow up dreaming about studying in a second language. It is even more fun when you make up a word in Spanish as you introduce yourself, saying “diecicuatro” for fourteen when the actual word is “catorce.” Luckily, my professor was kind enough to correct me in front of the class so the other students wouldn’t make the same mistake.

Truth is, I have enjoyed both classes. The professors are very kind, speak pretty slowly, and obviously know their stuff. The other students in the class don’t mind when I whisper “¿Que dijo?” (“What did he say?”) or peer over their shoulders to frantically copy their notes.

This last month before the start of school was tremendous. For three weeks I went to Spanish school, receiving individual instruction in the morning and visiting historical sites in Quito during the afternoons with my classmates. We visited churches filled with history and art (see attached photo), art museums (I have a new favorite painter – well, maybe my first… - Guayasamín), and city parks. Visiting these places gave me a better sense of the culture and the history of the city, although I know that there is much more to learn.

I also got to share some of my own culture, presenting to my classmates on Massachusetts, California and New Mexico, the three States I have called home over the last 25 years. On my last day, we had a potluck event, and I prepared chiles rellenos of New Mexico fame (see attached photo.). They came out…interesting. Everyone sang a song in Spanish about friendship and I felt sad. Luckily, I am allowed to come back for afternoon activities whenever I want!

On the weekends I joined other students in traveling around the country. My first weekend I spent in Otavalo during the festival Yamor. I celebrated my birthday by wandering around Ecuador’s largest indigenous market (I bought an alpaca sweater – these things are so warm I don’t know how alpacas can stand it), dancing with a very, very drunk older man to Andean flute music, visiting the magical tree “El Lechero,” and then watching 15 rickety wooden carts fly down a 5 KM road with hairpin turns in the yearly go-cart race (see attached photo). One accident, zero deaths. They said it was a good year.

The next weekend I enjoyed the hot springs in the small town of Papallacta, and my third weekend and much of this last week I traveled on my own through the southern colonial town of Cuenca where I fell in love. That is, with the city. Incredible architecture (see attached photo), beautiful folk-art, safe streets, salsa dancing, and the national park of Cajas where it is always raining, or at least you are always in clouds (see attached photo.) I was sad to leave there and a couple friends I made including my heavy-drinking Scottish friend Gary, but I know I’ll visit again.

My experience with the local Rotary clubs has been excellent as well. Several weeks ago the President of Rotary International came from S. Korea to speak in Quito. It was a major event, with Ecuador’s Vice-President in attendance. I managed to fight my way through for a picture with the President of Rotary International – with his holding my Claremont, CA Rotary Club’s flag no less! (Picture soon to be posted on the blog) I have also become involved the local Rotaract Club (Rotary for 18-30 year olds) and next weekend head to small town outside Quito to begin work on a school expansion service project. Needless to say, all the Rotary people I have met have been warm and welcoming, like the population as a whole.

This email is getting long, so I think I’ll sign off here. Needless to say, there is a great deal more happening both in my life and in Ecuador, including the passage of a new “21^st Century Socialist” Constitution. I don’t really know all the Constitution says, so I’ll reserve judgment, but needless to say its passage was a major deal and 65% of the country is very happy. They’ll be even happier if Ecuador’s national fútbol team beats Chile’s on the 12^th.

All the best,

Jesse

Papallacta...Ahhh

2008-10-07T21:07:00.001-07:00

Papallacta is a very small town two hours East of Quito. Two weekends ago some friends and I took a bus there. Why? Because it has some of the most amazing hot springs ever. I mean, I have gone to some in New Mexico and Colorado, but this place is just filled with 'em. You pay $7 for the entire day and get unlimited access to all the pools. When you get too hot, just head to the river that runs between the pools and feel yourself go numb. Good times!

Also, there is terrific hiking. We went for a half day and discovered a pumping station deep in the mountains - much of the Quito's water comes from this very humid region...

Best Birthday Ever?

2008-10-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

For my quarter-century on September 13th, friends and I headed 2 hours north of Quito to the gorgeous town of Otavalo. It is renowned for its indigenous market filled with woven goods, clothing, and folk-art. Moreover, it is one of the few parts of Ecuador where the indigenous community controls some of its own economic fate - running hostals, selling goods, and having a say in politics. This weekend was particularly exciting because of the festival Yamor which honors the fertility of the region. Indeed, the incredible fruits I tasted (some I had never even heard of!) attest to the good land.

On my birth-day, I began by leaving my group to wander around town. I like to do that type of thing. I can quiet myself down a little, absorb my surroundings, and find more adventures. This time, my adventure was listening to a great Andean band while a very intoxicated elderly man insisted I dance. Eventually, I did, but not with anywhere near the gusto of mi amigo. This guy was rocking out for real.

Later, I re-met up with my group and we headed for the magical tree "El Lechero." It sits on a hill above town all on its own, and it looks very, very old. It for sure had a good vibe, and I managed a peaceful nap before we began walking the 5 KM back towards town. Along the way, we saw giant trucks transporting wooden go-carts, and when we asked, we learned that the yearly race would be starting in minutes. Fortunately, a massive truck came by with the race's coordinators who offered to drive us to the bottom of the hill where the hairpin turns are wildest and where you can watch the poor drivers attempt to slam on their breaks at the finish line rather than crashing into parked cars. All succeeded but one, and fortunately, he survived.

My night concluded with some fresh strawberry pie (my friends kindly recognizing that cake and it's milk products would not sit too well with me) and a trip to a bar, where fun was had. In all, it was an amazing day - adventures of every kind and people I had just met helping me celebrate.

Finally, more pictures!!

A few of us on our hike up to El Lechero.

My good friend Amit and I chilling on the hostal patio after a night out on the town

BREAKING NEWS: Ecuador Passes a New Constitution

2008-09-29T09:22:00.000-07:00

While I have been remiss in updating this blog, Ecuador´s most current event demands a short pause from my explorations in the southern colonial town of Cuenca in order to share some breaking news.

Yesterday, as I took a 10 hour bus ride from Quito to Cuenca, all citizens headed to the voting booths. I say all because voting is a legal requirement here, and while I am sure some skirt it, it seems that the majority take it very seriously. In fact, in three days leading up to the vote, no alcohol is sold, no commercials or propoganda from either side is allowed, and even Quito became (relatively) quiet.

So what major vote took place? The passing of a new constitution, the country´s 20th and the first since 1998 (think about that...) Obviously the vote counting is not over, but with about 80% of votes counted, about 65% of Ecuadorians supported it, a very high margin (think if McCain or Obama were to recieve this much support in our elections!)

I´ll save a longer analysis of what the Constitution effectively does for another entry (by this weekend, te juro!), but suffice to say that it promotes a far larger role for government (free education through university, pensions for stay-at-home mothers), a concentration of power in the excecutive (ability to dissolve the congress under certain conditions), and a commitment, at least in words, to realize a more equal, just society that improves the lives of the marginalized (afro-ecuadorians, the indigenous, etc.)

For more information, google the story or check out CNN´s brief overview at: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/09/29/ecuador.referendum.ap/

It is certainly a big-L Liberal document, and makes a lot of promises. Whether these promises are responsible, affordable, and will be followed through upon followed through upon is the next question for the popular government of Rafael Correa.

Abrazo Fuerte,

Jesse

A La Mitad del Mundo

2008-09-11T19:51:00.000-07:00

today I visited the equator (sounds strangely like Ecuador, no?) it was amazing, but since pictures are more fun, enjoy!

obviously, without video you cannot see the water drain out of the tub. but you should trust me that it does so with virtually no rotation because the earth's forces are balanced at the equator.

to the right, there is a shrunken bears head, and below, a shrunken human's head, a practice known as tsansta.

i know what you are thinking - they fooled jesse good this time! maybe, but if so, they fooled wikipedia too (and nobody fools wikipedia) -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsantsa

Email 9.11.2008

2008-09-11T19:30:00.000-07:00

Family and Friends –

I arrived in Quito late Sunday. Thanks to generosity of the Claremont, California Rotary Club, I will spend the next year in Ecuador as an Ambassadorial Scholar. My duties include making friends, participating in service projects, and studying alongside students from all over the world. Brutal, I know.

The truth is that I feel very blessed. It is a special opportunity to live in and explore a country as beautiful and complex as Ecuador. I am sad as well – to leave the home and the friends that I made in Santa Fe this past year. However, through participating in Rotary projects, studying International Relations at UASB (http://www.uasb.edu.ec/), hitting up bars and backpacking, I will discover a new community. Already I have joined a sea of yellow jerseys in cursing out a television during an Ecuador-Uruguay fútbol match and told a taxi cab driver I would pay him in pain (I pronounced dólar as dolor – not recommended.)

I plan on sending out email updates every month or so. While I imagine that internet access will limit my correspondence, updates from the people I care about (you!) will be an important connection to home. I have also set up a blog with Quito’s nickname – http://laluzdeamerica.blogspot.com/ – that I will update slightly more often. This way, rather than finding dozens of rambling reflections in your inboxes you can avoid work by checking out the updates and the photos that I post. I promise to try to keep my fingers out of the photos I take, but it is hard for me.

Un Abrazo Grande,

Jesse