Senior year, we have made it this far. With the swearing in of the latest group, my Omnibus (training group) has become the oldest kids on the block. Now we can give the freshman class swirlies and any other stereotypical punishment.
With this change in status, it finally has hit me that my time here in Ecuador is rapidly coming to an end. I find myself living less in the present as I am caught between thoughts about my past here and the future that awaits me. Have I accomplished what I set out to do here in Peace Corps? Have I taken full advantage of this experience? Have I made a difference?
I think the questions about the past scare me less than those of the future. The questions of readiness to become a functional member of society in the United States scare me the most. I am ready for the next phase of my life, but the open-ended ness of that is what causes any doubt.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Useless
I believe it is safe to say that one, true strength of mine is trivia. I was always good at Jeopardy. I tend to blurt out some insignificant detail in the course of conversation.
With my main project flailing the past year or so, change has definitely been welcome. When my friends Damon and Kat left, they introduced me to a place here in Atacames. It functions as somewhat of a hybrid between foster care and an orphanage. The place is called Aldea Infantil SOS (or SOS Children’s Village in English), look it up if you have the time. Now, with another outlet to spend my free time, I have been sticking to my strengths and teaching some of the kids some wonderfully trivial stuff.
1. Teaching valuable life lessons to the males by showing the ladies which way to the gym and flexing at the same time.
2. More information than is necessary about Michael Jackson, including the Youtube video of prisoners dancing to Thriller
3. Jackpot or 500 or whatever you used to call it at recess. (If you never have played this game, you need to rethink your life)
4. Computer games. From the old Gameboy emulator to Civilization and Warcraft III.
We have to fill out work reports to quantify the “good” work we have been doing here. How do you quantify being a big brother to children that need the attention? Either way, the numbers are not important to me. The time spent with the boys and girls- playing soccer or just hanging out- has been some of the most rewarding work I have done thus far. Who knows, by the time my service is up; I will sneak in something deemed useful.
With my main project flailing the past year or so, change has definitely been welcome. When my friends Damon and Kat left, they introduced me to a place here in Atacames. It functions as somewhat of a hybrid between foster care and an orphanage. The place is called Aldea Infantil SOS (or SOS Children’s Village in English), look it up if you have the time. Now, with another outlet to spend my free time, I have been sticking to my strengths and teaching some of the kids some wonderfully trivial stuff.
1. Teaching valuable life lessons to the males by showing the ladies which way to the gym and flexing at the same time.
2. More information than is necessary about Michael Jackson, including the Youtube video of prisoners dancing to Thriller
3. Jackpot or 500 or whatever you used to call it at recess. (If you never have played this game, you need to rethink your life)
4. Computer games. From the old Gameboy emulator to Civilization and Warcraft III.
We have to fill out work reports to quantify the “good” work we have been doing here. How do you quantify being a big brother to children that need the attention? Either way, the numbers are not important to me. The time spent with the boys and girls- playing soccer or just hanging out- has been some of the most rewarding work I have done thus far. Who knows, by the time my service is up; I will sneak in something deemed useful.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Si Se Pudo and The Beautiful Game
I have seen my fair share of live football games (yes I am done calling it ‘soccer’) in my day. World Cup quarterfinals and semifinals. MLS. Italian Serie A. Those just being a few examples. I have seen the collective heart of a nation broken when I saw Germany lose while in Frankfurt. I have seen the intensity of fans when I saw Roma play. It is hard to top some of the football experiences I have had the pleasure to participate in. In Germany, I saw the host country play all the way to penalty kicks and win. Talk about intensity. However, the World Cup venues are very sterile environments. Very controlled. The game in Rome was insane with the fans lighting up road flares in the stadium. This game did not have the country on edge, only the fans of Roma.
The other day I had the pleasure of watching Ecuador play Argentina in Quito for World Cup qualifying for South Africa in 2010. The atmosphere of the game was a mixture of the two environments of the games I have seen in Germany and Rome. Intense fan and national pride at stake. Ecuador was needing a win to secure the fifth spot in the South American qualifying group (CONMEBOL). Being the underdog against Argentina, the outlook was not too positive. Two late goals in the second half by Ecuador sent Argentina and Maradona home losers.
The significance of the game and the enormity of the win were not what impressed me about the game. It was the electric atmosphere of the stadium for hours before the game. In true Latin American style, the game felt like a fiesta. Also, true to Quito form, the weather wreaked havoc, making it even more interesting. Two hours before the game, it was sunny and hot. Once the clouds rolled in, hail came, giving way to rain for the rest of the game. No one cared. La Seleccion was playing and going to beat one of the best teams in the world (I know arguable these days).
In America, we have American football as a sport that fans are unbelievable to their teams. However, as a nation, there is no sports team we stop our daily lives for in order to support. During the Olympics we show little national pride. From what I have witnessed in my football adventures, it makes me sad we do not have this intense passion for our country on the athletic stage. I guess I will stay with the minority of Americans and keep routing for our national football team. Maybe eventually we will win the World Cup and then our country can open their eyes.
I would share some pictures, but my camera was stolen during the game! It was good enough of a game for me not to be too upset about it.
The other day I had the pleasure of watching Ecuador play Argentina in Quito for World Cup qualifying for South Africa in 2010. The atmosphere of the game was a mixture of the two environments of the games I have seen in Germany and Rome. Intense fan and national pride at stake. Ecuador was needing a win to secure the fifth spot in the South American qualifying group (CONMEBOL). Being the underdog against Argentina, the outlook was not too positive. Two late goals in the second half by Ecuador sent Argentina and Maradona home losers.
The significance of the game and the enormity of the win were not what impressed me about the game. It was the electric atmosphere of the stadium for hours before the game. In true Latin American style, the game felt like a fiesta. Also, true to Quito form, the weather wreaked havoc, making it even more interesting. Two hours before the game, it was sunny and hot. Once the clouds rolled in, hail came, giving way to rain for the rest of the game. No one cared. La Seleccion was playing and going to beat one of the best teams in the world (I know arguable these days).
In America, we have American football as a sport that fans are unbelievable to their teams. However, as a nation, there is no sports team we stop our daily lives for in order to support. During the Olympics we show little national pride. From what I have witnessed in my football adventures, it makes me sad we do not have this intense passion for our country on the athletic stage. I guess I will stay with the minority of Americans and keep routing for our national football team. Maybe eventually we will win the World Cup and then our country can open their eyes.
I would share some pictures, but my camera was stolen during the game! It was good enough of a game for me not to be too upset about it.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
La Rifa
Updating my blog to support a great program here in Peace Corps. I hope you can support it!!
The GAD raffle is on! Last year we were able to provide scholarships for 68 girls who wouldn't have been able to finish colegio otherwise. We wouldn't have been able to help them out in this way if it weren't the GAD raffle and the help of all the wonderful volunteers. If you could send this announcement out to your friends and family back home so they could also participate, this year is sure to be just as big of a success! Thanks so much! - GAD
GAD RAFFLE!
July 7, 2009
Grand Prize: 2 Flights within Ecuador
Other prizes include:
River tubing and ziplining in Mindo!
Biking and guided canyoning in Baos!
Rafting in El Chaco!
A guided tour of an Ethnobotanical Park in Puyo!
And many more including prizes in:
Sa, Guayaquil, Santo Domingo, Vilcabamba, and Baos (Azuay)
Donations are tax deductible!! There are several ways to donate:
1. We encourage you to donate on-line through the Friends of Ecuador website. Log on to www.friendsofecuador.org and click on Donate to make a donation to the GAD raffle and see a complete list of this years fabulous prizes.
2. Checks can be made to: Club Kiwanis Chuquiragua Please write GAD Rifa in the Memo of the check and mail to: Attn: GAD. Casilla 17-08-8624. Cuerpo de Paz/Ecuador. Quito, Ecuador. South America.
The Peace Corps Ecuador Gender and Development (GAD) Committee aims to enhance gender equality in all sectors of Ecuadorian society. In 2008, GAD provided over 60 scholarships to financially underprivileged, yet highly motivated Ecuadorian women so that they can finish their high school education. Working in partnership with Club Kiwanis Chuquiragua in Quito, GAD Ecuador's scholarship program is one of only a handful worldwide. The financial assistance that GAD provides for these young women is vitally needed, as a mere 56% of Ecuadorian women receive their high school degree. In addition to the scholarship program, GAD also sponsors popular youth camps and large national leadership conferences for Ecuadorian girls.
The GAD raffle is on! Last year we were able to provide scholarships for 68 girls who wouldn't have been able to finish colegio otherwise. We wouldn't have been able to help them out in this way if it weren't the GAD raffle and the help of all the wonderful volunteers. If you could send this announcement out to your friends and family back home so they could also participate, this year is sure to be just as big of a success! Thanks so much! - GAD
GAD RAFFLE!
July 7, 2009
Grand Prize: 2 Flights within Ecuador
Other prizes include:
River tubing and ziplining in Mindo!
Biking and guided canyoning in Baos!
Rafting in El Chaco!
A guided tour of an Ethnobotanical Park in Puyo!
And many more including prizes in:
Sa, Guayaquil, Santo Domingo, Vilcabamba, and Baos (Azuay)
Donations are tax deductible!! There are several ways to donate:
1. We encourage you to donate on-line through the Friends of Ecuador website. Log on to www.friendsofecuador.org and click on Donate to make a donation to the GAD raffle and see a complete list of this years fabulous prizes.
2. Checks can be made to: Club Kiwanis Chuquiragua Please write GAD Rifa in the Memo of the check and mail to: Attn: GAD. Casilla 17-08-8624. Cuerpo de Paz/Ecuador. Quito, Ecuador. South America.
The Peace Corps Ecuador Gender and Development (GAD) Committee aims to enhance gender equality in all sectors of Ecuadorian society. In 2008, GAD provided over 60 scholarships to financially underprivileged, yet highly motivated Ecuadorian women so that they can finish their high school education. Working in partnership with Club Kiwanis Chuquiragua in Quito, GAD Ecuador's scholarship program is one of only a handful worldwide. The financial assistance that GAD provides for these young women is vitally needed, as a mere 56% of Ecuadorian women receive their high school degree. In addition to the scholarship program, GAD also sponsors popular youth camps and large national leadership conferences for Ecuadorian girls.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Un Año
What is the first lesson I remember from elementary school? Preschool and kindergarten do not count. It was in Ms. Viola's class. Well, I am pretty sure it was a Ms title to her name. The first lesson of all of my primary education that I can really remember well is from the social studies book. Nearly the first lesson of the first chapter. What was it about? Needs and wants. Every person has needs, such as food, shelter and clothing. Also, every person has wants: a television, car, etc. First you have to take care of your needs before your wants if you want to survive. I have a new spin on the lesson of needs and wants, but this one more pertains to people than material goods. It is a valuable lesson for people wanting to volunteer.
Here in Ecuador there are many people that need help, especially here in the province of Esmeraldas. Needing help does not necessarily translate into wanting help. I am a good example of this situation. I am supposed to be working with farmers in communities that are some of the poorest of the poor. These people really need the help. However, there is a problem in all of this. While these people may need the help of a volunteer, they do not particularly care or want my help. It is a conundrum (no that wasn't in my GRE study guide) that I have to face.
What have I done to remedy the problem? Easy. I have found people that want my assistance. They appreciate my help. The people that want my help may not be the worst off group of people, but they are the easiest to work with. My suggestion to people who want to volunteer (especially Peace Corps) is: “Do not get frustrated when the people you are supposed to work with that actually need the help does not work out. There are always people out there that want to work with you.”
It has been a year now since I have been gone. I am continually learning lessons about life, myself, and other people. Thanks to everyone for support and encouragement over the past year. Thanks to my friends here in Ecuador ((both Peace Corps and Ecuadorian). Here's to another year.
Here in Ecuador there are many people that need help, especially here in the province of Esmeraldas. Needing help does not necessarily translate into wanting help. I am a good example of this situation. I am supposed to be working with farmers in communities that are some of the poorest of the poor. These people really need the help. However, there is a problem in all of this. While these people may need the help of a volunteer, they do not particularly care or want my help. It is a conundrum (no that wasn't in my GRE study guide) that I have to face.
What have I done to remedy the problem? Easy. I have found people that want my assistance. They appreciate my help. The people that want my help may not be the worst off group of people, but they are the easiest to work with. My suggestion to people who want to volunteer (especially Peace Corps) is: “Do not get frustrated when the people you are supposed to work with that actually need the help does not work out. There are always people out there that want to work with you.”
It has been a year now since I have been gone. I am continually learning lessons about life, myself, and other people. Thanks to everyone for support and encouragement over the past year. Thanks to my friends here in Ecuador ((both Peace Corps and Ecuadorian). Here's to another year.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Project Help
Just putting this link up to help my friend. He currently lives with the Tsachilas (refer to my penis statue hunting entry) and is trying to get funds for a reforestation project. The link is on the right under Other Blogs under Clay´s Reforestation Project.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
No Hay
The holiday season. I guess I should start from the beginning, all the way back to November and Thanksgiving. It has been awhile since I have updated here.
Thanksgiving – Cuenca, Loja, Vilcabamba
Thanksgiving was made up of a jaunt to the southern part of the country. I met up with a few volunteers, some living in Cuenca and others who were also en route to Loja. I think I have described Cuenca before, but it has the aesthetic of a European city. Of course it has the typical Ecuadorian feel to it, Porta cabinas and bootleg DVD stores all over the place, however it is not littered with garbage and borrachos (drunks). The most surprising thing was the fact that there is a microbrewery. Anyone who is familiar with me knows my fondness for good beer. Here in Ecuador, we volunteers have a limited amount of options when it comes to beer selection. Pilsener or Brahma, and the occasional super expensive “good” beers of Budweiser or Heineken. I digress. We venture into the microbrewery and see a selection. A stout. A red lager. A pilsener. A stout, I am in heaven. We order and as I have come to expect in true Ecua-fashion, we get a reply of “No hay.” No stout. No red lager. Our only option, of course, is the pilsener. Surprise! Luckily it was a great pilsener and not the same as the Ecuadorian version.
After Cuenca, I made a pass through Sarah's (another volunteer) site in Oña. Small town, cool volunteer house! Par for the Peace Corps course. Then onward to Loja for the Thanksgiving ceremonies. A football game in the city stadium, the best turkey dinner ever, and a robot apartment to celebrate it in! That sums up my turkey day. The local stadium is open to the public so we had a mini game of football, where our dominating team of Omnibus 99 volunteers ran some of the most memorable plays in recent sports history. Granted we ended the game in a tie, but everyone knows what team really won. After football we went back to Jason's (another volunteer from my group) robot themed house. There about 40 or so volunteers enjoyed a great Thanksgiving dinner.
High on triptophan and good spirits, the trek southward continued. Vilcabamba is about an hour south of Loja. The town is famous for its pampering of people. Full body massages for an hour and a half for about $15. I opted out of the massage and went on a four hour hike to the mountain peak that overlooks the whole area. What better way to end my Thanksgiving trip than with a local baile and reina competition. In my friend Andy's site of San Pedro de Vilcabamba, the local town beauty queen or reina competition was held the night we happened to be in town. Being the integrated volunteers and non tourists, we went and enjoyed the ridiculousness that is a reina competition.
After about 17 hours of bus riding later, I ended up back in Atacames and thus ended my Thanksgiving week.
Christmas and New Year- Atacames, Sua, Mompiche
December was a boring month. The only thing I got accomplished was a mural on the wall of my house:
http://picasaweb.google.es/lh/photo/nr8AU0iehyqwrj_4yE4fKg?feat=directlink
Christmas was low key for me, as it seems to be for Ecuadorians. A few volunteers around my area decided to get together and do a small gift exchange and dinner. No ham at my grandmother's house on Christmas Eve this time. Lasagna instead! Christmas itself was a relatively normal day by Ecuadorian standards. Not much was going on, so I went back over to Sua (where we did Christmas Eve) and had fried shrimp for a Christmas meal. Just like home!
The day after Christmas started the the revolving door of visitors up until the new year. From the 26th of December to the 31st, I was greeted with a new visitor(s) everyday. It was great, though. Two other volunteers visited with their siblings. As someone said it is amusing to watch another volunteer interact with their brother or sister. We only know each other in the setting of Ecuador and forget about the other social interactions that each of us has. Being a group of six people we decided to go to Mompiche (cool beach town near me) for the day. There we encountered another case of the “No hay.” Pizza place, pizza, “no hay.” Another restaurant, rice, “no hay.” Toilet paper, change for a dollar, “no hay.” Luckily the weather was beautiful, so the “no hay” epidemic did not really bring down our mojo. Back we went to my house to enjoy the next few days at my house in Atacames and meet up with other volunteers.
When everyone got here on the 31st, we all headed back down to Mompiche (yes, again) to celebrate New Year's. Black sand beach. Cabañas. Hammocks. Not a bad way to ring in a new year. All in all I ended up completely drained. A week of guests coming and going can do that to a person.
It was a great holiday season. Plenty to do and plenty of friends. However, the holiday season is definitely the hardest part of the year for most volunteers. Most people find themselves missing friends and family back in the States, especially as many other volunteers are visiting home or have visitors coming here. I am definitely glad I did not come home for the holidays, feels too soon, but I was feeling myself missing home during this period. Thanks to friends (hell, we are a family here) the holidays were made enjoyable. No big deal though, I will be home in April. The surprise is over, since my big mouth ruined it the other week.
Thanksgiving – Cuenca, Loja, Vilcabamba
Thanksgiving was made up of a jaunt to the southern part of the country. I met up with a few volunteers, some living in Cuenca and others who were also en route to Loja. I think I have described Cuenca before, but it has the aesthetic of a European city. Of course it has the typical Ecuadorian feel to it, Porta cabinas and bootleg DVD stores all over the place, however it is not littered with garbage and borrachos (drunks). The most surprising thing was the fact that there is a microbrewery. Anyone who is familiar with me knows my fondness for good beer. Here in Ecuador, we volunteers have a limited amount of options when it comes to beer selection. Pilsener or Brahma, and the occasional super expensive “good” beers of Budweiser or Heineken. I digress. We venture into the microbrewery and see a selection. A stout. A red lager. A pilsener. A stout, I am in heaven. We order and as I have come to expect in true Ecua-fashion, we get a reply of “No hay.” No stout. No red lager. Our only option, of course, is the pilsener. Surprise! Luckily it was a great pilsener and not the same as the Ecuadorian version.
After Cuenca, I made a pass through Sarah's (another volunteer) site in Oña. Small town, cool volunteer house! Par for the Peace Corps course. Then onward to Loja for the Thanksgiving ceremonies. A football game in the city stadium, the best turkey dinner ever, and a robot apartment to celebrate it in! That sums up my turkey day. The local stadium is open to the public so we had a mini game of football, where our dominating team of Omnibus 99 volunteers ran some of the most memorable plays in recent sports history. Granted we ended the game in a tie, but everyone knows what team really won. After football we went back to Jason's (another volunteer from my group) robot themed house. There about 40 or so volunteers enjoyed a great Thanksgiving dinner.
High on triptophan and good spirits, the trek southward continued. Vilcabamba is about an hour south of Loja. The town is famous for its pampering of people. Full body massages for an hour and a half for about $15. I opted out of the massage and went on a four hour hike to the mountain peak that overlooks the whole area. What better way to end my Thanksgiving trip than with a local baile and reina competition. In my friend Andy's site of San Pedro de Vilcabamba, the local town beauty queen or reina competition was held the night we happened to be in town. Being the integrated volunteers and non tourists, we went and enjoyed the ridiculousness that is a reina competition.
After about 17 hours of bus riding later, I ended up back in Atacames and thus ended my Thanksgiving week.
Christmas and New Year- Atacames, Sua, Mompiche
December was a boring month. The only thing I got accomplished was a mural on the wall of my house:
http://picasaweb.google.es/lh/photo/nr8AU0iehyqwrj_4yE4fKg?feat=directlink
Christmas was low key for me, as it seems to be for Ecuadorians. A few volunteers around my area decided to get together and do a small gift exchange and dinner. No ham at my grandmother's house on Christmas Eve this time. Lasagna instead! Christmas itself was a relatively normal day by Ecuadorian standards. Not much was going on, so I went back over to Sua (where we did Christmas Eve) and had fried shrimp for a Christmas meal. Just like home!
The day after Christmas started the the revolving door of visitors up until the new year. From the 26th of December to the 31st, I was greeted with a new visitor(s) everyday. It was great, though. Two other volunteers visited with their siblings. As someone said it is amusing to watch another volunteer interact with their brother or sister. We only know each other in the setting of Ecuador and forget about the other social interactions that each of us has. Being a group of six people we decided to go to Mompiche (cool beach town near me) for the day. There we encountered another case of the “No hay.” Pizza place, pizza, “no hay.” Another restaurant, rice, “no hay.” Toilet paper, change for a dollar, “no hay.” Luckily the weather was beautiful, so the “no hay” epidemic did not really bring down our mojo. Back we went to my house to enjoy the next few days at my house in Atacames and meet up with other volunteers.
When everyone got here on the 31st, we all headed back down to Mompiche (yes, again) to celebrate New Year's. Black sand beach. Cabañas. Hammocks. Not a bad way to ring in a new year. All in all I ended up completely drained. A week of guests coming and going can do that to a person.
It was a great holiday season. Plenty to do and plenty of friends. However, the holiday season is definitely the hardest part of the year for most volunteers. Most people find themselves missing friends and family back in the States, especially as many other volunteers are visiting home or have visitors coming here. I am definitely glad I did not come home for the holidays, feels too soon, but I was feeling myself missing home during this period. Thanks to friends (hell, we are a family here) the holidays were made enjoyable. No big deal though, I will be home in April. The surprise is over, since my big mouth ruined it the other week.
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