So I´ve been in South America for almost three weeks now.. and it certainly has gone by fast!! The classes are long and rigorous, and it seems like there is always some new adventure to go on, or a new place to see! Last weekend we went to Esmeraldas, one of the beaches off the coast of Ecuador. This weekend some of the students organized a trip to Cotopaxi, one of the well-known mountains just South of the Pinchincha, the provence Quito is located in. We will be backpacking and riding horses around the mountain. ¡Que Chevere!
But like I said there are many things that I have seen here that are definitely different than in the states.
1) There are stray dogs EVERYWHERE, but most of them are so tame and friendly. They always look hungry, and sad. I want to take all of them back with me to the US.
2) There are children everywhere in the streets, some of them homeless, but as my mother and I discussed yesterday, are rented from the country side by their parents. Yep, that´s right. Some business man goes around the poor communities in the country and buys the children for about $50 a month, to work in the streets of Quito selling all sorts of Candy. These business men buy hundreds at a time, and don´t really take care of them or feed them well. It is terrible. I just want to take those children home with me. I have a big enough room here, and could pay for their food. Grr.. It´s terrible.
3) The south of Quito, and throughout the country side is very poor. It honestly looks like those pictures you´ve seen in the news.. shacks made of bamboo and tin roofs with dirt floors.. children running around dirty and barefoot. People just standing around outside probably because there is no work.. it was incredible. I saw most of this on the 7 hour bus ride to Esmeraldas this past weekend.
4) The children that do go to school all wear uniforms, which is cool. But one day when I was on the bus (I take it everywhere) I saw a little boy collapse and foaming at the mouth. I was shocked and in terror. however, everyone on the bus was just laughing or shaking their head in disapproval. It turns out this little boy was borracho.. or drunk. People like to drink here.
5) Ecuatorians also LOVE futbol.. I mean, soccer. The games are incredibly crazy.... they through toilet paper, confetti, set off rockets, the whole nine yards. I will be going to a game sometime soon. Oh, and EVERYONE watches.
6) Movies here at $1. Any Computer program: $5 or less. Hmm.. I wonder why. Can anyone say, pirating? (but hey, if you need anything, let me know!!) ; )
7) Globalization certainly has affected Ecuador. After shopping at the local Payless here, I of course went and got some KFC for dinner, then went out to a Cinemark to watch The Incredible Hulk in English. Then we came back and drank some coca'cola and Frosted Flakes.. or Zucaratas!
8) People stay at home a lot longer here. It is definitely common for any son or daughter who is not married to live with their parents until they are about 30yrs old. Hence, I have a brother who is 26 and one who is 28 living with me here.
9) I would say the average height here is about 5'4.. so I feel very at home standing at 5´2. :) Hahaha.. take that.. I am no longer ´Bite Size´Nick!
10) It gets dark here around 6pm. 12 hours daylight, 12 hours darkness.
11) We have a ´maid´ or empleada. This is very common here for even low, middle class families. It´s really diffrerent though, and I don´t know if I particularly like it, even though it is nice to have my meals cooked for me and my laundry always done!
12) There are ´private gaurds´every where that line the streets. I guess they are just making sure no one breaks into anything.
13) Houses are certainly on the lock down. My house is fenced in on all sides, all the windows have bars, all the doors have bars, I have locks on my doors.. I am feeling pretty good no one is going to mess with me.
14) What Traffic laws? I don´t think anyone really follows them. Red lights mean, keep going. You can pass anyone you want on the road... even if it is on a windy mountain top, and no one wears seat belts.. EVER. also, all the cars here are stick shift.
15) INternet cafes are everywhere and not too expensive, which is really convenient.
16) When the sun shines, its so hot I feel like the sun is 2 inches above my head.. but when it is gone.. it gets FREEZING. and its is always sunny in the morning, and usually rains a little bit each afternoon.
17) I have the CRAZIEST, most vivid dreams here. I don´t know if it is the altitud or the food.
Anyhow, that´s all for now. I need to study for my exam tomorrow. Yikes! Much love, and I send you all hugs and kisses.
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