Watch out Ebony & Vogue, Here I Come!

My first magazine appearance!

Remember how I wrote an article for my organizations international magazine? Well here’s the article! Yeah, before you get excited my exact words were not used, more like the general information, but they used the only pictures I submitted that had my joven and me in it. Most of the pictures I submitted were just of her. But it’s fun for people at home to see. Also, on the other page my co-facilitator wrote an article on an outing we took to Manabí. They also changed his words but I’m in those pictures too, but you probably can’t see it. Either way, it’s my first two page magazine spread and so I’m sharing it with you all :)

Longing for Convenience (This is NOT a good sign..)

I don’t know if it’s because I’m thinking about returning to the States or what. Sure I’m in my 6 month count down and I certainly can write more about that, but this week has found me more frustrated than normal. I have dealt with instances like this many times since I’ve been living in Ecuador but this month I just wasn’t as patient or tolerant or something….not sure what’s with me, but here’s a glimpse into how business get down here in my neck of the woods…

Incident #1

First I had a package to pick up in Esmeraldas. This task took me over two weeks to accomplish. I live in Sua, I work in Atacames and Esmeraldas is an hour trip from Atacames and an hour and a half from Sua. I went the first time to pick up that package and an hour bus ride and a $3 cab ride later the lady tells me, great, I have now accepted the package. What? What does that even mean? I literally did all that travel, just for her to mouse click "accept" on her computer. Now what? I can come back in 3 days to receive a piece of paper that I will then have to take to the bank (because the post office doesn’t handle money she tells me) and then carry the exorbitant amount of money back to the post office to pick up my package. That alone sounded like a lot. Knowing how things go here, I didn’t go back in 3 days I went back in four. Same hour long bus ride, had to ask off work, another cab ride there and back, just to hear that the little piece of paper isn’t ready yet. I’ll just repeat that 3 more times over the past two weeks. Making this journey only to hear “ya, no” every time I showed up from my half day journey. Argh so much time, so much money and so much effort! Why!? It´s too hot for all that! :) And for the record the post office Does deal with money because after I went to the bank to pay all that money to get the package out, she still charged me a smooth $5 for what I don’t even know. I could give you the painful details of each trip but why….

Incident #2

I have maybe had internet in my house for about 4 months, I signed a contract for 18 months for unlimited internet access. This weekend it stopped working. No biggie, it happens. Friday nothing, Saturday nothing, Sunday still nothing strange. I don’t even know how long I gave it, maybe until Monday or Tuesday before I went to the office in Atacames to see what the deal was. You see, due to the heartbreak and headache it was to get internet in the FIRST Place I was shamed to even show my face in that office. Having to go EVERY SINGLE DAY only to be told, “Mañana” everyday and having to get brava with the customer service people just to get a service I was paying for is why I was reluctant to go back in the office to be “that girl” once again.

The same lady was there as always and I told her my internet hasn’t been working for about 5 days. She puts in my information and says “Oh yeah you had the unlimited plan they aren’t offering that anymore” in my head I’m thinking, alright so I guess no new customers will be getting that. So I ask, so when will my service be back.. “ She tell me they’ve suspended everyone’s service who had the unlimited plan cause they aren’t offering it anymore. 4 months into an 18 month contract? Isn’t that binding on both sides? “Ya,no”.

Come back tomorrow she tells me, to talk to the special customer service guy tomorrow. I was like “Are you sure? Cause you know me, I’ll be here” “Seguro Seguro, he’ll be here”. Wanna guess if he was there te next day? So what does the lady tells me “It’s better for you to go to Esmeraldas to find him to see what you can do”. The reason I went with this company to begin with is because they were local and going to Esmeraldas is a production. Lady: Shoulder shrug. Like a fool I take the second half of the day off to go to Esmeraldas, hour bus ride, $3 dollar cab, find the big office. They are closed for this reason or that. That’s when I realize this business has cut my service, without warning and I am going all over trying to pay them to jerk me around.

(Update: Went back yesterday and today, and it´s been the same thing..)

So ridiculous. The thing is I’ve become used to this. IT happened to me in Guayaquil and every time I wanted to blog about it I was always so devastated I couldn’t. Happened with my fridge (bought a new fridge to avoid drama, a week later after dealing with a lemon and having to go back and forth with the business they finally switch it out, lots of calls, lots of visits, lots of tears), with my internet there (I ended up buying chocolates for the staff after all we had been through together) , with the bank I could go on. When small tiendas have different customs I get it. They’re tiny mom and pops (and in my opinion more reliable). However almost 3 years later I am astonished how bona fide business treat their customers.

So as far as the internet company, I’m just going to make sure they aren’t taking money out of my account for there non service and I’m looking at it as a blessing, cause I’m leaving before my contract is over ANYWAY. I have online projects I was in the midst of, but when there is a will there is a way and I’ll figure it out…

Hate to rant and be negative. It’s just that I think it’s interesting that I’m thinking in my head “This wouldn’t happen in the States”, and maybe that’s a sign I’m seeing the positives about the US in my preparation to go back.

Please note I realize I’m in the Peace Corps and A LOT of people have a WAY harder time getting their mail and having internet AT ALL is amazing. I’m just saying, business don’t fawn over their customers like in the U.S. I mean people get treated horribly in the US too, but usually if you cause enough of a stink you get a complimentary something and they make it right. Well at least in my imagination it’s that way. Maybe this is a Grass is Greener moment... Either way this week I am underwhelmed with with customer service...

Still loving life, and Ecuador though!! Until next time!!!

Pitaya y Papaya

Pitaya or Dragon Fruit is my new favorite this season.

I feel like I tried it before...once and wasn't all that impressed. This year I'm crazy about it. It's so easy, you just cut it in half, grab a spoon and go to down. I LOVE stuff that's easy to eat. It's sweet, it's healthy what's not to like. Plus, it's a natural, ahem, colon cleanser if you know what I mean. (sorry) I have also finally gotten over my aversion for papaya. It was a slow but steady journey to acquiring a taste for this healthy digestive treat, and now papaya is part of my daily routine any given week. I wish throughout this whole blog I have highlighted things that I'm eating and especially the exotic fruits that are here. Oh well here's a start, here's an update and pics are always good too :) In Love & Smoothies!

#25 Long Bus Rides = Changing Landscape

In my head I had a very poetic way to describe how I feel about the changing landscape of Ecuador, but that was maybe over 6 months again and if I don't write about it now I don't think I'll ever will.

I believe it was after my epic journey from Sua to Vilcamamba (close to the border of Peru) that I had this insight. For those who don't know that journey spans the length of the country pretty much. You see it all. Although the journey was seeming eternal, I was amazed at how beautiful Ecuador really is.

You pass through towns and wonder about the lives of the people perched outside of tiendas and restaurants. You see kids playing with dogs and friends greeting each other. On this journey I saw the plush green vegetation that give Esmeraldas it's name, to the awe inspiring mountains of the Sierra region to the clean waters that run through the Loja region.

Even the snacks change. At the start of my journey the vendors would get on the bus selling empanadas de verde (empanadas made from plantains) to habas, a bean that is more popular in the Sierra to items I wasn't even familiar with when we got down to the Loja region. Same country different snacks!
Being in an airplane at night I'm always in awe at how vast the starry lit sky can be, thinking only in a plane in the air could you have feel that sensation, but I tell you I had the same experience looking up at the sky, seeing all pitch black and what seemed to be glitter in the heavens as my bus winded through the mountains leaving Vilcabamba.

If you are going to have a 14 hour bus ride ahead of you, be sure it's in Ecuador, you'll never get bored and the beauty (and available comida) is unceasing.

Brigada Verde

This past December I participated in a workshop by the name Brigada Verde. So much happened, it was a lot of fun and I have TON of pictures, but in the interest of working smarter not harder, I'm going to leave you with an article I wrote for the Aldea newsletter. Enjoy!

“What we take for granted might not be here for our children”- Al Gore, Inconvenient Truth

That poignant idea was the overall theme of the first annual “Brigada Verde” hosted by Peace Corps Ecuador. Peace Corps is an organization of the United States that provides assistance in different technical fields such as, Natural Resources, Health and Social Work with Youth through the work and the help of several volunteers.

The eager group of participants consisted of 18 Peace Corps Volunteers and 20 youth leaders from various communities in Ecuador. The objective of the “Brigada Verde” Workshop was to capacitate the volunteers and their youth leaders with the information necessary to bring back the awareness of the serious issues of the

environment to their respective cities. During the week long workshop the participants learned, how to form an EcoClub, the environment issues that plague Ecuador’s different regions, how to make crafts out of recycled trash and how to plant trees to reforest barren areas.

This was not your typical conference where you simply sit and listen to an expert speak. This event was full of hands on activities and a lot of participation. The youth were challenged to create 3-D maps of their area using clay, water bottle tops, wooden sticks, balloons and anything else they could find. Everyday the youth were given opportunities to speak in front of the group over their ideas on how to make positive changes in their communities. The learning didn’t just happen in the conference room, participants were outside getting their hands dirty planting trees, roots and other plants as well.

One of the favored participants Thai from La Aldea Infantil SOS de Esmeraldas says she enjoyed most “ learning to make crafts out trash.", about the event. She is planning on starting an EcoClub in her community in February when the youth are on vacation and have plenty of time to dedicate to the various possible projects such as mingas, recycled art and reforestation.

While the days were filled with hard work there was also time to get to know one another and have fun! The youth were given time to run around, play together, eat together and watch movies at night, such as the analytical documentary “Inconvenient Truth” and the light hearted cartoon film, “Rio”. Before departing on the final day participants were awarded certificates for their hard work. Brigadas Verdes was a huge success and great experience for all who participated.

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After the event myself and another volunteer took our jovenes to the Mitad del Mundo. So much fun!

There's No Place Like Home

Today I found that 4 siblings that happen to be some of my favorites are leaving the Aldea. Also, when I came back from the holiday vacation I found out that a few of the kids I was working with that were have a LOT of difficulties also went back to their families.

That's the hard thing about working for this unique organization. The idea of the Aldea is not to keep kids until they are adopted. The idea is for them to have a loving environment to grow up in while social workers work with the families to rehabilitate them to once again be a loving and nurturing environment for the kids to go back to.

So actually, when the kids go back home it's really a good thing, a great thing, it shows that their time at the Aldea worked. It illustrates that the kids were ready to go back and the families were ready to receive them.

Oh but it is so hard to see them go. It's usually a hush, hush thing so I usually hear about it the day before or sometimes the day after! However, now that I am a facilitator of the teens, I know more about their whole process and the next group ready to go back home happen to be teens so I know now what is going to happen in February.

I want to be sad, but I know that is selfish. Time and time again when the social workers go visit the kids to make sure they are adjusting to their homes and families, they are always happy to be reunited with their families. The Aldea is a WONDERFUL place and they offer great services, but some kids reach a point that Dorothy knew all to well, "There's no place like home"...

Happy 2012!

Spending time away from my friends and family during the holidays does not get easier, but this year I had some lovely visitors that certainly helped take my mind off being so far away from those I normally spend Christmas with.

My Hermanita and a crew of volunteers come from Machala to rock my Christmas and bring in the New Year.

It's always great having people come to visit because I take part in all the fun activities my site has to offer that I never partake in. Right when the girls got in we hit the beach, chilled out and even did the banana boat rides. I remember this time last year when I had two of my besties visiting we took my first boat tour to the different beaches near Sua. This year I went on the Banana Boat and another fun ride for the first time. I always see tourist come and scream their heads off, but never go on the rides myself. It was SO much fun and I always just get filled with gratitude that I actually LIVE here.

In the days leading up to Christmas and the days between Christmas and New Year's, we hung out in Sua, Atacames and Mompiche during the day. At night we again enjoyed the beaches of Sua and Atacames. It's worth repeating that normally I am in.the.house. at night, but to be a great hostess I was out building bonfires on the beach in front of my house and dancing the night away in Atacames...and I actually like it! Visitors are the best.

For Christmas we cooked all day like we did last year. We cooked in the "Tree House", a house on the beach made out of wood that my best friend here owns with her husband and two kids. They are like my family here so it was nice getting to spend this Christmas with them again. I had planned out the menu with my Hermanita and all the girls just picked something to prepare and had it. It was a great group experience. After all that hard work we feasted together buffet style and it was deliciously fun!

New Year's was also a blast. From frequenting the beach all week long we had made a lot of new friends so New Year's was just a
culmination of that. More friends came to visit and other volunteers had come to the beach to celebrate. We danced all night and let off fireworks on the beach at midnight. All in all great start to 2012. I'm looking forward to what this year will bring!




Peep how I wear the same Christmas Shirt every year.