World Map

On a happier note….

The world map project is done by Peace Corps volunteers all over the world. I´ve noticed that in Ecuador, and in the Hogar especially, there is a serious lack of maps. Jacob and Erin are married and have been volunteers in Ecuador for the last year. They are also from the northwest, so naturally they are quite wonderful. Erin and I decided to embark on the map journey together…and it has been the most fulfilling thing I´ve done thus far. We are now in the painting stage…once we´ve finished I´ll post all my pics on facebook. But just to give you a little taste…check out Jake and Erin´s blog at www.jakeanderininecuador.blogspot.com

Scroll down a bit and you will see pics of the first few steps…

Not to be read while eating...

I´m sick again. Sporadic stomach cramps have become a normal part of life at this point. But after a friend told me how he pulled a 10 inch tape worm out of his rear last week…I decided I should get myself checked out. But you know how in the states people take privacy very seriously even when it comes to getting your medications? Yea. That doesn’t exist here. This morning I went to the lab to drop off some poop. The lab is really crowded. And of course, because no one here has a sense of personal space, everyone is less than two inches apart. Even I have to admit I was an uncomfortable distance behind the man in front of me. But hey, I´m integrating. So after waiting for 30 minutes I get to the front of the line. The entire counter of the reception desk is covered, and I mean covered, with clear containers of urine and a few solid containers which look exactly like the ones I have. The question of whether or not there is a better place to store these things crosses my mind only for a split second, because at this point very little surprises me. So I hand over my three containers. I have to do three days worth because apparently parasites can hide. Anyway, the receptionist starts taking down information, and then asks me for three names, thinking they are from three different people. I tell her no, they´re all mine. Then some other lady who works there and very clearly has an issue controlling the volume of her voice says to me…¨you pooped three times today!?¨ I´m sure I was scowling when I looked at her and said ¨No. One is from Sunday, one from yesterday and the third from this morning.¨ Then she explained…still virtually yelling…that I have to bring one in each day, I say ok, and she adds…¨so its fresh.¨ Yes, I get it. Now could you please stop referring to my poop in front of all these people, one of whom is a nasty old man looking at me with a creepy grin on his face!? ¨I´ll leave this one then, and come back tomorrow and Thursday.¨ She looks concerned…¨You´re sure this one is from today?¨ Bitch it has the date on it! I just want to get out of here! ¨Of course I´m sure. Thank you, goodbye.¨

Later today I have to go pick up my results. I hope it´s positive. I would actually rather have parasites than go through that for two more days.

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UPDATE: After spending a horrific hour at the lab waiting to get my results, I learned that I do in fact have baby parasites. But they aren’t really that bad. And, before I treat them, guess what….I have to go back and do it all again two more times.
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UPDATE: My first two results were exactly the same…but then came the third. I was under the impression that I could attribute my weight loss to the tremendous amount of walking I´ve been doing. But no. It turns out not only to I have baby parasites, but I also have amoebas. I´ve been warned about these…actually I´ve been told that they are inevitable. They are commonly referred to as ¨bichos¨, and most people that live here get checked out once a year to get rid of them. Ecuadorian amoebas multiply at an alarming rate, they latch on to your intestines and feast on the food you eat. Now when I feel stomach cramps I´ll be able to visualize what is happening inside of me…isn´t that just super. Oh and I also have a small stomach infection. But really all I can keep thinking is at least it’s not a tape worm. If I ever have a tape worm be assured I will need psychological help for the rest of my life.

Can a girl just vent for a minute...

Let me just begin by saying Ecuador is really a lovely place. In many ways I feel like this country has it all figured out. For example, from 1-3pm nearly everything closes. In fact I think every country besides the US is this way. But it makes sense…give people a rest…eat lunch…take a nap! Next, people don´t generate nearly as much garbage. Rather than a giant bin per house, there is one tiny bin per block. Granted a majority of trash ends up on the streets, but still, it seems far less overall in comparison. Then there are Panaderías...bread shops…on every corner. Oh how I love the smell of fresh bread at any hour of the day. People deserve fresh bread! Not icky loafs that were baked three days ago 400 miles away. I could go on…

But then, there are things about Ecuador…little things…that make me want to scream on a daily basis. First of all...although you might have money…a $10 or even a $5 let’s say…that doesn’t mean shit. Why? Oh because 90% of the places you go never have change! Or they do have change they just don´t want to give it to you. They will literally ask you if your friend can lend you a dollar…or if perhaps you can give them 8 cents more so they don´t have to give up their pennies. Although this irritates me, I have learned to adapt. I wouldn’t dare go out with a $20 unless I plan to go to the grocery store…and even then I am prepared to get a nasty look.

Next…there is no sense whatsoever of respecting the pedestrian in this country. Oh I´m sorry! How dare I cross the street when you have a red light. Please, run it. I´ll just wait here. Imagine you´re in the US, someone almost hits you, and instead of apologizing profusely…they scowl. And it if´s a man driving (which it usually is) they begin by scowling…until they realize they´re looking at a young female with... even better...blue eyes…and then they blow you a kiss and wink as they drive away. That´s another thing. At first perhaps maybe it flatters you a little when men look…smile…hay que linda…blah blah. But it´s rather unnerving after a while when you can´t walk a block without men (old men with their wives and children) staring. And staring. Then licking their lips. And staring some more. Then of course their wives give you a dirty look.

Then, probably the thing that drives me the most insane, is the way people invade my personal bubble. Every day I go to pick up some of the girls from school. A large crowd of parents accumulates outside of the gate, and when the doors open it reminds me of when the public is let into the Rummage sale, or perhaps Circuit City on Black Friday. Really people!? Is it that serious!? Stop touching me! Now I just close my eyes and take deep breaths so I don´t accidentally spaz and kick the woman who is virtually hugging me from behind. And even worse…when people don´t want you to enter or leave somewhere…they use physical force. The worst thusfar was yesterday, I was heading out of a classroom when a parent who had something to say actually pushed me away from the door. She put both of her hands on my shoulders and forcefully pushed me back like it was no big deal! She had something to say!!!!! I let out on appalled laugh…and before I let myself smack her across the face I began my deep breathing.

Really though I think that is what I´m getting from all these experiences so far…the ability to breathe through all my frustrations. Soon I´m sure these things won´t even bother me…they´ll just be a natural part of life. Little by little they are even starting to make me laugh.

Anyway...I still love it here.