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.