*1. When possible, choose the window seat on crowded buses (esp. if you are a female). You never know what to expect in this "machismo" society. Avoid standing/sitting next to men wearing gym shorts. You might end up using an entire bottle of antibacterial gel on your leg...
2. Sometimes it's better to admit you can't understand what someone is saying instead of pretending like you do. Example:
-'Planned parenthood' lady (in Spanish): "Are you on any kind of contraceptive/protection plan?"
-Me (no idea what she just asked): "No mucho." (Not much)
-'Planned parenthood' lady and Eliah: *laughing at me*
-Me: *awkward smile and chuckle*
3. Never flush ANYTHING down the toilet.
4. Always bring your camera with you (in case a cow decides to give birth in front of the classroom like Jocelyn and Dunc)
5. Avoid carrying anything over a 5 dollar bill; otherwise, you may not get change.
6. Pennies are worth saving.
7. Use "tengo calor" to say "I am hot" instead of "estoy caliente" (which is a more inappropriate meaning of "I am hot").
8. Don't rely on the internet to find information on...anything around here.
9. If you like someone, say "Me caye bien" instead of "Te gusta." (Girls will think I'm attracted to them, and guys will think dirty dirty thoughts)
*10. On Wednesdays, immediately leave Bungalow seis after 10pm when they let all the hungry Ecuadorian males in (ladies drink free 6-10pm every Wed).
*11. Do not look at an Ecuadorian man on the street in the eye for over 3 seconds. They will think you're interested.
12. Don't trust a stray dog like Diego who will use Gringos for food and then leave you and break your heart.
13. Do not tell an Ecuadorian you don't like Pilsener (an Ecuadorian beer) even though it really is gross. It will shatter their national pride and they will get defensive.
14. Don't attempt to play soccer with locals until you have had plenty of time to acclimate.
15. Always bring a rain coat with you...everywhere.
16. The Godfather is the most confusing movie ever made in the history of mankind.
17. "Chinese" restaurants are owned by Ecuadorians.
18. Bed bugs actually DO bite.
19. Try to put national pride aside if you want to conquer the world in "Risk."
20. Don't tell Ecuadorian Evangelical Christians you are agnostic, or worse, atheist.
*Disclaimer: Not trying to give off the wrong image of Ecuadorian men. Many are really genuine and respectful, and almost everyone we've met are extremely helpful and friendly.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
8.10.08
Ecuador's Independence Day: the only day of the year when you will see thousands upon thousands of Ecuadorians out on the streets (mostly to visit the museums which are free that day). $1 cajita de vino durazno? por qué no?
1) Cathedral visits (not mandatory to pray)
2) "Hay mucha mucha gente"
3) Drum beats and Ecuadorian clowns
4) -"Hey Craig, a piece of the firework just fell on me!"
-"Je-Je!"
-"Smell it!"
-"Je-Je!"
5) "WOW!...MIRA!" (pyrotechnic show)
6) In good company
7) Mimers
8) Ruining the mosh pit
1) Cathedral visits (not mandatory to pray)
2) "Hay mucha mucha gente"
3) Drum beats and Ecuadorian clowns
4) -"Hey Craig, a piece of the firework just fell on me!"
-"Je-Je!"
-"Smell it!"
-"Je-Je!"
5) "WOW!...MIRA!" (pyrotechnic show)
6) In good company
7) Mimers
8) Ruining the mosh pit
Aliñambi memories
A few memories from our 2 week summer program with the children of Aliñambi:
"Oh Eliah." Snatchin' otra vez
La clase de panadería:
En el bus al Telefériqo!
Being a mother
~No te preocupes. Vamos a regresar!~
"Oh Eliah." Snatchin' otra vez
La clase de panadería:
En el bus al Telefériqo!
Being a mother
~No te preocupes. Vamos a regresar!~
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Lunch money
Remember when we used to get $1.50 for lunch money back in the day? Well, one of the kids I work with, Joselin, gets exactly a quarter each day to buy herself lunch. I accompanied her to the small venta nearby. It didn't have much to chose from. She didn't even have enough to buy a bag of bread (40 cents) or a chocolate covered banana (30 cents), so she settled for a pack of 2 gummy worms and a bag of fruity corn puffs for lunch--most fruitful deal she could get from her 25 cents.
The next day, her father forgot to give her money. Us profes bought a bag of cheese puffs to share with her so she didn't starve. (We're not suppose to buy or give things to students, which may create a sense of dependency).
Later, I found a quarter on the floor while sweeping the house. No one claimed it, so I got to keep it. I felt like I just won the lottery.
The next day, her father forgot to give her money. Us profes bought a bag of cheese puffs to share with her so she didn't starve. (We're not suppose to buy or give things to students, which may create a sense of dependency).
Later, I found a quarter on the floor while sweeping the house. No one claimed it, so I got to keep it. I felt like I just won the lottery.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Mean girls
We have been working at Alinambi for the past 2 weeks teaching English, art, math, panaderia, and geography classes for a summer program. I've become quite attached to the kids (age range 3-17), although they can be a handful at times. It's difficult to separate the line between authority and friendship, but we manage. We have about 20 kids that come on a daily basis, always greeting us "profes" with big smiles, hugs and kisses. It saddens me that tomorrow will be our last day working with them. I genuinely enjoy every moment spent with the kids, and I believe they feel the same way about us.
Today we witnessed a cruel episode of youth social politics as cliques began to unveil. It felt like a reality version of Mean Girls without the jappy bs. The middle-aged group (~8-12) decided to single out one girl, Carmen (names have been changed), and made fun of her the entire day--not letting her participate in their games, sit with her, or become a part of their group. It was so blatant that it was heartbreaking, and us profes could only do so much. The "ringleader", Emilia, would hit her at times, making her cry. I noticed she was "recruiting" all the other kids in the group to "join" her against Carmen. "pshhpshpshpsh..." whispers everywhere. I was livid, but actually predicted this happening sooner or later. It's a natural social phenomenon. Almost every social circle will naturally form outgroups in order to distinguish themselves, create imaginary hierarchies, feel empowered, and keep themselves entertained. It's a cruel, cruel time in girl world. I had a little chat with Carmen and Emilia and Holly even threatened to take away "la clase de Panaderia." This seemed to have stopped the physical abuses, but the manipulative sequences continued. We played "Red Rover Red Rover" with them to try and establish a more welcoming environment and fortunately alleviated the tension slightly. Carmen however was rarely called upon to be "sent over." I had a scheming thought of playing "trust fall" with them and purposely not catching Emilia, but that would have been mean.
More later...
La clase de panaderia
El Duncan y Alex
Field trip al Teleferiqo!
Holly y Ari
* * *
El Duncan y Alex
Field trip al Teleferiqo!
Holly y Ari
Today we witnessed a cruel episode of youth social politics as cliques began to unveil. It felt like a reality version of Mean Girls without the jappy bs. The middle-aged group (~8-12) decided to single out one girl, Carmen (names have been changed), and made fun of her the entire day--not letting her participate in their games, sit with her, or become a part of their group. It was so blatant that it was heartbreaking, and us profes could only do so much. The "ringleader", Emilia, would hit her at times, making her cry. I noticed she was "recruiting" all the other kids in the group to "join" her against Carmen. "pshhpshpshpsh..." whispers everywhere. I was livid, but actually predicted this happening sooner or later. It's a natural social phenomenon. Almost every social circle will naturally form outgroups in order to distinguish themselves, create imaginary hierarchies, feel empowered, and keep themselves entertained. It's a cruel, cruel time in girl world. I had a little chat with Carmen and Emilia and Holly even threatened to take away "la clase de Panaderia." This seemed to have stopped the physical abuses, but the manipulative sequences continued. We played "Red Rover Red Rover" with them to try and establish a more welcoming environment and fortunately alleviated the tension slightly. Carmen however was rarely called upon to be "sent over." I had a scheming thought of playing "trust fall" with them and purposely not catching Emilia, but that would have been mean.
More later...
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