Book Drive for Ecuador

¡¡Saludos de Ecuador!! / Greetings from Ecuador!!

Since August 2009, I have been working with the Fundación Promoción Humana Diocesana de Guaranda (FPHDG) in rural community primary schools. We have organized group work on a variety of topics - self-esteem, life skills, art projects, small business development, nutrition, health, composting, recycling, child development, etc. Our work in these schools includes: starting school gardens, providing school scholarships, and organizing reading groups.

A common trend in all of these schools is lack of resources. In the rural communities in the Provence of Bolívar, schools struggle to provide equal education for their children. The Ministry of Education of Ecuador has put a high priority on reading and writing. However, where families are living off $2 a day, this priority has often become unimportant. Most children have NO access to books, and have not had the opportunity to explore literature and/ or the arts.

During my visits to the schools, two directors of small (less than 30 students) schools approached me about the need and desire to have books in their schools. It is an opportunity to give back to the children of Ecuador and their futures.

Currently, we are organizing reading circles at each school; utilizing a limited supply of children’s books (available at a Cultural Center 1-2 hours from these rural schools). The school libraries will provide resources in each school, not only bringing literature and stories into their classrooms, but to bring new ways of thinking and methods of teaching into the classroom. The books will be used in two primary methods:

(1) After-School Reading Program: a program designed to allow children to explore literature and express their reactions.
(2) Curriculum Enhancement: the teachers will be educated in how to utilize literature to enhance both subjects of science or math as well as develop characteristics of questioning and leadership.

These libraries aim to spark a spirit of discovery and foster participation to grant every student a universe of possibilities. With your help, we can provide a future filled with greater possibilities and self-expression to the students of Ecuador, specifically in two schools.

Santa Ana: A 24 student, 2 teacher school in the subtropics of Ecuador. A 45-minute drive up a windy dirt road from the city of Caluma lies the small community of Santa Ana. Here, the students eagerly participate in activities of every kind, eager to learn more and thirsty for knowledge.


EL Carbón: Twenty-eight students and two professors in a school tucked away in the high Andes (at the base of Chimborazo). A bi-lingual community (Spanish-Kichwa) who’s main income is agriculture – quinoa and potatoes. During my first conversation with the school director, he said the children (and community) of El Carbón need the opportunity to read.

What can YOU do to help??!! Go to http://www.amazon.com/wishlist/SYY6N0AWX171/ref=cm_sw_em_r_wl_8qoVmb1WZ3FP4 ... we’ve set up a Wish List named “Books for Ecuador”. You can help us provide books to the students by purchasing a book on-line. The books will be sent to my parent’s house (in Louisville, CO – the address is saved on Amazon.com) where we will transport them to Ecuador and to the rural communities.

The books (including a variety of reading levels) will go directly to the two schools, kept in a community-made reading area (created through a minga – a community gathering to complete a task). Every week, an organized reading time will let the students read. Additionally, monthly community meetings will educate the community on the literature program and allow them get involved with the program.

If you have any trouble with the Amazon website, please let me know! deanna.camell@gmail.com

¡GRACIAS POR TODO TU APOYO! / THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP!

Midservice and unrest in Ecuador ... no pasa nada

Last weekend Omnibus 102 had their official Midservice Conference. All 32 (oh no, I've lost count of how many 102ers are left...) ... 32ish ... volunteers met up in Quito for a 3-day conference. First....

Prior to the conference, my %$@* awesome (sorry, inside joke) friend mentioned jumping a 70 foot waterfall to celebrate our mid-point and relieve some stress before going to sit in meetings for three days. It was the best idea ever -- we spent the day 'camioneta surfing', and zip-lining 13 separate lines over the canopies of the sub-tropic Mindo. Then, before sundown, fit in waterfall jumping, swimming and water slides (the kind that end 15 feet above the river and spit you out at terrifying velocities). The waterfall jump was no joke either, the 40 year old man after us took a good 15 minutes (and lots of name calling from his friends) to JUMP. Of course, the day was finished with some Pilsner and a 2 hour ride back to Quito - where we had no seats and squeezed into small corners and ledges on the packed bus.

Midservice marked our mid-point, although technically we've already been in site 13.5 months, and we have our COS (Close of Service) Conference next April ... which means only 6 more months of "work". We had an "Open House", where we got to see everyone's work/ projects/ and a little more about their site and how they've spent the last 13.5 months in site. I was so impressed by everyone's work, and how much people have been able to relate to their communities and make an impact on the people around them. Several people are talking about a third year ... we'll see where they stand in another 6 months. Some of the coolest projects I saw - an HIV and AIDS theater (written, directed) by a PCV, volunteers who are "Wide Awake" and have found a spiritual calmness over the past year, Volunteers putting on community-wide concerts, teaching swimming lessons, starting small businesses ... I could go on for awhile...

Right after we finished Midservice, when I was getting ready to go to the bus terminal, we were told "NOT leave the city and to return to the office". There was some civic unrest in Ecuador ... it was pretty crazy actually. The national police were on strike, they kidnapped the president and were holding him hostage in a hospital. We (my omnibus and some other PCVs) stayed at the PC Office for a few hours, and then we were put in a hostel for the night. People were saying that we were going to have to stay there for a week!!! The hospital where the president was being held was just over a kilometer from our hostel!! We could hear gun shots outside, and then watch the live shoot-out on TV (the had the entire thing live on a local government channel). Even with all this chaos though, Dominos was still delivering - they even had a "Police Riot Special" on their pizza all night long. The military saved the President before midnight and everything returned to "normal" after that. There were a lot of loitering that went on in the bigger cities... but Guaranda is too tranquillo - everyone said the police are too lazy to organize a riot. We all returned to our sites the next day, and except for the fact that we can't travel right now, everything is back to normal.

Now, I'm back in site (we're under 'no-travel' law). Being back is good, but it's been stressful... I have less than a year left ... what do I continue? What can I drop? What is going to succeed? What's worth my time? What do I still want to do before I leave Ecuador (climb Cotopaxi, hike Quilatoa Loop, visit Tena and Esmereldas, climb)???

Sorry, no pics form these adventures (I really need to get better at this, I know my blogs aren't THAT interesting....) Hope you're well - love and miss!

Looking back at the past year, and foward to Part II

On August 19th, I officially celebrated my 1 year anniversary in Guaranda, Ecuador. It's been an amazing experience, filled with laughter, new friends, challenges, new memories and of course, lots of food and dancing! (PHOTO: My Ecuadorian Host Family and my Grandparents; PHOTO:Guaranda with Chimborazo in the background "X" marks where I live)

Over the past year, I've learned more about myself than I ever imagined, I've been able to experience every holiday in a foreign country and have held my longest job-to-date. I've learned to speak Spanish; make spaghetti sauce, brownies, pancakes, banana bread, pizza and tortillas from scratch; to bargain for my fruits and veggies; to make a jar of PB last a month; to plant potatoes; to make recycled paper; to clean my dishes by hand; to not be afraid to try something new; to laugh at myself (and everyone around me); to be committed; to not be afraid to let go. (PHOTO: my bday, getting my face smashed into a cake; PHOTO: Christmas celebration at a school in the campo; PHOTO: dinner party with my friends)

I'm living on my own in Ecuador. I have a fantastic host family here, Ecuadorian friends, PCV friends, lots (sometimes too much) work, a studio apartment and people who trust in me. The mail-boy knows me by name and finds me on his scooter whenever I get mail (WHICH MAKES ME SOOOO HAPPY!) I have a credit account with my local grocer, and the fruit lady on the corner gives me my favorite YAPPAS (no more cuello for me). My host mother has opened a restaurant - where she often serves brownies, zucchini lasagna, carrot cake (some of my favorites that we cook at her house). (PHOTO: trip to the sub-tropic with Monica and Raul, playing in the pool)

A lot of my time goes into work. My primary work is with Fundacion Promocion Humana Diocesana de Guaranda - their mission is to assist organized groups in sustainable development and to help facilitate access to resources; their two main focuses are on Micro-Credit (community banks), organic agriculture and commercialization of products. (PHOTO: Kids in Santo Domingo planting a garden)

Since I'm a Peace Corps Youth and Families volunteer, and wanted to improve my language before diving into business development (which, as many of you know, is my passion) ... I started my service working in local schools (20minutes - 1 hour trip into the campo). I did lots of group building, self-esteem games and agriculture (yes, I learned to start composts and small gardens). It was a great opportunity to understand how my Foundation works, what the schools are like and who I could/ couldn't work with. Working in local schools led to working in schools all over the Provence and soon I was running around like crazy really not helping anyone (spending one day a month in a school, hitting 5-6 different schools a week). I was having a hard time building lasting relationships, let alone remember anyone's name. My Foundation was pretty stuck on the idea that I should help out all the schools, and I was pretty sure I didn't want to spend the next year and a half doing that ... so I decided to switch gears a little... (PHOTO: co-workers and I)

So, I changed gears and started looking for secondary projects - CEMOPLAF, Soluciones Comunitarios, Gustavo Lemos Elementary School, setting-up a toy room in Santo Domingo, Teaching English classes for World Teach ... if you've ever had a hard time keeping track of my "work", this is why. (PHOTO: cooking classes at Santo Domingo; PHOTO: students of Gustavo Lemos)

So, NOW WHAT you ask?? Well, over the past 12 months, there have been some things that have stuck, and some that haven't. Some that were great short-term projects that taught me about the culture, a certain group of people or how to manage/ develop an event. However, there have also been some projects that are just taking form, ready to launch-off, that I think just might stick for the next year. With each of these project, I've found a local I can work with - a single person that is willing, able, and wanting to participate in change. And this, with a little bit of encouragement, has created the momentum for my second year. (PHOTO: Don Hernan - agriculture promoter at Fundacion Promocion Humana)

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP - recycled paper. A group of 10-15 youth who are interested in making money (youth from low-income families that need the money to stay in school), while learning business skills, leadership and about the environment. Basically, this group will make recycled paper into cards, bags, boxes and decorate them with local pressed flowers etc. We'll utilize a beginner, intermediary, advanced ranking to encourage participation, savings and paper-making quality - their incentive, a larger percentage of each product sold awarded to the individual as they improve their personal ranking. Additionally, each youth will have the opportunity to take over leadership roles in the business – for example, marketing, production or sales. I have found a great counterpart to work with me on this project – we even took a 12 hour bus ride down South to visit a PCV and see how her woman’s group makes and sales their recycled paper (their product is AMAZING). Now, all we have to do is form the group. Laugh ... but I'm serious. Forming this group of youth has been one of the most challenging things I've tried to do in Ecuador - timing, participation, respect, interest, incentives, they all have to line-up perfectly. (PHOTO: visit to San Pedro to see recycled paper process with Teresa)

SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS Last year, my Foundation had a budget for scholarships; however, because of lack of organization, the money didn't go to children in need, it went to purchase candy bags for each child at each school for Christmas. This year (to start) 18 elementary aged students will receive scholarship for the year. We are currently evaluating each student, their needs and resources and coming up with a solution for how we can best help them (purchase of medicine, mattresses, clothes, food).

AEROBICS At work, I've started teaching aerobics classes! I know, I've never done it before in my life - but that's the point, when else will I have 6 women who are excited to go to my aerobics classes each day? haha, probably never :) We're doing kick-boxing, aerobics moves, weight lifting and some yoga. New moves, suggestions, and music are ALWAYS appreciated!

CEMOPLAF At the local “planned parenthood”, I’m helping start a youth group, a sort of peer-education methodology for the students to teach their friends at school. Last month, my counterpart, Maricela, and I attended a HIV/AIDS conference ¿Cuantos Sabes? in Guayaqui, where we learned a fantastic, new methodology for incorporating HIV/AIDS knowledge with youth groups (youth promoters, very similar to the peer-education model CEMOPLAF currently uses). We have plans to replicate the program with our youth group starting in November. (PHOTO: "This is how you put on a condom" demonstrations)

SOLUCIONES COMUNITARIOS Four women in my local community have decided to become acesoras for SC, an organization that sells health products to people in the campo through the micro-consignment model. (See my previous post in August for some photos and a video! PHOTO: Teresa helping a woman find glasses to let her read)

JUAN PABLO Last summer, when Social Entrepreneur Corps (a group of 14 University students here for a summer internership) and SC came to Guaranda to help the women acesoras, they also spent a day with the Foundation Juan Pablo. The women at this foundation make and sell turron and have been asking for help with their business. For the past 20 years they have been making turron and selling it under the name Deli Turron - a brand started by Fundacion Promocion Humana which sells turron from 5 woman’s group under the same packaging to help create market and brand for the entrepreneurs. After all these years and experience, the women of Juan Pablo want to expand their business and have their own brand. The visit and day long consultations from SC helped organize the women and get them focused on their business goals. Additionally, last month, we were awarded a grant from the Social Entrepreneur Corps and have started meetings to design a development plan. Right now, we're looking at new packaging (with a new logo, and brand for their turron), promotion, and product diversification (different sizes and the turron filled with different nuts). YUMM! (PHOTO: Women of Juan Pablo making turron at a food fair in Guaranda)

LIBRARIES and READING PROGRAMS Through the Peace Corps, there is a program called WWS (World Wide Schools). Basically it pairs up a PCV with a teacher in the U.S. From here, the project and outcomes are up to the teacher and PCV. I was paired up with a very responsive teacher and during our first letters back and forth to each other, Mr. Kennedy (my 2nd grade class, in Colorado!) told me he's very interested in altruism and creating a real-life project for his class. I brought up the idea of starting some libraries at two of the schools in the campo in Ecuador and implementing reading programs at them. Both of the schools in the campo are under 30 children, have great motivated and involved directors who often talk with me about the importance however huge lack of reading at their schools (and Ecuador in general). So, Mr. Kennedy and his 2^nd grade class have agreed to help me collect books and monetary donations to create a library at each campo school. While at home, I visited and met Mr. Kennedy's 2nd grade class. The kids were filled with endless questions and stories :) Want to help out?? More information to come… (PHOTO: Kids reading in Herapamba)

Apart from work, I’ve also been able to travel a little in the country (haven’t made it out of country yet) – the beach (Salinas, Palmar, M….), the jungle (MACAS!!!), the sierra (Ibarra, San Pablo, Cuenca, Loja, San Pedro). Along the way, I’ve met some very colorful individuals, friends for life and people who either love or are scared of me simply because I’m American. I was blessed with a visit from my Grandparents where I got to share my site, my friends and my family with loved ones from home. We were able to explore Ecuador together and I’m happy to see I’ll age well!! And, I even traveled home for a short, wonderful catch-up with my friends, family and the sweet CO air! (PHOTO: Whale watching off Palmar with PCVs; PHOTO: downhill biking Chimborazo with friends)

So, as I start the countdown (not that I’m actually counting days, but that I have less left then I’ve been here already), I look back and smile at my time in Ecuador. To Part II of my adventure! Salud!! (PHOTO: Riobamba at sunset)

Vacation to CO and my bday

I had the best surprise for my birthday this year! I got to come home for my birthday - my first bday at home in Colorado since I turned 21. I got to see old friends :) Hang out with my entire family, go trail running, make sushi, do yoga, play with my dog, drink coffee and have great conversations, visit old College stomping grounds, have sleep-overs, go to our cabin, play tennis, see the first signs of fall, watch the Rockies and eat a Rockie dog, drink micro-brews, ride my bike, go shopping at Target at 9pm, hug my mom, eat large amounts of Mexican, sandwiches, sushi, visit Mr. Bobby's class, drive ...

A few questions everyone was asking:
"Is it weird to be home?" NO. Honestly, not at all, well - I guess everything was sparklingly clean and I had to be reminded to flush my TP and that I could drink tap water, but other than that Colorado was awesome in a familiar "that's exactly what I missed" kind of way. I'm guessing my sub-two week trip didn't qualify me to go through reverse culture shock, so I'll let you know about that after my PC service. Oh, and there are ENDLESS options in the US ... going to the grocery store or ordering from a menu took at least double the BPC (Before Peace Corps) time.

"What do you DO down there?" LOTS and LOTS of different stuff everyday is the simple answer ... the long answer, read my next blog entry, I've included some projects I hope to continue for the next year.

"Do you have friends down there?" Honestly, I spend a lot of time with my host family - my best friends are a 37 year old woman and her 12 year old daughter. I spend a lot of time during the day at work, and there are a great group of women who I'm learning how to gossip with. Every once in a while, I break out the dancing shoes and hit up a graduation party or disco with some local friends - and yes, we ALWAYS party till 4 or 5 in the morning :) Some of the coolest people I've met are PCVs ... while the closest one lives 35 + minutes away from me, It's always a blast when I get to visit or be visited by PCVs - life long friends.

"Have you tried Guinea Pig" Yes, and, it DOES taste like chicken. If you want a try, we'll make you some, just come visit!!

"Do you like it there?" Ecuador has been an amazing experience and continues to be different and challenging everyday. I love my work and my host family. Some days are better than others, and I'm learning how to ride the successes with the failures. Living in a different culture and being committed to the same job for two years has pushed me outside of my box countless times. Ecuador is an amazing country filled with fantastic people who are always ready to laugh or dance.

"What did you miss the most from the US?" The people and being able to sit and have a good conversation; good beer and wine; my family, trail running; pet dogs; dating; yoga and endless saldo ...

"What are you doing after?" I've considered doing a 3rd year as a PCVL in Quito (you work at the PC office). I want to backpack up through Central America on my way back to CO, and then have a seasonal job waiting for me at a ski resort and then stick around for summer and probably live there forever (open a yoga studio). I've considered going back to graduate school - Environmental Economics, Social Business, Non-Profit Management. I've also wanted to get an apartment somewhere, get a job (not a 9-5, but one of those work-from-home jobs). Obviously, I have no idea. I should sit down and think about that.

"How's your Spanish?" It's getting there. I mean, I can have conversations in Spanish, but it's still not to the level I want. I often find myself frustrated because I can't find the right words or phrases to express my feelings/ situation. I hope it will come with time, but for now, it will just makes me respect words and people's ability to communicate successfully through them. My Uncle asked me "so, if you were to hit your hand with a hammer, would you shout in Spanish or English?" A close friend told me ... you need to find an Ecuadorian boyfriend. haha, both good pieces of advice.

My vacation to Colorado went way too fast, but it was great. It helped me realize people are people - we are the same all over the world (well, in Ecuador and the U.S.). Yes, we do have different cultures, histories, opportunities and personalities - but that's what makes us human. We all want friends and someone to love us ("some one to tell the pains of our lives to" - my driver at work during a heart-to-heart yesterday), we all like to have fun and don't like it when people around us are upset. There are also "good" and "bad" people everywhere - usually defined by local norms and customs. Some people you don't get along with, and some you do (and when you do, oh man, what an amazing feeling). People love to learn and be encouraged, hate to be told they are stupid, need to express themselves, often have self-esteem issues and want to be part of something. My trip to Colorado helped me tie my two lives together, things don't feel quite so odd or unfamiliar anymore.

Unfortunately, I have no photos ... I had to order a new camera charger and got it right before I came back to Ecuador. See ya in February!!

Soluciones Comunitarios

Micro-Consignment: so, think Mary Kay - women selling make-up to their friends and neighbors ... now think of this functioning in Ecuador. Now, have the women sell products like reading glasses, solar lights, water purification systems and organic seeds. The business model provides sustainable jobs for entrepreneurial women (a job that will also teach them about health and how to care for themselves and their customers). Additionally, the distribution system is designed to access hard-to-reach people that live hours from the closest small tienda, people who have never been able to drive to their local Wal-Mart and pick up a pair of reading glasses

COOL VIDEO

COOL PICS

CALUMA

Ecuador amazes me everyday. I fall more and more in love with the land and the people.

This past week I got to travel to the sub-tropic for a week to work and play. My past travel to the sub-tropic in Bolivar was always daily - get up and leave the sierra ridiculously early @ 5am, and return after the sun had set. This past week I went to Caluma with a promoter in my Foundation, Melina, stayed in her house, met her family and her friends, saw her life and where she works and plays.

Monday morning I caught the 5:30 bus to Caluma. The drive is amazing, within 2 hours of Guaranda, you start an amazing descent from 2700m to 260m. First off, it's terrifying. The bus driver whips around tight corners as you look off the edge into what appears to be an endless cliff. But, after the initial fear, it's one of my favorite drives - a cloud topped forest awaits your descent, the flowers, greenery, small sugar cane houses, horses and local people on the side of the road create a rich feeling of peace, tranquility and warmth. Of course, the bus is also heating up - and those 3 layers that were necessary in Guaranda are quickly removed.

Melina met me at the bus stop, and we jumped on another bus to get to her house about 30 minutes outside of town. She lives in a bono (government built) house with her sister and two daughters. Her mother and younger sister live in a sugar-cane house right next door. Their front yard is filled with flowers of every color and size - her mother is an obsessive gardener and plant collector. In the back-yard roam ducks, chickens, a roaster, their faithful dog Luis, and of course guinea pigs (well, the don't roam, they are in a cage).

The house is simple - originally built with only walls dividing the kitchen from two bedrooms. They have since added on two larger rooms (one with a bed, the other used for ... stuff). None of the rooms have doors - the two original rooms off of the kitchen have sheets, but the new, back rooms have nothing - only an open space for people to pass in and out. The bathroom is attached to the back of the house (also with a sheet-door), equipped with a small sink, a toilet and an open space for the shower-head (no mirror).

At her house, her sister cooked breakfast for me - a HUGE plate of fried fish and fried plantain. After, painfully, finishing off the last of the fried plantains, we set off to our first school.

Our mission for the week: to look for and evaluate children who were in the most need for school scholarships. My Foundation has a large fund for helping schools all over Bolivar - we currently work in 22 schools with over 1400 students. However a great base to start development work in the schools, most of the money and programs for students have little organization (lack of personal), creativity, and sustainability. Last year, the scholarship money was used to purchase candies for children during Christmas. This year, we're changing things. We've had our first "official meetings" for the Lorini Project (the project for working with schools and children in Bolivar, run by Promocion Humana); we're developing campo-days to do large projects with the schools (planting local trees and flowers, trash and compost, life-skills, and cooking/ nutrition); and we're looking for 30+ students to give scholarships to this school year. Right now, the sierra is on vacation, and the coastal schools (Caluma, the sub-tropic) is considered a coastal school, are in session. So, we're starting the scholarship program in the coastal schools.

Over our three days, we visited 5 schools and found 5 excellent students to receive the scholarships. We decided to start 10 in the sub-tropic and 10 in the sierra, see how they work for a month and then build on the program. During our school visits, we played games with the kids and colored butterflies.

The sub-tropic is amazing. People work hard, play hard. We spent the days in the campo, visiting schools, families and planting gardens. The afternoons included a swim in a local waterfall. Nighttime brought out the dancing shoes. Salsa. Merengue. Cha Cha. Mambo. Reggaeton. Whatever the dancer's heart desires. Melina's friends were friendly, outgoing, charming, and patient with my Spanish (I don't know if it's getting worse, or if they really do speak different in the sub-tropic, but the phrases and speaking speed threw me off all week). The bars we went to were open aired; equally filled with older men, young men and women and the occasional child.

Visiting the sub-tropic was AMAZING and, yet again, eye-opening to the diversity found in Ecuador (both people and geography). It showed me I need to work more and more on my Spanish -- however able to communicate with people, I'm still unable to relate to people on the verbal level I would like to. I'm sure that with a little more dancing and daring revueltas, I'll be able to mejorar mi español y comunicacion con los demás.

More photos up!!

My PC Vignette

As a Youth and Families Volunteer in Ecuador, my time has been filled with adventure, passion, challenges and opportunities. When arriving at my site, the world was at my finger-tips, there were limitless possibilities to what lay ahead. My community included a network of people, organizations and ideas waiting to take form. Starting out, my work proved to have its good days and it’s not so good days. However, through perseverance, dedication and a handful of great, motivated people, I’ve found my place in my community. The people I have met along the way, including my co-workers, youth, my Ecuadorian family, and the local tienda owners have made my Peace Corps Service take form. Within my work as a Peace Corps Volunteer, I’ve been honored to work with youth entrepreneurship, life skills, HIV/AIDS, and nutrition.

My work with youth entrepreneurship and life skills activities has allowed me to combine my background and my passions with the needs of my community. Starting out, we worked with local youth in self-esteem, nutrition, leadership, the environment, and team building. We worked with local schools in sports and with campo schools in self-esteem and literature. Additionally, we have started a youth-room at my Foundation, a place for youth to come, do homework, read, play, or participate in weekly activities. From there, we are forming a small business, run and operated by the youth themselves. We are making recycled paper into gift cards, bags, book-marks with an endless list of potential products. Within the group, we are building skills in leadership, business knowledge and environmental responsibility. It has been an amazing, unique opportunity for me and for the youth of Guaranda, Ecuador. For the future, my Foundation liked the ideas of youth entrepreneurship so much, we're looking for new youth-run businesses to assist!

Teresa's Restaurant

My Ecuadorian mother Teresa just opened her very own restaurant!!!

She serves breakfast starting at 9am and starts serving almuerzos at 12:00pm.

Almuerzos from the first week include:
Lentil Soup
Chicken in wine sauce with mushrooms
Spinach, apple and carrot salad
Rice
Melon Juice
Strawberries and chocolate

Mexican Soup (spicy bean soup - MY FAVORITE!!)
Trout in orange sauce
Broccoli salad
Rice
Orange Juice
Brownies

If you're in the area, come have lunch!! She's an amazing cook and the service is fabulous!

So, this is my life...

I was talking to a dear friend of mine from home the other day, and was asked "do you miss the USA? Do you want to come home?"

Quickly, before I could think, out spat "Are you crazy? I love it here, I don't want to go home!!"

*GASP* Is this really how I feel??

After 11.5 months in country, I've adjusted to all the things that "shook my world" when I first got here.

- I've adjusted to the $1.75 lunches (almuerzos) ... my saving pennies how includes my daily walk uphill from work to avoid paying $0.18 for the bus.
- I always bring a baggie to the campo ... there's NO way I'm eating three meals of rice on one plate.
- When I first got to Guaranda, I thought ¨how funny¨and tried (descreately) to take pictures of the old man on Calle Sucre who sat outside all day with his scale, offering to weigh people. Now, after all that rice, I´m thinking of paying for his useful services.
- Half the time loud hisses or cat calls come my way I ignore them, the other half I go confront the problem (and once made a friend out of it! haha... that's like .05%).
- Having a hard day, just take Peyton's advice ... "I just did yoga and saved my legs, I feel like a new person."
- I don't look twice, or even take photos of the cows and chickens that roam the streets.
- I sleep pleasantly with ear plugs ... the 30minute songs till 2am OR the constantly crowing rooster outside my window no longer bother me.
- PANDORA DOESN'T WORK IN ECUADOR!!!!! :( .... it's okay, I found a replacement ... thesixtyone.com :)
- When someone says "we'll start the meeting at 8AM" ... I bring a book
- I've learned how to stand on a bus while eating habas and whipping around small roads, psch - "no pasa nada"
- NEVER turn down a free tortilla or carrot juice from the host family!
- I've learned that "Gringas always get the last laugh" --- words from fabulous Eik!!
- Even though I still need to learn all the rules, I joined a soccer team :)
- Pilsner is okay (when it's really really cold and you think of it like water)
- There are 3 year olds AND 90 year olds who will always move their hips better than me.
- I'm not sure I quite have the Ecuadorian fashion down, but I'm okay doing the "Gringa Swagger" all over town (Ms. Molly, WONDERFUL phrase!)
- Downing soda (grape, orange, pepsi...) is second to sipping water -- gotta pass the cup for the next person!
- If someone borrows a text message .... you can always regalo one from them come end of the month
- Instant coffee tastes good with sugar, milk and chocolate
- Black rain boots ARE fashion!
- Funny faces at the meat market can (almost) be kept to myself ... or at least out of direct visual line of the woman with the knife.
- 10 hour bus rides... haha, bring them ON!!!
- Yes, I speak English ... if you ask me to speak it, I'm going to make you sing a song with me!
- Just because you're a pedestrian in the CROSS-WALK doesn't mean the cars will stop for you .... okay, I might NEVER adapt to this...

I think what I wanted to tell my friend is that, I'm comfortable here. Right now, life has kind of leveled out. Going back to the USA would be more culture shock for me than ... well than waking up tomorrow and going through my day (I know more about the El Capo drama than what's happening on LOST)

Normality is relevant though. Each day is still amazingly diverse for me - brings lots of changes and unexpected events ... which is why I love it.

This month is bringing lots of leaps forward (after months of planning)... and of course, more planning...
- The grupo de jovenes in CEMOPLAF is meeting regularly and were planning/ starting some money generating projects... photos to come
- Organizing a tech trip to visit a Volunteer in the South of Ecuador who works with a group of women who do recycle paper ... and talking to my Foundation about starting a youth-run business :)
- Xi is getting married ... end of summer 2011 :)
- ALL OF THE TOYS are in Santo Domingo (de los Frios) and were starting to incorporate creative games, alternative learning styles and group work into their daily classes :) We started painting the room. PHOTOS.
- I'm teaching English classes.... the local WorldTeach program lost two of their volunteers (due to security reasons) with only one month left to go in the 9month program. So, they asked the gringa in town to teach. I love it!! Although, I did have to kick out two kids for cheating on their make-up test (they didn't pass the first one) ...
- My amazing sister and I are organizing book drives, libraries and reading programs ... OH MY!!
- Working with Soluciones Comunitarios, they provide products to people in the campo that solve a specific health problem (glasses, stoves, water purification, solar lamps). Their business model consists of training local women to be asesores (sellers/ promoters ... think Mary Kay, but in rural Ecuador, with different products). So, were currently training 4 women in the program - when finished they will have some health, business and self-esteem knowledge. Soluciones Comunitarios is also helping me out with a small business (women making Turron) I've been working with. End of the month they are bringing some inters to country who will work with the women in market understanding and market expansion. sweet.
- Profesora Judith's kids want a summer program ...

"All you are is what you have thought" - someone wiser than me

The "P Word"

I will never use the P Word again.

The P word was used too much during my college education, way too much during Peace Corps training, and wayyy wayyy too much when PCs feel like they are "doing nothing".

(Hint: Peace Corps is not the P Word.)

As Omnibus 102 closes in on a year in country, we start to ponder our p.....s - our successes and failures. The problem with thinking and evaluating our time with the p-word, is that we have little control over them and how they turn out (during our two years, or after we leave). I came down to Ecuador thinking, or at least hoping, that I would be able to change the world after two years. Well, after 9 months in site, I've seen my share of failures, misunderstandings and frustrations. Meetings that went flop, conversations that went south, potential understandings that I found out later are completely wrong.

But, I have also realized that these set-backs are always related to the p-word. When describing my challenging days to others, when I use the p-word, my days quickly appear horrible, miserable and un-lively. I start to think of deadlines, schedules, organization, structure ... and usually, it never exists (at least in the way I look for it).

When you change this p word for another, things look up.

When I take a step back, and focus on people (I know this starts with "p" too, but don't let it confuse you, it´s not the ¨P Word¨ ... It´s the new and improved ¨P Word¨), I smile. The people I have met here make everyday amazing. The people I have met here have taught me about myself. The people I have met here have been accepting, hospitable, crazy (good, fun crazy), and encouraging. The people here have become my family. When I change my mentality to work with and through people, suddenly, my times here has been and looks increasingly successful.

This doesn´t come as a shock. It´s one of those ¨duh¨ moments. It´s the amazing people (like you) who have always turned life into living.

So, for the next year, I´m eliminating the P Word (not Peace Corps or people) from my vocabulary. I´m concentrating on faces, individual dreams and strengths. The people in my life will forever remain my sense of strength, enjoyment and freedom.

Peace Corps is a time to time to help others achieve what they want to do.
Peace Corps is a time to achieve what you want to do.
Peace Corps is a time to live.
Peace Corps is a time to pass time.
Peace Corps is my life, right now.

New Photos up!!

Tungurahua

Yesterday morning, I was enjoying the morning sun with some of my co-workers from the Foundation (we often take the first hour of work to catch the warm morning rays and catch up on gossip). Thirty minutes later, things got cold ... we looked up into the sky, and a huge, black cloud was rolling in from the east. Rain? Hail? Funny Guarandinian weather?? I was hoping for rain, the corn still needs to grow more!

Another half an hour later, when I was working hard in my office, the economist (that's really what we call him "el economista") knocked on our door and told us to come out. Not rain, but ash was falling from the sky. The roof-top was covered in a layer of gray ash, and you could hear the impact against your jacked when standing in the open.

On the streets of Guarada, people hurried around with masks and cars circled the streets with loud-speakers informing people of the health concerns and recent news, Tungurahua erupted!!


So far, in Guaranda, I've experienced my first earthquakes (usually small and at night, takes me too long to even realize what they are to react in a safe and conscious fashion. I usually wake up, think, "wow, an earthquake?" and then it's over) and now my first volcano (well... ashfall).

But, no worries, this happens all the time :)

Up a mountain...

First off, if anyone is reading my blog, I apologize for the lack of posts lately. Life has been crazy (good!!) busy! I'm loving my Ecuadorian family, city and figuring out my work. I'll write about my work again this week, but I wanted to tell you all about one of my favorite experiences so far in Ecuador ...

Well, after being in Ecuador for almost 10 months, I had my first visitors from home :) And, they were my fabulous Grandma and Grandpa. Adventuring down South, without knowing Spanish, with very little knowledge of future living and eating situations, they met me for three weeks South of the equator.

To start our adventures (and to avoid lugging around the extra chunky, natural peanut butter and card games they brought me), we headed to my site for a 5 day cultural integration. It was amazing having them here -- I got to show a little bit of another part of the world to them ... a part of the world that has become part of who I am.

My host family warmly welcomed them like they have welcomed me for the past 8.5 months! My host mom made cuy (guinea pig) for my grandparents one night - the entire family came over and we talked and laughed and I tried to keep up with the translations. To begin, my host mom invited me and my grandparents over early. She wanted to make sure they knew how the cuy was prepared and to help out in the process. Luckily, they were already de-haired and gutted, so we just helped to later them with Achote and flip them a few times in the oven. My Grandma also helped with the potatoes, peanut sauce and my Grandpa got to try the local Pajaro Azuel and trago (which he commented, "Tastes like Good Moon Shine!). The cuy was well received ... so my host mother joked that she was going to make yagra locro (blood and intestine soup, a delicacy here) the next day.

Luckily, the next day, everyone decided spaghetti and meatballs - of course with garlic bread - would be better than yagra locro! My Grandma helped make meatballs, and my host family learned my secret spaghetti recipe (basically, throw whatever you have around into the sauce, and then add hot sauce!) My Grandparents brought some goodies to share as well - Easter Egg dying kit (which we are actually using tonight!); t-shirts, lotions, books, kitchen towels (a Grandma trademark), and an American Football. Wow - the football was LOVED, we're going to start a (touch) football tournament.

Sunday we all went up to Chimborazo. It was an amazing adventure. For the past 8.5 months the tall mountain, covered in snow, has looked down at us everyday. You can see the peak from my city, the only peak around with snow. The locals say only the tall mountains get snow - and standing 20,565ft, it defends it's title. The summit of Chimborazo is regarded as the spot on the surface farthest away from the center of the Earth. 18 of us packed into a van and ventured up, up, up -- for 15 individuals it was the first time on the mountain. At the first refugio, we warmed ourselves with Pajaro Azuel and started up. Quickly, upon starting our assent, it started to snow :) S N O W ... not the graniso (falling hail/ slush) that will fall in the high country here sometimes, but real snow - SNOWFLAKES, to be exact. We quickly started packing snow balls and snow men and playing in the white crystals. Everyone made it to the second refugio - so enthused, proud, exhausted, amazed - at 16,404ft, it was the highest I have every been. A few of us decided to venture up a little more, and brought backpacks and scraps of cardboard to try out sledding :) After another 300ft assent, we found a great push-off point for sledding. Only, the inch of snow that covered the ground didn't help us glide effortlessly, too many rocks! It was amazing to go up Chimborazo with my new family, and to have my Colorado family there to do it with me - some experienced mountain-lovers to share the mysteries of the highest peaks in our own backyards.

The rest of my Grandparent's visit flew by - we traveled by public bus, private car, taxi, by foot, airplane :), boat and camioneta to reach places in Ecuador I've dreamed about going to -- Cuenca, Chungchilan, Cotocachi, Otovalo, Quito. I put some pic up! (and there will be more once I get all of my Grandma's photos) All in all, it was an amazing adventure, I am blessed with fabulous Grandparents who were adventurous enough to visit me first, two people who quickly became part of my Ecuadorian family here, and individuals who are full of young spirits and great hearts :)

A week in my life...

MONDAY

7am Wake-up and feed Daisy

Prepare for Nutrition Charla; post-office visit and loop around town

*I'm not sure why I put this in, but this is the post office in Guaranda*

10am Nutrition Charla for Profesora Judith’s Class

11:30am ALMUERZO … made tortillas for week

12:30 visit with PCV Nancy – picked up movies, had coffee and chatted about current reads/ her son got engaged!

3pm – 5pm Planning with Maricela in CEMPOLAF for Friday’s Joven’s Class

5:30pm quick Internet check – gchatted with CO girls :)

6pm return home to feed Daisy

6:30pm chat with Maria, Teresa and Vicente in tienda – gossip about last weekend's weeding, up-coming week’s events.

7:30pm DINNER and a movie (August Rush)

9pm (can’t sleep … cleaned kitchen and bathroom; read The Age of Turbulece, journal)

11pm SLEEP

TUESDAY

6am Wake-up

6:30am Meet with Teresa, Don Hernan and Gilbert to go to Santo Domingo

8:30am Arrived in Santo Domingo to learn school was canceled and the teachers had a meeting in Simiatug. Luckily (and unexpectidely), the director gave the key to an INFA (day care for 0-5yrs old kids in Ecuador) teacher and organized for all the mother’s of students to meet with us. So, instead of helping the teachers organize the toy room and do child evaluations, Teresa and I ran a charla with 17 women and one man about sewing, child development, small business opportunities and we played the human knot. Three of the jovenes and a group of ninos also helped me put together some toys in the Toy Room – we put together a body of bones and the internal organs, and cut out clothes for two plastic kids. We talked about parts of the body – the 14 year old girls were learning what our heart and lungs are for. It’s amazing to watch people’s eyes light up with they understand something or ask a question because they crave more knowledge.

*I forgot to put the memory card in my camera, but these are photos from previous trips. The school is going to receive three "shipments" of toys. In between, we are organizing the toys, arranging activities and evaluating the kids at the school. The biggest challenge will be getting the community to "own" the project.*

3pm Arrived back at the office

5:30 Home, fed Daisy, colored with sidewalk chalk and the cousins - I was sure Maria (my land-lord) was going to kill me, until I ensured her the chalk washes away with the rain.

7:30pm Short/ slow run

8:30pm Read material for tomorrow’s charla

10pm SLEEP

WEDNESDAY

7am Feed Daisy

8am Work in office … accounting, informes, planning and email

3pm Meeting with San Vicente Grupo de Muejeres. A group of 17 women who have been working together for 17 years making Turron. They started out with a loan from Promocion Humana, and today function as their own Foundation. Only 5 women showed up to the meeting, but they are currently not making Turron. We talked about areas in which we can collaborate and where the Foundation wants to go. They are looking for a bigger market, some leadership skills and additional products to sell/ produce. For the business side of my work with the group, we are going to start with Market knowledge and analysis in May. For the integration side of my work, I’m going to teach English classes (oh…) starting next Tuesday.

5:30 Feed Daisy

6:30 Internet and Pizza with Salinerito Pizzaritos

11pm SLEEP

THURSDAY

6am Run

7am Feed Daisy

8:30 to Quindigwa with Don Hernan and Gilbert – meeting with women’s group. Don Hernan is starting an agriculture project with three of the women (very very cool - for one part of the planning, we had each of the women draw what their land looks like now, and on the other page, they had to draw what they wanted their property to look after the three year project) and we were going to present additional opportunities for the women through Soluciones Comunitarios. Upon arriving, the women’s group had some internal conflicts they need to work out; we addressed them as an outside institution and encouraged the women to resolve the issue among the group, and will save the additional business opportunities for the future. We worked with school’s garden, exchanged English for Kichwa lessons with the kids.

4pm return to Guaranda

5:30pm feed Daisy

8pm Novela “El Capo” and Chismea with Teresa, Monica and Maria in the tienda

11pm SLEEP

FRIDAY

6am Run

7am Feed Daisy

8am To Carbon Chimipamba with Melina and Melania – Charla with escuela kids in brushing teeth and washing hands. We sang songs, drew pictures, and handed out toothbrushes and tooth paste for each child.

2pm back in Guarnda

3pm Grupo de Jovenes with CEMOPLAF – I’m helping Maricela start up a Volunteer group of Youth Promoters to teach their peers sex-education. If the program gets off the ground, we’ll be able to educate the youth in AIDS/ HIV awareness, safe-sex, self-esteem, and sell condoms to the youth (it’s a form of income for the Youth Promoters). Today we watched Juno and talked about teen pregnancy – the pros and cons they see and the costs (monetary and otherwise). Watching Juno just reminded me of when I used to watch the sex scenes in movies with my parents or any other adult in the room … all of the kids tensed up, let out a few laughs, told the youngest kid in the room to “cover your eyes… don’t look”, and then kept watching. Haha.

5:30 Feed Daisy

6pm night walk with Teresa

*Guaranda at night -- the view from my roof*

8:30 Novela “El Capo”

SATURDAY

6am Run

7am Feed Daisy

8am Office Day – planning, market-day in PHDG, Organizing and Planning for next week.

9am break Market with Maria – bought food for Daisy and some for me too.

And now were up to present time … it’s Equinox on the equator, so I’m doing my skin a favor and staying inside today. Going home to clean, cook a late lunch (vegetarian spaghetti with Dora and Daniel) and read a book. Tonight my favorite local coffee shop has a live band, plans to go sip some Pilsner and chill to some tunes.

Tomorrow we’re going hiking in the campo. It will most likely be followed by a much-too-large meal and lots of laughs. We have to build a new door for the pigs, we now use their old one as a bed for them. An old PCV is coming to town tomorrow too - looking forward to a game of Scrabble and some good gringo talk.

So… that’s more or less a week in my life here. Do I love it? Yes. Do I miss home? Of course. I’m pulling myself out of a little hole I was in (I mean, after Carnaval, nothing is quite exciting anymore… jk). I’m learning lots about myself and loving every moment of everyday, learning that "This too will pass" - for t. We have officially been here for 7 months - so, I can officially tell all of you that being a tourist in a developing country is worlds different than living in a developing country. You begin to understand the lives of the people in a new way - their struggles, their systems, norms and customs. The great part about being a foreigner though, is that you can break some of their norms and systems.

My first visitors will be here soon -- MY GRANDPARENTS -- April 7th - April 27th. sooo excited!

CARNAVAL

Wow.

From the moment I got my site assignment back in July, all I've hear about is this festival called "Carnaval" (not to be confused with carnival -- where Ferris Wheels, cotton candy, shooting games with over-sized stuffed animal prizes rolls into town for one or two weekends). This is C A R N A V A L ... where parades, dances, music, and yes, water fights rule the streets. The locals tell stories of how crazy the streets and dances are, the foreigners ask me for a spot on my floor ... Guaranda, you see, has the biggest and best parties in the country.

For most places in Ecuador, Carnaval lasts for a weekend and ends the Tuesday before Ceniza (Ash Wednesday). In Guaranda, it started January 6th, the day after the 3 Kings arrived in Bethlehem (and finishing the Christmas festivities). The festivities included live music and dances every weekend, having to dodge water balloons (especially the hour after schools get out), and family water fights.

Scheduled events in Guaranda started the end of January, as each escuela and colegio begins by selecting their Reina (Queen). The Taita Carnaval is also selected every year – an individual who acts as the Mayor of Carnaval – organizing activities, parades and events, as well as raising money and putting on a pig-fry. The Reina competitions are very similar to beauty pageants in the States. The competitors have to wear traditional clothing and evening-wear, walk around the stage in front of a panel of judges, and have to answer a question. My cousin Mischel competed in her colegio Reina competition. She placed first in the traditional clothing portion! The family and her friends were so excited for her - we shouted cheers, waved posters, and banged pots together every time she was on stage.

My family and I also went to the Reina competition for the city of Guaranda. It started around 8:30pm Friday night, and finished up around 2am! The indoor stadium was packed with fans - each group sitting bellow huge photos of their hopeful Reina. The purpose of the crowd was to make as much noise as possible using drums, noise makers, pots and pans, whistles, or just yelling. My aunt told me the competitors spend $800+ on each outfit (and that's just to rent the attire). After the competition, there was a dance party outside - sponsored by Pilsner - with two live bands. It was so much fun, family was in town and I have never seen so many young people in Guaranda. The music was fabulous - dancing salsa and merengue - mixed in were some classic English 80's hits, and of course - Michael Jackson ... we went home early at 4am.

The next week, starting Wednesday, the schools were out for a week. And, the entire week before, every moment between class, recess, and after class, the school kids filled the streets with water balloons and polvo (flour). I, being a Carnaval-un-experienced-gringa, decided to hold class at a local escuela Wednesday (like I do every week). I entered the school grounds to find children running from end to end, water covered the ground. The kids were concentrated in two areas - one at the water-supply near the bathroom, and the other at the water-supply in the opposite corner. I quickly darted up to my classroom, the teacher was expecting me and we had an environmental education class planned. As I entered the classroom, the kids were filled with Carnaval enthusiasm and they eagerly greeted me. Two seconds later, as I was looking for the teacher (we always chatted a little before I start), she had booked it out of the classroom. I started gathering my stuff to start class, but the kids were in official "Carnaval-mode". Half the class was outside, starting to fill their water balloons, the other half was inside asking me if I wanted to go outside and play Carnaval. As I muddled over my options - to stay and play or to try and get back to work dry, the kids brought out the polvo and began "painting" each other with polvo. I looked outside at 100s of kids filling water balloons and running after their classmates - I was not equipped to take on these elementary school kids (I didn't even have proper tennis shoes to run in ...). Since my attempted class was officially a failure, and some of the kids (who had similar feelings about playing Carnaval at that moment) were hanging out in the room untill the madness outside died down - we decided to play Hang Man. After 45 minutes of Hang Man, we picked up our things, and dogged a few water balloons on our way out. I am very proud to say however, that I made it back to work, and DRY.

For the next week, Taita Carnaval had planned dances and parades for different groups:
THURSDAY – University Day (my official work day was from 8am-10am; the parade started at 10am)
FRIDAY – Guaranda Day and Parades in Guanujo (local barrio)
SATURDAY – Indigenous Day
SUNDAY – Parades in San Miguel (local community)
MONDAY – Parade with groups from all over the country
TUESDAY – Parade with groups from all over the Provence

Each of these parades ran multiple hours (a record 5 hours on Monday) and was concluded with a dance party (or two) in the center of town. Additionally, small stages were set up in the park and a local colegio, featuring live bands every night.

One of the big Family Events during Carnaval is the killing and cooking of the pig. Saturday morning, starting at 5am, the entire family gathered to kill the pig. When I was still not there at 6:30am (I didn’t mind helping with the cleaning and cooking, but didn’t want to be there for the killing), I received the best morning phone call from my Aunt Cecilia – “Deanna, where are you?? We’re killing the pig. Why are you not here? Get over here, QUICK!!”

The family was so excited about the pig- and rightly so – their favorite treats cuello, fritada, morcilla, chorizo, agua locro, and chicharon come from the pig. Every part of the pig is cleaned with care and cooked up, nothing wasted. I love this model of preparation and part of their culture – nothing goes to waste. Some Peace Corps friends were in town and we all helped the family fill large intestine with rice, carrot and peas (for morcilla), make chiguillies, and start celebrating Carnaval. The cousins even started a water fight, and no one left dry.

The parades were amazing – traditional clothing and dances; New-Age costumes and sexy moves; Michael Jackson; large floats with Reinas and a few jungle surprises. To make things better, these parades aren’t like in the US – where you get a wave and a small candy from passing by paradies (individuals in the parades) – these parades are interactive. The crowd dances, has water and foam fights, and passes out traditional Pajaro Azuel to the paradies. In return, the paradies hand out roses and other flowers, candy, and Pajaro Azuel (just to return the favor).

To make things better, some wonderful Peace Corps friends made it into town for the festivities. We enjoyed the craziness of Carnaval, but also escaped to some wonderful home-made meals, a fire-pit and some card games.

Some 2010 updates:
- My Grandparents are coming in visit in April for three weeks!
- I’ve started a new project with my Foundation – helping professors and parents to organize a child-development program. The school received $8,000 in toys (think everything from dress-up clothes, to puzzles, to houses, to bikes) and our purpose is to help them integrate the toys into their school curriculum as well as their community. We’ve divided up the toys into three stages, and the school has the first! It is an indigenous community, and they are so excited to have the opportunity to execute this project in their community. We're helping design norms, goals, evaluations and activities with the professors and parents. Also - future projects include parent groups, business classes with woman run small-businesses, and community planning.
- I’ve officially mastered baking brownies.
- My 12 year old cousin beats me at Phase 10.
- Profesora Judith’s 7^th grade class is officially pen-pals with a class in Mesa, AZ – the kids are so excited to write letters to their new friends.
- Omnibus 104 came to Ecuador last week – we are no longer the Freshmen.
- I’ve been in Ecuador 8 months – and 6 months in site. Sometimes, I feel like my Spanish is improving.
- A woman in Fuerza y Union, a community bank I have been working with, needs a lens transplant. She has cataracts and has lost vision in her right eye. She just found out it spread to her left eye, and needs to operate to save it. If anyone knows of any optometrist opportunities in Ecuador, please let me know.
- I ate pig skin -- I think there were still some hair follicles in it.
- Thanks for the cards, good thoughts, emails and photos from home – I really can’t get enough love from you guys!!

- New Photos are up - including a trip to the beach (for an American Superbowl); Carnaval; and the kids in Santo Domingo.

The holidays

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Whew ... this holiday season has been jam packed! It's good ... sometimes just keeping busy helps being away from friends and family. My deepest wishes of love and peace to everyone with the year 2010. I am one who believes you don't have to wait for the "New Years Resolutions" to make changes in your life; but like the Ecuadorians do, there's always time to burn your past and leave it there (I'll explain ... just keep reading... ).

Thank you sooo much for all the holiday cards, presents, snowflakes, and wishes from home!!

CHRISTMAS WITH THE FAMILY
To back-track just a little, besides the Christmas activities with work, my family celebrated the Novena leading up to Christmas. It included the nine nights before Christmas Eve. The family meets at a different member's house every night. The host provides song, readings, reflection, and (of course) food. I hosted the night of the 23rd with a single mother (she's the sister of Teresa and lives in my apartment complex) Dora. She prepared the readings and reflection for the night, and I made breakfast burritos!! There was a song we kept singing every night previously during Novena called "El burrito caminando" (the walking donkey), and haha ... it just made me think of Vegetarian Primavera Illegal Pete's Burritos, so I had to make the closest thing I could. Nancy and I also taught the family "Jingle Bells", I'll have to make a video of it next year!!

I spent Christmas Eve in Guaranda with my family ... I highly advise reading and rereading this part about their Christmas Program -- one of the best ways to spend the holidays with loved ones! I think more people should celebrate Christmas this way. They have a party Christmas Eve - it starts with the Misa de las Gallinas (mass of the roosters or midnight mass). Afterward, everyone (three generations - this year's count was 53 family members from Guaranda, Ambato and Quito) travels to the Casa de la Rena (the Queen's House - specifically for Christmas, she was elected last year). Nancy and I made three turkeys (thanks Grandma and Jenny for the bag and recipes!! We did brine the turkeys, and they were AMAZING!!), stuffing and mashed potatoes.


After the food (the Queen also prepared a salad, rice, and a coconut dessert!), we started with the program. The Queen and Princess paraded in and gave speeches of thanks for all who came.
I had the honor of hosting the program with my cousin - we basically announced who was going to preform next and read some good holiday thoughts and wishes in between acts. I think the family just enjoyed laughing at my Spanish and listening to my lame attempts at cracking jokes. Each family member performed in one (or more) numeros or acts - including dances (we did a traditional dance with long colorful dresses, there were also two Michael Jackson Thriller presentations), singing, and even a mass (a couple did a reenactment of la Misa de las Gallinas, dressed up like a priests and a nun and recited "new-aged prayers" for the family).

After the acts, it was about 4am, and the dance party started. I made it until around 6am dancing Salsa, Reggeaton, and Cumbia. Man -- Ecuadorians are born to dance for hours and hours. I don't know how to keep up here ... I find old men with bad hips out dancing me. After making it to a respectable 6am, I squished into the back of a camioneta with Teresa and some cousins and enjoyed the sun rise on Chimborazo as we rode home. At least I got to see snow at the top of the volcano Christmas morning :).

The next morning, after a 2-hr nap, I took the 9am bus to Riobamba to join up at Jason's for their Christmas Party. We spent the day catching up, getting Christmas hair-cuts and filling ourselves with amazing food!

NEW YEARS
For New Years, I decided to head to the beach. It's amazing how different la playa (the beach) y (and) la sierra (the mountains) are. They are like two different worlds - the people, the attitude, the climate, the food, even the dialect is different (I officially have a Spanish accent and use momentita y cercita - diminutive words for "in a moment" and "very close" filled with love and strong sierra roots). It was great to see old friends, get a little sun (okay, I got burnt), eat some seafood (while sitting on the beach, sipping Club and watching the sunset - good times Peyton!), and pancakes with peanut butter!!

For New Years, people here have a few traditions. First, they make replicas of people out of corn stocks or newspaper including politicians, ex's, bosses and self-replicas. The idea is that by burning the figure at midnight you are leaving behind bad thoughts/ events and entering the new year fresh! Us PCVs decided to burn a cuey (guinea pig). Everyone wrote their "burn-wishes" on a piece of paper, put it into the cuey, and at midnight with champagne and sparklers, we burnt our past. Another tradition is to run around the block with a suitcase - this signifies you will travel in the new year. And if you eat 12 grapes, you will have wealth in the new year.

...AND THE HOLIDAY SEASON CONTINUES
After the wonderful holiday season, I was ready to get back to site - refreshed, driven, focused after talking to other PCVs (all in all, a successful mental health break). Unexpectedly - this word is becoming daily language here in Ecuador - I learned that the BIG festival in my town, the CARNAVAL, the place to be in Ecuador, which I thought started mid-February ... actually starts today. In the Catholic Church, the three wise men arrive in Bethlehem, and I guess this is how they celebrated.

RECONNECT
Next week I'm heading to Riobamba for the week for Peace Corps Reconnect (we've nick-named it disconnect, because our Omnibus is being divided into three regional areas). It's when we come together with our counterparts (our community/work contacts) to talk about our communities, their needs and our future projects. During training, Peace Corps trained us in CAT and PACA tools, or community assessment tools (surveys, community maps, 24-hour clocks, seasonal maps), during our first months at site were supposed to utilize these tools during our integration to learn more about the community. The CAT and PACA tools are not only for us though, they are for our communities as well - it's the process of uncovering needs and project potential WITH not FOR your community.


New photos UP.