So as usual arose to my Taza de Cafe (Cup of Coffee) and the bread of huevos y pan (Eggs and Bread).

As we left the domestic lady arrived. Very similar to Hongkong and Latin America where many people have domestic help.

The emergency pocket on my REI hat doesn’t work – and I accidentally dropped my $100 emergency bill. I was worried that the Perro (dog) had grabbed it – because earlier I put my hat down and had to rescue it from the giant golden retriever. He always meets me with something in his mouth – a cloth or something – this time he was moving away from me with my hat.

It was obvious that I’d put it on the counter for him…… There was some running around by the family for the money – found in 3 mins having had it drop out of my hat next to my apartment’s front door. The panic though was really thought provoking. I am lucky that I’m not a normal volunteer where everything is in budget but the difference in incomes is apparent.

Before long I was off to the office down the street (3 houses down) to have my volunteering and school schedule explained to me. The organization is proud of all the things the volunteers have done – from 1 year volunteers to 2 week people like me – school building, bridge building, teaching English, having visiting doctors and nurses (Medicine sans frontiers). In the conversation they always seemed surprised or concerned that I might not want to do certain things. Its almost like that I’ll only volunteer if it’s children or something. I am sure that some people have that attitude. I feel that I’m willing to do everything. It came up about decision making and I told them – I make decisions everyday for my work. I don’t need to make any here. Tell me where to go and what to do – I’ll do it. Build a bridge, wash beggars, work with children – anything. I think it took them a bit a back – so I said look 2 things, I’m the oldest person in this room. That made them all pause and then laugh. Secondly as you get older enough to realize that you can put up with anything for 2 weeks. It is no big deal. I think that made them more comfortable. I refer to Laura (the hostess) as Ella Jefa (the boss (f)) which makes her laugh).

I think its amazing all that Laura and her husband do having all these students and volunteers stay because otherwise they wouldn’t have anywhere to stay and the government doesn’t really provide housing for students. They have been incredibly welcoming

I did find out they continually have 3 German students for a year – the German government pays for the students to do this and covers their accommodation etc. However they are required to cook and pay for that themselves.

We had a long laundry conversation – I can use the machine in the apartment or in Laura’s however with the rain its sometimes hard to dry, it appears there is no dryer – you use the sun. Instead I’ll be carrying my laundry to the local laundry service where its $1.50 per kilo. I’m sure that will be an adventure.

We visited a small store where for 4 dollars I bought a SIM for my phone, a pen and a small notebook. Then off on the trolley/bus Laura and I go from the Colon Station. Every day I get told carry my bag in front of my because mucho robbers on the trolley. No money or anything in pockets. I’m going to have to ask some people about this As it comes up a lot. Laura will only come for my first day or two.

On the bus there were 2 different people (one in first part, one in back) trying to convert people to something. They were different organizations so it was unique.

I forgot to mention that yesterday I saw 2 unique little things. One was cultural, I saw a father slap open handed a 5 year old across the face, where in USA we might spank a child they often use open handed slaps. No one said/thought anything. It was a little bit of a cultural shock – especially what we now know about corporal punishment and children.

The second thing was while crossing a major road in the center of Quito rather than having a little green man in the sign flashing it was a little green man walking along in the light. Just a little different. So far I’ve seen both.

Volunteering

As we walked from the trolley to the shelter up hill, I was breathing quite hard, when I do a little exertion, I notice the difference in altitude. So after uno hora waiting, we met the Directora of the project in the shelter. The Director hadn’t worked with the Laura or her foundation before so there was a lot of discussion about the volunteers and Laura’s history. It was interesting to listen to a 45 minute conversation in spanish where I understood trends in the conversation but not all of it.

It is very interesting that as soon as I hear Economica I know my degree is coming up. They all stop and there is a ooooh Economics. Having a degree here is a very big deal. With some my hostess will refer to my job saying El presidente (they forget the vice/media part). This only comes up from my background check, the resume and the 101 questions I had to answer the first night (through a daughter translating). It seems to be when they want people to know that the volunteers are important and valuable. I am trying to travel very differently than normal so I’m trying to avoid privilege.

I was then introduced to 36 homeless men and 1 homeless woman who understand I’ll be helping in activities for the next 2 weeks. I had to stand there and say something about myself in spanish (Terror!!!) – they then went one by one and said their names and where they are from. The asked me how I liked Ecuador – I said it was nice but warm – they complained its cold. The temperature here is an average of 61 during the day (70F at noon) and drops to just a bit under 55 at night. One homeless man in the shelter lived in New York 20 years ago and offered to help me if I needed it. The homeless I’m working with are primarily alcoholics and need rehabilitation. We did an origami project – I think they might sell them but I’ll find out.

At the end of activities, we stood in a cIrcle and recited what was going to happen next (meals, then baths), several of them tried to Get me to join them for the meal. I am going to be honest, these people were unwashed, smelled of alcohol and sweat – and they were quintessentially human, they were friendly and they tried to connect to me in little ways, helped me make origami, had bad spanish conversation with me. It was humbling to have all my privilege and to wonder if I would have the resilience of some of them. The circle of holding ended with we are all men together, saying be there for one another. They added that respect the building like it was your house. One of them interrupted and said Su casa de Hermano – the house of your brother. I was impressed by all of them. I’ll be back there tomorrow.

Lunch

We caught the trolley back but I told Laura “Mi Necesito practivido” and bought my own ticket “Uno personne por favor”. No conversions this time, just street peddlers with water and one with power cords, headphones and cables.

Lunch was soup with bread, followed by pork, rice, beans, cooked banana and an avocado based rice dish. It was interesting. Lunch in Ecuador is normally the primary meal of the day. The domestic lady brought out the dishes and took them away from my plate I literally did nothing. Last night I was able to clean the table at least with just the family and students.

I will say I am eating a loss less here with less caffeine. I am spoilt by the 3 hot meals a day but only 1 cup of coffee, no sweets really (some fruit) and smaller portion size.

David my other roommate (separate rooms) showed up so that’s another person – he is studying Mathematica at university and is from another province in Ecuador, no English.

Spanish Immersion

So Karina turned up at 2.30pm and we sat in the room till 6pm doing Spanish. The lesson started in spanish and continued in spanish throughout – I am practicing my pronunciation tonight, days of the weeks, months, how to use the verb Ser (to be) correctly – only for professions, religion, permanent conditions, day/month. I am probably picking up at least 20 words today and their context. It’s not easy and it feels odd to have homework. There are some spanish gotcha’s between Latin American and European spanish – like you don’t use “vosotros” (they) here – you use a plural Ellos/Ellas/ustedes.

Karina loves my cats. I’ve discovered sharing pictures of mi gatos can melt any of the female hearts in the room – its my secret weapon. Apparently Traveller is a Gordita gato which is a chubby cat. He has floof and chonk. It’s ok buddy.

We discussed the crime and violence, she says its real but the people of Ecuador protect the foreigners as much as possible. The economy here is not great and from multiple people the Venezuelan immigrants are a real challenge.

Like many young ladies and sons here – she still lives with the family, it is too expensive to move out and get there own place – she’s been told if she gets married her husband could move in to.

Dinner

Dinner was an egg with this highland potato cake, beetroot salad and sausages. It was tasty. After dinner 2 of the students (David and David) joined us and we exchanged words and languages. I wouldn’t teach them the bad words. I did have to explain how that wetback was an American insult but they could call their black friends “ni$$ers”. They were both like but in Ecuador I can put my shoulder around my friend and call him/her negarillo or Nigra. I am like no. That’s not how it is in Ecuador. I learned how to say washing machine in spanish and some other words. I also taught them mushi mushi for Japanese calls. They are a nice group. Tiny but nice – lol!!!!

Tomorrow is another day 🙂