Tech Trip Update

I love Ecuador. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the times when I simply cannot believe that I am here, doing all of this.

At this very moment, it's late Saturday morning, and I'm sitting in bed, recollecting all of the great and not so great times that I've had over the past few weeks...meanwhile, there is salsa music in the air, and my host sister's husband is in the yard playing with their son, who sounds quite happy. It's the weekend leading into Carnaval, so everyone's spirits are probably just a little more heightened than usual.





I just returned from my tech trip, which comprised a five-day visit to the coastal province of Esmeraldas. Along the way, we stopped in Yunguilla, a small community/reserve in the mountains dedicated to ecotourism and sustainable business practices. It was inspiring to listen to the story of how the reserve was founded, and how proud the people are of their accomplishments. Indeed, they are doing an amazing job reforesting the area and educating about the importance of conservation. They make fresh cheese and marmalades out of local, organically grown fruit, including some that grow naturally in the area. I wish I could remember the name of the fruit that we tried...perhaps one of the other volunteers that happens to read this can fill me in, haha.





Unfortunately, all was not well for me that day...shortly after arriving, I took a nasty spill on some wet stairs and came down hard on my arm. I'm fortunate that it wasn't worse than it was. Still, it took me out of several of the activities that were planned over the next few days.



I'm developing quite a reputation for being accident-prone and sickly in general, since I've basically been struggling with one thing or another since day one of training...a broken toe, stomach issues, respiratory infections, slips, trips and falls, banging my head on literally everything...it's only a matter of time before I step in a spike pit or slice my leg off with a machete. Haha, hopefully I'm just getting all this misfortune out of the way now, so that I don't have to deal with it later...

Anyway...following our charla (lesson) in Yunguilla, we proceeded to our destination for the next four days - a small fishing community called Tonchigue. We got in just in time to grab a quick bite and go to sleep, then it was off to learn about sustainable cacao production. We visited a small facility dedicated to teaching and helping local farmers produce in a more sustainable manner and get higher prices for their cacao. Later, we visited a finca (farm) dedicated to these practices. We were able to taste fresh cacao picked straight from the trees, which was unlike anything we could have imagined. Fresh cacao seeds are surrounded by a sweet/tart exterior, which you can't really eat, but it's great to suck on. This exterior is what ferments and imparts flavor and aroma into the cacao during later stages of preparation. Interesting stuff all around.



Day three was definitely the most challenging of the trip. We visited a site where we learned about watershed management techniques. The humidity and the mosquitos were intense. We spent the morning hacking through dense vegetation and climbing slick, muddy embankments, all the while building dams and terraces to improve the watershed. Of course, my right arm was useless, so I couldn't hardly help or do anything. I was also having stomach issues, so all in all, I felt like a total sack of crap. The others were persevering gallantly in spite of the heat and dehydration we were all experiencing, but yeah, it definitely wasn't much fun. It was highly educational though. Afterward, we walked down to the beach, which was beautiful, and made up for things slightly. We finished the day by collecting a few sacks of trash off the beach and playing in a waterfall.



The next day, we had our much anticipated charla in front of some local youth. My group talked about marine conservation in Ecuador. I talked about mangroves and habitat loss...definitely a little dry and depressing for the kids, but hey, they need to know these things! Afterward, we visited the headquarters of the marine reserve in the area. It is the only other marine reserve in Ecuador besides Galapagos, and apparently, has some of the highest biodiversity in the world. It's only been around for four years, so they're still getting it up off the ground...we were distinguished guests apparently, deserving of an amazing fried fish lunch and generous amounts of Club, the premium beer of Ecuador. Can't complain about that! Apparently one of us will be stationed there to help with operations. Chances are it won't be me, but you never know, I do have somewhat of a marine science background...just not nearly as strong as my competition, unfortunately. Haha, oh well, I'm hopeful I'll still get a coastal site somewhere, and I'll be happy with that. We find out in a week or two where exactly we will be placed, so there's a lot of anxious anticipation.

On Friday, we ended our tech trip with a brief visit to Atacames, which is a larger, more tourist-friendly coastal town...it had wild times written all over it. I'll definitely have to go back at some point, haha. Following a long bus ride back to Quito, and another short one back to Tumbaco, we were finally free to relax and maybe catch up on some sleep.



So that's what I'm currently doing now...relaxing. My belly is full of something tasty that my family made for lunch, which resembled jambalaya, but that they insisted was Chinese food. I'm not sure what's going on this weekend, but since my host brother isn't here, most likely there won't be any visits to the local dance clubs. That's fine with me though, I need a little break. It's tiring having to fend off the swarms of females every time I get my reggaeton dance moves on, and with this injured arm, well...I just don't know what I'd do. Haaa......right. ;p



Oh, and the next update will definitely be in Spanish, I promise.

Well...I made it

Ecuador. Wow. I'm here. It feels so surreal.

It has been about a week since I arrived, and things have been, well, interesting, as you might imagine! The first two nights were spent with my fellow volunteers in the training compound in Tumbaco, a stones throw east of Quito. There are 37 of us total, the majority of which are of the female persuasion. Obviously I can't complain about that. There are a lot of exceptional, driven people here, so the company has been great. Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less in the Peace Corps. :)

I met my first host family on Saturday. I'll be staying with them at their family compound for the next 11 weeks. Within the next few weeks I will find out where I will be stationed for the remainder of my time here. From what I know, the majority of the sites for NRC volunteers are located in the Oriente (the jungle) and the coast. I'm hoping for the coast. I'm currently in the Sierra (the mountains), which I must admit, is quite pleasant in spite of all the rain (the next few months are considered the rainy season). If I had to live here for two years I certainly wouldn't complain.

My host family is amazingly accommodating. They have hosted Peace Corps volunteers before, so they are obviously used to our initial lack of communication skills and gringo eccentricities. Indeed, they have been extremely supportive and understanding thus far. They don't speak any English, so I've been forced to get by on my subpar Spanish...though I must admit, I am doing much better than I thought I would. I don't understand everything, and there is little doubt that they don't understand me entirely either, but we're communicating and getting along well.

As I said, they reside within a compound of sorts, which is gated, and consists of several dwellings inhabited by various members of the extended family. There is another volunteer staying with one of the aunts, which is nice. I won't even try to describe this place...I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. There are fruits and medicinal herbs growing all around...many of which are in the book that I brought along (Herbs of Southern Ecuador)...at the moment I'm enjoying some kind of tea which my host mother has prepared for me to combat my stomach ailments (yep, it didn't take long for that to happen). These living arrangements have completely exceeded my expectations...it's awesome. :)

My room.

This dog, affectionately known as Oso (bear), hangs out on the roof all day and barks at everything.

Ailments aside...the food has been AMAZING. The first thing I ate with my host family was cuy (roasted guinea pig) at a local restaurant...how much more “bienvenidos a Ecuador” can you get? It was quite tasty...I'd definitely eat it again. My host mother loves to feed me, and thankfully, she is an awesome cook. Everything is fresh and healthy. I love it.

My host family!

Peace Corps has been bombarding us with information and forms to sign at training thus far...though we've just started into our language and NRC lessons. It definitely feels like I'm back at school.

Oh, and here's an interesting fact...there are stray dogs EVERYWHERE. Barking, lounging, having three-ways...ce la vie I suppose!

Uh, yeah, that's all I've got for now...

I got inspired to do a packing list.


Duffel Bag
Hiking Backpack
Daypack

Laptop w/extra battery
Digital Camera
iPod
Gameboy
Electric Razor
Surge Protector
Headphones
Earbuds

Travel Guitar
Sleeping Bag
Travel Pillow
Flashlight, Large
Flashlight, Small
Small Handheld Lantern
Batteries
Multitool
Frying Pan
Kitchen Knife
Gardening/Produce Knife
Knife Sharpener
Nail Clippers
Water Filter
Activated Carbon
2 Water Bottles
Travel Fishing Rod and Reel
Misc. Tackle
First Aid Kit
Fire Starter
Work Gloves
Paracord
Duct Tape
Misc. Screws, Nails, Bolts, and Zip Ties

Sunglasses
2 Pair Glasses
Rain Jacket
Two Hoodies
2 Knit Shirts
2 Collared Polos
3 Base Layer Shirts
Several T-Shirts
2 Fishing/Beach Shirts
2 Dress Shirts
2 Pair Dress Slacks
2 Pairs Jeans
2 Pair Cargo Pants
2 Pairs Shorts
Several Pairs Underwear
Several Pairs Cotton Socks, Dress, Crew and Ankle
3 Pairs Wool Socks
Hiking Shoes
Tennis Shoes
Slip-on Shoes
Flip Flops
2 Belts
Baseball Cap (Rangers)
Knit Cap
Bath Towel
Small Dish Towels


Guidebooks
Spanish Book
Misc. Books
Travel Chess Set
Cards
Random School and Art Supplies

I'm headed to Ecuador! + Peace Corps Aspiration Statement

So I found out a few weeks ago that I'm headed to Ecuador, departing January 18th...and I couldn't be more excited! This was the country I was hoping for all along. I really thought that since I missed my original deadline, which was for El Salvador, that I would not get my preferred geographic region a second time around. Well, the Peace Corps gods have smiled upon me, and things have worked out for the better. Again, I couldn't be happier. :)

So yeah, there's that. Now I just need to get some more paperwork in. ALWAYS WITH THE FREAKIN' PAPERWORK.

So here's part of that...my Aspiration Statement. I figured I'd post it, in case anybody out there in Google land is maybe looking for a little guidance, as I was.

I should note that I really needed to get it done today, but I was having a hard time not being negative (negative, really?). I hope it doesn't come across that way. It was difficult considering the family cat, Puska, went missing today. I know that's kind of random, but yeah. Everybody's real bummed out. He was quite beloved, and that's putting it mildly. He will be missed. :(

Anyway, here's what I'm sending in...

A. The professional attributes you plan to use, and what aspirations you hope to fulfill, during your Peace Corps service.
A: I feel that one of the greatest professional attributes that I have going for me, at least at this point in time, is my work ethic. I would love to go on and on about my work experiences, and how I feel they will directly transition over into the Peace Corps job description, but unfortunately my experience in volunteerism, or anything having to do with environmental education from a professional perspective, is somewhat lacking. This is not to say that I have not sought to become more active in these endeavors, but it has been a relatively new desire of mine to do so. I feel that with maturity and education has come a newfound sense of responsibility, both to myself, but especially to others. The more I learn about societal and environmental issues, and the more I realize just how esoteric much of this knowledge appears to be, the more I want to do my part in educating others about what I strongly feel should be understood by all. I suppose that if I can draw anything from my professional experience, which has primarily been in the retail/food service industry, it is my ability to deal with a diverse populace. Having a scientific background at my disposal, coupled with my work ethic and ability to engage effectively with the public should serve me well in accomplishing the goals I set for myself while serving with the Peace Corps. I do not expect to change the world, but I believe that individuals set the precedent, and as a Peace Corps volunteer, I hope to use my knowledge and skill set to hopefully inspire steps in a more positive direction.


B: Your strategies for working effectively with host country partners to meet expressed needs.
B: While I previously stated that individuals set the precedent, I realize that collaboration is often the key to success, in terms of implementing strategies for solving complex issues, such as those having to do with environmental degradation. As a Peace Corps volunteer, I look forward to working alongside individuals and groups sharing a common goal. I believe that my education in environmental science will aid in evaluating the “big picture”, and my personal interest in sociology, economics, and project management will lend itself well to any collaborative effort that I find myself to be a part of.

C: Your strategies for adapting to a new culture with respect to a new culture with respect to your own background.
C: My strategy for adapting while serving in an unfamiliar cultural setting will ultimately revolve around resiliency and cultural sensitivity. I realize that what I am embarking on is a unique opportunity to say the least; one that is likely to be an immense challenge. It will require a lot of patience, on my part, and I expect the people's part as well. I fully expect that some people will question my motivations, at least in the backs of their minds. My remedy for this will be to actively engage with the people in my area on a regular basis, to evaluate their needs and desires, and to share ideas and common goals. By doing this, I hope to overcome the cultural barrier that will inevitably exist between myself as an American citizen and the Ecuadorian people, and to dispel any preconceived notions that we may have of each other.

D: The skills and knowledge you hope to gain during pre-service training to best serve your future community and project.
D: The skills and knowledge that I hope to gain during pre-service training are quite numerable. I hope to gain a better understanding of the adversities that the people face, especially in relation to their environmental conditions, and what kind of resources I will have at my disposal for helping to mitigate them. I hope to improve my Spanish speaking ability, as well as to acquire a basic understanding of the culture that I will be engaging with. I would very much like to come away with a better understanding of agriculture – composting, planting, harvesting – as well as how people have adapted to a short rainy season and what effect that has on their practices. I think most importantly, I hope to come away with a real sense of purpose. As I have never worked with NGO's, large volunteer groups, or anyone committed to environmentalism per say, I feel that being surrounded by these elements will invigorate my passion for wanting to be a part of this sort of activity.

E: How you think Peace Corps service will influence your personal and professional aspirations after your service ends.
E: I think that being a part of something as noble and historical as the Peace Corps will give me a real sense of pride, and ultimately, accomplishment. I have come to admire the philosophy of John F. Kennedy, and his founding of the Peace Corps is, I believe, the best foreign policy that the United States has going for it, especially in these tumultuous times. I love the idea of being a part of that. As far as my professional aspirations are concerned, I hope that by serving with the Peace Corps that I will eventually have the opportunity to become involved with an international firm or NGO committed to environmental restoration and development. I very much want to have the opportunity to see the world, and feel that I am making some sort of positive difference from an environmental perspective. 

And there you have it......

One less thang...

Medical: Complete. A decision has been reached regarding your medical review. Please look for a letter in the mail.

Alright :)

Your file is currently under consideration...

Well, I figured I should start one of these. Eventually I will be sent to some far away land and people will want to know what I'm up to and how I'm getting along. I hope. Of course, it's also here for anybody interested to know what Peace Corps service is like in ____________. (will fill the country in later)

At the moment, I don't know when or where I'll be sent. It's frustrating because I know what they're going to say..."your assignment has been given away. It may be another six months before the next available departure date". At this point, I've accepted this very reasonable assumption, I'm just looking forward to hearing an official confirmation. At least then I'll be able to plan for what I can do in the meantime.

You see, my departure date was supposed to be late July, but they're just now clearing me medically. It was my fault, I didn't give myself enough time. I assumed I could get everything done in a few weeks and that I'd have everything turned in at least six weeks prior to departing, as is recommended. Didn't happen.

I should have been more proactive, but in my defense, I did not foresee the medical examination taking over two months to complete. All for what turned out to be a lot of non-issues. It's a long, uninteresting story. But like I said, I'm fine with it. People say that things happen as they do for a reason. As much as I was wanting to be stationed in a Spanish speaking country (that was the region I was nominated to serve in), maybe now I'll end up on a Pacific island instead (*crosses fingers*). I could learn to live with that. Then again, I could still get my preferred geographic location, you never know.

Wherever they decide to send me, I've got my bag packed, my fancy water filter and my backpacker guitar, some good reads, and a pocket full of dreams. At this point, I'm down for whatever. I'm ready to get my environmental education on.

So yeah, that's what's up right now. Life is pending. Updates will be made, of course, as fresh information is realized (or boredom sets in). :)