Soaking Up Quito

Despite working for most of the day, we try to venture out into the city after work to take advantage of our time here. These pictures are from one of these many excursions. After walking waaaaay up what felt like a million and a half steps, we arrived at Itchimbía, or The Glass House, which is like the Kennedy Center of Quito. Here they hold temporary exhibits and cultural events. We unfortunately arrived as the building and the park were closing, but I sweet talked the guard into letting us snap a few pictures. Then we headed down the street to Café Mosaico, now one of my favorite restaurants in the city, for drinks and dinner. It has an amazing view!

"The Daily Grind"

So I suppose I will join Phil to break the ice and write about what everyone here spends about 75% of their waking hours doing, working. I know it is surprising to learn that between our weekly weekend getaways, our lives are not all that interesting. It is not all fun and games here in Quito! For 8 hours a day, five days a week we split up from our tight knit travel group and go off to our individual internships. Though a few people work at the same organizations, we all have different supervisors and completely different projects to work on. Once a week we gather at our hostel, the Owl’s Inn, to exchange internship experiences and discuss with Professor Clark the projects we are working on. These discussions offer the perfect time to learn from one another, offer advice on projects, find opportunities for collaboration, and receive general words of encouragement for each other. From these meetings I have realized that everyone is having their own unique work experience, some better than others, but all with positive and negative experiences that they can take away from their time here.

As our class came to an end last June, I was not sure what to expect when beginning my internship here at Fundación Natura Regional (FNR). I had had minimal contact with my future supervisor, Gabriel Lucio, and the FNR website offered very general information about their work. What exactly would I have to do? Who would I work with? Would I be qualified for the work they would give?! I was nervous and excited, but determined to put on a brave face and do my best. J I soon came to find out that FNR is a wonderful place to work and Gabriel is the most friendly, enthusiastic, and fun person that I could have as a supervisor.

FNR is an Ecuadorian NGO that works for “sustainable development through the creation of an equal, socially responsible, and economically viable society.” This organization is a relatively new NGO, founded within the past few years, which has completed projects working with binacional issues pertaining to the Ecuadorian-Colombian border. The main collaborators of their projects include people from FNR, Fundación Natura Ecuador, and Fundación Natura Colombia. It has recently completed a very successful project, “El Medio Ambiente y la Biodiversidad como Punto de Encuentro entre Actores Sociales deColombia y Ecuador,” that focused on binational dialogue between communities that share this border and using nature as a point of collaboration. As they look to begin new projects, they also hope to expand the scope of the organization to be more regional and include the Fundación Naturas of Bolivia and Peru. Other likely projects that the FNR hopes to implement include a project for the “Strengthening of social organization for environmental management and the development of governance, human rights, and ‘el buen vivir’ for the Épera nationality” and a project to develop a “Demonstrative system of alternative energy (bio-oil and biogas) for the farmers of the Sucumbíos province.”

I really believe in the work of this organization. It has been exciting, and sometimes confusing, being a part of their work during this time of transition. As Gabriel told me on my first day of work, “An NGO is nothing without its projects,” and I know that the work I do for them, reviewing project proposals and looking for possible funders, is critical for the future of the organization. Much of the information that I deal with is environmentally based, which I have little to no background in, but other research I do deals with the preservation of indigenous cultures and local development of their communities, a topic which I am most passionate about.

This internship has been more than just dipping my toe into an area I am unfamiliar with; it has been a cannonball into a sea of the unknown! I know I am growing and learning during every minute of this experience, and, though I do not envision myself working specifically with environmental issues in the future, I recognize the many skills that I am gaining from my work here that I will use in the future. My favorite part of my job is working with projects that address cultural issues as well as the basic language practice that I get everyday; from reading, writing, and daily interactions with the people in my office, as no one here speaks English. Also, learning the organizational structure of an NGO, practicing the proposal of projects for possible funders, as well as discussing projects with stakeholders are all priceless skills and experiences to have. All in all, my internship in Quito offers me an unforgettable experience that I appreciate and will remember for the rest of my life.

FFLAmilia

To my surprise, my co-workers cornered me in a room and asked me to be part of the office party planning committee. I thought of the creepy character Angela on the TV show The Office, who led this committee. I found her distasteful not only because of her coldness, but also because she obsessed over kittens dressed up as historical figures. Unlike Angela, the leader of the Party Planning Committee at FFLA (Fundación Futuro Latinoamericano) is the amiable Ecuadorian Magui. Magui is as sweet as a sugar covered beignet, but she gains an edge by rocking a two-toned red infused bouffant, and playing in a death metal band.

Magui asked me what game we should play for the wedding shower of our co-worker, Jackie. I thought for a while and suddenly our trip to Mindo popped into my head. In Mindo, the students and Professor Clark gestured boisterously and laughed for hours while playing charades, so I suggested we add this game to the wedding shower. At the party, we played charades by acting out activities that single folks do more while the other team acted out things that are more common among married folks. It was a hit (most of the activities we chose were relatively PG because Jackie is a Mormon but not all of the guesses were PG)!

Magui organized other games too, including one where every man in the office had to ask for Jackie’s “hand in marriage” to her “parents” (an older couple in the office played her “parents”). One co-worker said he was a plumber, but Jackie should marry him because he could offer her “parents” a few pigs. Another colleague said that he had four previous wives and seven kids and therefore experience made him the most eligible suitor. I picked up a fake flower and said that the flower symbolized my love for the “parent’s” “daughter” because the flower would never die (it was after all dead). I also said they should choose me because I was a gringo prince. I won the contest and people called me príncipe as I ate my dulce de leche prize.

The FFLA has a very nice atmosphere and many call their co-workers FFLA-milia (familia) -(although one co-worker with a good sense of humor says FFLA-tulencia (flatulencia)). Most of the FLLA-milia seem very proud of their work, which promotes constructive dialogue, educates citizens regarding relevant institutions and articulates process for sustainable development in Latin America. I am working on the Rio+20 convention, which is the new world sustainable development summit in 2012. My boss and I have had multiple meetings with high-ranking government officials and large international NGO’s in order to educate civil society about the new summit. It is challenging because the government is skeptical of working with civil society for fear of criticism, but it is extremely important because it often takes pressure from below for significant change to occur. I have learned a great deal about the challenges of environmentalism, negotiation and met several interesting people in my internship.

Mindo Mindo Mindo!

Mindo:

• 1.300 meters above sea level

• over 400 species of birds

• 170 types (types!) of orchids

• Home away from home for bird watchers, adrenaline junkies, butterfly spectators, and frog devotees alike.

We took advantage of all of these wonders that Mindo has to offer and more! Our hostel was full of birds of every shape and color. The picaflores (humming birds) especially were out in full force! We visited a butterfly garden where literally thousands of butterflies flitted around us in shades of blue, green, red, yellow, brown, white and orange. My personal favorites were the ones had wings that looked like either an owl's eye or a snakes head, depending on your angle (pictured on the left). We also got our adrenaline fix on thirteen (13!) consecutive zip lines. Profesora Clark, as always a good sport, joined us! (she is also pictured on the left). On the trail, we were lucky enough to spot a yellow breasted tucan, who thought we looked hot in our strange helmets and harnesses. At night we went to a frog concert where some local nature enthusiasts taught us about the local fauna on dark trails filled with toads, fireflies, beetles, and vibrant frogs. The air in Mindo is clear and filled with frog chirps. As a group, we also bonded over games of charades (word to the wise, acting out "The Duchess" is no easy feat).

Mindo! Mindo! Mindo!

Hidden valleys of diversity

As I sat curiously at the restaurant table, a rush of thoughts with desires to taste new flavors of Ecuador overwhelmed and peppered my mind. Soon after a few bites, I felt submerged in an ocean of stimulating flavors. My taste buds woke up by the fresh nourishing richness, and the harmonious zests. The savor of well prepared vegetables, herbs, spices, grains, and palatable meats lingered in my mouth even after finishing the meal. The burst of the flavors carried a tune in my thoughts and inspired the colorful reflection of the land of ethnic diversities, fascinating cultures, and the hidden valleys of life simplicities and ethos.

Coming from a far distance, the rich diversity of Ecuador has constantly change my perception of the country, and my experience of Ecuador has been shaping amazingly… Traveling to Otavalo, the scenery of a meadow wasn’t the only breathtaking view that captured my attention. A young boy holding the end of a robe tied to a lama’s neck mesmerized me. Sheepishly looking at his face, I became hesitant to raise the camera to take a picture at first. His eyes reflected some seriousness… he was looking at me but it was as if he wasn’t seeing me. Dressed in Otavalan traditional garb:, poncho, well-pressed white pants, and a hat,, he was simply presenting one of the many unique identities of the Ecuadorian indigenous nations.

Identity is a curious notion. Suggesting a kind of unity within, it nonetheless reveals difference at the very core of the being. Reflecting further on that initial observation I had, I realize that coming to know diversity and indigenous people involves not so much discovery as creativity, and that we do not undertake the quest alone. That a human being needs to and can ask, "Who am I?" is related to the reasons we need to be and can be educated; need to and can develop moral consciences; can and do flourish in true democracy. These human projects are differentiated, but they need not be divided, in opposition, or sequential. On the contrary: given the chance to be in communication with each other, these projects can serve and significantly enhance each other. And, Ecuador offers us such a buffet of diversities so unique.

Peace...

PS. I finally did take a quick picture of the boy.

Diversity in many forms



On an organic farm outside of Quito

 Thanks to the Quito group for letting me tag along for a few days!  The curriculum on this program focuses on exactly what the titles implies - diversity in the contexts of sustainability and development - and that seems to be what the group brings to the table as well.  The students hail from 9 distinct backgrounds and 5 different academic programs, and they have various levels of Spanish language ability and a range of diverse experiences in South America - but instead of creating conflict, these differences have enabled the students to engage in thoughtful dialogue with each other.  The range of speakers has also added to the wealth of ideas and information shared on this program, as have site visits to the discrete landscapes of Ecuador.  I'm looking forward to hearing from this group about their internship experiences and to learning more about the fascinating diversity of their host country.
- Rebecca  


In the yellow bus on the way to Papallacta.






At the Owl's Inn, home away from home.



Measuring Miracles in Millimeters

At the risk of sounding sentimental (and overly alliterative), Ecuador's miracles are measured within millimeters of each other.

After two intensive weeks of lectures and classes, we drove up to Papallacta to enjoy the hiking trails and thermal pools. This is not to say that the excursion was a break for learning! Hiking through the high mountain rain forests offers more biodiversity per square millimeter than anywhere else in the world. On the drive to Papallacta if you stopped to fiddle with your camera for more than a few seconds, the nature of the surrounding scenery had drastically changed by the time you lifted your lens. From the pajonal to the bosque montano alto to the páramo alto, mountain sides shifted from green pastures to yellow fields to green brushes to high mountain rainforests. Especially breath taking were the páramos and their astonishing ability to absorb and utilize vast amounts of water. All of the scenery reminded me of one Ecuadorian friend who described Ecuador's unique global positioning, mountainous characteristics, and oceanic influences as a miracle. Even in cold, scientific terms I think it can be agreed that Ecuadorian biodiversity is uniquely miraculous.

We had a hiking tour guide, Patricio, (who looked like he had dropped right out of 1976 with his long hair and full mustache) who helped us identify sacha chochos, árboles de papel, achupalla, mata palo, pugxi and guycundo (to name a very, very small sample of the types of plants out there). We ate taglli berries (they are safe in small quantities). Lamiaceae was introduced to us as a remedy for "stomach aches as a result of excessive coldness," but I just ground it up in my hands and enjoyed its minty odor. I think Patricio may have been referring to altitude sickness, because when I breathed in the lamiaceae, I felt my lungs open up and my head felt clearer. Whenever we found a plant Patricio did not know, he pulled out the book that he wrote about the local flora to remember their exact names (in both Spanish and Latin).

If the biodiversity was not enough of a wonder, the natural thermal pools are geological miracles. Warm pools of varying temperatures gurgled up from beneath the ground. We enjoyed the relaxing effects while watching the stars pop out. Ecuador again showed off its unique positioning by portraying both northern and southern hemispheric constellations.