Mail, Ecuastyle

Reading: As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

So I have this really nice subscription the Economist, right? Now, I have nothing but great things to say about the publication, as they manage to get me the weekly issue in a somewhat timely fashion within at least two weeks of the publication date. Not to mention, they are excellent at reporting international news. They even extended my subscription by an issue for sending me a misprinted one... definitely quality customer service on the part of the Economist.

However, today when I stopped by the post office for the first time in a few weeks, I was surprised to see that I had three issues waiting for me... after opening them, I was shocked to see that one was dated Oct. 15th 2011. Now, given my alliance to the Economist and my not as pleasant experiences with Ecuadorian services, I think the blames on Ecuador this time. Viva la Patria!

Side note: what's the silver lining to Whitney Houston dying? Ecuadorian have improved expediently at pronouncing my name.

In the honor of...

Reading: The Mountains of California by John Muir

The things that have gotten me through my first year in Ecuador: friends, family and books.

First, I want to say that I have really wonderful friends. One of the things that I learned very quickly when I came here is the cultural differences that surround friendships. In Ecuador, your family is often your source of friendships. In the States, your friends become your family.

Okay, that was sappy, I know. But seriously, I have really wonderful friends (and family). You all have sent me enough packages to the point that I haven't been without Trident Original gum since I got here last year. Plus, you've all put up with my sporadic communication and my occasional bitching, which has been more frequent of the late.

So, in one very tacky blog posting, I want to say muchisma gracias a todos.

Beyond Sustainability

Reading: Días y Noches de Amor y de Guerra by Eduardo Galeano

One of the hardest situations for many of us Peace Corps volunteers to find ourselves in is explaining that we are not and cannot be the savior with an unending supply of money. The modern day White Man's Burden is not just one of fostering development but combating past missteps of handout aide. It is a situation, for those of use on the ground, that so often involves crushing some one's dreams and hope right before our eyes. More so, it is something that we have become hardened and accustomed to. In fact, many of us interested in development see it as a necessary evil that is simply part of the line of work. And we justify it in the name of sustainability.

But this is not a story of that.

This is a story that beings at site visit with a scared and intimidated volunteer and a child unaware of the harsh realities life had thrown her way.

Attack of the Worms!

Reading: the Shining by Stephen King

My house is being infiltrated by worms. No exaggeration.

Everywhere I turn they are crawling on my walls, on my floor, in my bathroom, and in my bedroom (so far they have spared my kitchen counter, but that's still cockroach territory.) If I was ever to to write a horror story, it would be based off of these worms, where one of the chilling effects would be having the reader really feel the crunching sound they make when squished. The story would have to involve a hefty amount of embellishment, however, because I am almost certain these worms are harmless.

Annelida invader

Regardless, since the rains have finally started, the worms have been pouring into my house. I almost feel guilty as I have reacted to their coming with an all out blood bath on these rain refugees (do worms even have blood?) At first it was a bit careless - I hadn't figured out that you need to squish close to the head, otherwise they're apt to drag their half dead bodies with them on their unclear quest through my cement wasteland.