Blogs from Puyo, Centre, Ecuador, South America
January 12th 2012
So, instead of posting on facebook and then sending out emails to my friends and supporters who don't have facebook, someone recommended this. Being new to the blog thing we'll see how it goes. The nice part is that those who don't have facebook will still be able to see photos without me having to send a bunch in emails. Considering the speed of my internet connection, I think this might save me quite a bit of time. So, bear with me and I hope this helps keep everyone up to date on what I'm doing. So this week has also been interesting and challenging. Since it is my first week being on call, I wasn't sure what to expect. There have been plenty of interesting cases which those who have facebook may have heard about ... read more
May 23rd 2011
The more I teach, speak and learn to love the children in this small part of Ecuador the more bothered I become. They do not seem to grasp that a whole other world is at their fingertips. You ask them in what other countries they speak Spanish and they name Puyo, Ambato, and Quito…all cities in their country. Some of these children are so bright and could aspire to much more, but the mindset of the parents and sometimes even the directors does not encourage doing something extraordinary. Education here in the Pastaza region is much different than that of the Western world. The children learn about agriculture, poisonous plants and tactics for crossing the street safely. They learn about life’s practicalities while the developed world teaches their children classic literature, technology and the arts. This ... read more
April 18th 2011
It doesn't really seem as though I have been back at the jungle house for three wonderful months! So as for the promised tales about our "Arajuno Jungle Lodge". Ha. It went nowhere near how we planned! Apparently our doubts were based in truth and we worked very hard to try and keep the 33 people happy but ultimately they left early. Our dinner was a fiasco...not enough bowls/plates/forks, a pan of dropped veggies, a botched batch of rice...and we didn't even have enough liquor to satisfy their needs! Luckily we had some Puro Puyo (a local grain alcohol made in some grandmotherly lady's bathtub) and gifted it to our unhappy guests. However, once they left Rachel and I felt a wave of relief crash over us. The following day we went into Puyo during Carnival ... read more
February 26th 2011
I'm back and writing from the jungle! It is strange how quickly the vibe in the house can change. I left when there were 10 people in the house, most of whom had been there for a number of months and I returned to just Racehl and myself! We have had a few volunteers in and out and the outlook is good :) I feel as though I have hardly had any time to breathe since my return. The house always seems to need so much attention, nevermind the lesson plans, teaching and entertaining the volunteers. Oh yes, and I got the flu! Thankfully it passed after only 2 weeks but I learned that the pharmasists do not ask any pertinent questions- they just hand out pills...the first of which I was allergic to! Secondly, the ... read more
November 26th 2010
Floated a class 4 river for about 6 hours. What an awesome experience. Through the jungle as well, Very beautiful. Had the camera locked in a dry bag so wasnt able to get any pictures during the trip but got A couple before, during lunch and after where we got out of the water is where all the monkey pictures are. At one spot there was a waterfall so we had to get out and hike through the jungle and down a small cliff while they used ropes to float the boat downstream. One of the rapids he let us all get out and he pushed the boat through then we all floated and got sucked under at two spots. It was awesome, i did drink a little water at this point. Then one of the ... read more
November 22nd 2010
Went to a native indian meeting with the brother (Alex)were stayin with in tana. The language is shuar. Small friendly group. Then monday we went to a getto zoo where many animals would escape daily. The video is of 1 of 3 cats that escaped. They were chasin them with branches and machetes to corral them in there pen. Not very successful though. After that we went to a little water park and hiked through some caves.... read more
October 31st 2010
El Huerto de Esfuerzo As the time goes on here I am realizing the how much of a difference seeing the kids 2 times a week can make. Luckily, with one of the schools I teach at I have that opportunity. I have been going with the community development boys out to Esfuerzo and while they do “man work” in the garden I have had the girls paint name tags and put them in the garden. It is great because it gives me another chance to collect/help with homework and also apply English to something practical...the crops that they grow and eat! Somehow I was allowed to go with the boys to buy 10 bags of compost, something our organization funded, and as we drove along the road we saw a man on horseback with a ... read more
October 5th 2010
I arrived in Ecuador on the 1 st of October after a horrible 36hr trip from Dublin between elays and travel sickness it was hellish. Flew into Quito but didnt spend any time there, got on a bus and headed straight to Riobamba where id organised to volunteer with http://www.ecuadorecovolunteer.org/. turns out there are amazing run by and ecuadorian and an australian they are and eco friendly organisation which works with the local communities directly whiich not only keeps the pric down but you know the money is going were it should. they have this beautiful guesthouse for volunteers to stay before you go to your project its family based so there always people about i really enjoyed it. slept pretty much for two days coz of my jetlag so didnt get to see much of ... read more
September 30th 2010
Last week was busy but wonderful! My classes are still very draining but at least I am getting used to things. It´s nice to actually wake up before the alarm goes off at 6 am every morning. We picked up Adam, (ÿou know, the first man in the world¨), and our 5th person in the house last Monday. On Tuesday we went to a waterfall near our house for a picnic and refreshing dip in the chilly water. Jermey showed no shame and climbed an attempted to climb teh waterfall wearing nothing but his skimpy little boxers. The afternoons are very warm so the cold water helps keep away the crankiness. El pobre Adam arrives and falls sick within days, but I think he is finally feeling better. Thursday night was special...we had gotten home from ... read more
August 10th 2010
So, let me first apologize my my slacker efforts, or lack there of, about keeping my blog updated. If it´s any consolation my journal has been suffering as well. I should also note that despite the ramshackle hospital experience the amoebas appear to be long gone and I have been feeling great since my ER fiasco. When I got back from the hospital we had 5 new volunteers in Arutam which was a nice change. The food actually improved a bit- they started serving sides with our daily yucca! :) The weather was also rainy my first days back so thankfully I didn´t need to work much or feel guilty about laying around when everyone else was working. The next morning Timoteo, one of the Vargas (Shuar) brothers and town medicine man, made me some tea ... read more
