Blogs from Cayambe, North, Ecuador, South America

February 26th. There is a pig outside my door right now grunting. It's night time and I'm finally by myself, my first day that I've really felt like I'm in the PC. My family here is awesome. I'm already in love with them. It takes me a while to break the ice but once I get rolling, there is no stopping me. You know what got me started. I drew a picture of my family trees (see photo) and showed it and explained it to them. They loved it. Then I asked about their family and drew a family tree with them. I feel like drawing is going to be an integral part of my learning experience here in Pasillo. I'm in no means perfect yet. I made a couple of mistakes. I think at one ... read more

Although I've been in Ecuador for a little while now, I want to start off my blog by reflecting on how exactly I got into this situation in the first place. Additionally, I would like to review what is the Peace Corps anyways. First, the Peace Corps (PC) (or as we like to call it el Cuerpo de Paz) was established March 1st 1961 by JFK. Volunteers have been in Ecuador from way back as 1962. Back then the PC director was JFK's cousin, Sargent Shriver and currently the PC director is Erin Williams (67-70). Overall the PC has served 139 countries and is currently in 79 countries. There have been around 200,000 volunteers to date and approximately 7,650 currently in service. In Ecuador itself there are over 150 volunteers and 55 new trainees including myself. ... read more

I knew I had a long day ahead of me; over 500 km between Popayan, Colombia and Cayambe, Ecuador. At least 7-8 hours, plus a border crossing. What I underestimated was how spectacular the ride would be, how much I'd want to stop and take pictures or just slow down and take it in. Still, in the end that didn't slow me down half as much as the horrendous road conditions going through the desert between Popayan and Pasto. Pot-holes like empty graves, just waiting to be filled by unsuspecting motorcyclists... It had been cool in the morning when I left Popayan, so I was enjoying the desert heat at first, but soon I began to bake as i sped through the dry, choking, windless heat. I hadn't been through terrain like that since Chihuahua in ... read more

My guidebooks said it was a 3-5 day hike up Reventador and only the most adventorous should attempt it. They also said it iwas very rare that Reventador is not covered in clouds or rain. So after I had become accustomed to the relaxed, sunny and warm life at the coast and on Galapagos I found it really hard to motivate myself to leave for Reventador. In the morning of the day I finally really needed to leave, Patricio, my landlord in Quito and renowned mountaineer, called around some of his friends to find a local guide. Finally we identified Victor Cansino, who lives in the town of El Chaco and has guided Reventador many times. Victor was ready to guide me for the next few days and we arranged to meet in the evening of ... read more

A few questions from a friend in the states that I have answered. Please be advised that the answers do not reflect the views or values of Peace Corps. The answers are solely the opinion of one Jeremy S. King. 1. How many hookers have you seen? 4 that I know of 2. Is prostitution legal? Frowned upon? Encouraged? celebrated? It is legal and regulated 3. Como se dice hooker en espanol? Prostituta (female) Prostituto 4. What is the strangest food you've eaten? Chicken Heart and head 5. What is the common meal in ecuador? Any type of soup and rice 6. How many poison frogs have you licked? Zero, but I am always looking for them 7. what types of alcho-drinks do you drink? I drink beer - the local beer is called Pilsener and ... read more