Random things...

So I have a blog I want to write about the racism and discrimination that occurs towards the minority groups in Ecuador, the indigenous groups and the afro-ecuadorians, but I decided that it was a little too heavy and I want to do a little more research within my classes and on my own before I delve into that subject. It is really interesting how the goverment here is so corrupt and unstable that it just fuels the fire to the large problem here in Ecuador.

So instead I thought I would have a blog based on random observations and news I have had here.

1. There have been 20 constitutions here in Ecuador. The most recent in 2008. I will talk more about it in my next post. Ridiculous!

2. Modernization of the indigenous:


This is an image one of my professors showed me in class. This is a picture of indigenous women and their indigenous husbands. The women are dressed traditionally and the men are dressed in western/modern clothing. The men are probably working in the economic centers and have the pressure to assimilate into western culture. The only way one would be able to tell these men were indigenous were by their "guango", long hair wrapped. This is a very prevelant pattern among the indigenous populations.

Mel John if you are reading this there is totally a comodification of culture and "Ethinicity, Inc." going on in Otavalo, a tourist town with an artisan market in it. I wrote about it in my first paper here! Thought of you!

3. It is illegal to sell alcohol in stores here after 10pm because Ecuador went through an alcoholic stage. Although, it is rarely enforced since there are liquor stores that advertise that they are open for 24 hours. If one wants to buy alcohol there are a few stores that sell alcohol under the table. One of the guys who does this is called the "Monkey Thief" by the people I go out with. Funny!

4. It is illegal to talk on your cell phone. Never enforced though...yes there is a pattern here...

5. I have been dancing a lot of salsa! It is interesting because I have been getting 2 very different doses of salsa. My grandfather is stuck in the past and only listens to salsa of the 70s so the moves are short and less flashy. He hates new salsa! He likes to take all the attention though! haha! At the clubs, the dancing is more flashy with more hip movement and larger steps! It tends to be a little faster too!

6. THERE IS NO MILK! Okay well there is in the stores but NO ONE drinks it here. I eat cereal with a watery form of yogurt! It is delicious! Also, I basically eat vegetarian here! I rarely ever eat meat! It is very interesting. I also read somewhere that Ecuadorians are generally short because they don´t eat protein often.

7. My internship will be in Riobamba, a city that is still in the Sierra and 3 hours south of Quito. I will be in the Hospital Andino Alternativo Chimborazo studying alternative and traditional medicines! Super excited! I heard there are a lot of shamans and curanderos there which is what I will most likely use as my topic for capstone!!!! Yayy!

8. My school is a joke. Classes are cancelled all the time. We do group papers. Rarely any homework. But hey! I´m not complaining! Nice break from Southwestern! And I am still learning a lot!!!!

9. I participated in a initiation ceremony at school! Very interesting and I learned a lot of kichwa words in the process!

10. I am now in my Public Health track and not in my general classes anymore! Very interesting but I don´t have a professor since our real one is 6 weeks pregnant and already on bed rest!

The afro-ecuadorian view on health and life in general is very machista! One interesting thing I learned was that in the process of cutting the ambilical cord a male should have is cut 4-5 fingers in length and a female should have hers cut 2-3 fingers in length. If a male were to have his cut 2-3 fingers in length he is then considered gay.

Also, if a family is lacking a male figure and male figure can be added culturally by bringing in a female who had her ambilical cord cut with 4-5 fingers. Very very interesting.



I think that is all I have at this point! Might make another blog similar to this in case I missed anything!

Going to Mindo this weekend! It has waterfalls, hiking, and toobing to do! I am very excited! Need to get out of Quito for a bit! I will post pictures later!

I´ll post later! Until then...

Chau! (the correct spelling)