My nephew Joe is taking an international studies course in Ecuador. Here’s his latest message.From: Joe
Sent: Wednesday, October 1 2003 07:41:12
Subject: Chota and the Angel
nHello folks!
I am returned from my weekend trip, renewed and ready to go. The background of this trip is that it was for the ecology class that I am in. So, it wasn’t just a Kzoo deal. That meant 30+ people on this bus made for 28 or so people. Well, we bit the bullet and piled on.
Our bus careened through Ecuador to the Valley of Chota. The interesting thing about this place is that the population of Afro-ecuadorians here are descended from a group of freed slaves. Actually, only educated snobs use Afro-ecuadorians, mostly people say negros [nay’-grows], which of course means “blacks”. We are often told that this has nothing to do with any ill feelings, but they just have no PCness around here. Ecuador is like the US was before its civil rights movement.
Anyway, so we met some people in Chota. We then stayed in a very nice hostel with a pool and steam room. WOOHOO. Luxury! Anyway, the next day we got up at 6am and headed out to the Páramo del Angel. A páramo is an ecosystem that doesn’t really have a translation. It’s basically a high altitude Andean tundra. I guess. Anyway, this place was amazing. Huge, rolling hills, and one plant dominated the entire area. I believe they are called frilejones. Anyway, if anyone has seen or read “Horton Hears a Who”, this place reminded me of when Horton went around the huge patch of flowers looking for his Whos. After exploring, we had a ‘box lunch’ that was absolutly wondeful. On this trip I met a young lady named Annie. I mention her because she became my seat partner so that she could sit by the window and puke off the side of the bus. Fun eh?
So, after the páramo, we went to spend the night in Otavalo again. That night we visited a curandero that cured people of evil spirits by spitting alcohol and fire on them. Neat stuff. The next day (Sunday) we went to the Lago del San Pablo and rode in a reed boat, fashioned as the indigenous peoples used to make them. This is the first one of its kind, and we were the first group to ride in it. I tell you, it helps to have connections in this country. We then went to have lunch at a beautiful restaurant right on the water, where the food was tasty.
That was about it for my weekend. Of course I left out some details, but I don’t want to be a complete bore when I return to the US. This weekend I might be headed to the town of Baños, we’ll see. I hope everyone is doing well.
Until next time,
Joe
Sent: Wednesday, October 1 2003 07:41:12
Subject: Chota and the Angel
nHello folks!
I am returned from my weekend trip, renewed and ready to go. The background of this trip is that it was for the ecology class that I am in. So, it wasn’t just a Kzoo deal. That meant 30+ people on this bus made for 28 or so people. Well, we bit the bullet and piled on.
Our bus careened through Ecuador to the Valley of Chota. The interesting thing about this place is that the population of Afro-ecuadorians here are descended from a group of freed slaves. Actually, only educated snobs use Afro-ecuadorians, mostly people say negros [nay’-grows], which of course means “blacks”. We are often told that this has nothing to do with any ill feelings, but they just have no PCness around here. Ecuador is like the US was before its civil rights movement.
Anyway, so we met some people in Chota. We then stayed in a very nice hostel with a pool and steam room. WOOHOO. Luxury! Anyway, the next day we got up at 6am and headed out to the Páramo del Angel. A páramo is an ecosystem that doesn’t really have a translation. It’s basically a high altitude Andean tundra. I guess. Anyway, this place was amazing. Huge, rolling hills, and one plant dominated the entire area. I believe they are called frilejones. Anyway, if anyone has seen or read “Horton Hears a Who”, this place reminded me of when Horton went around the huge patch of flowers looking for his Whos. After exploring, we had a ‘box lunch’ that was absolutly wondeful. On this trip I met a young lady named Annie. I mention her because she became my seat partner so that she could sit by the window and puke off the side of the bus. Fun eh?
So, after the páramo, we went to spend the night in Otavalo again. That night we visited a curandero that cured people of evil spirits by spitting alcohol and fire on them. Neat stuff. The next day (Sunday) we went to the Lago del San Pablo and rode in a reed boat, fashioned as the indigenous peoples used to make them. This is the first one of its kind, and we were the first group to ride in it. I tell you, it helps to have connections in this country. We then went to have lunch at a beautiful restaurant right on the water, where the food was tasty.
That was about it for my weekend. Of course I left out some details, but I don’t want to be a complete bore when I return to the US. This weekend I might be headed to the town of Baños, we’ll see. I hope everyone is doing well.
Until next time,
Joe
