Images of Ecuador

I am now trying to figure out how to upload pictures...This is the Ecuadorian flag. I did some research, and Wikipedia says that the yellow symbolizes wealth of agricultural and other resources in the country, blue is for the ocean and the clear skies, and the red is the blood of those who died in gaining the country's freedom.

The significance of the elements of the coat of arms are described thus:
Condor - power and courage
Landscape - Chimborazo and Guayas River
Boat - Peace and trade
Golden Sun - pre-Colombian traditions
Zodiac signs - The Marcist revolution
Palm and Laurel leaves - Peace and dignity.

The above is an image of Parque Central in Cueca, Ecuador. As you can tell, Cuenca is rich in colonial architecture, something I have a love/hate relationship with. When I was living in Santiago Atitlan in Guatemala, with one group of Mayan people, I realized the effects of colonization and the loss of indigenous culture in Guatemala, and how it continues to harm local language and tradition. However, there is something to be said of the grace and beauty of the architecture. It's as if they've transplanted 19th century Spain right smack into the middle of Ecuador!




Apparently we North American's have got it wrong. Panama hats originated in Ecuador, and are called the Montecristi, named after the town that makes them. The straw in these hats comes from the leaves of the paja toquilla, a type of palm indigenous to Ecuador, and the art of weaving these hats has been around since the 1600's!

Anyhow, that was my sad attempt at doing some research about Ecuador (thank you Google and Wikipedia). Right now I'm trying to figure out how to get a cultural visa. The Ecuadorian Consulate in Canada website is not much help, and the school I got hired at sent me information about how to get a visa in the US. One source says I need to get a doctor's certificate and HIV/AIDS test BEFORE I go, but the next source says that it doesn't matter if I already have that, I will have to do it all again once I get to Ecuador, because the government won't accept documents from outside sources. Aaaaah! Do I really want to spend $200 to get the stupid thing if I have to do it all over again once I'm there? Will they let me into the country if I don't have anything but my passport? I also am procrastinating about getting my shots and Dukoral (temporary vaccine for traveler's diarrhea). The Dukoral is this nasty fizzy salty/raspberry drink you have to take twice before you go. Oh my goodness, it was awful when I took it before Guatemala. I am not looking forward to reliving the horror! *GAG!*

Always, Emily

Never had a blog before...

When I went to Guatemala, I sent weekly updates to everyone on my email list. Well, not EVERYONE, but a whole lot of people. They were witty and full of random observations about life in Central America. When I got back, I realized that my mom was the only faithful reader. It's okay, I'm not mad! Now that I know other people who have gone away, I realize that sometimes we don't have time to sit and read long-winded emails about hitching rides with strange men in pick-up trucks. However, every so often, we have a huge chunk of time where we can sit down and catch up with our friends from every corner of the globe...perhaps when we are avoiding that huge paper due next week, or when we're awake at 2am from the buttload of coffee we had after dinner. At any rate, instead of emails, I've decided to figure out this blog thing once and for all. If you want to keep up to date on the going-ons of Emily, well, yay. And if you don't care a rat's ass where I am and what I'm doing, maybe this blog isn't for you. And also, you're a turd.

Anyways, I set this thing up because I'm getting ready to embark on a new adventure. In three months (give or take a few days), I will be in Cuenca, Ecuador, teaching English. At this point in time, I have a bajillion things to do, I know next to nothing about the country or the culture, and I'm so excited I took my backpack out tonight and fake packed it! Yes, I'm a dork. Okay, I think that's it for now.

Always,

Emily