Butterflies and Four-Wheelers

Last week could easily be summarized by itchy legs and swollen ankles. Even after getting about a 100 mosquito bites in Mindo (a small town near the edge of the Ecuadorian jungle) my memories of visiting a butterfly reserve, riding four-wheelers through the muddy cloud-forest, hiking to several waterfalls, and swinging across green canyons on zip-lines weren’t in the least bit tainted. Mindo was a great escape for me. I went with a fun group and we all were determined to fit as much as possible into the short weekend.

As mentioned above, the following week was a little rough due to my bites, which created an allergic reaction and turned my legs into useless stumps for several days. My ankles gradually improved after tons of aloe, lotion and several medications, but the road to recovery was not a pleasant one to say the least. 

Last weekend was the beginning of “Semana Santa” (Holy Week). Having an extra day off of work on Friday, I decided to take another trip to the coast with some friends. We headed to an island called Muisne in the north of Ecuador. Although the setting was incredible, with the longest beach in the country (around 10 kilometers), the town was completely dead, and after a huge thunderstorm on Friday night and flooded streets in the morning, we decided it was time for a change of scenery. Atacames was the natural choice. Known for always being packed and having the best nightlife on the coast, we knew that boredom would be unlikely.

We danced; we people-watched and we enjoyed our last moments of the beach before returning to Quito on Sunday morning. Sleeping on the bus wasn’t hard considering the loud rooster that had been crowing all night outside the window of our hostel. My assumption that roosters only make noise at 5:00 AM was shattered when it started at around 2:00 AM and didn’t stop until noon. 

Returning to CARE with no serious illnesses or other physical problems was nice for a change. It was a busy Monday at the office and is shaping up to be a pretty eventful week. If things work out as planned, I might be able to take a trip to one of CARE’s projects on Thursday or Friday. I’m really excited to see the tangible work that all these contracts and this crazy bureaucracy eventually help to create. 

Aside from work, I’ve been spending a lot of time with my friend Michelle who just finished an internship in Quito and goes home to Oregon on Wednesday. I hope that this post will assure everyone that I’m safe, happy and secure. Anyone who has read the news lately on Ecuador would probably think that I've been either up to my waist in flood-water or huddled in my home, praying to God that President Rafael Correa doesn’t make a horrible, stupid and insane decision by, o say... invading Colombia! Honestly though, things in Quito have been pretty normal. Just a little more rain than usual and a little more conflict along the borders between Colombia, Peru and Venezuela. As for the flooding, it’s been primarily occurring along the southern coast and there are several humanitarian organizations working there now (including CARE) to provide emergency relief to the displaced.

To be honest, I’ve been so preoccupied with the U.S. primaries that it’s been hard to focus on anything else! Oregon might even matter for once this time around (for democrats at least). I was so excited that Barack came to Eugene, but so sad that I couldn’t be there! I find it quite surprising that wherever I go in Ecuador, people always seem to be curious about the U.S. elections and they all love Obama! It’s crazy that they even know who he is. Only a couple months until the Oregon Primary! 

I also can’t believe that it’s already March 24th! I just have April before heading off to Peru in early May. My friend Maureen and I are leaving on the 12th for Lima and then to Machu Picchu. From there we’ll meet some more friends in Lima on the 19th and explore the Nazca lines along the southern coast. 

I guess that’s all for today. Hope that all is well and that you all had a wonderful Easter! ¡Un abrazo bien grande!