Happy Peace Corps Week!

Happy Peace Corps Week! This week Peace Corps celebrated its 49th Anniversary. For more information about Peace Corps, visit http://www.peacecorps.gov/.

Over the past week I have been thinking a lot about the differences between being a traveler versus a resident in another country. Adam and I enjoy traveling and love seeing new places, learning about new cultures, and visiting historical sites. There is something about the newness of a place- the unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells. We hadn't lived abroad before this experience (not even to study abroad) and I suppose we were thinking that living in another country might be like traveling- and in some ways it is (we learn new things every day about the culture here & we take on the traveler role when visiting other volunteers' sites) but there are definitely big distinctions between living and traveling- as I often witness when I see travelers passing through Loja with their big backpacks, cameras, and the excited "Wow this place is amazing and beautiful" look in their eyes.

I have been trying to look at things through a traveler's eye (it makes things more exciting and helps take away the frustrations at times!) and thought I would share the difference between the reactions of Traveler Emily and Living in Loja Emily! Enjoy (and don't worry, I do love living in Loja if it sounds like I don't! All my rants are said with endearment...most of the time anyway!!)

When visiting the Sunday Market
Traveler Emily- Whoa! Check out those weird looking fruits...what is that, I have never seen a fruit like that before?! Look at all this fresh produce. Hey and that guy is grinding fresh from the farm coffee beans! And people are negotiating, that is so cool! Hey Adam, maybe we should go try negotiate for some bananas!
Living in Loja Emily- Hmm, nope, don't want babaco today. Man, how come all the broccoli is wilted. I can never find decent broccoli at the Sunday market. And is nobody selling white onions this week?! Oh, there is that gross coffee that I should avoid. You know, I should just go to the Centro Comercial- I hate negotiating and they never give me yapa at the Sunday market. (*yapa is when they toss in a bonus, like an extra banana)

When visiting the Centro Comercial Fruit/Veggie Stands
Traveler Emily- This is awesome! Look at all the prices. Avocados are 4 for $1! A pound of tomatoes for $0.50! I wish we had a place this cheap in California! I would eat guacamole everyday! You can buy everything here! And check out the meat section! It's like a huge butcher warehouse!
Living in Loja Emily- What?! She is trying to sell avocados 4 for $1? Yeah right! I am going to that lady, she usually sells them for $0.20 each. And why are tomatoes $0.50 a lb. That is so expensive. They were literally $0.30 a lb last week! I'll come back when the prices are lower. And why in the world won't they sell me just one bulb of garlic. I don't need a whole pound! Oh! Oh! I can smell the rotting meat from the meat section over there. I gotta get out of here quick!

(our normal veggie lady's stand...on the very top the green/yellow fruit is babaco)

(just a small view of the Centro Comercial...no pix of the meat section this time. Couldn't handle the smell! Maybe next time!)

When Walking on the Sidewalks
Traveler Emily- Is that guy walking down the sidewalk with live chickens in his hands? Is he selling them? I need to get a picture of that. Where's my camera?
Living in Loja Emily- Seriously, why is this guy walking so slow and why is he walking in the MIDDLE of the sidewalk. Move to the side buddy, you and your chickens!

When Eating an Almuerzo
Traveler Emily- Wow, I can't believe this! Only $2.50 for soup, a main course, and a drink?! Oooh check out this soup. I think it has yucca in it. Let me take a picture of this. Wow, and check it out, the main course comes with fried bananas. That is pretty great. I need to take another picture of the food. Man, Ecuadorian food is so good!
Living in Loja Emily- Sure, I guess we can get almuerzo today, but not the expensive place that charges $2.50, we should go to the $1.75 place ($1.50 if we don't get soup). And no soup for me today- they only have the yucca one, gross. Man, what I wouldn't do for some Thai food right now!

The almuerzo Adam ate today for $1.50- pollo al jugo

The almuerzo I had today- pescado frito

When Walking into Supermaxi or Tia (since I always love going into grocery stores in other countries)
Traveler Emily- Hey check it out! Corn flakes with Spanish written on them! I am taking a picture. Ooh what's that? Hot sauce with maracuya- what is maracuya? And check out all these Asian sauces. Haha, this brand is called Oriental and has a cartoon of a guy with squinty eyes- that is so inappropriate! Another photo! Wow and an entire half aisle of tuna??
Living in Loja Emily- Ok, what is on my list. Corn flakes, boxed milk, bread, ground beef, and sugar. Check check, let's make this fast. Ok, and avoiding the sauce aisle with the nasty Oriental brand. I can't believe Kikkoman's soy sauce is $5 for a teeny tiny bottle. Good thing we brought back 2 quarts of that stuff.



About Hobbies
Traveler Emily- Look at all these craft shops! One after the other! They are selling yarn, ribbon, buttons. I could totally live here and scrapbook! And there is so much to take photos of! I love it!!
Living in Loja Emily- All these craft shops and none of them sell scrapbooking supplies. So sad. I need my sisters to mail me stuff. I am having scrapbooking withdrawals. I should've picked up knitting- I would have no problem doing that here. And I can't even bring out my camera because I don't want to look like a tourist or get robbed.

When We Hear the Lovely Sound of Roosters
Traveler Emily- This is great! We can hear roosters and we are in the middle of the city! So cool! I would never need an alarm clock if I lived here!
Living in Loja Emily- Stupid roosters! Whoever said they cockadoodle at sunrise is a big fat liar. They have no sense of time- midnight, 2 am, 3 am, 5 in the evening. Good thing I am used to it now and don't even hear them in the night! No more earplugs, finally immune!


Ok those are the anecdotes for today! =D I am going to keep trying to put my "traveler lens" on when I am moving too fast and not enjoying the little moments! I am glad I took my camera out today and took some photos of things that have just become normal, everyday life!

And not to worry, a post about what we've been up to will come soon, photos and all!

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year!

With the Year of the Tiger upon us, I decided it was about time that I learned to cook with ginger. We are probably some of the luckiest Peace Corps volunteers because we are able to easily buy ginger root at the local market (along with green onions and napa cabbage). However, I have always been reluctant to cook with fresh ginger. Considering I love all things with ginger, including candy, gingerbread, and of course Chinese cooking, it was clear that with our Ecuadorian Lunar New Year party upon us, it was time that I learned.

I am happy to report that we successfully made several Chinese dishes with ginger! Woo hoo! With a little bit of ginger, the pan fried dumplings, kung pao chicken, and lo mein noodles just had that extra little oomph to it! For our Lunar New Year party, we made kung pao chicken, mai fun, beef & broccoli, fried rice, lo mein noodles, red curry (it's Thai but a good vegetarian option!), pan fried dumplings, fried won tons, and egg rolls. We definitely couldn't have done it with some help (frying queen Liz, dumpling folding champ Justin, supplier of all things bowls and mango expert Stacia, and Jason, the master of delicious desserts). It was a lot of food, but definitely did good for my Chinese food cravings since the chifas here don't cut it. I'm also glad that we are putting to good use the ingredients that we imported from our trip to the US (chinese tea, noodles, egg roll/won ton/dumpling wrappers, real soy sauce, sriracha sauce...). Dragging those heavy suitcases back were so worth it!

Stacia cutting the mango since I have no skills in that area.

Justin, Adam and Stacia making pleats in the dumpling wrappers

Mango pudding and coconut jello

Jason with his delicious chocolate cheesecake squares. Mmmm.....

We ended up having probably way too many people than our little apartment can handle- almost 25 people is a tight fit for our 1 bedroom apartment! For some reason I don't have many pictures of all the people squeezed in our little space, eating and grooving to the music mix that Jason and Grigs put together (something about Chinese Crunk, but all I heard was LFO, Christina Aguilera and some TLC). We also only had a few casualties that night- a few dropped cups of wine (wish I captured the image of Jason with wine all down his front) and a broken bowl (sorry Stacia! And it's official, Corelle does break on tile floors). It was nice to get together with everyone and now I am sure all of us will have a year of wealth, happiness and good fortune!

A quick trip home to the US of A

Indian food? Check.
Korean BBQ? Check.
Sushi? Check.
Dim sum? Check.
Chinese food? Check.
Burritos? Check.
Pizza? Check.
Sandwiches from Board & Brew? Check.
Costco Samples? Check.
Greek gyro sandwiches and spanakopita? Check.
Home cooking (stuffed sopapillas, noodles, dumplings, chili, etc.)? Check, check and CHECK!

So a few months back Adam and I found some pretty inexpensive flights back to California. We originally hadn't planned to go back home for a visit until our one year mark, but when we saw the ticket prices, we thought "What the heck!" We would be home during Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day, plus we would be able to see Adam's home that he grew up in before his parents leave it at the end of the month! So we bought them and had a FANTASTIC time. We probably could have done with another week with the family and friends because it felt rushed at the end, but overall it was nice to come back for a visit- it was almost like we had never left.

Overall the weather in California was amazing (glad we weren't heading out to the east coast with their blizzards!). We went to the beach, took walks, ate too much (we must have collectively gained at least 10 lbs!), spent time with family and friends, and hit up 99 Ranch Market, filling at least one 50 lb suitcase full of dried noodles, sauces, seasonings, and other asian food staples.

It was a bit chilly at Corona Del Mar, but sunny and beautiful nonetheless

I LOVE Korean BBQ- and yay for tons of banchans, esp kimchi. It was Renee's first time at Cham Sut Gol so we had a good time chowing down.

Nothing beats Thrifty's ice cream after a heavy meal. Especially when Jennifer scores some cookies and cream for me!

Minna was appreciative of the reggaeton cds from Ecuador. Yah!

Drunken noodles, massaman curry and delicious salad with peanut dressing!!

We had two of these cakes!

Small appliance pot luck at Gamble's house! Chicken wings, pulled pork sandwiches, cheese ball, Rotel dip, baked beans, and other deliciousness!

Sisters!!

How does my hair look?



Blue skies, wide open spaces, and snow on the mountains! I love it!!

Yummmmm cha

Overwhelmed by the plate, bowl and dish options for our Lunar New Year party!

Even more overwhelmed by the soy sauce options

And yes, that entire cart fit into our suitcase (minus a jug of soy sauce)

Yes, we are in Mesa Court in Jennifer's office, and yes, we are kind of doing work. Jennifer was passing on some leadership stuff that I might be able to use here in Ecuador

After our whirlwind trip in the OC hanging out with friends, eating, taking walks and shopping, it was off to Ridgecrest where we split our time between the families. Susan and Betty came out, and we also got to see Jared, Sarah and Danny too.

Adam's 15 year old puppy Mickie

Adam enjoying a comfy couch and good milk in the cereal

Taking walks with the family in Ridgecrest- gorgeous desert weather!!

Dad and daughter shot

Goodbye house on Palo Verde!

Adam's mom is pretty sad about packing up the house that they have lived in for 27 years- but she has a beautiful new home in Albuquerque to move to!

We spent a little bit of time at home rearranging the living room furniture so that my dad's new t.v. could fit! Adam had to test it out to see that it worked (of course!)

Goodbye Brother! (and thanks Betty for picking us up and dropping us off at LAX and making me pots of coffee after and before our flights!!)

Adam and I at LAX with our sad faces. Our time home was way too short and way too much fun.

And happily, Adam and I were also able to catch the flight between Guayaquil and Loja two hours after we landed! Otherwise we would have arrived home nearly 12 hours later on the overnight bus. When we got to the ticket counter, they told us their flight was full. As luck would have it, last month Adam had booked and then canceled our seats on this flight (because we weren't sure we would have enough time) but they still had them reserved! So all we had to do was pay up and we were on our way to our home sweet Loja home.

I think in general, the adjustment back to life in the US was not a problem- it was nice to drive on the freeway, eat at all our old stomping grounds, sleep in beds with dreamy pillowtop mattresses and soft sheets, and dry our clothes (our jeans fit so much better now!)...though it took me a few days to stop throwing toilet paper in the trash can. And yesterday I accidentally flushed tp down the toilet here in Loja. Oops!

I think the hardest part about transitioning back to life as PCVs in Ecuador is not having a packed back-to-back schedule. I think our visit back home reminded me of how busy our schedules used to be and how many things we always had to do (long to do lists and never enough time), whereas here, life is a little slower and schedules are a little less jam packed. Of course there is also trying to get back in the groove of speaking Spanish (which we are continually working on- I still need a lot of work). Ok well this is just a brief brief brief summary of our trip back home! Synopsis- had a great time and you should watch Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (hilarious movie! Fight the power!).

Learn more about PC Ecuador!

Ok, so I know I sent this to everyone via email, but I wanted to also post it here too, for all those not on my spam list! A few PC Ecuador volunteers, including Jason from Loja, made a website highlighting the PC Ecuador program and projects that current volunteers are doing in their communities. There are spotlights on volunteers and sections featuring different organizations that some of us volunteers work with. Jason said they will be updating it regularly so bookmark this website and check back often! And the site is hosted by 100% wind energy!

http://www.projectsforpeaceecuador.org/

Out with the old and in with the new- Here is to a Happy 2010!

Yesterday was what I would call a bittersweet ending to 2009.

In case I haven't mentioned in great detail, over the past several months my colleagues in INFA Centro de Protección de Derechos (my counterpart organization) have been worrying about whether their contracts would be renewed past Dec. 31st. My office is a new project of INFA's so they have been with CPD since its grand opening last November/December and were on contracts to see how the office would go. My colleagues hadn't heard whether they would continue after yesterday, but had been told over and over not to worry. I thought this late in the game, it wouldn't make sense to tell them that they aren't going to continue. Plus they have developed close relationships with many of the families we work with- it wouldn't make sense to take away their social worker, psychologist or lawyer.

Well, I went to work in the morning yesterday and all my colleagues were in a frenzy trying to get their end of the year work reports done. They had been in the office until 11pm the night before and were back again at 7:30am. They were also preparing for evaluations that they were told would happen that morning. Around 10am, the person in charge of the region came in and had a quick meeting with my colleages (must have been about 10 minutes, I was in the other office editing a word document). When they finished their meeting they resumed what they had been doing so I didn't think much of it until I noticed one of my colleagues looking pretty upset.

As it turns out, they were just told to pack up their belongings by the end of the day (after they finish their work reports of course) and they were prohibited from returning after the new year. They would be bringing in new people to start next week. I was shocked! Everyone tried to hold their emotions in, but when it was time to say goodbyes, they began sobbing. And everyone who knows me well, knows that I am an empathetic cryer, so I was crying along with them. It is just a terrible situation for all of my colleagues in the office who worked so hard and such long hours, put up with not getting their pay for 3 months (they finally got it this week), and then are told at the 11th hour that they wouldn't have jobs for 2010. What kind of news is that to give your employees? I guess they think that is a way to keep them working hard all the way until the end. ¡Qué feo!

As a result of all this, I am not sure if I will continue working with this organization. I don't think I can work with an organization that treats their employees like that. Luckily, I am in a large enough community where other opportunities for volunteer work exists. Wish me luck because we have our ReConnect Conference in a week (I will probably be the only person going without a counterpart) and then I have a few weeks to look at other opps. I will go talk to INFA this upcoming week, but again, I am unsure if I would want to continue volunteering with them.

However, Adam and I also had a great end of 2009. One of Adam's friends who practices English and Spanish with him, took us around Loja to show us some of the traditions that Ecuadorians have for New Years. One of the big traditions is to take "muñecas" (often figures of people made out of paper mache) and burn them at midnight. Often they are representations of things that happened in 2009 (families might make a representation of a marriage that happened that year, a car accident that someone might have had, or in my colleagues's case...perhaps they will make something that represents their work at INFA CPD). In Loja, there is also a competition of the best themed muñecas (kind of like Christmas light decoration competitions). We saw some really cool ones and we also saw a lot of Michael Jacksons!

The previous two photos represent something that happened in Loja this year. There was supposedly a haunted house in town and people were hearing wailing and noises coming from this empty building. It became a huge deal and vendors set up shop in front of the building selling food to all th crowds coming to check it out. News reporters were filming and it was all the talk in town. As it turns out, it was a big hoax by this motorcycle riding Lojano named Diego

I am not sure on the whole story of this, but apparently there were a lot of government contracts given to the brother of Ecuador's president and so people were really upset about the whole thing and felt like it was corruption. I think they ended up rescinding the contract to restore faith in the government, but I am not totally sure.

This year Ecuador decided that they would shut down a US military base located on the coast so I am guessing that is what this display is about

And of course Michael Jackson, El Rey de Pop

Another less impressive version

Apparently this year one of the city buses ran over someone in its rush to stay on time. The bus system is called SITU which stands for Sistema Integral de Transporte Urbano...but as you can see from the sign, they changed Integral to Inconcluso...

Not sure what this was, but it was huge and looked cool. Can you imagine it in flames at midnight?

The Hulk manning a cannon at the military base

Another tradition aside from the burning of muñecas at midnight are the "widows" of 2009. Because 2009 is the old year that is going away, men dress up as the "widows" of the old year and collect money for the new year. There were a lot of blockades in the streets, and they wouldn't let you pass until you paid up (5 cents does the trick). Some kids also dressed up in costumes and did the same thing. But gosh, some of the men were pretty scantily clad! Haha.

Street blockades...you have to give money to the widows if you want to pass!

Good looking widow doing a dance for us

Another couple of widows at the next blockade

Other traditions included things like wearing yellow underwear for good luck or eating 12 grapes for prosperity in the new year. There were a ton of vendors selling yellow underwear and grapes in the streets. And of coursebefore midnight we had fireworks going off for a good hour and after midnight the air was so full of smoke from all the burning muñecas and fireworks!

If Adam and I had partaken in the muñecas traditions, I think we would have quite the display! 2009 was a pretty big year for us! We kicked it off in Hong Kong and Taiwan, finished our time working in Orange County, quit our jobs to go roadtripping (yay for our visits to Austin and Knoxville in particular), and took off for the Peace Corps in June. Since then we have been working on our Spanish, trying to do good things with our organizations, and hopefully spreading peace, friendship and cultural understanding in the short 6 months we have been in Ecuador.

Here is to another fantastic and exciting year! Happy New Years! And of course, Happy Birthday Suegra!