Long time...
So, LJ informs me that it's been 21 weeks since I posted. Guess I've been busy.
I had some thoughts to share but before I get around to that...brief update. Since May, I've started a new job, moved to Ecuador, been back to the US twice, and got a kitten. Amazingly for those of you who know me...I do not (yet) have any new godkids. I've also gotten a few grey hairs, mostly courtesy of the godkids I already have. Ecuador got itself a new constitution last weekend, which could bring some changes here, but so far nothing that is having much of an impact on my life here. I also recently finally got internet service at home - yay! This was a challenge since the place where I"m living has not cable or phone lines, much less internet service - but I've got a cell phone modem now and am back online.
I now live in an "invasion" community of Duran, just across the river from Guayaquil. Invasions (probably the closest translation would be a squatters' area or shantytown) are areas that were once stretches of unoccupied land, until some people got together, came in one day and set up houses. After years of fighting with the landowners/government, they can often get legal title to their land. They often lack basic services like electricity and running water. We've got electricity most of the time but have to get our water shipped in over dirt roads in big tanker truck. Garbage removal is sporadic. The schools are awful and overcrowded (about 80 students per teacher). Most of our neighbors live on about $2 a day.
The job is intense and overwhelming at times, but I really love it. I love working with the volunteers, and learning about all different areas of development, and getting to know our neighbors, and being able to spend time with my kids on a regular basis. This is really feeling like home these days, and I'm just glad to be where I am. That's life in a nutshell - I will try to do better about keeping in touch.
I had some thoughts to share but before I get around to that...brief update. Since May, I've started a new job, moved to Ecuador, been back to the US twice, and got a kitten. Amazingly for those of you who know me...I do not (yet) have any new godkids. I've also gotten a few grey hairs, mostly courtesy of the godkids I already have. Ecuador got itself a new constitution last weekend, which could bring some changes here, but so far nothing that is having much of an impact on my life here. I also recently finally got internet service at home - yay! This was a challenge since the place where I"m living has not cable or phone lines, much less internet service - but I've got a cell phone modem now and am back online.
I now live in an "invasion" community of Duran, just across the river from Guayaquil. Invasions (probably the closest translation would be a squatters' area or shantytown) are areas that were once stretches of unoccupied land, until some people got together, came in one day and set up houses. After years of fighting with the landowners/government, they can often get legal title to their land. They often lack basic services like electricity and running water. We've got electricity most of the time but have to get our water shipped in over dirt roads in big tanker truck. Garbage removal is sporadic. The schools are awful and overcrowded (about 80 students per teacher). Most of our neighbors live on about $2 a day.
The job is intense and overwhelming at times, but I really love it. I love working with the volunteers, and learning about all different areas of development, and getting to know our neighbors, and being able to spend time with my kids on a regular basis. This is really feeling like home these days, and I'm just glad to be where I am. That's life in a nutshell - I will try to do better about keeping in touch.