This is an interesting place, to say the least. It is rich with so much culture and history, mixed with two major languages as well as several local tribal / regional languages. Somehow our Texan and limited Spanish doesn't really help us here! On Friday of this past week, Lindsay and I woke up at 3:25 am to drive 17 hours with our American host and a local driver from the nation's capital to our destination city (about 20,000 people) on some of the roughest roads in the world - literally. In fact, the road ended several times during our journey - but to our disbelief, our driver kept on going! Rocks, snow, cliffs, rivers, more rocks, dirt, a waterfall, mud, ice, cows, chickens, humans and a few other vehicles were all obstacles on the unforgetable road trip. It almost felt as if we were on the moon at one point but then we came across some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. With a mix of music in the car that the local driver played ranged from local pop music, to European Classical, to Russian Techno, to generic rural music from the different regions of this country, to Celine Dion! Lindsay and I both smiled when we were in the middle of a vast empty high altitude cold lands and were listening to Celine Dion.
As far as food, we have eaten Chinese, Turkish, Italian, Mexican, American and Ecuadorian food! We have had a few local dishes too - mainly bread, tea, soups and chicken. But more local food will be appearing in our diet soon, I'm sure.
Our new dewelling place is located in a river valley with an extremely powerful river running through it. Much of the water in this region comes off of the high mountains and runs through this main river giving the necessary support for many villages to survive on both sides of the river. Our humanitarian project is looking into Solar Powered Pumps to draw water from this powerful river to help irrigate the fertile land nearby for local farmers to grow additional crops (which is much needed).
It is a fairly primitive society in many ways. In others it is more advanced. Indoor plumbing is very rare here. Outhouse is the common way of using the restroom - Lindsay and I found out quickly that public bathrooms take on a whole new meaning here! (ie don't go unless you have to!) E-mail and blogging are hit and miss as there are common electrical outages (usually two times a day).
We have already experienced sponge bathing which will be our way of cleaning for the next 6 weeks. Much to do here - we are very grateful to have his very unique opportunity and appreciate the support of our friends and family back home!
Until next time.
God bless,
JB and Lindsay
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