LAN Offers Cheaper Deals

In case any of you readers out there are currently traveling in Ecuador or planning on coming soon, this information might be helpful to you. Recently we've heard that LAN will now be offering flights between Cuenca and Quito, and at a cheaper price than their competition, Aerogal or TAME. Earlier this month when I flew from Cuenca to Quito I had to pay $66. On the way back, it cost $78. LAN is offering deals now for around $30. I always recommend taking the bus down the country at least once so that you can see the scenery, but if you're pressed for time or just don't want to deal with a 10+ hour bus ride, this is a great deal.

The bus, which takes around 10 hours, costs $10 normally. But the flight, which if it is direct, will take only 30 minutes, and while flying overhead you can see some of the volcanoes throughout the country, including Chimborazo and Cotopaxi. This is the first time LAN has been offering these flights, and that is why they are currently cheaper, at least for the time being. However, there is a possibility that you will have to connect to Guayaquil before heading on to Quito, which could add another hour or so to traveling. But it's still better than the length of the bus ride or paying double with another airline.

On the other side of things, I've heard that this is a plan by LAN to undercut the competition and run them out of business with cheaper fares that the other airlines can't compete with. Then once the competition is gone, the prices will sky rocket. I've even heard that the other airlines are filing a law suit against LAN because of this. But those are just rumors I've heard about town. But again, if you're looking for a cheap way to get up to Quito or down to Cuenca in less time, this could be for you. I'm trying to figure out when to head up to Quito at the end of July, and I'll most likely book with them.

Above: The view of Chimborazo from the flight from Cuenca to Quito

A Message From Your Friendly Neighborhood Embassy

Today I got an email from the Department of State with an important message from the U.S. Embassy in Quito. It's a good idea for anyone residing outside of their home country, or even just traveling, to register with the Embassy for updates on important news relating to the country they're in.

Every once in a while I get an email about the goings on in the country and warnings about traveling to certain areas like Bolivia or avoiding political demonstrations. Today's email is warning that violent crime has been on the rise lately in Ecuador and that all Americans should be alert for it to happen to them. The warning mentions that American citizens have been the targets of violent crimes such as armed robberies, home invasions, homicides, and sexual assaults. I wonder if my bus incident was a part of the armed robbery on the list.

The email goes on to say that Ecuadorians have also been targeted and are starting to fight back, demanding that the government take action. The email states, "On October 21, 2008, the Ecuadorian National Police (ENP) put an emergency operations plan into effect due to the rise of criminal activity and will increase its police presence and activity in Ecuador's 24 provinces. American citizens should anticipate police checkpoints throughout the country, and be sure to carry all required documents while driving."

If I may say so, it's about time there was some action taken for the crime that is committed, yet at the same time, I can't be too certain how effective this will really be. Things tend to move slowly down here. When you get an email like this, your initial reaction is to be a little bit unsettled, because after all, if the government is sending you a letter to warn you, it must be serious. Heading out of the house, I was almost expecting a guy to come running after me in the newly described crime spree.

But it's the same country it was yesterday. I stand the same chance as I did before, and there's no sense in thinking that it's going to just blow up overnight. When faced with these kinds of issues, you need to remember that your presence in the place is not long term, and what is it really like for the people who will remain here their whole lives?

I was checking Boston.com for some news about back home and read that gang violence is continuing to rise. A few days ago a 17 year old shot at some children in a drive-by because they were from an apartment complex that was a rival to his. You choose your dangerous place to live or you're born in it. Either way it doesn't matter. One spot is as good as another if some idiot decides he wants to take advantage of you. Ecuador might have its problems, but so does everywhere else in the world. We're far from perfect.

A Busy Week

Enough has happened in the last week to write several blogs, but since there isn't enough time and probably not enough interest to read through it all, this is just going to be a recap of what's been keeping me occupied in Quito these last few days. Continuing with the practice teaching, lectures, and Spanish classes, every day was long and tiring. On Thursday we did receive a break from the monotony of orientation with a trip to the Guayasamin Museum located in a northeastern neighborhood of Quito.

Guayasamin is one of, if not the most popular and well known Ecuadorian artists. A man who expressed his desperation in his work, he was close friends with Pablo Picasso and Fidel Castro. A walk around the museum showed the different struggles in and around South and Central America, as well as within Ecuador. With cubist paintings, the characters often showed turmoil and pain in various stages.

Friday marked the end of practice teaching and Spanish classes, which meant a celebration was in order. Everyone was so happy that practice teaching was over that it was overlooked that we'll still have to be making lesson plans and teaching for a year. 3 days was nothing. After our last class our students took us out for some coffee, which wound up becoming a feast. The students ordered us a huge plate of appetizers, and we wound up late to our next meeting which seems to happen a lot.

For our last Spanish class we bought our professor beers and cookies and shared them throughout class before heading back to SECAP for a 2 hour party with a talent show and dancing. By far the best part of the night was watching my fellow volunteer Cordaro do magic tricks. Somehow he managed to fill up an empty beer can and reseal it, then open it up again and serve cold beer. Oh, and he levetaded. After the long week I was too tired to party too hard, so called it a night after 12:30 a.m.

On Saturday the whole group of volunteers went to Papallacta, a small area in the east close to the Amazon. Some of us went on a nature hike for an hour and then grabbed some amazing trout. The town is known for its trout, and we werne't disappointed. For $3.50 we got a big plate of fried trout with rice, fries, and veggies. After dinner we headed back to the grounds to dip in the natural hot springs. From hot spas we jumped into the freezing cold river, then into boiling hot spas, and back into the hot spa. It was incredibly relaxing and perfect after two long weeks.

Today was a very long day. We woke up early to play basketball, and after a couple of hours of playing at high altitude, we were all ready to head home. We played last weekend too, and for the first couple of games it was a true struggle. Doing anything at high altitude requires more energy, and after 1 minute of running around we were huffing and puffing. This week we were more adjusted, but still sucking wind. After lunch we headed to the TeleferiQo, the tourist attraction at the top of Pichincha, the mountain in Quito.

At the bottom of the TeleferiQo is a small amusement park, but we skipped it and went straight for the gondolas to the top. At about 13,000 feet, walking 3 steps uphill makes you tired. I was worse off than anyone else, but we were all struggling for air. You walk uphill and just can't breath; there simply isn't any air available. When you're at sea level you can take deep breaths and get something, but up this high when you take a deep breath, there's just nothing getting in. Your heart beats rapidly and you start to sweat even though it's cold, all while the chest feels like it's caving in. But the view is amazing, so you press on.

High above the clouds and the city of Quito, the TeleferiQo is not a very safe place. There are constant attacks and robberies, and we've heard plenty of horror stories that aren't worth getting into now, but needless to say, when you go off the trail or beyond the boundaries, you take your own risks. We went slightly further than the barbed wire boundary where some horses were available for a half hour. I chose not to, but three others did and rode them for a half hour while the rest of us climbed further.

I was really struggling with the altitude, and even one step made me feel like I'd just run a mile. Eventually I made it to the top of the plateau, and though there was still a long way to go to the top, we'd reached the point of far enough. Heading back down into Quito just before it got dark, we worked our way over to a free outdoor concert where we heard a band from Mexico play. They were good, and one of their songs had the lyrics, "Me so horny, me love you long time" had us all laughing.

Finally the week is over, and a new one is about to start. Orientation will officially be over on Wednesday, and unless something changes, I'll head to Cuenca on Friday and have to start teaching next Monday, even though the classes have already started with a substitute. It is then that the real work will begin.

Photos:
Top: Top of TeleferiQo
Second: Papallacta
Third: From Museo Guayasamin, "I cried because I didn't have shoes until I saw a child who didn't have feet"
Bottom: Painting by Guayasamin