Two weeks in Paradise (i.e. Canada)

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada is the name of the place.

Talk about "reverse culture-shock."

After spending 5 months in a "developing country," I'm back in Edmonton to visit my parents and sister (and her family) for two weeks. For the most part, Canadians are very rich. Lots of fancy automobiles, fancy clothing and fancy infrastructure (sport facilities, public buildings, park space).

The headlines in the daily newspaper tell it all. No serious problems here. Ecuador feels so very, very far away.

The feeling I get is that these people have no idea how good they have it. But I could be wrong. Perhaps it is simply a case of overreaction - like Erin -- a friend of the family -- tells me.

Regardless, right now I think that Canadians need to know more about poverty in the world. I'm trying to keep my mouth shut for the time being and trying not hard not to be too disgusted by the relative decadence of this place.

My Ecuatorian Internship Ends

That´s it.

I leave Ecuador tomorrow and I´m having a hard time coming up with words for this blog entry.

The bottom line: as far as I can tell there is no EXTREME poverty in this country. There are definitely many poor* people .

(*Aside: I no longer like the term "poor" . . . in english, to me it has such a negative connotation. Here, they often use the term "personas con recursos escasos" -- people with scarce resources -- much better, but that is a mouthful in english.)

Does that mean one should look elsewhere for development projects? To Africa, for example, where people are dying from hunger daily? At this point, I really don´t know. It is the issue at the front of my mind at this point in time.

I have decided that I have to see more Microfinance in action before I dismiss it as a tool that can help the "poorest of the poor." I´m inquiring about volunteering in Nicaragua come October.

My biggest disappointment here in Ecuador? That is easy. My spanish. I have struggled on a daily basis trying to understand, trying to communicate, trying to speak with some modicum of fluency . . . but it has been really tough.

My biggest joy? Two things come to mind:

1) My host family has been an absolute joy to live with. Such warm, decent, friendly, kind people. I will miss them dearly.

2) Witnessing the wonderful broad smiles of the "socias" (members of the Banco Comunales) in "el campo" (the country). Absolutely heartwarming stuff! These ladies work extremely hard, with their bare hands, from dawn ´til dusk everyday with and often without the men in their lives. Despite the hardship, they find a way to smile, laugh and, I believe enjoy the happy moments in their lives. One of these moments often happens to be the Banco Comunal meetings -- which offers them a tiny break from their day.

Yes, their beautiful, awe-inspiring gold-toothed smiles. I will never forget it.