When I had decided, at the ripe old age of 21, to move to Ecuador, S. America, a lot of people in my tranquil suburb of Wisconsin could not understand my desire to move away, especially to a developing country. What can I say? What DID I say? The more people responded negatively to my idea to go, the more I stubbornly dug my heels in and made it happen. Which says a lot about how I live my life, I guess.
I don't regret it, even the bad experiences I had, because the good far outweighed those times. It is a spectacularly beautiful country with three distinct regions, the mountains (as in the Andes), the coast, and the rainforest. There is a large indigenous population that speak the Quechua language, but Spanish is the principal one spoken. It is a relatively safe country to visit, although the biggest concern is pickpocketing, but if you use common sense you will not have a problem. I actually saw tourists wandering around with money hanging out of their pockets- HELLO!
Poverty is prevalent, but the land is very productive, and a diet of rice and beans keep the people well nourished. The country exports bananas and roses, amongst other things, and you can find all kinds of fruits and vegetables in the open air markets. When I visited last, seven years ago, the average monthly salary was $120! But food, utilities, and gas were cheap. Plus with public transportation everywhere you don't need a car.
Along with the good, comes the bad. When I lived there 19 years ago, a man, Colombian born, had been captured after allegedly raping and killing 300 women, beginning in Colombia and then in Ecuador. The longest prison sentence in Ecuador is 18 years, no matter what you do, but justice has a way of working it's way around, and the man was murdered by relatives' of the victims. This news was ironic to me because I moved to Ecuador from the Milwaukee area around the time of Jeffrey Dahmer, and everyone in Ecuador knew of him. But did we ever hear of their serial killer, who killed approx. 300? vs. 17 from Dahmer?
Okay, I'm going to lighten up this post with a funny story. On Mondays I work out at the local gym in a core strengthening class and was behind a cute little blond with a perfect body. I consoled myself with the fact that she had a little gut hanging out until the instructor announced at the end of the class that she was pregnant. I should be depressed but I'm too busy laughing about it!
Last but not least, I'm fostering the world's CUTEST kittens for the shelter. There are four of them, but here are pictures of two.
It's funny how people will judge your happiness by their standards. When I became engaged I didn't want a diamond ring. We bought a simple engraved band and I was happy. Many people predicted I would regret it and that the marriage wouldn't last. They were wrong on both counts but I was (and still am) surprised by how adamant they were that their way was right.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you stuck to what you knew was best.
It's not easy to swim against the stream, but that's crazy that people would weigh in on your ring!
ReplyDeleteInteresting story about Ecuador. 18 years max certainly doesn't sound like justice served. Wish our cost of living was as low as theirs though.
ReplyDeleteLove the first and last pics of the kittens.
In these kind of cases, 18 years is a joke, which is why people carry out their own justice.
DeleteWhat an interesting place to have lived! My sister visited there years ago and at 5'10" was a giant among the indigenous people. She had a great time. And those kittens are adorable.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting, and likewise about where you live. Giant is right, I'm 5'2" and I was tall there! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteHoly range of emotions! You've got a crazy past, Rose. And so scary about the man... but the blonde lady story made me LOL!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of editing it my post so people wouldn't get whiplash with the change of direction. It's hard to believe some of the stories I heard down there, but that was one of them.
DeleteWow, what an enriching experience. Sometimes you just have to follow your heart, no matter what. I never knew about the 18 year ceiling... forces people to take justice into their own hands, which may be a more effective deterrent in some ways but a lot more dangerous. And thanks for the kitty pics and the prego lady story! LOL!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in- I feel strongly that people really need to live outside the States for a while to appreciate how good we have it. While France is hardly third world, just experiencing another culture makes you see past the bubble we live in at times.
DeleteI really enjoyed this post, Rose. I can't pinpoint just one item, it simply comes together beautifully as a whole. :)
ReplyDeleteGood! I was having second thoughts about this post. I wanted to tell the story about the serial killer but it was so horrid I had to dump it with fluff on either side.
DeleteGood post! Good question too - why would any 21 year old want to go to a foreign, developing place? You sound like a strong-willed and determined individual who will not be swayed once her mind is set on something.
ReplyDeleteIn my country, vigilante-styled justice is prevalent in our rural communities where, quite often, these perpetrators get away with rape and murder all the time...
It's true for many countries that people literally are getting away with murder. Happens here too, but at least there is more of a consistent attempt to control it and punish the criminals.
DeleteI read recently that Equidor is one of the best countries in the world for Americans to retire to.
ReplyDeleteIt is! It was mentioned twice on Yahoo. It's cheap and relatively safe and stable. Not to mention beautiful.
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