my police escort

Last Friday I began the never ending task of getting my Censo (the ecuadorian form of identification for foreigners) by hopping in a cab with a bag of 15 books (that weighed at least 30 lbs) for the study abroad students, a purse full of documents, and an address for one of the numerous ministries where I could supposedly get a stamp in my passport-the first step in the process. I knew the building I needed to go to was near a metro stop called Orellana, and asked the cab driver if the address I gave him matched the description I had. He seemed a little confused, but after some explanation he nodded his head affirmatively. I got out of the cab and was immediately bombarded with people who were advertising that they could make copies of documents and lamanate documents, which through me off a little. I tried to get one of them to direct me to the entrance I needed to go to get my censo, but he didnt seem to know what I was talking about. So I made a decision to go in the door as far away from the croud of people as possible, hoping that even if it wasnt the right entrance someone would be able to assist me once inside. However, when I got inside, people seemed to be as confused as to what a censo was as the man I spoke with outside. Everyone was dressed in police uniforms, so I was a little concerned that none of them seemed to know what I was talking about, especially when I soon found out that they worked in the tuorism department.

After explaining what I needed to two guards at the entrance, I was escorted up to the third floor of the building and introduced a woman working typing on a computer behind her desk who looked less than thrilled to be talking to me. I began asking her what the process was to get a censo and what I needed to do in this building and she returned my questions with a blank stare. After 10 minutes or so of trying to explain what I needed and refusing to leave until I had some more information, a man dressed in a police uniform entered the room and asked one of the other guards what I was doing there. After receiving a vague explanation of what I wanted, he immediately came over to me and asked if he could help. I explained my situation and began to ask questions, starting with where I should go-considering the only information I had was to go to this building. While he didnt have the answers I was looking, he had no problem admitting his lack of information and seeking the answers. He determined that I would have to go to the immigration building to get my censo, and when I asked how to get there, he disappeared for a  longer than usual to find the answer. I was just about to ask someone else when he returned to the room I was waiting in and asked me to follow him. He had been so helpful, that I went without questions and followed him to his police car, at which point I decided a question was necessary. He explained that he would take me to the immigration building--I was so relieved to have someone helping me who actually seemed to care, the idea of a police escort didnt really sink in until we stopped off at my apartment to pick up some papers he thought I might need (although none of which are listed on the website) and the guard for my apartment looked very concerned and asked me if everything was ok. 

Well, the immigration building no longer issued censos and we began a wild goose chase for the censo that I would not receive for another week after hours of waiting in line and filling out forms. But it was definitely worth the adventure with the police officers. They drove me around for about 3 hours, and helped me skip lines and try to get around some of the red tape that is inevitable when trying to get a government document in a foreign country. We also reunited a toddler, who had wondered away from his family near a busy road, with his mother. And at the end, my new police officer friend took me out to lunch. I wonder what would have happened in the US in a similar situation.

My first training

One service CEMPROC provides are trainings on conflict resolution. The trainings are used with diverse groups, ranging from communities to teachers to prepare them to teach the material to their students. We recently started working with a student leadership group at a local high school. The first training I went to with this group was meant to give them an overview of conflict resolution and what they can do as students to make an impact. The students liked the training so much they asked us to come back to give a series on different topics regarding conflict resolution. 

While at the first training, I just observed and helped out when needed, during the second training, the director of CEMPROC asked me to be one of the leaders. It was so exciting to be part of the training, helping to plan the activities for the hour long session and getting to speak in spanish in front of a group of 20 12-15 year olds. So far, Ive helped lead 2 sessions but we have 6 more before the end of the school year. Im working become a more dynamic trainer, and hopefully be able to take on some more integral roles in the trainings. The group of kids we are currently working with are great, so its an easy way to get experience.  

finally getting started

One of my main goals while in Quito is to work with immigrant and refugee groups, particularly those from Colombia. After emailing organization after organization without success, I began to feel like I was hitting a brick wall. I knew I had only been here for a couple of weeks, but it was still exasperating not knowing what to do next. Then last week while taking a break from my seeming impossible task, I came across an email someone at CEMPROC (where I work) had sent me when I first arrived. It had the contact information for someone at an organization called organizacion esperanza, who work with immigrants and refugees. Unlike the previous cold contacts I had made, this was the name and email of a person who worked with the organization, who had already responded to an email my friend had sent. I immediately drafted and sent an email asking for an interview, and got a response within a couple of hours!

The next morning I was headed over to their office, armed with all of the materials I was anxious to discuss, such as a training manual to use with immigrants and migrant families discussing the conflicts that might arise when families are separated or when someone is living in a new country. I also came ready to learn about their goals and programs, and find a way I could help them. I definitely learned a lot, not only about the organization but about communication and patience. I really wanted to start the training immediately, get contacts and find out what the next step was. I figured since almost everything had been done, I wouldnt have a problem once I made the initial contact with the organization, but I was way off base. They are currently finishing up several projects and preparing to start several new ones in July. I first met with the guy I had made the initial contact with , who is about mid level in the organization, he then introduced me to the director of the Quito office. She put me in my place very quickly, yet retained her positive, can do demeanor. I left with the task of starting an investigation into the stereotypes of different immigrant group throughout Ecuador, and what conflicts each group face. It wasnt my original plan, but still something Im excited about.

Search for the video

Yesterday when I arrived at the office, the director of the organization asked me to find a documentary called After the Clouds Clear that I wanted to use for a project with a group of students coming from the University of Georgia for a study abroad program. The film is by an american director and talks about a conflict in the cloud forest of the northern Andes Mountains about the community's resistance to a proposed copper mine that would destroy their way of living.  While the movie at played at an independent theater when it first came out in 2007, it is now no where to be found. I started my search looking up phone numbers and making calls to the movie theatre and a couple of schools, but when I realized that my phone efforts were fruitless, I began my journey on foot and public transportation. With the goal of finding as many video stores as possible and hopefully at least getting some leads as to where I should be looking, or even better actually finding the documentary, I left my office at 3 pm. By 6:30, I had looked at two universities, and walked for at least 3 miles in areas with a large number of video stores. While I had been successful in finding people willing to help and give me suggestions, I had no luck in finding the illusive movie. Im supposed to return to one of the universities tomorrow to see if they have uncovered anything (I think they thought I was a student and were incredibly helpful in trying to uncover the DVD). Its funny, I had no problem finding an apartment to rent, yet a DVD seems impossible to get my hands on. 

Getting lost in the park

Quito is filled with gorgeous parks, one of my favorite parts of the city. While they are dangerous to walk through at night, during the day, you can see people exercising and walking to work. In some of the parks, they hold aerobics classes-which mostly involve stretching and other non strenous movements. Ive heard that on Sundays, the park across the street from my office holds one of the largest aerobics classes, which uses a loudspeaker and takes up at least half the park, or about the size of 1.5 football fields.
One of the routines Ive started here is running in the morning before work. Its a way to see some of the city while enjoying the amazing weather, and time to think. From the hostel I currently am staying at, there is a park about a quarter of a mile away, which is perfect for running in-at least it would be perfect if they werent doing construction on the pathways.
They have put up a green tarp along the outside of the park, making a fence about 6 ft. high. People are still alowed in, as long as they avoid the construction, which isnt difficult. However, what is difficult is being aware of what part of the park you are in, as the paths curve, making it difficult to know which directions you are running in. The first morning I went, I returned without any problems (probably because I was more cautious since I had never been in the park before). When I returned the second morning, I felt more adventerous and did not stay on the same path the entire time, but felt I had a sense of where I was relative to my hostel. However, at the end of my run, I found out I was completely wrong-I had no idea what part of the park I was in. Luckily, its a small park, and by retracing my steps, I was able to find my way back within 15 minutes, but I definitely learnd my lesson.
Im moving today to a friend´s apartment closer to my office. Hopefully the parks near my new place will be easier to navigate, although knowing my directional skills, Im sure I will have problems again.

La marin, an adventure in shopping

I awoke Saturday to another gorgeous morning in Quito-it seems that mornings here are always sunny and in the 60s and I can generally count on rain in the afternoon. I had made a list of a few things I needed to buy, such as a cable to upload pictures from my camera and a radio alarm clock (a necessity if I am going to be waking up at 7 am to go to work). Before I left work on Thursday, one of my colleagues who is from Quito had recommended I go to a mall near the office called Americas. He had explained how to get there, but since I had only been in the city for one day and am horrible with directions, on Saturday morning I decided to ask someone working at my hostel, who told me about an area called La marin that is closer to where Im currently staying.

He explained that la marin would have anything I was looking for and all I needed to do to get there was walk down the street and hop on a bus with the destination La marin marked on the front (which come at least once every minute and cost 25 cents per ride). I decided this would be a better alternative than getting lost trying to find the other mall, and packed my bag with my camera and a few dollars and made my way to the street where I caught the bus. On the bus, several women warned me to hold my bag tightly before I departed into the bustling market area. I happily obeyed their orders, and felt comfortable walking around the crowded streets. 

I walked into the main mall area and found window after window of little one room shops with glass display cases on the wall facing the hallway and barely enough room for the owner to sit inside. And everything was incredibly inexpensive, from jewelry and cell phones to digital cameras for less than $80, the guy at the hostel seemed to be right-I could find anything there. I managed to bargain my way around the stores, leaving if I thought the price was too high and within 2 hours I had completed my shopping and was on a bus back to my hostel. I think I was the only non ecuadorian in the market-definitely a culture shock. When I came into work on Monday my boss asked me how my first weekend in the city was and I began to tell him about my trip to the market. As soon as I mentioned la marin, he let out a gasp and couldnt believe that I had gone there. He informed me that he considers it to be the most dangerous area in Quito (dangerous in the sense that I am likely to get pickpocketted, not harmed). Although while at the market I was conscious about people around me and where my possessions were at all times, I felt perfectly safe there. I guess if I need electronics in the future, Ill have to be more careful about where I shop, or at least who I go with, but Im glad I had that experience. While Quito is filled with malls that resemble those near my house in the US, la marin was a first.

The view from my room

connections

The first night I arrived in Ecuador, two people from CEMPROC, the organization Ill be working with, met me at the airport. I dont think Ive ever been so happy to see a sign with my name on it. After negotiating the price for a cab (taxi drivers dont use meters at night), we made our way up to my hostel where I was greeted by the smell of dinner cooking and sounds of different languages traveling through the kitchen. As soon as I put my suitcases in my room, I realized how hungry I was. Since its better to not walk around by yourself at night, I wanted to go somewhere nearby and the hostel owner directed me to a friendly little tienda where they sell basic necesities, alcohol and these sandwiches which smelled amazing.
I definitely stuck out with my basket full of peanut butter, jelly, and a few other things that reminded me of home. While I was checking out, I began to tell friendly woman running the store what had brought me to Ecuador and what I hoped to accomplish here. I also mentioned that I was looking for a more permanent place to stay-while the hostel Im at is cheap and in a great location, I want a place I can call home.
The woman immediately began thinking of other gringos (the name for caucasions in Latin America) she knew who had stayed in Quito and what some of my options were. She called a friend who usually hosts students and travelers and within minutes, the son from the family arrived at the store to meet me. We exchanged emails and have since communicated about what my plans are and when I can come see the room In the US, what had just been accomplished in 5 minutes would take weeks of craiglist searching, flipping through newspapers, and going through a series of interviews by potential new roommates. Im supposed to go see the place this week, and while Im not sure Ill move in, its a good feeling knowing how easy it is to find a place I can call home for my time in Quito.