Rubio, Poverty and random thoughts on Ecuador

"Rubio, Rubio, Rubio" be the call that resonates through the streets of Quito, the highlands, and the jungle. Standing roughly five or six inches taller than the average equadorian barely recieves a glance compared to that of the Blonde haired Beth. Although the machismo of Ecuador is rated as tame, even walking with me she garner´s many a look, greeting, the ubiquitous rubio, rubio, and stops many a conversation in it´s tracks. That said, she is safe walking the streets.

Quito and Ecuador as a whole presents so very little in opportunities for many in quality of life, education, and health care. Many children, as young sell wares of ice creams, chewing gum, or water on the streets and buses throughout the day. All stores and restaurants are over staffed. The only explanation for their continued prosperity is the minimal wages for staff.

Random thoughts:
= One way streets greatly assist the flow of traffic throughout the city
= Ecuadorian horns are versitile. Displaying disgust at the bad traffic or a driver, a call by taxi´s for passengers, saying hello to friends, indicating a change of lanes their noise is ever present;
= There are relatively few damanged cars on the road considering the chaotic scenes of peak hour traffic;
= The local fare is hearty but often plain;
= Only eat chinese food in China or Australia;
= Many great civilisations of Ecuador and their people have and are suffering;
= The locals wares are often made from centuries old techniques and of very high quality;
= Only eat from dirt cheap local restaurants or expensive, by Ecuadorian standards, western restaurants;
= The UNESCO world heritage listed old town is reminiscent of Europe and has the soul to match;
= No computers exist that allow you to use the bloger spell checker;
= Although you feel safe, you have to wonder about the hundreds of security guards stationed at resturants, banks, pharmacies, and bars hold loaded shotguns; and
= Come to Ecuador, either loop the country or use Quito as your base.