Good bye and hasta luego to Ecuador

I fell in love with the people of this country.  Such a mix.  So many traditions.  I learned so much about this painfully beautiful country whose forest is disappearing and with it countless species of plants and animals. 

What an issue when a country so poor sits on a huge oil supply that is under it's most precious but not convertible to money to buy necessities - the forest.

The Andes surrounded us during our visit and large parts of their green cover was side by side with huge areas of dirt and sand where the mining and cement industries have cut away the forests endangering the people through landslides and mudslides.  The many places we passed with parts of roads closed due to mudslides and falling rocks showed how real this problem is.

The people are poor but so gracious and warm.   I especially appreciated their great willingness to help me express myself in Spanish. 

Te amo Ecuador!

_____________________

A final PS.

In Turkey we were warned to  stay inside as riots were expected.  Nothing happened while we were there.  When we left Turkey, Istanbul erupted.  When we left Bangkok , the civil protests began in the streets.  When we went to Eastern Europe, Russia was threatening the area.  The day we left Quito for El Monte we got the following email from the US Embassy (we always register with our local embassy when traveling abroad.

May the people of Ecuador be safe and protected from natural disasters.

U.S. Mission Ecuador
Message for U.S. Citizens
Importance of Emergency Preparedness

August 22, 2014

 

 

The U.S. Mission in Ecuador reminds U.S. citizens living or traveling in Ecuador that the Quito and Guayaquil areas are prone to natural disasters as the recent seismic activity in and around Quito has demonstrated.  The U.S. Mission in Ecuador recommends that U.S. citizens keep themselves informed and make personal preparations in the event of a natural disaster.

 

Knowing what to do before, during and after a natural disaster is critical.  When traveling and living overseas, it’s important that you know how to respond to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and flooding.  We encourage U.S. citizens living in Ecuador to be prepared for natural disasters. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that you take three basic steps to mitigate your risk in an emergency:

·   Be Informed – Stay aware of present risks and ways to avoid them.

·   Make a Plan - Ensure you have a communication and emergency plan ahead of time.

·   Build a Kit – Create an emergency kit to help cope with the unexpected.  FEMA’s Emergency Supply List has other recommended items. 

Ecuador’s National Risk Management Secretariat and the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute monitor Ecuadorian volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis in Ecuador, issuing regular reports on their activity. In the event of a natural disaster, pay close attention to the news media for updates. 

 

 

 

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Ecuador are encouraged to enroll through the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  in order to obtain updated information on travel and security within Ecuador.