Sunday, April 29, 2007
And in Ecuador news...
I am making a short class on Ecuadorian cultures for my students here in Oakland. We will be learning about people who live in Quito, the highland Quichua, and the Shuar of the rainforest... relevant cultures for me to teach considering they are cultures I have at least directly experienced. Hope it will be interesting, because five-year-olds are hard to entertain, and even harder to teach!
I know this is supposed to be about Ecuador...
but I can't help but comment on the fact that the freeway a mile from my apartment melted and collapsed after a tanker full of fuel EXPLODED. All this went down right at the end of the Bay Bridge. It's on any news site, so pick your favorite site and search for "Oakland" and "melted freeway."
This was the ramp I used to get on the freeway to go to work everyday, and now that it has EXPLODED, MELTED, AND COLLAPSED, it will be interesting finding a new way to work tomorrow.
Wow.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Ecuadorian Consul
It's official. Kind of. Well, as official as I can expect considering it's Latin America. I can enter the country.
I went to the Ecuadorian consul with Alan (the director of VIDA, where I used to work) today. It usually takes 6-8 weeks to get an appointment, and they never answer phones or emails, so it's nice to be connected. Look at me and my crazy contacts :P So, I went in and told the passport lady that before we talked about VIDA's business, I had just a quick "preguntita" (little question). I asked about some very complicated passport issue I might have had.
This is boring but here it is: According to Ecuadorian law, you can only stay in the country for 6 months per CALENDAR YEAR. Actually, when you enter, you only get 90 days, but you can beg the migration office in Quito to give you 90 more days when your first stamp expires, and they are usually pretty nice.
My question was because I had the permission on my passport to stay for three months earlier this year, but I was only there in January, so does that count as one month or three? The passport lady didn't even know, so she had to take my passport back to some important guy and ask him. Turns out, it only counts as the one month I was actually present in the country, so I am good to go! Which is great, considering I already bought my plane ticket!
At least I know the laws are so confusing that the passport person at the consulate didn't even know what to do about my documents!
When I get there, I will be staying for almost four months, so let's hope all goes well in Quito so I won't be "deportada". I refuse to get a visa, which would legalize my lengthy stays but cost hundreds of dollars... so I'll just keep improvising.
It's good to be legal.
I went to the Ecuadorian consul with Alan (the director of VIDA, where I used to work) today. It usually takes 6-8 weeks to get an appointment, and they never answer phones or emails, so it's nice to be connected. Look at me and my crazy contacts :P So, I went in and told the passport lady that before we talked about VIDA's business, I had just a quick "preguntita" (little question). I asked about some very complicated passport issue I might have had.
This is boring but here it is: According to Ecuadorian law, you can only stay in the country for 6 months per CALENDAR YEAR. Actually, when you enter, you only get 90 days, but you can beg the migration office in Quito to give you 90 more days when your first stamp expires, and they are usually pretty nice.
My question was because I had the permission on my passport to stay for three months earlier this year, but I was only there in January, so does that count as one month or three? The passport lady didn't even know, so she had to take my passport back to some important guy and ask him. Turns out, it only counts as the one month I was actually present in the country, so I am good to go! Which is great, considering I already bought my plane ticket!
At least I know the laws are so confusing that the passport person at the consulate didn't even know what to do about my documents!
When I get there, I will be staying for almost four months, so let's hope all goes well in Quito so I won't be "deportada". I refuse to get a visa, which would legalize my lengthy stays but cost hundreds of dollars... so I'll just keep improvising.
It's good to be legal.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Markka quichuata rimanmi (Mark speaks Quichua)
In preparation for my being in Quichua-land, I've been studying a fair amount of Quichua, and I am happy to report I can say useful phrases such as "How many sheep do you graze on the mountain?" with reasonable confidence.
The interesting thing is that Mark, who used to give me blank stares whenever I went on about the language, has become dorkily intrigued. He even proudly proclaimed to Jared last night "ñukaka quichuata rimanimi (I speak Quichua!).'' So, on the subway, imagine us, if you will, speaking halting short Quichua sentences to each other, and correcting each other in Spanish. I think the old ladies across from us on the subway last night thought we were a little bit loco...
The interesting thing is that Mark, who used to give me blank stares whenever I went on about the language, has become dorkily intrigued. He even proudly proclaimed to Jared last night "ñukaka quichuata rimanimi (I speak Quichua!).'' So, on the subway, imagine us, if you will, speaking halting short Quichua sentences to each other, and correcting each other in Spanish. I think the old ladies across from us on the subway last night thought we were a little bit loco...
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Back to South America
Well, the blog shall be resumed... because I am going back to South America.
The anxiety is building back up as I have but a few short weeks to raise some money, get my stuff together, and head south for the summer! The plans are coming together, as they always do... so here are the definites, the maybes, and the prolly nots...
DEFINITES
June, I will be teaching English and Biology in Salasaca, a small Quichua village. In exchange for my mad edu-ma-catin' skills, I will get a place to stay, food to eat, and even some Quichua lessons to beef up on my language skills before I start at Stanford.
I have a good friend in Ecuador... This was previously a maybe, but I am now certain.
I will probably stay in Ecuador until mid-September, that is, about four months... again.
Late September, I will be attending Stanford to get my M.A. in all things cool and Latin American-y. I will be studying politics, economy, anthropology, and the environment, in addition to Quechua (though of the Peruvian variety) and Portuguese. (Yay, polyglots!) I will graduate in the spring, and I will not incur any debt... fellowships equal happiness!
MAYBES
July and August, I could continue teaching in Salasaca. This position maintains me but does not give me oodles of, or in fact any, discretionary income. It's a great opportunity, but I am also quite poor.
July and August, I might be able to continue to teach in July, then participate in a project with a nonprofit in August. They would pay me loads of cash, helping to reimburse me for my expensive plane ticket and giving me access to the fun things in life, like chocolate bars and Coca-cola. Because I am a caffeine addict, and also because money is always a concern, I will accept this position if it is available. But I will not know until May if the nonprofit money will materialize. I hate waiting!
Mark and some other people might come to visit. If you are interested, please let me know! Everyone is invited. The plane ticket will probably be between 600 to 800 dollars, but once you are in Ecuador, 200 dollars for a 10 day trip would be quite a comfortable budget. Consider it! Plus, free translator and guide (aka me)!
PROLLY NOTS
There is a possible Stanford research internship which would give me money for two months, but I might have to go to Peru. The funds for the internship might not come through, I might not be selected, and I might not feel like heading down to Peru. This probably won't happen, but it is on the table for July and August.
I will not be traveling or "going on vacation" unless I have visitors. The money just isn't there, and I have already traveled around. I am now more interested in just living.
I will not be getting a work visa. Too much work and money and then not a lot of job opportunities. That is why I have found other ways to survive.
AND...
that's what's going on with my life. I found explaining this over and over again to various friends and family got repetitive. Thus, let the blog re-commence! Check back for details and please comment so I know you want updates... Thanks! I love my family!!!
The anxiety is building back up as I have but a few short weeks to raise some money, get my stuff together, and head south for the summer! The plans are coming together, as they always do... so here are the definites, the maybes, and the prolly nots...
DEFINITES
June, I will be teaching English and Biology in Salasaca, a small Quichua village. In exchange for my mad edu-ma-catin' skills, I will get a place to stay, food to eat, and even some Quichua lessons to beef up on my language skills before I start at Stanford.
I have a good friend in Ecuador... This was previously a maybe, but I am now certain.
I will probably stay in Ecuador until mid-September, that is, about four months... again.
Late September, I will be attending Stanford to get my M.A. in all things cool and Latin American-y. I will be studying politics, economy, anthropology, and the environment, in addition to Quechua (though of the Peruvian variety) and Portuguese. (Yay, polyglots!) I will graduate in the spring, and I will not incur any debt... fellowships equal happiness!
MAYBES
July and August, I could continue teaching in Salasaca. This position maintains me but does not give me oodles of, or in fact any, discretionary income. It's a great opportunity, but I am also quite poor.
July and August, I might be able to continue to teach in July, then participate in a project with a nonprofit in August. They would pay me loads of cash, helping to reimburse me for my expensive plane ticket and giving me access to the fun things in life, like chocolate bars and Coca-cola. Because I am a caffeine addict, and also because money is always a concern, I will accept this position if it is available. But I will not know until May if the nonprofit money will materialize. I hate waiting!
Mark and some other people might come to visit. If you are interested, please let me know! Everyone is invited. The plane ticket will probably be between 600 to 800 dollars, but once you are in Ecuador, 200 dollars for a 10 day trip would be quite a comfortable budget. Consider it! Plus, free translator and guide (aka me)!
PROLLY NOTS
There is a possible Stanford research internship which would give me money for two months, but I might have to go to Peru. The funds for the internship might not come through, I might not be selected, and I might not feel like heading down to Peru. This probably won't happen, but it is on the table for July and August.
I will not be traveling or "going on vacation" unless I have visitors. The money just isn't there, and I have already traveled around. I am now more interested in just living.
I will not be getting a work visa. Too much work and money and then not a lot of job opportunities. That is why I have found other ways to survive.
AND...
that's what's going on with my life. I found explaining this over and over again to various friends and family got repetitive. Thus, let the blog re-commence! Check back for details and please comment so I know you want updates... Thanks! I love my family!!!
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