Home |
South America |
SA Travel |
SA Books |
SA News |
Ecuador |
SAE 1996
Abdala Bucaram has begun his first term as President of Ecuador. Recent legislative acts include a further crack-down on drunk-driving, the closing of all salsa dance clubs by 2 a.m., and curbs on public urination. Police have started enforcing the new laws at local festivals near Quito during the past month with the result that more than the usual number of party-goers have had to navigate (or not!) their way home by foot after hours.
On the international side, the President has made several peace overtures to President Fujimori of Peru, and the local press is hoping for a breakthrough in the ongoing peace negotiations. On the other hand, what with Abdala praising Peru in one breath while tarring Peruvian politicians as "burros" in the next, all bets are off on an immediate easing of tensions.
Ecuadorian Jefferson Perez stunning victory in the Olympic speed walking competition, is doing wonders for the sport in Ecuador. This was Ecuador's first medal in Olympic history. Speed walking is now trendy, and on travel country roads you see people practicing. Jefferson, a young man from Cuenca, followed up his gold medal victory with a "pilgrimage" from Quito to Cuenca. Unfortunately, Jefferson was delayed in the south near the village Biblian after tucking into a meal of less-than-fresh trout. With his bowels in order once more, he completed the walk, but his affliction proved to travelers and ex-pats in Ecuador that even the fittest of Ecuadorians are prone to gastric disorders such as we endure on a regular basis!
The race to qualify for World Cup soccer is well under way all over South America, and Ecuador's chances of making the cut look promising. With four wins and only one loss, only Colombia is ahead of Ecuador among South American teams. The big match between Colombia and Ecuador will take place this October. An Ecuadorian win would make it the team to beat in South America! This is no small accomplishment, as you true futbol fans know, and we can feel the excitment growing in the city with each victory. Fans are packing their yellow jerseys and planning their trips to France in '98!
The Club is collecting donations for La Tola orphanage. Needed most are non-perishable foods, cash, bedding, and art/school supplies. At a party thrown by member volunteers for the kids last July, everyone teamed up to cook dinner for eighty people. This feast was followed with face-painting and games and general merry-making. The organizers beat a graceful retreat once the kids settled down to watch a movie. If you are interested in working as a volunteer evening tutor at La Tola, please ask the Club staff for details.
The Club's New fax service is a huge hit with members, even as it occasionally drives our staff over the brink. We do plan to continue it as a regular Club service and we've established guidelines to make the whole process run more smoothly. For example, Members should have their faxes ready to go, with the full telephone number (including country code --we have a reference chart posted). The staff will attempt to send a document up to three times. Thecharge for this service will be rounded to the half-minute. Is that fair or what?
Curtain by lace curtain, we are putting the finishing touches on our beloved new Clubhouse. The lawn is looking good, too. While most of the several hundred square meters of yard are available for reading, relaxing or writing postcards in the shade, a small section has been set aside for a vegetable garden. The plan is to grow fresh greens for the Clubhouse staff, with a bumper cash crop that might lead to truck farming. So don't eat the lettuce, chard, basil, etc. We expect our home-grown produce will allay gastrointestinal fears--both real and imagined--associated with street vegetables, and we have high hopes for our "Safe Salad" project. More? We expect to cut back on Club garbage by composting. Two wooden compost bins have already been installed.
Contact the South American Explorers Club via regular post at 126 Indian Creek Road, Ithaca, NY 14850; Phone: (607) 277-0488; Fax: (607) 277-6122 Email: explorer@samexplo.org; Web: http://www.saexplorers.org/
Eco Travels in Ecuador
Home |
About |
Advertise! |
Books |
Central America |
Ecotourism |
Headlines
Learn Spanish |
Mexico |
Media |
Site Map |
South America |
World Travel |
Updates