Logo após a chegada do elenco do Fluminense ao Rio de Janeiro, depois da goleada sofrida por 5 a 1 para a LDU, a torcida recebeu o time com muito pó de arroz, gritos de incentivo e aplausos. Porém, apesar disso as bilheterias para a compra dos ingressos ficaram vazias, tanto para o segundo jogo contra os equatorianos como para a partida contra o Vitória, neste domingo.

Antes da partida na altitude de Quito, quase 37 mil ingressos haviam sido vendidos para a partida de volta, no Maracanã. Após a goleada, apenas 864 torcedores investiram o dinheiro no jogo da volta.

Embora o Fluminense só dependa de si para sair da zona do rebaixamento no Campeonato Brasileiro, os tricolores parecem ter desanimado. Isso porque antes da partida da última quarta feira pouco mais de 23 mil ingressos haviam sido vendidos. Após esta derrota, apenas 1.562 torcedores compraram entradas para o jogo contra os baianos.

(i-d) Francisco Campos y Marcelo del Pozo.

El día lunes 23 de noviembre de 2009 junto al Dr. Francisco Campos visitamos Ecuador-TV para conocer sus instalaciones y conversar con Marcelo del Pozo, fue un espacio grato para intercambiar ideas y experiencias sobre las posibilidades de la TV-Publica. Francisco Campos Freire fue Director General de la Compañía de Radio Televisión de Galicia (1994-2005) y presidente da FORTA (1994, 1997, 2001 e 2004) con lo cual compartió algunas de sus vivencias.

(i-d) Fernando Checa, Manuel Gago y Francisco Campos.

El mismo lunes también vistamos CIESPAL para saludar Fernando Checa Director de CIESPAL, gestión en la que nos ayudo Pablo Escandón, Editor de la Revista CHASQUI y profesor visitante de la UTPL, además coincidió con la presencia de Manuel Gago, “periodista, director  de culturagalega.org, profesor de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela y editor de Capítulo 0” quien visita Ecuador en razón del Seminario “La reinvención del periodista”.  Con Manuel está previsto visitar la UTPL hoy 27 de noviembre de 2009.

Como todos devem saber ontem rolou a primeira partida da final da Copa Sulamericana. LDU 5 x 1 Fluminense.

É como vocês podem ver tomamos mais uma dos equatorianos, nosso pior pesadelo. Mas aparentemente o tricolor carioca não foi o único que ficou atordoado.

Não é mesmo, Luciano do Valle?

Tricolores e Tricolores,

Continuamos invictos! Pelo menos, no nível do mar. Não perdemos para um time de futebol. Perdemos para os 2.850m de altitude de Quito. Talvez nos tenha faltado experiência. Talvez nos tenha faltado inteligência. Mas com certeza nos faltou ar.

Com apenas 30 segundos de jogo pude sentir o gosto doce da vingança em minha boca. Mas com o decorrer da partida senti um nó na garganta semelhante ao do dia 02 de Julho de 2008.

Impossível não fazermos comparações. Na próxima quarta-feira (também dia 02, só que de Dezembro de 2009), teremos uma tarefa ainda mais difícil que a anterior. Ao invés de ganhar por dois gols, precisaremos de, no mínimo, quatro. O elenco que tínhamos no ano passado era melhor que o atual. E, enquanto o time da Libertadores estava exclusivamente dedicado àquele jogo, o time da Sulamericana vem travando uma nova batalha a cada 3 dias.

Mas quem teria a audácia de duvidar dessa equipe?

Diante dessa improvável missão, chegou a hora do Futebol mostrar que é realmente uma “caixinha de surpresas”. Nada é impossível para esse time que decidiu desbancar a frieza dos números e tem a vocação para o inesperado. Quem está sendo capaz de reverter “98% de chances de rebaixamento”, pode muito bem reverter o resultado de um jogo, por mais adverso que possa parecer.

E se você, Tricolor, está disposto a sair da sua casa na próxima quarta-feira, peço encarecidamente: grite o tempo inteiro para fazer da estadia da LDU no Maracanã, o inferno na Terra. Façamos do barulho e da pressão a nossa altitude! E seja qual for o resultado, continue gritando o nome do Fluminense ao fim da partida, pois a nossa guerra só acabará no dia 6 de Dezembro e os nossos guerreiros não podem deixar se abater, jamais.

Mais do que nunca, SÓ DEPENDE DA GENTE!

Faça a diferença!

Saudações Tricolores!

Las fechas para Latinoamerica ya las puedes encontrar en la pagina oficial del grupo. TEAM Producciones lo trae a Ecuador, esperamos que se den mas detalles con respecto a la venta de entradas.

www.cranberries.com

January 26, 2010 Santiago, Chile Arena Movistar
January 28, 2010 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Citibank Hall
January 29, 2010 Sao Paolo, Brazil Credicard Hall
January 31, 2010 Belo Horizonte, Brazil Chevrolet Hall
February 3, 2010 Porto Alegre, Brazil Pepsi On Stage
February 5, 2010 Buenos Aires, Argentina Luna Park
February 8, 2010 Lima, Peru University Car Park
February 10, 2010 Quito, Ecuador TBD
February 12, 2010 Caracas, Venuzuela Anfiteatro de Sambil
February 15, 2010 Guadalajara, Mexico Auditorio Telmex
February 18, 2010 Monterrey, Mexico Arena Monterrey

http://jc.uol.com.br/coluna/de-olho-no-transito/noticia/2009/11/24/temos-muito-o-que-aprender-com-o-transporte-de-curitiba-206493.php

Essa reportagem do JC, além de clara e bem escrita, revela muito sobre os problemas de transporte coletivo em Recife e o porquê de necessitarmos, com urgência, de uma inspiração curitibana.

Sempre achei que o grande problema daqui está na cabeça das pessoas, e não só nas ruas estreitas ou geografia confusa. Como andar de ônibus e mesmo caminhar numa calçada são “coisa de pobre” para a classe média recifense, só quem precisa ou não pode ter carro usa o transporte coletivo. E, onde há “pobres”, o investimento público é zero, bem ao modo Justo Veríssimo.

Em Curitiba, há um sentimento diferente de empatia com os ônibus “biarticulados” e as estações-tubo, pois de fato a coisa flui. E não é nada limpo ou charmoso; é apenas útil e organizado, como disse a jornalista.

Um outro exemplo de bom transporte é o de Amsterdam, mas com dinheiro e anos de estrutura fica difícil comparar. No entanto, se Recife quiser mesmo aprender, pode usar o exemplo de Quito. É uma capital gigante que, por estar num vale, é longa e estreita (tem no máximo 6 avenidas de uma ponta a outra). No entanto, com apenas 4 linhas-mestras que fazem algumas conexões (a principal é a “La Y”), um sistema de embarque/desembarque rápido e corredores expressos, boa parte dos quitenhos prefere isso a ficar horas num engarrafamento (eu mesmo levei 1h para cruzar a cidade de táxi). E tem tudo o que se possa imaginar na estação (cholas vendendo milho, pedinte, pregação etc.), mas há funcionalidade.

No fundo, ninguém quer melhorar o sistema de transporte público daqui, com exceção de técnicos abnegados e um ou outro usuário. A Copa vem aí e, ao que tudo indica, nada mudará substancialmente além de um “transfer” provisório dos hotéis para São Lourenço. É uma aposta ruim, infelizmente.

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Esta es una foto de la última vez que el abuelito Torombolo nos visitó en nuestra casa. Él siempre cuenta sus historias de hace muuuuucho tiempo, cuando le mandaban dos realitos de colación al colegio y le alcanzaba para un helado de leche y un pan de a medio.

Mi abuelito cuenta que en el parque de El Ejido pastaba el ganado de todita la ciudad de Quito, ya que estaba en las afueras: no había ni gringolandia, ni plaza Foch, ni tráfico, ni nada de eso que hay ahora. Solo dizque pasaba el tranvía, de vez en cuando.

Él había llegado bien novillito al Ecuador, pero todavía habla con las esssesss y las zzzetasss de los toritos españoles. Desde guagüito le había conocido a la abuelita Pastora, porque habían sabido ir a la misma escuelita vacuna. Creo que le llamaban así a la escuela porque aprovechaban algunos días para vacunarles contra la aftosa, que creo que es algo como la gripe porcina que dicen ahora.

Ahora anda medio tristón el abuelito, a veces no quiere comer y solo piensa en descansar. “Quiero seguir los pasos de mi Pastorita y partir para otra pradera, macho”, me dice con su tonito ibérico. Yo lo que sé es que el abuelito ha vivido una vida tranquila y placentera. Y ahora que es viejito, mis hermanitos y yo le cuidamos bastante, porque así queremos que nos cuiden a nosotros cuando seamos mayorcitos.

La capital de Ecuador es un respiro de luces versus la gran oscuridad que transmiten sus montañas y volcanes. Esta ciudad, que lleva años en un proceso de modernización, tiene como principal atractivo la calidez de su arquitectura nativa, su majestuosa vegetación y sus ensoñadores y nevados volcanes. Para los amantes de la historia, Quito está llena de épocas pues cuenta con el área central donde está la vieja ciudad colonial, el norte moderno con grandes edificaciones, centros comerciales y zonas financieras, y los alrededores verdes que son las zonas montañosas. La amabilidad de la gente quiteña, el valor histórico de su arquitectura y sus majestuosos paisajes hicieron que en 1978 Quito fuera declarada Patrimonio Cultural de la Humanidad por la UNESCO.

Cabalgata Carolina

Para aquellos que quieren desconectarse y solo ser llevados por el tiempo mientras sienten y disfrutan de una hermosa fauna este es un perfecto paseo. En este espacio verde los mansos equinos típicos de Los Andes le darán un recorrido por los alrededores del prado. La cabalgata es en el pleno casco de la ciudad en el Parque La Carolina.

Plaza San Blas

Envuelta por casas antiguas de dos y tres pisos de tonos puros, con deleitables puertas y balcones teñidos en matices azules. Caminando por sus estrechas calles, mientras se respira el frío húmedo de montaña, se llega a la plaza del Teatro, donde se encuentra el Teatro Sucre, una fastuosa atmósfera de arte cuyo valor histórico es incalculable. Para deleitarse de buena comida, si sigue caminando se encontrará con el elegante restaurant tradicional de la ciudad, la Cueva del Oso.

La Basílica del Voto Nacional

El arquitecto Emilio Tarlier firmó el  contrato desde Francia, para que inspirado en la catedral en Bourges, empezará a realizar los planos entre 1890 y 1896 de la basílica más grande de América Latina. Este templo gótico es visible desde cualquier punto de la ciudad. Adornada con gárgolas inspiradas en la fauna de Ecuador, tal como armadillos, las iguanas y tortugas de Galápagos, hacen de esta Iglesia una de las estructuras más bellas de Quito. Para disfrutar de los mejores horizontes de esta capital, siempre y cuando no le tenga miedo a las alturas, debe subir a la escalera de la torre principal donde podrá observar al Quito moderno y antiguo. Desde una altura de 117 metros se puede vislumbrar completamente los suelos y alturas de estas tierras. Al santuario también se le conoce como: Catedral Consagración de Jesús o Basílica de San Juan. Tranquilo, sino puede o quiere subir escaleras lo puede hacer por el ascensor.

Pichincha

Al oeste de Quito, con varios picos, todos de origen volcánico y de diferentes tiempos se encuentra el volcán de Pichincha. Las dos crestas más visibles son Cruz Loma y el Guagua Pichincha, este último es un soberbio cráter con fumarolas que ha sido mencionado en las últimas épocas por su reactivación volcánica. El Pichincha representa el proceso ecuatoriano de la soberanía americana hispana en la llamada Batalla de Pichincha en 1822.

Mercado de Otavalo

Es uno de los más conocidos en Latinoamérica, concurrido año tras año por miles de turistas que quedan perplejos ante la artesanía de la ciudad. Las serenas notas de la zampoña andina, el aroma de feria tradicional, los calidoscopios de colores, los suaves pañuelos de alpaca, los tejidos de lana de llama y el ingenuo y colorido “compra y vende” hacen de este lugar una experiencia inigualable. Los textiles hechos a mano por los habitantes de origen indígena son el fuerte de los cuantiosos kioscos. Otavalo es una pequeña ciudad indígena, en la sierra del Norte a dos horas de Quito, hay muchos lugares para hospedarse en el pueblo, al igual que un hermoso y verde horizonte que se puede conocer caminando, en carro, en bicicleta o a caballo.

La Mitad del Mundo

¿Alguna vez pensaste que podría poner tus píes la exacta mitad del planeta tierra? Situado en la parroquia de San Antonio en el cantón de Quito, al norte del centro de la ciudad, no se puede dejar de visitar el mayor atractivo mundial que tiene una latitud de 0-0′-0″. En esta zona sobre la línea ecuatorial se localiza la maravillosa pirámide cuadrangular del Monumento Equinoccial. Es una experiencia única y fascinante. “Centenares de años después de que los indígenas del actual Ecuador establecieron Catequilla como la mitad del mundo, una expedición francesa llegó a confirmar geográficamente el centro medido”. (www.mitadmundo.access.ec / info@mitaddelmundo.com)

Cotopaxi

El Rey de los Andes está situado a 50 km del sur de Quito, es el volcán más escalado y visitado del Ecuador, siendo a su vez uno de los más magníficos volcanes nevados de Los Andes. Con 5.897 metros sobre el nivel del mar es el segundo más alto del país, el más alto es el Chimborazo, y uno de los volcanes activos más altos del mundo. La última erupción fue en 1877 y 1904, y registró actividad en 1942. A tan sólo menos de dos horas desde la capital, el parque nacional Cotopaxi ofrece el goce de grandes aventuras al aire libre: escalar, trekking, montar a caballo, entre muchas más. En sus alrededores se encuentran caminos y espacios para caminar y disfrutar, y para descansar hay unas hermosas haciendas al pie de la montaña.  

(Publicado en Complot Magazine)

 Ronald Aristimuño

The three of us at the real Equator

I’ve been in Quito the past few days. I’ve also found that I’m starting to pick up some Aussie slang from spending so much time with Kassia and Lauren. Suddenly I find myself thinking or starting to say things like, “I can’t be asked to do such-and-such,” “I reckon blah blah,” or “We’re just gonna rock on up and see about this-and-that.” So if any weird phrases are sprinkled around in my entry, you now know why.

We arrived on Sunday afternoon, as I mentioned before, to a shiny new bus terminal after a surprisingly short and painless bus ride from Banos. Our afternoon in New Town was fairly pleasant and didn’t feel at all like the scary, dangerous, terrible Quito we’d often heard about.

The next day we dove into the city and took the bus (about an hour and a half, switching buses once) to Mitad del Mundo, also known as the Equator. It’s funny because a visit to the equator actually involves visiting two different sites: the big, touristy Equator town/line/monument, and the neighboring museum that features the real, GPS-calculated equator.

Which hemisphere am I in ?

So first we visited the touristy one. It was kind of strangely deserted. I guess because it was a Monday? It was funny because we sat on the plaza in this big, empty town, eating lunch, and listening to this cheesy, tourist-town (think Disneyland) type music that they blasted over this empty town. It almost felt like a scene from a horror movie! Then we took the requisite pictures hopping from hemisphere to hemisphere over the “we-kn0w-it’s-not-actually-real” Equator line and in front of the big monument.

Then we left the little town and walked a few feet down the road to the Museo Inti Nan, site of the actual Equator, as calculated by GPS. (The first town/monument was erected in the 1960’s or something, before GPS, while this one was calculated and marked in the 90’s sometime, I believe.)

Museo Inti Nan and the real Equator

The museum was much more interesting than the previous place. It was kind of strange and different than I’d expected — all outdoors, and almost a bit hippie-ish looking! — but still impressive. We had an English guided tour included in the entrance fee. First he took us around to show us this little hut that was the home of the woman who first lived on the site, then to some areas showcasing random things: a shrunken head, along with a step-by-step lesson on how to create one, stuffed animals from the jungle, examples of different houses and burial tombs that the Shuar peopled used.

Then finally we were led to the (much less hyped than the tourist town one) line of the Equator. It was much less showy, but we again took pictures on it. Then they showed us some interesting experiments. There was a special two-sided sundial, a “which-way-the-water-spins” experiment (they had a movable tub that they first poured water down on the Equator – little to no spin – then on each side of the equator to show how it spins clockwise in the  northern hemisphere and counter-clockwise in the south), a stand-the-egg-up-straight experiment, and then one where you walk on the line with your arms out and eyes closed and “feel” the pull of the opposing forces.

Satisfied with our equatorial experiences, we made our way back to Quito and took some time to grab a snack in a cafe (just in time to head out into the daily afternoon rain), relax at the hostel, and head out to a late dinner. On the way home from dinner we were talking about how safe we felt in Quito, and how it didn’t seem nearly at all as scary or dangerous as people said, when of course we found we’d spoke too soon. Our hostel is only a couple blocks from the main plaza/tourist area, but we hadn’t realized we were walking down another street that was a bit more deserted.

This guy came up to us asking for money. I took my usual plan of action and just ignored him and started walking fast. Unfortunately, Lauren and Kassia either didn’t do this or were held back by him in some way, I’m not sure, but apparently he made some very threatening motions at Lauren and when I turned around to see why they hadn’t caught up to me, he was reaching out to grab at her. So I ran back and we grabbed each other and went into an open shop off the street. The guys there luckily came out and got the guy to go away, and we went back down the way we’d came (we were only a block from the main plaza) and walked around another way to get back to the hostel.

I guess because I had been ahead of them and hadn’t been bothered specifically by the guy and hadn’t seen how he acted toward Lauren and Kassia, I wasn’t that bothered by the incident. It was a bit scary, but not something I would have continued to think much of. But they were really almost a bit traumatized by it, and kept talking about it and how they were ready to just give him all their money. So after a while I started to get more freaked out by it too, and so now we’re all much more wary about being out in Quito.

TeleferiQo

Anyways, the next day we went with two Canadian girls from our hostel to the TeleferiQo, a big cable car that takes you up to 4,100 on a mountain to a place called Cruz Lomo. It’s supposed to be one of Quito’s biggest attractions, and guidebooks all describe it as a “dizzying, hair-raising, thrilling” ride. (They also say it’s $4, but it’s $8. Not a great surprise.) Well, that’s not exactly how I would describe it. I’d more say slow and fairly unexciting. It is really high though, I think one of the highest in the world, so I guess if you were afraid of heights it might be those things.

Kassia and I at the O2 Bar

And the views are pretty great from the top. The Aussies and I also spent a couple bucks to try 15 minutes at the oxygen bar. It was pretty cool, I’d always kind of wanted to try it but they’re pretty expensive (and not exactly common) so I never have. I can’t say that I really felt much difference — I’m guess the benefits they extoll about relaxing your muscles, increasing memory, awareness, etc. are probably more if you do it fairly regularly, but it wasn’t an unpleasant way to spend 15 minutes (and hey, maybe it did help with the altitude and I just didn’t have time to notice since we did it right away). Plus the O2 was “flavored” (scented?) so you could increase the levels of orange, or apple, or whatever the other one was.

Galapagos turtles, etc. instead of gargoyles at the Basilica del Voto Nacional

Then we took the TeleferiQo back down and took a bus to the Old Town. We visited the Basilica del Voto Nacional, which is this gigantic gothic church. It was really cool, with pretty spectacular, colorful stained-glass windows. The coolest detail for me was on the outside, where instead of gargoyles they had Galapagos turtles and lizards!

From there we walked into Old Town, grabbed lunch (this Krishna buffet lunch recommended in all our guidebooks, called Govindas, which was cheap but I really don’t recommend, unless you like the taste of dirt!), and explored a bit.

Plaza San Francisco

We wandered around the main plazas and saw the “dancing virgin” up on El Panecillo from a distance (we weren’t in the mood to take a taxi up and climb it). Then we headed back toward New Town so the girls could do a bit of souvenir shopping in the market.

By then we were all a bit exhausted, and I had to go pay for the rest of my Galapagos trip. I am heading out tomorrow, which is exciting! I managed to get an 8-day cruise for a little more than half of what it regularly goes for in Quito, and less than half of what it would be for someone booking it online! I also had to arrange for my flights, etc. It’s definitely going to be a pricey trip, but I think well worth it (especially since my boat does a unique itinerary that usually only luxury boats do, visiting the islands of Genevosa, Isabela and Fernandina, all of which are a bit farther our and less visited).

We ran into a Kiwi guy that has basically been a day behind us (ran into in Mancora, Cuenca, and Banos all previous!) and went out to dinner with him. So we felt a little better walking back with a guy after dinner

Today the girls went on a daytrip to Cotopaxi. I decided to pass as I didn’t want to be too exhausted for my early morning tomorrow, and I still needed to get some things out of the way (i.e. buying toothpaste, getting out even more money to pay for the Galapagos entry fees, etc., all that exciting stuff).

Me & Quito (from Cruz Lomo at the top of the TeleferiQo)

Being alone again felt really weird though. Even just wandering around by myself in the morning (which is also when it’s a little more dead, since the power is always out from 7-11am here as part of the mandatory blackouts), the difference in attention is jarring, compared to when I’m usually walking around with two other girls. Again it was back to everyone staring at me, yelling out things at me, etc. I will definitely be happy to get away from that when I leave South America.

So I haven’t spent a lot of time outside the hostel today, admittedly. There’s a bakery right by the hostel that I frequent for breakfast, and I visited a couple agencies inquiring about jungle tours (still have yet to find one that sounds interesting enough — and different enough from my time in Iquitos a couple years ago — to spend the time and money on), as I will have 10 days to fill once I get back from the Galapagos and I’d like to spend as few of them in Quito as possible! I also grabbed lunch near the hostel and have managed not to stray far from the main La Mariscal area.

Yeah, the equator is cool.

Quito has been really interesting, though. The Equator was cool, the TeleferiQo and Old Town were interesting enough as well. The city itself is just a bit intimidating, though. It’s just so huge, it’s not really somewhere I’d like to tackle on my own. I prefer cities that are more walkable and one-type-of-transportation-friendly (i.e. just a subway or something, instead of like here where there’s three or four different types of transport that aren’t at all connected.) I suppose that’s why I enjoyed La Paz (and of course Buenos Aires) so much. And why I pretty much only stayed in Miraflores in Lima.

Another thing to note about Quito is its diversity. There are people from a lot more ethnic backgrounds here than I’ve seen anywhere else in South America. Again, it also seems that people here (in Ecuador in general) dress more “normal” (aka like people from home).

I’ve also noticed that every time I see a couple with a young baby (of which there seem to be tons!), the man is always the one holding and carrying the baby! That’s something you never seen in Peru or Bolivia (or even Chile or Argentina that I can recall). It really seems like there’s just a bit more gender equality here than anywhere else. In fact, in Cuenca we even had a female taxi driver once. That’s been unheard of everywhere else.

So there are a lot of positives here in Ecaudor. And I’m sure it will quadruple in positives in my mind once I’ve done the Galapagos! It’s a shame now about some of the feeling of insecurity here in Quito, but I think even that will become a bit less intimidating in my mind once I’ve been back to being on my own for a bit. I’ve grown a bit soft and it’s been a bit too easy traveling with Kassia and Lauren for the past week and a half. I’ll harden up and get used to my solo ways again soon

But now we’re off for a farewell dinner before we part ways tomorrow and they head off for some adventures in Colombia. It’ll be at least 8 or 9 days before the next update, but I’m sure it’ll be worth it. Galapagos here I come!

Accomodation: Blue House Hostel – $7/nt for 6 bed dorm, shared bath – pretty good location, nice hostel (wifi, a couple weekly activities including a kind of expensive BBQ, it was pretty social the first night we were here but seems to be kind of hit or miss – a lot of people coming and going, just here before they fly out)

The week 11 team had a wonderful welcome at Miraflores today. The kids all sang their National Anthem for us – all three verses. Pretty impressive since I’d be lost after verse 1 of God save the Queen.  (I have just looked it up on the web and verses 2 & 3 are quite odd!)

We also had dancing. First the teachers danced for us and then we joined in with the kids – not a pretty sight but packed full of enthusiasm but little real talent. Strictly come dancing has little to worry about from us. Claire A has the video which we are desperately trying to stop her publishing!

The building work is coming along but there is still quite a lot to do so tomorrow will be an early start with the architect and then getting cracking with a long list of jobs.

Later in the afternoon we had a tour around Miraflores with all of us standing in the trailer being pulled by a tractor – great fun. We also went to the home & farm of the wonderful Gabriel. What a brilliant character he is.  Larger than life but small in stature – he seems to enjoy everything. He particularly enjoyed getting us to milk a cow, dip cheese in honey and stroke his llamas and alpacas

We also had a cake for Louise who celebrates her birthday today, plus three renditions of Happy Birthday (but the one from the children was probably the best).

On the way to the site we saw the sprawling city of Quito in beautiful sunshine. It was somewhat different on the way back where everything was shrouded in cloud. It’s quite an amazing sight to lose a city under a dense blanket of cloud.  It made for interesting driving too – especially one particular overtaking manoeuver.

Finally, one the way home we saw yet another example of the brilliant roadside wiring for power and telephones in Ecuador. (A photo for the IT people who think they have a tough wiring plan to follow!)

Looking forward to getting stuck into the work tomorrow but dinner calls…

Mark Ralf

(i-d) Fabián Landívar, Abe Suing y Aharon Yablon.

El jueves en la tarde, en atención a la invitación de Telecuador, asistimos a la presentación de Kramer Electronics – Latin America.

TELECUADOR - KRAMER

En el evento nos encontramos varios compañeros de la UTPL de VIA, Centro de Convenciones y Videoconferencias, pudimos saludar a Fabián Landívar, Gerente de Telecuador y conocer a Aharon Yablon, Director de  Kramer Electronics – Latin America.  Recibimos una sólida explicación de las “soluciones creativas, rentables y con un valor añadido para procesado de señal de audio video y señales gráficas” pero sobre todo aprovechamos para invitar a Aharon Yablon y Fabián Landívar a conocer nuestras instalaciones, nos dejaros buenas pistas de cómo y por dónde crecer para atender el desarrollo académico de la Universidad Católica de Loja.  Mención aparte debo hacer al brillante desempeño de Víctor Hugo Calle que se destacó en el seminario con sus respuestas oportunas y doctas a cada reto-consulta del instructor.

Visita de Aharon Yablon

No rain José.

By Alex Altman

By most standards the weather in Quito has been great lately. In a city where it usually rains every day, the past two weeks have been warm, sunny, and dry. I haven’t had to carry an umbrella with me (I’ve never seen a Quiteño don a raincoat) and the dryer air doesn’t fuck with my curls.  But I’d gladly schlep an umbrella and sport a frizzy fro if the lights would come back on.

Quito depends on El Paute, a giant hydroelectric power plant for most of its electricity. Water normally rushes through El Paute at a rate of 90 cubic meters per second. (I think that’s the unit.)  But since we’ve been without rain for two weeks, water has been trickling through at a 20 cmps.  The result is rolling blackouts, everyday, for about 4 hours blocks.  Quito’s normal state of controlled chaos has devolved into one of uncontrolled, frantic chaos. Guards clutch their guns a little tighter than usual.  With no stop lights, the roads have become a frenzied free for all. Come nighttime the streets turn eerily dark and everyone walking by becomes an obscure shadowy figure.  And there’s no “Strangers in the Night” Frank Sinatra romance to unlit Quito nights—it’s scary, especially at a time when crime is at an all time high.

I read in the paper that small businesses are losing $20 million per day, which is a lot in Ecuador dollars.  The city hasn’t begun cutting off power to the industrial centers but if the mini drought continues they’re supposedly next on the blackout list.

I never know exactly when the lights are going to go out.  Today “la luz se fue”—the light left, as they say here—during my guitar lesson.  My guitar teacher Carlos Piréz and I were in the middle of a rockin Cuban song but we played right through because you can’t stop the music.

A month ago the government doubled down on hydroelectric power, dropping $2 billion on a new hydroelectric plant to be built by the Chinese.  Hopefully they’re having second thoughts about that. If the government here were smart they’d buy lots of solar panels.  The UV rays shining down on the equator at 9000 feet are very strong and it’s a pretty safe bet that the sun will rise every day.

I find it hard to believe that a relatively modern city of 1.6 million people is at the mercy of the rain gods for their supply of electrons.  It sounds like very hopeful energy policy.  *Insert ad for “clean coal” here*

In the meantime, I leave the city of Quito with the lyrics to Mofro’s, “Pray for Rain”

Well the sky is ashy white ⁄ And the fields are burning bright/When all we love fades out of sight ⁄ Pray for rain ⁄ ⁄ The lake is going down ⁄ Lord to make a greener ground ⁄ For all the folks who live in town ⁄ Pray for rain ⁄ ⁄Pray Lord pray for rain ⁄ Pray pray for rain ⁄ ⁄Well the creek is going dry ⁄ And the towers are built so high ⁄ There the devil sits on high ⁄ Pray for rain ⁄ ⁄ The lake is going down ⁄ To make a greener ground ⁄ For the folks who live in town ⁄ Pray for rain ⁄ ⁄ Pray Lord pray for rain ⁄ Pray pray for rain

Estos son los racionamientos en Quito.
Y estos son los racionamientos en Guayaquil.

Agradecería una respuesta objetiva (si existe).

Tim and I had an encouraging, enjoyable, and we believe productive

time in Ecuador.  Our travel via air and land were rather uneventful

with the exception of riding crowded buses on some very steep grades

and crooked roads which, as you may have guessed, provided just the

right conditions for car sickness to abound all around us!  So much

for the fresh air of the Andes!

As planned our brother Juan met us at the airport and escorted

us to a number of meetings with indigenous church leaders.  The

various locations fleshed out quite a diverse group of church leaders.

Our first meeting was with a group from long established churches in

the Quito area.  They were very transparent as they shared that

continuing in the western model simply wasn’t reaching their people.

They were weary of attempting to keep lifeless machinery running.  Oh,

but what an excitement was revealed when they realized that programs,

buildings, and even American missionaries were not the answer but

rather the revealed Word of God.  Nothing is needed but a Holy Spirit

empowered implementation of the truths found therein.

Our second meeting was as if we were seeing firsthand the Book of Acts

fleshed out.  Brother Juan has laid a Biblical foundation of what the

Church should be.  The believers have eagerly taken hold and are

actively learning how to become a God reliant reproducing church.

The various meetings in the Puyo area revealed similar conditions.

Weariness seemed to accompany those who were exposed to the

constraints of buildings and program oriented ministries. On the other

hand, there was a perceivable excitement in the places were buildings

and programs were not the focus.  All, however, were greatly refreshed

and encouraged as they were again reminded that God has provided

everything necessary to see the Great Commission to its conclusion.

Our responsibility is simply to embrace and obey His teachings.

Our families, ministries, and work required this trip to come to a

conclusion.  Our thanks to each of you who prayed for us, our

families, and most of all the glory of God in our absence.

Thankfully His,

Tommy

Tiene uno de los lugares más tradicionales de comida en el Centro Histórico de Quito

En pleno Centro Histórico de Quito, en la calle Venezuela, a pocos pasos del Palacio de Carondelet y bajo la Iglesia de la Catedral, se encuentra el restaurante “El buen sánduche de doña Enmita”.

Este lugar ofrece variedad de platillos que se han convertido en una tradición quiteña y  especialidad de la casa como: sánduches, locro de cuero, seco de chivo; también se puede degustar dulces como colaciones, higos confitados, turrones, etc.

Está comandado por Enmita quien trabaja ya cuarenta años en el lugar y además enseñó a sus seis hijos a administrar el restaurante, es por eso que ahora todos tienen su propio negocio y también la ayudan a guiar el suyo.  

Enmita empezó  a trabajar a los seis años en Guayaquil en pleno centro de la urbe, donde su padre tenía un kiosco. Desde ahí no ha parado de trabajar hasta ver los frutos que cosecha hoy en día.   

Ella, todas las mañana se levanta temprano para hacer el pan, un pan especial de pura hierba que es servido con un buen pernil o queso de chancho, puede ir acompañado con un jugo de naranjilla, tomate o mora y la cuenta no será más de $2.50.  Es la combinación más sencilla y rápida de calmar el hambre.

Su receta no necesita clases de preparación y se ha convertido en el alimento infaltable de quienes pasan día a día por el Centro Histórico de Quito.   Javier Palacios, un cliente que va al lugar desde hace unos diez años, dice que desayuna y almuerza en el restaurante de Enmita, “como vivo cerca y trabajo en el Centro, siempre paso por aquí y hago el gasto, por las mañanas es un sánduche y para mi almuerzo un buen seco de chivo”, dijo.

El local es pequeño pero cómodo, además la atención y limpieza son muy buenas, es por eso y mucho más que tiene clientela fija y esporádica.

Un lugar que no puede dejar de visitar cuando vaya al Centro Histórico de Quito.

El Centro Histórico de Quito recoge a diario a miles de personas, él sin dudarlo encierra muchas historias, que lo hacen cada vez más un lugar que muchos no pueden olvidar.

Predicadores, fotógrafos, lustra botas, cantantes, y muchos más son los personajes que llenan a diario de color al lugar, cada uno de ellos lleva consigo anécdotas, experiencias, que sin temor alguno están dispuestos a contar a quien visita el centro.

Cada mañana como ya es costumbre, don Lucho como muchos lo llaman se encuentra recorriendo las calles del lugar junto a su fiel guitarra: “su señora” como el la llama, colorida y distinguida de la que sin duda los espectadores no pueden dejar de observar; por las fotos que en ella lleva pegada por ya largo tiempo.

Su favorita sin dudarlo la de Jesús, pues como el mismo lo dice es quien le dio aquel talento con el que ha hecho felices a muchas personas y con el que ha enamorado a centenares de personas.

La pasión por la música la tiene desde que era a penas un niño, su padre quien amaba tocar la guitarra le enseño sin dudarlo, y siempre le decía que esa era una de las mejores maneras de expresión que alguien puede tener: “haciendo música”, pues a través de ella, podría demostrar si estaba triste, alegre, o quizá solo conquistar el corazón de alguien si lo deseaba, y así lo hizo por ya varios años.

De un lado al otro, se lo puede ver recorrer las calles del centro histórico, canta lo que el público le pida, pero en lo personal prefiere aquellas canciones que enaltezcan la belleza de la mujer, de las madres, ya que al cantar para ellas recuerda el amor incondicional que su madre le tenía.

No duda en tener una conversación con quienes se detienen a escucharlo, encantado cuenta un sin número de historias de las que ha sido testigo en aquel lugar, y si alguien no le deja ningún centavo, sobre su mochila negra; igual agradecido eleva una bendición para ellos.

Solo, sin ningún familiar que lo acompañe, ha recorrido y seguirá recorriendo, hasta el último rincón del centro, hasta que su voz se apague y dios lo lleve para cantar junto a su padre en el cielo.

Don Lucho ríe cuando le preguntan que edad tiene, y solo dice: la edad que ustedes quieran, en segundo una vez finalizada su presentación decide marcharse hacía un nuevo lugar que aún no ha escuchado su voz.

EL ACOLITE EN QUITO Y EL MUNDO.
el acolite dicese del buen pana… que dijo …!!!??? el buen pana es el buen colega que te hecha un cable o te presta ropa … que dijo… !!!??? te presta ropa es lo mismo que hechar un cable o lo mismo que apañar… en fin aqui primero que nada estan monica y marcos, familiares de la ceci alli en barna, quienes me acolitaron a mi llegada aqui al ecuador y con ellxs comparti buenos momentos… nuenca es tarde para agradecer y un trozito de memoria en la red es lo minimo… grandes besos y felicidades para su espiritu y su gran familia.

EN LA SINTONIA DEL ENCUENTRO.
sobre la misma ella es Bea Y el es Lalo… creo ke ya los conocen… se han re-encontrado en quito tambien y seguiran viendose en el transcurso del año y el que viene en otras locaciones de este gran planeta… un beso para ambos que estan sintiendo la vida…

CATALAN,VASKA,SANTIASQUINO O QUITEÑO AVECES…
ellos viven en el mismo bloke… unos en el tercero y otros en el segundo… se conocen por la red y los nexos se van de fiesta y comparten la mesa muy amenudo… ellxs son: Mar,Marc,Elena,Lalo y Bea… todo esto en unos de esos momentosd ludicos y fotografiables luego de la pelicula horror picture show donde nos posesionamos de diversos personajes… salud y alegrias para todxs !!!

ETAPA GRAFFITTIS PARA QUITO.
Este pana el guille del ;MSP. ke trabaja en el depto de salud mental, esta acolitando a los guambras y mijinos del sur de quito,para sus acciones de graffiteadas y tocatas hiphoperas. el me invito a una serie de rayadas por esas zonas perdidas de la ciudad y desde alli hemos generado una mistad chevere y con actitud creativa. salud amigo !!!
y buen camino !!!

CONSTRUBICIS EN ACCION !!
Mas panas y buena onda.
de la materia biciclistica y a dos ruedas y sin motor, son gente que he conocido en mis ultimos tiempos aqui… que buen encuentro pero casi en las ultimas, ya que pronto retomo el viaje, pero quien dice ; “de lo bueno poco”. ademas me hicieron un puente con crosty de radio pedal que fue el chanse que estaba esperando…(WWW.RADIOPEDAL.COM estos lokxs estan chambeandose la bici desde rato y tambien la amistad con todxs quienes pasen por su taller, y por sobre todo acolitando a los viajeros de paso… pues ellos me permitieron hacer un mural de mi famosa bici-caballo en version chopper… asi ke ahi no mas una huella mas para la creatividad y la amistad… suerte por quito amigxs y por donde nos vayamos a rular… hasta pronto !!!

PRODUCCION DE G (a) RA (batos) BADOS
Volviendo a la palabra del dia ACOLITE !!! gritenlo fuerte ACOLITAR !!!
asi es la cosa me consegui un chanse alli en el museo; camilo egas y unos panas me dieron el espacio para imprimir despues de años sin hacerlo, el resultado es una estampa xilografiada,que recuerda el bici-viaje desde mexico a ecuador este 2009 que se nos va…
ya se estan difundiendo y viajando a diversas partes del mundo…. asi que soliciten la suya que se acaban !!!

MEMORIA PARA EL 26 Y 28 DE SEPT DEL 2009 EN QUITO.
Estas son 2 bicis blancas que hacen memoria de dos biciclistas caidos en esta ciudad a causa sin duda alguna de los respectivos conductores de automotores mal humorados y amargados que recorren esta ciudad. las fechas son lamentable muy cercanas … solamente se les recuerda sin haberlos conocidos, pero nuestras union es la cicla aqui o alli en cualquier parte del mundo… buen viaje y que la fuerza nos acompañe aqui y por alla… y no olvidar CHOFER QUE PITA VERGA NECESITA !!!

MUROS Y MUTACIONES Y MUTANTE !!!
este muro me lo permirieron y le di caña !! osea se transformo en un clasico pero con su respectiva cabeza de caballo… eso si el diseño en cuestion es una clasic ay melancolica chopper… que aun siguen existiendo por lo menos yo vi una este domingo rulando por las calles de quito… osea nos salimos del muro y entramos en las 3 dimensiones y alli el :
el divo mortal de mamá en su giro por las tierras amerikanas… the end !!!

LUPPUS CANNIS MESTIZO
No hay mucho que decir, cuando pueda aparecer que lo haga… ya esta… ahora en el sur de quito en; la manuelita saens,algo asi como; el bronx de new york
fuerza al espiritu y creatividades para el ser…

hasta la proxiam y cariños grandes
lalo desde quito 9 de nov en curso a eso de las 14:40 hrs con sol….