Hello All! Here is a blog that I wrote on September 28th, which would have been....Friday. So when you read it please imagine that it is Friday since I don´t want to go back and change things to past tense....

The Rainforest

One of my professors gave an amazing lecture about the ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon. In a few weeks I will be visiting the area for the first time in my life. I had avoided going there the last two years because I really dislike snakes. Still I am very excited and looking forward to the adventure.

My professor explained that the climate in the Ecuadorian Amazon is very different and complex compared to the climates of the other areas of the Amazon that exist within Colombia, Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. Long story short, because the Ecuadorian Amazon is so close to the Andes, when it rains the water from the Andes run down into the Valleys in the Amazon. Because of the area’s close proximity to the Andes the soil is more fragile and less fertile than in other areas of the Amazon in South America. In most Rainforests it takes on average around 20 to 30 years for the soil and land to regenerate after it has been clear cut. In the Ecuadorian Amazon it takes 65 years. Ecuador’s Rainforest is disappearing due to logging at the second greatest rate in the world. (Philippines’ Rainforest holds the top spot.)

My Professor also showed us a slide show (using old school slides, and a projector), and it was interesting to see the negative effects that the logging, oil, and mining industries have had on the Ecuadorian Amazon. It’s something that I haven’t focused a lot on before. The slide show affected me much more than the previous lectures. It really is quite sad. When you realizing how many diverse plants and animals live within the Amazon region, it seems crazy that it is just being destroyed for lumber, oil and gold.

Things get even more confusing when you factor in that the mining, timber, and oil companies have brought a lot of jobs to the region. People who work in these industries make on average 30% more than what they would make working at other more traditional jobs in the region. So to steal the words of George Michael from Arrested Development, it really is a tricky grey area. I think a lot of times it is easier for us to pass judgment on what is happening because we are not necessarily in the middle of it. I hate the fact that the Rainforest is being destroyed for capitalist gain, but at the same time I don’t want all of the families living in the region to loose their jobs. I’m not an expert by any means, but I think we need to try and find a more permanent solution to the problem.


On a lighter note, here is a conversation between my Professor and I regarding Anacondas:

Prof: “If you are next to one it will not be a problem. If you go swimming in the river and it is hungry, then it will eat you.”

Me: So first it wraps around you and it suffocates you, and then it opens up its mouth and sucks you in and then swallows you?”

Prof: “Yes, that is the idea.”

Prohibition Weekend

The election for Ecuador’s Assembly (Congress) is on Sunday, September 30th. Over the last few weeks there have been all kinds of parades, rallies, and people dressed in bright colors standing in the middle of the street telling you what political party to support. It sure has been an interesting sight. Alvaro Noboa (the banana tycoon and richest man in Ecuador) is running for party #7. The party of the President Rafeal Correa is #35. In total there is something like over 1000 candidates. And in Ecuador it is a legal obligation to vote. You won’t get thrown in jail if you don’t vote but you won’t be able to get a passport, renew your driver’s license or residency card, or even pay your power bill without getting in trouble and paying some hefty fines. Needless to say this Sunday is going to be quite chaotic in Ecuador.

Oh, another little fun tidbit of information, from noon on Friday to 12am on Sunday there is no consumption of alcoholic beverages in the country. That’s right it’s a dry weekend. All of the stores that sell alcohol which is every corner store, ice cream parlor, internet café, hardware store and grocery store in the country, is not allowed to sell any alcoholic beverages. All of the bars are closed, and if anyone is seen drinking or drunk in public the police will arrest you. The fine is only 40 cents, although you must spend 48 hours in jail. It kind of makes sense though (the prohibition on drinking, not Ecuadorian jail) because the government doesn’t want any crazy riots, or for political candidates to bribe voters with beer or rum.