Third World Living

So, I have been writing a lot about what I've been doing, bit I think that I should write about what I've been learning as well. I never really realized that I was in a 3rd world country until I left the city of Quito. Yes, Quito is not as nice as Chicago or an American City, but there is still enough wealth to make me feel comfortable. Cumbaya, where the USFQ is, is one of the wealthiest parts of the country. There are beautiful houses and lots of stores and restaurants. However, when taking my trips to the mountains to see a Paramo area, I saw how others in this country live. I am so fascinated by the way they make a living. Everything is much more simple, and less sanitary, yet, they look happy. When I asked my taxista yesterday if he had ever left the country, he said no. I'm not sure if he doesn't have the money, or the desire. I find it fascinating that so many people live in one place and never leave their whole lives. This man will never see snow, or see the US or Europe or any other place outside of Ecuador.
There was also a blind man today on the bus asking for coins. Grace and I felt bad because you can't give everyone coins, but we are in a 3rd world country, and its hard enough for anyone to have a good job, much less someone disabled.
Also, yesterday, I went to my friend's host family's house. They have a 19 year old daughter who is severly disabled. It was touching because I know what it is like to have a child with a disability in the house, however, this girl was much more severe than anyone I'd ever seen. She had very underdeveloped arms and legs. She didn't say anything, but made animal noises. She sits all day on a mat on the floor the family set up, and plays with baby toys. I really want to know what she has, but I didn't know if it was appropriate to ask the family. I do think that if she was in the US, she may have been in a wheelchair or have gone through some sort of therapy. I'm not sure if it is her disability or lack of services for the disabled that caused her to be in such a position. The family was very very loving towards her, and I am sure they have done everything they could to help her, but I don't know how much that is. Yet another reason I want to study genetic disorders.

I have realized how lucky I am to be growing up in the US where I have so many services available to me. Where I don't have to worry about someone pickpocketing me at any point in time, or if I can trust a security guard or not. So far, I have felt very safe here, but I do miss some parts of the US. I think this is such a great oppertunity to distance myself from material goods and anything I don't really need to spend my money on.
I leave for the Amazon Rainforest on Monday where I will have no hot water, minimal electricity, and only a few outfits to last the whole 3 weeks. It will be very humid and warm, and all I will have to do is research and learn. It is almost like a week of solitude.
After the Amazon, we will take a few more trips. I think that for Spring Break, I may go to the beaches or an island off the coast for snorkling. I haven't decided yet.
Today I have my meeting for my internship. I am deciding between a Nature Photography internship with a distinguished photographer, living in an indigenous community and researching their medicinal rituals and herbal medicines, or collected butterflies and beetles. I am pretty sure I will live in the indigenous village and incorporate the photography into it as well.
Well, I have to go to my meeting in a bit. Tomorrow I have my Spanish final and Friday we have our first Biology exam. I will be studying for the next few days...and catching up on all the reading I have yet to do.
Hasta la vista!