Only 6 days here and I really feel like I am in the Dominican Republic, with only the sea missing... Of course, both countries being 1/3 world countries, structures are bound to be similar. Many words are the same than in the DR whereas they are different in Spain, especially for food.
We find the same motos with up to 5 persons on it, of course wearing no helmets on; the same collective taxis or buses stopping wherever you want them to, cheap as; the same wandering dogs in the streets, barking at night;the same rubbish unfortunately thrown all over the places; the same roads with holes, bumps and no delimitation lines; the same crazy traffic, nobody respecting nothing, buses or cars getting past so close that you could get killed; the same shops selling of everything at the unit, all being stored in a tiny place; the same fruits sold along the road, all looking yummy; the same music loud as in the streets and houses, bachata, merengue, salsa; the same kind of houses, low ceilings, half finished with exterior terraces and people sat in plastic colored chairs watching what's going on outside; the same mobile sellers offering fast food, fruit juices...;the same pollution with exhaust pipes smoking like hell; the same comsumption of fried food and soft drinks; same sexy girls wearing tight trousers, high heels and blouses enhancing their breasts; the same tractors and cows on the road slowing down traffic; the same mosquitos biting you at dawn and dusk;the same ants invading your kitchen; the same disgusting huge cockroaches running in the house; the same religious fervour and variety of churches; the same tropical vegetation with mango, banana, cocoa, palm trees, rice fields;
We find the same motos with up to 5 persons on it, of course wearing no helmets on; the same collective taxis or buses stopping wherever you want them to, cheap as; the same wandering dogs in the streets, barking at night;the same rubbish unfortunately thrown all over the places; the same roads with holes, bumps and no delimitation lines; the same crazy traffic, nobody respecting nothing, buses or cars getting past so close that you could get killed; the same shops selling of everything at the unit, all being stored in a tiny place; the same fruits sold along the road, all looking yummy; the same music loud as in the streets and houses, bachata, merengue, salsa; the same kind of houses, low ceilings, half finished with exterior terraces and people sat in plastic colored chairs watching what's going on outside; the same mobile sellers offering fast food, fruit juices...;the same pollution with exhaust pipes smoking like hell; the same comsumption of fried food and soft drinks; same sexy girls wearing tight trousers, high heels and blouses enhancing their breasts; the same tractors and cows on the road slowing down traffic; the same mosquitos biting you at dawn and dusk;the same ants invading your kitchen; the same disgusting huge cockroaches running in the house; the same religious fervour and variety of churches; the same tropical vegetation with mango, banana, cocoa, palm trees, rice fields;
The only big difference is the people's physical appearance. Instead of being black, they are Indian, Afro-American, Montubios (population of Los Rios), and Mestizos... although some of them could be taken for Dominican!!! There's an incredible variety of people and I have been told racism is present here between different communities. One of the tasks of the Foundation is to try to work on this problem with the kids at school.
Another similarity is the people's generosity. Wherever I go, I am given the best bedroom, the biggest plate, special attention. People invite me at home and treat me like a princess, cooking for me food they usually cook for occasions only. The food is again very similar to the DR. I have already tasted yummy crab salad, fried plantain (tostones in the DR and patacones here), ceviche with shrimps, perfect cooked rice, corviche (grated plantain filled with onions and tuna), fish in sauce...
I am surprised to see so much solidarity amongst the poor. The people who are members of the Foundation are not rich, they are poor also, but usually not among the poorest. Most of them belong to the middle class in its lower range or to the lower class. However, they dedicate their time to this Foundation and also have an attitude outside showing a great respect for people, whoever they are. Giving lifts in cars, offering food to the needy ones. For example, Ester, Oscar's wife, is being helped at the library they own, and in turn gives the woman ingredients for her to cook dinner for her family, so when Ester finishes work, she usually comes back home with the dinner ready.
People always gives you a kiss at school to say hello, kids or teachers; they also always say thank you after eating when leaving the table. When driving, they always tuck the horn to say hello to somebody they know. Neighbours do not hesitate to visit each other or ask for an ingredient they need. Oscar never closes his house's door... it does not mean there are not robberies but still, it is quite unsual for me.
Family is important. Kids often live with their parents till late or adults stay with their parents even when having their own family. The money is not the main reason for not cutting the link with the family. It's more that people love staying with their family, even if lots of Ecuatorian left the country to find work in Spain, mainly Madrid or Barcelona. Those living outside the country sends money every month to their family in Ecuador.
Prices of food here are pretty cheap for us, of course as they depend on the income level. $0.10 for an individual bread, $3 for a pound of shrimps, $2 for a pound of meat, $1 for an ice-cream Magnum, $0.50 for one pound of tomatoes, $1 for one pound of onions, $0.30 for one pound of rice, $1 for a papaya weighing 4 pounds, $1 for a melon, $0.50 for 4 pounds of bananas, $1.25 for 20L of drinkable water...
The average wage is $240 here. They pay $3 to $6 for water per month, $8-10 for electricity, $3 for gas.
50% of the families own their own house. A house rent costs $100 per month for a 2 bedrooms place.
Like in the Dominican Republic, people live a lot outside the house and have a different rythm, pretty relaxed. Still, they get up very early, at 5am, like the roosters that sing and join dogs in their early concert... no wonder why people get up really with all this noise! CThey consequently usually go to bed around 9 or 10pm. At 5:30 am, the baker tucks the horn in the streets for people who want bread. Then the newspaper is being distributed to people's house. The milker also offers his products at your door. It's a bit like in our countryside 30-40 years ago.
The weather has been so far the same everyday. Rainy in the morning with sometimes heavy tropical rain at night, then it clears up and sun shines a bit through the clouds showing some beautiful mountains and green patches on the way back to Montalvo. It's still the winter here till May so I'd better get used to this grey sky...
Next should be visits to some mothers of the kids at their home. It will be a good opportunity for me to check their conditions of life. See you later!
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario