I bathed in a bucket yesterday. I ask you to think for a second about the logistics of a 6 foot 1 inch full-grown man attempting to wash himself in a round bucket the size of a...well a bucket. I couldn´t sit and it was awkward to stand in it, so I kept jumping in and out splashing the soap off myself looking like a bear playing with salmon, except the bear had the luxury of a river (never thought I´d be jealous of a bear in a river...) It took longer than a shower and I probably went through half a bar of soap with my inefficiency but in conclusion, I am pretty proud of myself. It´s not very often you get to learn something basic in life again like bathing. My deep thought for the day is on the topic of evolution. When people evolved from river or lake bathing to bucket bathing, I would have stuck with the body fo water and waited the few thousand years for the advent of the shower. Just me maybe.
From that you may conclude that I have commenced life with my Ecuadorian family. I do kind of feel like a smarter deeper version of Paris Hilton on the Simple Life.
We have a pig named Chanchito (it just means small pig, they explained that they don´t like to name animals because it´s bad luck when they have to kill it and eat it, I sort of agree when it´s put that way), rabbits (for fried rabbit), guinea pigs (only to be eaten on special occasions, whoohoo!!), chickens (2 of which are getting the axe on Thursday for Camari´s 5th birthday, what better way to say Feliz Cumpleanos than with ritual animal slaughter), and fruits and veggies galore.
Granted, there are many benefits. I get fresh fruit juice from the garden, eggs do taste better sraight from the hen, I can see how everything is prepared (ok, maybe that one isn´t a benefit), and it makes you appreciate the simpler things in life.
The family is comprised of Segundo (the father), Maria Ester (mother), Kuri (12 year-old son), and Camari (4-5 year old daughter), and a whole host of extended family members. There is a family compound sort of thing where everyone lives next door to one another and shares the fruits, veggies, and animals. The family lives on the hillside overlooking Otavalo at about 10500 feet. It is chillier than town but the view and tranquility make it worthwhile (until I have to pee at 3 am which involves unlocking the gate and walking to the toilet outside next to the chicken coop). This family is the most powerful in town (but town isn´t exactly big). They own one of the three town stores, Segundo´s sister is the community president, and some people refer to Segundo as ¨Don¨ Segundo.
At this point, you may be wondering why this post stars Antonio and not Kent. Well, Ecuadorians have a serious problem with a one syllable name like Kent. They want to say Kentino or Kentinio, etc. I gave up and decided it would be best for everyone if I had an easier name for them to use. The only K names are for girls so I have officially moved to one of my middle names for help. Anthony has become Antonio, my new name for the next 5 months.
On an important side note, I found a guy who thinks he will have my camera fixed by tomorrow, after which I will take and post lots and lots of pictures of the new homestead and family.
Love
Antonio
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I love the new name...it goes well with the manly beard you're sporting.
ReplyDeleteGood luck getting the camera fixed!
Jamie
a tip: dont stand it the bucket. get a cup, pour the water on you while standing outside of the bucket, and then smack yourself for ever standing inside the bucket. and, if you feel ritzy, boil a pot of water and mix it in with the regular water in the bucket. its almost like home.
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