Overall work is going really well and moving much more quickly than in Bolivia. I've already completed about 20 legislative interviews and I'm near the end of my list. So far, no former or current presidents. However, I've met with all of the top leadership (except for one person - the president of the chamber) in the legislative assembly and I've met with almost every legislator who has currently departed from his/her political party to be an independent (which is kind of a big deal). Things started off somewhat slow while I was adjusting and figuring things out, but I know my way around the assembly now. I have a couple tricks up my sleeve that help me get around security and get to the legislators. The chamber overall is built like a fortress, you need an access card to get through every door. But, apparently the card is unnecessary if you use the fire escape stairs that are outside the building and access each floor from the external stairs. Who would have thought? Science!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Historic Center
I've unfortunately been exhausted the last few weekends and haven't been able to enjoy much of Quito. Most weekends, my friends and I go out to eat for lunch and usually have dinner at their place, but we really haven't had much of an opportunity to travel around. However, last Saturday we made an evening trip down to the historic center. Quito has a very well preserved colonial district that is absolutely amazing, full of traditional streets, homes, and beautiful churches. I briefly roamed around last weekend during the day and the place was absolutely dead. Apparently, the time to visit is on Saturday night. We had a good time eating and joking around.
Overall work is going really well and moving much more quickly than in Bolivia. I've already completed about 20 legislative interviews and I'm near the end of my list. So far, no former or current presidents. However, I've met with all of the top leadership (except for one person - the president of the chamber) in the legislative assembly and I've met with almost every legislator who has currently departed from his/her political party to be an independent (which is kind of a big deal). Things started off somewhat slow while I was adjusting and figuring things out, but I know my way around the assembly now. I have a couple tricks up my sleeve that help me get around security and get to the legislators. The chamber overall is built like a fortress, you need an access card to get through every door. But, apparently the card is unnecessary if you use the fire escape stairs that are outside the building and access each floor from the external stairs. Who would have thought? Science!
Overall work is going really well and moving much more quickly than in Bolivia. I've already completed about 20 legislative interviews and I'm near the end of my list. So far, no former or current presidents. However, I've met with all of the top leadership (except for one person - the president of the chamber) in the legislative assembly and I've met with almost every legislator who has currently departed from his/her political party to be an independent (which is kind of a big deal). Things started off somewhat slow while I was adjusting and figuring things out, but I know my way around the assembly now. I have a couple tricks up my sleeve that help me get around security and get to the legislators. The chamber overall is built like a fortress, you need an access card to get through every door. But, apparently the card is unnecessary if you use the fire escape stairs that are outside the building and access each floor from the external stairs. Who would have thought? Science!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
A Little Break
Last Saturday started the four day weekend. In preparation for Lent, the people demand a few days of partying. My party didn't start off to great ... Friday night I didn't fall asleep until 5 in the morning on Saturday because of a brutal stomach bug and, as a result, I slept most of the day on Saturday. I quickly recovered, although not fast enough, and was back in business on Sunday.
When I enjoy some down time, I generally pass it with a professor, at the institute where I'm a visiting researcher, and his family (wife and two-year old child). They generally take me to some seafood restaurant on the weekend and then we take a small trip somewhere ... nothing big, just the middle of the Earth and back! Sometimes we just eat dinner at their place. They're a fun bunch and we keep ourselves entertained. Last week we planned a good ole BBQ at the national park to enjoy our Monday holiday - agreeing to get as much work done as possible so we could actually relax on Monday and get back to business on Tuesday. The little stomach bug didn't help my situation out, but I did what I could.
Two of their friends (a couple) joined us and we had a blast. We started grilling at midday and just hung out for about 6 hours. It was pretty great and relaxing. We came prepared with plenty of food and wine - enough to keep the conversation at an endless flow. As you can tell, we enjoyed ourselves. Santiago, the professor, is on the right and his wife (Heidy)---she's an economist---is on the left with their child Matius.
Towards the end of our little celebration David, the other guy, took me over to the edge of the park and showed me the incredible view of the east side of the city. I had been sitting in the patio space for about 6 hours and had no clue that I was so close to this sight. As you can see, it's insane!
When I enjoy some down time, I generally pass it with a professor, at the institute where I'm a visiting researcher, and his family (wife and two-year old child). They generally take me to some seafood restaurant on the weekend and then we take a small trip somewhere ... nothing big, just the middle of the Earth and back! Sometimes we just eat dinner at their place. They're a fun bunch and we keep ourselves entertained. Last week we planned a good ole BBQ at the national park to enjoy our Monday holiday - agreeing to get as much work done as possible so we could actually relax on Monday and get back to business on Tuesday. The little stomach bug didn't help my situation out, but I did what I could.
Two of their friends (a couple) joined us and we had a blast. We started grilling at midday and just hung out for about 6 hours. It was pretty great and relaxing. We came prepared with plenty of food and wine - enough to keep the conversation at an endless flow. As you can tell, we enjoyed ourselves. Santiago, the professor, is on the right and his wife (Heidy)---she's an economist---is on the left with their child Matius.
Towards the end of our little celebration David, the other guy, took me over to the edge of the park and showed me the incredible view of the east side of the city. I had been sitting in the patio space for about 6 hours and had no clue that I was so close to this sight. As you can see, it's insane!
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