Pushing my Comfort Zone

Alright readers, brace yourselves.  I am gonna drop a little introspection on you in this one!

So in the six weeks we have been traveling (count em, 1,2,3,4,5,6, double the 'accepted yearly equivalent' of 'a lot' of paid vacation time in the US) I have had a lot of time to think about a lot of things.  The past, the future, my career, my hobbies, nature, traveling, each place we visit, but most importantly I have thought a lot about myself.  I have tried to drill down on what makes me tick: what I like, what I don't like, and what I am passionate about.  You know, those deep cliche questions that we don't have the time to address in our day to day lives as we rush from our house, to work, to the gym, to the grocery store and home again.  I would like to share what I have come to learn thus far.

I was not looking forward to South America.  Before we started I truly wanted to go right to Europe and begin our trip there.  I was not sure why, but the thought of visiting South America (aside from the Galapagos) made me truly uncomfortable.

I now believe I know why.  I didn't know a lot about Ecuador or Peru, and due to that fact alone I envisioned it as a dangerous place with none of the refinements that I felt I needed to feel comfortable.  I had heard that we could be mugged in certain places we were going.  I also knew that most of where we would be in S.A. is considered a developing nation and although not totally clear on that term, I didn't like it.

This led me to my two first realizations.  I have come to realize that I like the United States and New York for all of the things you can expect as a citizen.  For instance, I like sitting on my couch browsing Amazon for things I don't really need on my iPad as I watch Blu Rays on my over sized TV all while eating chips and salsa.  I also like the accessibility of everything.  For example if I want a ham at 3:30 in the morning, I can cruise over to Wegmans, buy one, and go home and bake the thing!  Secondly, I realized that the excess in the US is out of control.  Why is it necessary to build a brand new building for a McDonalds or Starbucks when there are so many abandoned strip malls and buildings.  In addition, why the heck do we have a CVS across from a Walgreens across from a Rite Aid, across from a Starbucks across from a Starbucks, across from a McDonalds across from a McDonalds?!  I am at a loss as to a reason for this.

Upon our arrival in Guayaquil, Ecuador, I immediately felt uncomfortable.  I realized later after arriving to several other new places at night, that this REALLY throws off my perception of a place.  I tried to nip this feeling of discomfort in the bud as I didn't want to spend four months of my life in 'uncomfortable exploration'.  I talked with Andrea a bit during our first day in Guayaquil and was able to find some relief in this discussion, coupled with a quote from a friend's Facebook page.  The quote read as follows, 'Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone.'  There have been several times that this saying has rung true, insert realization number three.  The discomfort of something new, something different, something you may be unsure of, is nothing compared the benefits you reap when you put yourself out there and go for it!

A brief story to reinforce this point.  We were in Quito, Ecuador, and me being sick took away from a lot of my experiences there.  However, it was our last night and I was feeling better.  Andrea had taken care of me while I was sick, and had been itching to do something.  She had read in an Ecuador guidebook that there was this neat street named Calle La Ronda in the 'Old Town.'  This was apparently a narrow street that had a ton of character with loads of restaurants and shops that were great to visit at night.  She had also read that the 'Old Town' was not safe...at night.  Commence discomfort.  I was just getting over being sick, and that night she wanted to head to the part of Quito that wasn't safe...at night?   I know a few of you (my closest friends) are probably like, 'Seriously Drew, grow a set, who is the woman in this relationship?'  I have this to say to you:  'I have a set, now shut up and leave me a lone.'  Anyways, away we went.

It was awesome.  The street was beautiful, with unique shops selling Ecuadorian wares and foods.  Doorways that led through buildings and into beautiful courtyard restaurants inside.  What a sight!  We had the best meal of our stay in Quito, bought some overpriced chocolate, and settled down in a cafe for hot chocolate (cocoa with chili).  We were enjoying our time in the cafe when we were approached by a girl no more than seven years old trying to sell us something.  We reluctantly told her we were not interested, and she eventually walked away.  A woman nearby told us, it breaks her heart to see the young girls selling candy and cigarettes on the street, but if you buy things you are just reinforcing this practice.  We began talking with this nice woman, and came to find that she was from Peru, but now lived with her husband and kids in Minnesota.  She was ecstatic to hear that we were headed to Peru the next day and wasted no time in providing us with a list of 'Must Do/Must Try'  items in Peru.  We thanked her, exchanged contact information, and parted ways.  You really miss out on these experiences if you can't step out of your comfort zone.  (Side note:  We are happy to report that we have tried just about every suggestion she gave us, and each one has been amazing!  Thank you Jessica!)

All in all, I have come to realize a lot about myself.  I realized on our last big trip in Australia that if I have to travel on a boat after dark and the seas are rough, I may throw up.  Therefore, working on a boat may not be my best option.  I realized on our trek to Machu Picchu, that an adventure guide, although it may mean you are climbing mountains and hiking all the time, you WILL do the same trip four times a month in rain or sun.  In addition, if you are a guide on a certain trek and you have four jerk clients you are stuck with four jerk clients for four days!  No thanks, I will hike and climb on my own accord.  I've also reinforced to myself how important nature is to me, and would like to find ways to get more involved with preservation.  Lastly, but not least, I have really come to believe that I am truly happy with the career I have chosen for myself.  I am a Registered Landscape Architect.  I get to create places that will be enjoyed by people for years!  I get to be creative, solve problems, and provide solutions that work in harmony with the environment.  Now that is pretty cool.

So the moral of the story is, if your put yourself out there every now and then (and yes mom and dad, within reason) you may not only get a heck of a lot in return, but you may just learn something about yourself too!

                                               

The Galapagos and Garbage?!

Backing up a little to our entrance into the Galapagos.  I, as I believe most, had the idea that all areas inhabited or not within the Galapagos would be clean, beautiful, and pretty close to perfect.  Although this is the case in a lot of the National Park many areas where people are living are plagued by waste.  It appears as though tourists are more educated and have more respect for the fragility and beauty of the islands than those who live there.  For instance on our 2nd day on San Cristobal we saw discarded beer bottles along the waterfront promenade and a baby sea lion walked right through them.  It was a heart wrenching site.  In addition local men seated near a restaurant where we ate one day opened beer after beer and threw the bottle caps into the street, extremely sad.  I can't stand seeing people litter, and in a place as pristine and unique as the Galapagos, this disgusts me even more.

While in San Cristobal, we had a decent amount of rain.  These rain storms really showed the extent of the garbage and the impact on the adjacent coast and wildlife.  As the storm systems in the islands are not equipped to treat stormwater before runoff meets the ocean, any and all waste that is on the streets and sidewalks finds it way into the storm structures into the pipes, and consequently right into the ocean.  It is extremely sad to see sea lions, turtle and crabs wading around through muddied water filled with debris.  As sea lions are incredibly playful, when they see things floating in the water they automatically assume it is a toy. This can prove harmful when this item is a paintbrush that has fallen off of a boat, or as in the picture below a colorful shopping bag that has become stuck around the sea lions neck.

Shopping Bag Stuck around Sea Lion

On our dive trip the crew told us they had a 'surprise' for us one day.  This turned out to be an hour stop for us on the nastiest beach near the Coast Guard station while the boat refueled.  We arrived to the beach via two dinghy's and the people in the first dinghy literally pulled a sea lion free from a giant plastic sheet that was floating in the water.  There were several sea lions on the beach and a couple in the water, so despite the fact that there was as much garbage floating in the water as you would find in a Wal-Mart dumpster we were all about snorkeling with the sea lions (possible source of ear infection?).  You can get an idea of the garbage from the pictures below, but to see it in person is truly sad.

Sea Lion in Garbage Laden Water

                         

Sea Lion and Garbage on the Beach

                         
In closing, if more, or better yet all, of the local people could be better educated of the fragility of the ecosystem they live amidst the security of this pristine place would be much better off.

Doctors and Hospitals in Quito

Greetings from Quito, Ecuador.  I apologize to those that have been keeping up with my blog for the length of time since my last post.  However after 6 types of medicine, a local remedy (Te de Coca, tea from the leaves of the cocaine plant), a visit to a local doctor, a visit to the local hospital, and $140 later I believe I am (finally) on the mend.  I developed some ear issues while diving that quickly escalated to extreme pain.  I was able to take Amoxicillin in the Galapagos and that helped significantly.  Upon arrival in Quito, slight pain in my ears returned accompanied by an unrelenting headache, and extreme fatigue.  I assumed it was the extreme change in altitude but went to the doctor just to be safe.  I was told that I still had an infection and my Eustachian tubes were inflamed   I paid him 20$ cash and walked out with a script for 2 medications.  I began taking the medicine immediately, but after another day and a half of increasing severity of the pain I decided to hit up the local hospital.  You know some people collect shot glasses from their travels, and others t-shirts.  Me, I go for medicine and local medical clinic visits.  I have a feeling most of you would be quite surprised about the facilities in an Ecuadorian hospital.  The doctors and nurses care greatly although they are limited in english, and the facilities are clean modern.  The son of the owner of our current hostel accompanied us and was very helpful in relaying symptoms en Espagnol to the 2 nurses and 2 doctors that checked on me.  They determined that my infection was still bad and the medicine I had been given thus far was insufficient to combat my issues.  SOOO, the remedy?  The nurse, a grown woman, told me she was going to have to give me 2 shots...in my butt.  Do you remember that all you 6 year old selves out there, shots in your butt?  I have to emphasize the grown woman/ nurse thing because she giggled and acted almost embarrassed in having to do this.  Heck, I did not care a single bit.  You can do whatever you want if it is gonna make me feel better.  So about 20 minutes after the shots they brought me 3 types of pills and a bill for...$106.83 (this is my total bill for about a 2 hour hospital visit, 2 shots, and the 3 types of medicine).  I believe I would be looking at least a grand in the states...with insurance.  So there you have it, a detailed account of my past few days in Quito.  We have done a little sight seeing, but it is hard to enjoy it while your head is throbbing.  Hopefully things will be totally better now, and my blogging can return to its semi-educational, semi-satirical manner.  Ciao.

A Landscape Architect in Ecuador-Spanish, Playgrounds and Interior "Design"

Guayaquil, Ecuador

Hola from South America. Today has been a fairly low key day as our delayed flight got us into Guayaquil around 12:30. We found our accommodations to be less than desirable (read: pretty terrible), however what do you expect for 20 beans a night. At least there was AC. Its hot down here. Our room is directly adjacent to the on ramp for a motorway and this led to an increase in noise as morning came. The 'piece de resistance' was the influx of noxious exhaust fumes being pumped into the room as the morning hours wore on. I love the smell of fossil fuels in the morning!

We spent our day wandering around the Malecon 2000 (www.malecon2000.org/) which is a very impressive (and long) riverfront park. It has small restaurants, many water features, small ponds, manicured and natural gardens, and tall overlooks that you can climb to check out the water and the city. There are two playgrounds along the Malecon and needless to say Ecuadorians do not share our same affection for playground fall surfacing or safety regulations in general. To this end, can anyone see anything that could possibly go wrong in the picture below.

There is No Ecuadorian Equivalent of OSHA...Just Sayin'

Pea Gravel Fall Surfacing for the Playground

Angled Planting Beds

Malecon 2000 from Tower Platform

Cerro del Carmen

In addition we walked inland a bit to explore the city further and climbed up to see the Cerro del Carmen. This plaza sits atop a small foothill overlooking Guayaquil and the 30' tall statue of Christ keeps a watchful eye on the city folk.  After a long day of walking and sitting, and eating and walking, and sitting some more, we reluctantly made our way back to our room for showers and prep for tomorrows early flight to the Galapagos. Andrea took the first of what was to be 2 cold showers.  I looked around the room to soak in the beauty of the situation. Brown 'rag roll' painted walls with painted cracks to make it look ?older and ? more ?worn down in here? (yes the ? were intentional it was my brain not computing). There was a puke green 'rag rolled' wall as an accent. An 18" Samsung CRT Television hung from a steel bar protruding from the aforementioned brown wall. What a site! That brings us to the bathroom. A toilet, sink and shower within about 5 square feet. The sink was the size of about half of a large water melon, and there was something odd about the shower. I noticed 3 wires extending from the wall into the shower head. Now I may be no electrician, but I do believe that people try not to combine electricity and water. No such concern here. These wires provided power to, what I am guessing, is a mini heating element within the shower head. Whatever the case may be, as I adjusted the shower head to prevent 90% of the water from shooting out of the side of this thing I got zapped, arm numbingly zapped not once, but 4 times. Good grief. Here is to a good night sleep and off to the Galapagos in the morning. Adios.

Tiny Sink

Electric Showerhead?!