Family and Children

Hi there all in the other world other than Ecuador,
Sorry that I haven't written in a while but I am nursing my broken ribs. Don't ask as it is a long and embarrassing story. It involves quads, enthusiasm and out of control Canadians both residents and tourists. Those Damn tourists. Anyway, I will continue on with the observations by an outsider of Ecuador's amazing culture.
There I was on the bus with my kids and on gets a husband and wife team with the 2 month old baby. The couple ended up sitting next to each other but not in the same set of seats. So the short of the long is that the husband sat next to me. It was easy to see that the wife was tired and her husband happily took the baby and the baby was a delight. But what was also delightful was his relationship with her and also how supportive the other passengers were. The baby didn't cry once. Now those of you who have travelled, remember the prayer to god to ask for the travelling baby to be on the next bus or flight. But here, it is rare to hear a baby cry.... ever. They are so loved and taken care of they don't cry. So this little baby with amazingly soft, jet black anti gravity hair happily slurped on her bottle and starred at all the lights. (Let's just all pray that her hair will discover gravity when she gets to dating age and this is only a condition which will be short lived and can be used for blackmail photos later.) Everyone around enjoyed the baby and the family interaction, all was natural and calm. Since the bus was hugely and grossly overloaded to the point where there was standing room only, a young boy stood next to them, probably 13 years old, was totally enraptured with the baby and also the joy of the relationship of the baby with her dad. Normally, when a young boy sees this in Canada, the rapscallion makes yucky and schuchy sounds soooo annoyingly that the other passengers want to band together ,old west posse style, and paste the kid on the front of the bus with duct tape similar to how red-necks mount the deer on the front of the 4 by 4 big dick truck. Here, family is number one. Although, many people think Ecuador is a poor country, (and to be honest in the financial world they are in comparison) they are rich in family and putting their children and family relationships first. I have to say though, that if this is a poor country there are absolutely no starving hungry anyone in the streets. This is for real. There is food everywhere and people also work for food here. You see happy,plump, playing children in the streets hugging and holding each other, sisters, brothers, friends its all cool. You will also see, however, kids walking together at night. This is unheard of in the 1st world and wealthy countries. But it is also important to remember that kids are taken care of by the community here. Let me be candid with you and say if there are perverts or problems the are kept hidden in the family or dealt with with impunity (with immediate ferocity and the vengence of the community would act quickly and sharply, kodoes to them) Soooo that said, I feel more secure for my kids, but if they or we travel at night without Rob, we take the dogs. The ecuadorian absolutely fear those dogs, to the point of allergy complete with shivers of fear and 3 foot standing jumps and those are the over 60 class. Each of our kids has a dog in their rooms at night, not for security but for love. Anyway I digress once again, the child was soo sweet and it was accepted and appreciated when I assisted the dad in retreaving her bottle or helping him wipe her face. We chatted and talked. Normally, in Canada, I would have been covering my ears and praying for it to end but the trip was shear joy and fun, and the parents would be looking at me as if I were a molester, pedophile or seller of children. Once again, I am happy to say that I live in this country and I am glad that the people here in Banos are soo nice and willing to be friendly.
Oh yeah, here's a little shocker though. Rachelle our lovely and hormonal daughter has brought home a truely nice young man. He showed up here tonight to ask for permission if it was OK to date Rachelle and if we would have confidence in him to escort her for walks. He also wants to introduce her to his mother. He lives in the nearby town of Ambato, and he would escort her to his house and escort her back because he doesn't feel she is safe alone and that he would take care of her. This is rather old fashioned but you know its really very nice. We, like all other parents love our children and it is nice to have others show us the respect and care for our dearest loves that we think that they deserve. You know, I thought it was a stuffy thing to do but I have to admit I like it. And me such a liberal thinker. In many ways, it is like stepping back in time about 50 years but it is very nice to have the modern conveniences with the old fashioned manners. And I thought Canadians were mannerful. Well they are when it comes to the pleases and thank you's and listening respectfully (we got the Ecuadorians beat here let me tell you) but the general manners are older fashioned. Rachelle does have to watch it though when she goes out a night though, as often the men think that all those "white chicks and guy's" like a piece of ........ and she resents that. Also in the movies, that come here imply that too. So there is a bit of a culture shock happening. She has really had to figure out what she really wants and what is interesting is she wants respect, caring and tenderness. At least so far, she is a teen so that can change in the wink of an eye. But so far soooooo good. Dane says (our 14 year old) that he wants to only have sex with the woman he marries. Right....... we will see about that idea when the hormones kick in. Any way, we are still alive and enjoying the moment.
We are also still confusing and amazing our spanish teacher. He likes the idea of how I am teaching the kids with expressing thought and ideas. The teachers here in general teach with lots of control and regulations enforced with rote teachings. Although he says he likes the questions, I don't know if he could loosen the strings enough for it to truely be possible. I don't know. Interesting questions and answers yet to be discovered.
I am enjoying the ride and the new discoveries.
Okey dokey, enough digressing and now it is off to bed.
Robin