Patrick Furlong attended Loyola Marymount University, where he was the co-founder of a popular service organization called Magis. As graduation neared, he became a bit too obsessed with Peace Corps infomercials asking how far he would go to answer life’s calling and before he knew it, found h[...]
Archive for the ‘Ecuador’ Category
June 18th, 2010 - 11:00 am § in Around Town, Ecuador
Homecoming
I expected re-entry into the US to be somewhat difficult when I came back from Ecuador. Standard wisdom says it’s harder to come back home than it is to go abroad. Certainly that was my experience when I lived in Japan—it was difficult getting used to the tightly controlled chaos that is Tokyo. [...]
May 7th, 2010 - 10:15 am § in Around Town, Ecuador
Confessions of an Urban Volunteer
There are certain things I know I like to have in order to be happy: ample exercise, a variety of foodstuffs (with lots of fresh fruits and veggies), and a network of interesting and intelligent friends who I can speak to in English (much as I hate to admit it). How many of those things would [...][...]
It’s Been Nice, But You Can Die Now
I suppose stomach parasites were inevitable. I was careful; despite my environmental convictions, I allowed my roommates to talk me into only drinking bottled water (we buy it in big bottles, I promise!). I didn’t open my mouth in the shower. Yeah, I brushed my teeth with tap water, but I spit tha[...]
Watch Out For What, Exactly?
Before I left for Ecuador, a friend of mine told me, “Now, Lizzie. Remember what I’ve always told you about Latin American men. The will harass you on the street. They will harass you in the clubs. Don’t go anywhere with one by yourself. Buy your own drinks. And above all, don’t trust any of[...]
Coming to the U.S. “Sin Papeles”
During my time in Ecuador, I have met a number of people who came to the United States to work sin papeles, or as undocumented workers. The current debate about immigration in my country is just as heated as ever, so I won’t get into the politics of immigration. I’ll just tell you what I[...]
March 29th, 2010 - 3:59 pm § in Ecuador
Saying Goodbye to Ecuador
Incredibly enough, I have finished my six month volunteer and work experience in Ecuador. I have mixed feelings of sadness to leave this great country, and excitement to return home to see my family and friends. All of my various work and volunteer experiences here absolutely gave me a true feel[...]
At Some Point I Became Lorena
When I first arrived in Ecuador everyone wanted to call me Lorena, but I was very adamant about the fact that my name was LAUR-EN. Not Lorena. I felt that I was making an effort to pronounce everyone’s names correctly (I wasn’t calling José “Joseph” just because thatR[...]
