Archive for the ‘Culture’ Category

March 12th, 2010 - 6:54 pm § in Bolivia, Culture, Ecuador, Event

My Carnaval Experience in Bolivia

Carnaval in Bolivia lasts for the whole month of February, starting with previos (pre-party) until the burying of the pepino and beyond, as Bolivians keep drinking and partying. Here is a synopsis of my Carnaval experience in Bolivia. The Friday before Carnaval, I was working on Pro Mujer’s borrow[...]

March 11th, 2010 - 10:46 am § in Colombia, Culture, Good Ideas

Inevitable Stereotypes

As a gringo in Colombia, more often than not, you will be asked, “So what did you think of Colombia before you decided to visit?” Being objective, before you make the trip, cocaine cartels and violence will pop into your head to some extent. You may not mention this and opt for a more pl[...]

March 9th, 2010 - 8:04 am § in Culture, Event, Mexico, Nonprofit Spotlight, Op Ed

Without Corn There is No Country (Sin Maíz No Hay País)

“Maíz is life, it is happiness, it is parties, it is everything,” said Raúl, a campesino from the state of Hidalgo who we interviewed at the “¿Transgénicos? No, Gracias.” conference this week in Guadalajara.  “When the contaminated [genetically modified] corn came into our are[...]

March 3rd, 2010 - 10:16 am § in Costa Rica, Culture, Day in the Life

My Hips Just Don’t Move Like That

One of the biggest challenges of living in Latin America: dancing like a local. Even the most awkward adolescent boys can shimmy their hips in a way that feels physically impossible to me. Over time I’ve gradually resigned myself to the fact that I will never be able to dance like them. It would b[...]

March 1st, 2010 - 8:40 pm § in Country, Culture, Mexico, Op Ed

Neighborly Relations

“How can we improve the relations between the US and Mexico and be better neighbors?” Whoa. Big question, right? This is one of the questions we ask every interviewee in the documentary we are creating in Guadalajara, Mexico. US/Mexico relations are embarrassing and sad, and we want to help [...]

February 26th, 2010 - 4:24 pm § in Argentina, Culture, Day in the Life

Day in the Life: Gualeguaychú Carnival, Argentina

Last weekend, myself and ten other volunteers rented a mini-van to venture from our temporary homes in Córdoba to the province of Entre Rio to experience the grand spectacular Carnival parade, the largest such event in Argentina. Stocked up with our favorite local Bon o Bon chocolates and other tr[...]

February 24th, 2010 - 7:25 pm § in Culture, Nicaragua

“Can you help me with my homework?”

Three nights ago, while I was relaxing on the porch outside of my room, I received a surprise visit from a young man who I had met on several occasions but never actually spoken with. Without telling me why, he asked me if I could follow him. Naturally, I agreed. He led me to another young [...][...]

February 20th, 2010 - 1:21 pm § in Culture, Ecuador

Lo bueno, lo malo y lo feo

Teaching English to children in Ecuador has been a fantastic experience.  Most of the children are very eager to learn and I’m happy to be a part of their education. However, within my very first weeks here I noticed a very disturbing trend:  a  lot of the kids cheat.  At first I thought i[...]

February 19th, 2010 - 1:25 pm § in Culture, Good Ideas, Nicaragua

When Microenergy and Microfinance Meet

Part of my role at blueEnergy is to manage our two loans through our local microfinance institution. Who would have thought a portfolio of a little over $1,200 would be so challenging? Earlier in 2009, blueEnergy received funds to subsidize individual solar systems for two communities: Set Net Point[...]

February 16th, 2010 - 1:37 pm § in Colombia, Culture, Day in the Life, Event

Day in the Life: Barranquilla Carnival – ¡Quien lo vive, es quien lo goza!

The motto of Barranquilla’s Carnival, or Carnaval in Spanish, is ¡Quien lo vive, es quien lo goza! (literally, “Anyone who lives it, is who enjoys it”). Over the past month, life in Barranquilla has been turned upside down as people live and enjoy the start of the Carnival season. Sin[...]





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