Ecuador trip

[Traveller]

It´s early, so this isn´t well thought out.
This is the one annoying thing that I have found in Quito, so far. You have very young, say 18 to 20 year olds, and older folks, late 50's early 60's, trying to save the planet. Fine, a noble effort, I got no problem with that. But, I listened to some of these people this morning as they are preparing to go out to some protest, that they were at the Seattle and Canadian (don't remember which city) and how the organized blockades and such. They are all laughing and having a good time making their signs, like they are going to a party. Some were complaining that the Media doesn't cover the issues and only want to cover the violence and damage. Uh, anyone remember what Seattle looked like after the "peaceful" protesters got done with it. yes, I know there were basically two different groups. One for the issues, one for breaking stuff, but when you are all one big part of a mob in the same place, kind of hard to seperate the two.
These people who go out to jungle and go on nature walks to get in tune with nature and understand the plight of the rainforest. They go to native villages and tour programs for the poor of the city. Then, head out to the clubs, BABY! Come in around 2 or 3 in the morning like your basic garden variety drunk. Not all of them, mostly the younger crowd. Then plop down money for dance lessons. I had one of them admit to me that this was just a vacation for her, while she is getting grant money from her University. She figured she should do this while she has a chance, before she has to really start studying and get a job.
This bringme to another point that I have observed. Most of these people has I said before, are in their late teens or very early twenties or in the their late 50's or early 60's. Nobody 25, to say, 45. People who work and have obligations, like bills, mortgages, car payments, children, etc. As I listened to them talk about following the WTO meetings so they could protest, I realized, these people have nothing else to do.
But, I get a kick talking about the Gulf War and wiping out Iraqis for oil. Some of them look at me like my third eye has come out of my forehead. LOL!
It's just that I have seen these people on TV and this is my first time interacting with them and I find them to be somewhat hypocritcal.
So, I guess, if you are not in favor of these types of people or were in the military before, you might find these people annoying. For the most part they are nice enough people away from the "fight for the people" but it's when they try to explain they're politics that will get on your nerves.
Just my unqualified observation in Quito.
K..............................

[Cali vet]

... in response to Ecuador trip, posted by Traveller on Oct 31, 2002

Liberal/conservative politics aside going to Ecuador and hanging with a bunch of American tourists, young or old doesn't sound very appealing. I hope you make it to Guayaquil and can report. That should prove more interesting and Patrick has commented a few times on the girls' interest in gringos there.

[Traveller]

... in response to Re: Ecuador trip, posted by Cali vet on Oct 31, 2002

Ah yeah, about that. I looked it up and the cheapest room I could find was $34.50 uo to like $100. Must be an Intercontinental up there. My next trip I will head over there, the locals here have me curious. The reason I am in Quito is to get my work VISA then head back to Cali. Therefore, I am on a budget.
I get my Certificate of Good Health tomorrow.
If anyone is interested, I will let you know how that whole process goes. Providing I get my VISA.  LOL!

[Traveller]

... in response to Re: Ecuador trip, posted by Cali vet on Oct 31, 2002

Ah yeah, about that. I looked it up and the cheapest room I could find was $34.50 uo to like $100. Must be an Intercontinental up there. My next trip I will head over there, the locals here have me curious. The reason I am in Quito is to get my work VISA then head back to Cali. Therefore, I am on a budget.
I get my Certificate of Good Health tomorrow.
If anyone is interested, I will let you know how that whole process goes. Providing I get my VISA.  LOL!

[Ricky]

... in response to Ecuador trip, posted by Traveller on Oct 31, 2002

[This message has been edited by Ricky]

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[Ricky]

... in response to Ecuador trip, posted by Traveller on Oct 31, 2002

Just out of curiosity . . .what does your post have to do with anything similarly relating to the subjects of this board? I totally sympathize with you and agree with quite a bit . . .but what does it have to do with meeting someone special or even Latin America for that fact?

[AlexG32]

... in response to Re: Ecuador trip, posted by Ricky on Oct 31, 2002

I can only speak for myself, but even though the website is "planet-love" the choices for the forums are ASIAN, LATIN, AND EASTERN EUROPEAN...........NOT.......THESE FORUMS ARE ONLY FOR MEN WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MEETING WOMEN FROM ASIA, LATIN AMERICA AND EASTERN EUROPE!

[AlexG32]

... in response to Re: Ecuador trip, posted by Ricky on Oct 31, 2002

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[El Diablo]

... in response to Re: Ecuador trip, posted by Ricky on Oct 31, 2002


Patrick's the ultimate judge in these matters but I personally enjoy reading about some of the events that are happening in the countries we are looking for wives in.  I don't know where you've been but threads frequently get off into areas like this.  Anyway, by writing a post whose sole purpose is to question the relevancy of traveller's post,  aren't you breaking the very standard you set for him.

El Diablo

[littlebhuddha]

... in response to Ecuador trip, posted by Traveller on Oct 31, 2002

I spent 20 years in the military and fought in two wars. I applaud what these people are doing. So what! They are having fun doing something for this planet. If you take a look at who was in Seattle for the WTO most of them were either young or old. That is traditionally when people don't have the responsibilities that tie them down. What else would you expect? As for "wiping out Iraqi's for oil", it is very obvious that you won't be the one risking your life to "wipe out Iraqi's." The goal of going to war is to get rid of Saddam not civilians. I personally would appreciate it if you would keep your mouth shut when you travel abroad. You are making the rest of us look as narrow minded as you.

[Colonialjd]

... in response to Re: Ecuador trip, posted by littlebhuddha on Oct 31, 2002

Little Buddah,

What was your MOS?

Colonial

[Andean Condor]

... in response to Re: Ecuador trip, posted by littlebhuddha on Oct 31, 2002

[This message has been edited by Andean Condor]

That pretty much said very succintly what I wanted to express earlier when I read Traveller's tirade.

[AlexG32]

... in response to Well Said Bhudda!, posted by Andean Condor on Oct 31, 2002

"succintly" What is this word?

[burbuja2]

... in response to Re: Ecuador trip, posted by littlebhuddha on Oct 31, 2002

Do liberals preach tolerance for everything except conservative views?  Also, does being in the milatary give you a monopoly to express opinions on matters of war and peace?  I thought this was a civilian government rather than a military junta.  Do police and fireman have a right to express opinions?  A higher percentage of them are killed each year than military personnel.  What about people who were in the military but in non-line positions?  Hardly dangerous but still a sacrifice. May they express opinions?  I'm curious. Under your liberal elitist rules, who may express opinions and who has to "keep your mouth shut"?

[littlebhuddha]

... in response to Why Buuddha Why?..., posted by burbuja2 on Oct 31, 2002

Everyone has the right to express an opinion about anything. Suggesting that we wipe out a nation is not an opinion, it's just a ignorant statement. What is the difference between that statement and Al-Qaeda's desire to wipe out Americans? It puts them on the same levelAnd as for my military service, it earned me the right to question anyone that has not made the sacrifices that I have. I have earned my citizenship. It wasn't just handed to me on a birth certificate. We all owe our nation something. Only a few of us pay our debt. That includes firemen and law enforcement. Statements about wiping out a nation for oil remind me of the little guy who shoots off his mouth on the playground because he has a big tough buddy to take care of him. Shoot off your mouth if you are willing to back it up yourself. I just po'd that the first George Bush didn't finish the job when I was there the first time. We all wanted to finish the job so that our children wouldn't have to do it all over again. Saddam has to go, period. If it costs civilian lives that is the nature of war. However do not imply that your big tough buddy is going to wipe them out for you. If you beleive that then don't throw it on someone else. Do it yourself. If our nation goes to war it won't be to wipe out a nation it will be to remove a despot from power. I am not a liberal. Ronnie was my hero. I didn't agree with him on a few issues like the environment but he did more for this nation than any president in the last fifty years has. My problem with Travelers post is not his opinions but ridiculus statements that reinforce the ugly american image that so many foreign nations feel about us.