commentary on television in Ecuador/my schedule

Some of the better graffiti I've seen around. Mostly you find text related to Rafeal Correa being some kind of dictator, or father of the country, or leader of Farc, or wonderful leader, etc.

So, every night when my host family and I sit down to dinner, if Braulio the 13 host brother of mine is home, the TV will be on. They only have a few channels that don't always work great, but you can count on one of a few shows to be on.

There is the Simpsons, dubbed into Spanish, and usually the humor is lost on me, without the real voices simpsons just ain't the same.

There is the news, which is a mish mash hodge podge of everything under the sun, although the majority lately is related to the upcoming vote on the new constitution. Correa in Guayaquil, Correa with the miners, Correa in Quito, etc. His adversaries will be reported on and various events related to Chavez. The rest of the news ends up beingsub-par reporting on this or that natural disaster, the olympics (an ecuadorian won the silver medal in speedwalking, and that was much talked about), or the US presidential race.

Then, the favorite, the telenovelas. The most popular one (at least the one watched most frequently) is called Cómplices (accomplices?) and is made in Colombia. I wonder how all characters in the show, being as wealthy and outrageous as they are, survive with the Farc around. I've heard they just get carted around everywhere with military personnel. Hmm...

without a doubt, my favorite title of a telenovela translates into "Without tits, there is no paradise." Unfortunately it is the story of a girl caught up in the drug trade to raise money for breast implants. I really have not seen a respectable female character on any of these shows, they are either overly emotional, completely idiotic, or vicious back stabbers. Ah well...

On another note, I think (hope, pray) my schedule is finally fixed. all my classes take place mon-wed-fri, which frees me up to volunteer in Lumbisí on Tuesdays and do homework thursdays. But on my class days I have: Meditation (also known as self-knowledge) at 9, history of Latin American Republics at 10, Anthropology of Religion at 12, geology/arqueaology at 1, and advanced spanish conversation at 2 30. Hope it all comes through, the only class still in question is the geo/arqu. mix in which I am the only student registered! I am a nerd indeed...no one seems to have the passion for rocks and ancient cultures garbage that I do...Hmm...

My next post will be Monday, with probably a photo album and many stories to boot. Until then all y'all in the states enjoy your Labor day now ya hear? :)