Grafitti, games, and great fun

Yesterday in my spanish conversation class, I did a report of grafitti as a form of popular expression. The spray-painted image of the tree that appeared in one of my earlier posts I used as an example of grafitti with a social message. This image above was taken in my indigenous village Lumbisí, and is a good example of the diffusion of Hip-Hop culture throughout the world. Sadly most of the "grafitti" one finds on the streets in Ecuador is quite ugly. Simple scrawls about Correa, random offensive comments, or really just scribbles of nothing. This above, however, I feel is worthy of permanence...I don't know how long it has been up but I have a feeling no one in Lumbisí has the time or the desire to remove it from the broken down building it calls home. In this instance, I believe grafitti is art and brightens up the concrete jungle that is so ubiquitous here.

In other news, Ecuador tied Uruguay in a thrilling game yesterday afternoon. Sadly it was just for rankings, so we had to be content with the tie. Ecuador couldn't beat Uruguay's defense, and Uruguay simply had no offense. Perfect recipe for a draw. Because our classes didn't get out until after the game began, we opted to stay in Cumbaya rather than journey into Quito. It was enjoyable nonetheless, many students decked out in the yellow Ecuador jersey, cheering and getting quite emotional. Sadly the next qualifier is not until October, I believe against Chile...Until then, we wait...and maybe play a game ourselves?