Blog #11 Paige

 1) What similarities and differences between Ecuador and the U.S. (and/or other countries) did you notice during El Cambio de la Guardia (the changing of the guard)?

In terms of the security for the event there were many similarities, but also some significant differences. For instance no one had to go through any sort of security or checkpoints to get into that ceremony. I was so shocked by this, especially because the leaders of Ecuador were standing so close to the masses. This is something that would never happen in the U.S. Trump just closed the sidewalk in front of the White House, there is no way he would come out on the balcony and greet the people. This is a similar act as something I witnessed in Thailand with their king. He was making a public opinion and I did not have to go through any sort of security to witness it. While I was not as close as today I was still amazed the people had that much contact with their leader. 

A difference between the U.S. and the ceremony today is the fact that the security surrounding the President is similar. For example, I noticed when the Ecuadorian pledge or national anthem was being played the president turned his back. As soon as he did this I observed two men, each with a black square, holding it above the balcony.  It took me a moment to comprehend what these were but when I realized that they were bullet proof material I felt as if this would too happen in the U.S. These men looked and acted like the Secret Service we have in the U.S.. I also observed men on top of all of the surrounding buildings with large guns strapped to the roofs. These were snippers and when I first saw them I was seriously alarmed. However, after thinking about what this would be like if it were in the U.S. I realized we would have had even more!

A similarity I think is worth noting is the protest we observed occurring before and after the ceremony. I asked my Spanish teacher if she could understand what the people were trying to change. She said that in the province to the north there is a problem with people getting their pensions out of the bank and Corea has done nothing about this. I find it incredible that in a place where there is such a high level of policies like corruption people are still 'legally' allowed to protest. I use air quotes because this is what I have read on the internet; however, I realize there is often coincidental deaths and accidents that happen or even jailing of political resistors. This is something that would take a lot more research to dig through what is actually allowed, but would be an interesting topic. 

 2) Why do you think this weekly ceremony is important to Ecuadorians? 

I think for Ecuadorians they have had a history of corrupt politicians and this opportunity to see their president makes them feel a sense of closeness and connect with their president. For them to be able to look up, wave, and connect with their president they feel a strong sense of nationalism. I saw many people tear up when they first saw him and I was very surprised by this! Especially in Ecuador, people have a distrust for their government. So it may be that every week they are guaranteed to see their president and this gives them a sense of hope, connect and visibility to their government and political leaders. It is also apparent to me that the Ecuadorian people love their country and take deep pride in being Ecuadorian. This tradition is one for them to exude their Ecuadorianness and feel as if they are a part of an important piece of the government. 

3) How do you think public transportation--specifically, the bus--compares to public transportation in the U.S. and/or other countries?

It is very difficult for me to comment on the public transportation systems in the U.S. because of where I live. Living in Michigan, which is the car Capitol of the world, we do not have public transportation, so comparing may be somewhat skewed. Here in Ecuador the bus system is seen as a cheep alternative to Taxis. When you can take the bus, like we did yesterday, all across Quito for only .45 Cents it completely makes sense that taxis are out of the question, since those cost $15 Dollars! I see the Ecuadorians use the bus because they want to get to where they are going faster and cheaper. They are not concerned with being pushed up against another person. They would rather do that than wait for the next bus. This tells me that they have little personal space in public areas and that they value the bus system and do not want to waste any space available. 

I think compared to the U.S. the bus system here is more of a normal, every day use. Not as many people living in the city own cars and use the system to get around. Also the system here in Ecuador is much bigger than that of any major city I know of! I am very surprised when David told us that Ecuador is building a subway system! That is a huge task to take on, and I am very interested in keeping tabs on its progress over the next few years. 

Public transportation is also less organized here. There are not signs that indicate when the next bus is arriving, or maps of the routes the buses take, like there is in the U.S. In the U.S. many people are standing at a bus station on their phones with headphones on. This is the same image I have seen here too. When I was in Thailand they had guard rails and on them they had advertisements. One said to look up and talk to other people. We are all so consumed in the digital world, which is noticeable all over the world and is not just a U.S. problem. Here in Ecuador there are no signs telling passengers when the next bus is coming, this tells me that the natives are knowledgeable about the system and that the system is not too inviting in for outsiders. I have not found a map of the routes, the numbers on the buses are hard to find, and they always require close to exact change. This can make it very unwelcoming and unfamiliar to outsiders.