To all of those who proposed, supported, and voted for the Leash Laws in Massachusetts...

As a pedestrian, as a runner, and as someone who is not particularly fond of big dogs, especially those that jump and chase and bark, I would like to officially thank you.  You all are truly underappreciated.  Here in Ecuador, there are dogs everywhere, but I have yet to see a collar, let alone a leash.  The majority of dogs here are either guard dogs that look especially scary and are usually leaning through fences waiting for that poor soul to wander too close, or stray dogs that look more like wolves roaming the streets.  The scenery here is beautiful- I can see the mountains from just about anywhere.  However, whenever I am walking or running, I don't enjoy it because I am too focused on avoiding the traffic (even from the sidewalk), the pollution that is filling my lungs, or the dog that I am sure at any moment is going to break loose any put my rabies shots to the test.


Dogs aside, one positive has been the lack of bugs.  Before today my view of Ecuador had been insect free.  Then I met my little cousin.  He is the typical 12 year old boy, and gave me a tour of Ecuador like none I had been on thus far.  We saw underneath all of the rocks in his yard, my yard, and I think an uncle's yard, because obviously that is where all of the cool bugs are hidden.  We also ate some questionable fruit growing in the yards- I didn't ask questions because I'd take a sick stomach over looking at/touching bugs any day of the year. 

Other than the "wildlife," everything down south is going really well.  My spanish is slowy but surely improving, and there is hope that by the end of this trip, I will have the spanish vocabulary and language skills to match those of my insect loving 12 year old cousin.