experience living

A young Ecuadorian toddler of an indigenous family is delighted by a friendly stray dog that followed her for 2 blocks in Otavalo. Stray dogs in South America can be seen by the masses along city streets to private beaches and even during the Pope's mass in Quito (which I witnessed for myself). During my last trip to Ecuador in 2008, my cousin and I counted every stray dog we saw but got tired around 400. We attempted to do the same this trip but collectively got tired of counting around 100. Most stray dogs here are not vicious but Ecuadorians will tell you to avoid them at all costs and beware of the unexpected. My aunt who is a doctor says she sees so many children in the hospital with dog bites or even limbs missing because they get too close to vicious dogs. I personally am so in love with dogs that it is really hard to stay away and not pet them even though my grandmother next to me is recovering from a dog bite. While spending the day on the beaches of Ecuador, a cute dog even came over to swim with me in the ocean! I have however witnessed an owned dog become vicious and attempt to bite me along with attacking the other dog they lived with. Seeing all of these stray dogs poses some questions in my mind: Why South America? Why are there so many strays here but we only see a few every now and then in the US? How did this problem build up to be so big? Being around so many dogs is kind of my dream but it is extremely sad to see some many beautiful animals without a home and without someone to love them. (at Otavalo, Ecuador)

Baños, Ecuador

The Pacific Coast is a beauty that words can't describe. I walked into the water and my soul felt so at peace and calm and happy. Small crabs burrowed into the sand and the rocks that graced the entire beach were smoothed over and crystallized by the waters. The waves were strong and not little and weak like the US East Coast. I could breathe and think and love. I think I left my heart at the Pacific coast♡

Hey guys! I am traveling to Ecuador for the next month visiting family as well as doing missions and community service. I recommend you don't calk or text as it will charge you. You can contact me through DM's, skype (bethwiesinger), kik (bethwluv) or call me through WhatsApp. See you in a month! (at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)