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Beyond
the Thunderdome |
February
1, 2001 - Quito, Ecuador |
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My host
in Quito is a wonderfully wild-eyed, energetic director
of an authentic eco-tour and volunteer program in Ecuador.
(www.Ecotrackers.com)
Maximiliano is a bit crazy in a very positive way, hence
my name for him, Mad Max. Max and his family have made
me feel quite at home in the apartment that they rent
out to volunteers of the eco-program. He also set me up
with a private office that will be my basecamp for a few
trips around the country.
One evening I came home at about 12:30 to find Max and
two volunteers in the living room. "Let's go take
pictures of the church! The lights are beautiful at night.
It's just a few minutes away!" So began our two-hour
trek through the streets of Quito! A guided tour including
a 566 step staircase down to the church, colonial architecture
and a cool little cafe. |
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I
came home even later on another night to be enlisted
in yet another adventure! The office manager Dave,
a long term volunteer from England was departing
in the wee hours of the morning for his homeland.
Max and some other volunteers figured, "Why
go to bed?" Over wine and rum and cokes, a
lengthy cross-cultural exchange continued until
we woke up the departing guest of honor for his
ride to the airport. |
The
lively goodbye at the airport was followed by a
sunrise hike through Ecuadors' equivalent of New
Yorks Central Park. Max insisted we remove our shoes
as we walked and he talked. |
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He
told us about the medicinal properties of many of
the plants and guided us to a variety sculptures
as the day broke. To our amazement, Max went directly
to the office for the day. |
You can read about a third MadMax adventure in a subsequent
entry entitled "Teargas, a New Experience!"
Max is a rare individual. He is just crazy enough to believe
that his work with indigenous people and the environment
can actually make a difference. The world could use a
few more Mad Maxes.
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