Last weekend, I was above 4,000m for the first time in my life: we climbed Rucu Pichincha (4,680m). It was quite amazing actually — not because the climb was that special but because it was so normal. The human body’s ability to adopt to different environmental conditions is absolutely stunning. Since Quito itself is at [...]

To be a little cheerful, too: it’s quite a bit of fun to take buses here in Quito (that is, if you do not get pickpocketed). Many of them will even sing a little song for you. It’s probably hard to imagine a bus passing by you, humming a little song — but that’s what [...]

This is a sad world we are living in… Down here in the south of Quito, where I currently work, a four-year-old was murdered by other kids because he had stolen 25 cents from them. Can you actually believe this? I am surely having a hard time. Read more.

Wherever you go in Latin America, politics is, well, let’s just say a little different from what a normal Westener is used to. Corruption is widespread, government is generally an inefficient hassle instead of a help, etc. In Ecuador, though, things seem particularly bad. In the last ten years, not a single president was able [...]

You know something is not right with the security situation in a country when every second restaurant / bar / shop has an armed guard standing outside its doors. The point where it gets really disconcerting, though, is when these arms are not simply pistols or something comparatively boring but a full-fledged shotgun. And this [...]