Countdown

After 8 months it's now time to change form thinking in months and days. The countdown is running for my arrival back home:

Date: 20/12/2006
Time: 8.40 a.m.
Place: Zurich Airport

I'm so much looking forward to catching up with you guys back home!

ley seco

This weekend is gonna be boring I guess because there is this so-called "ley seco" which kind of means "dry law" and stands for the fact that nobody is allowed to sell nor drink alcohol because of the upcoming elections...

Well, on Sunday there are the elections of the the new President of Ecuador.

It's strange seriously, I don't understand. I mean it's not like you get totally drunk every weekend. Or even if you got drunk before the eleccions all they have to do is a simple slash on a piece of paper where there are even pictures of the guys they can vote for. You can be with a complete hangover to draw a line on a piece of paper, can't you?

It's not that I'm saying I have to get drunk to enjoy the weekend but what happens is that nobody goes out, all the discos and bars are empty... What a weekend, guess we will spend it somewhere watching movies.

I talked with my students from Wall Street about it and they couldn't give me any good reason apart form that it is how it is and that people need to stay soubre. Whatever... at least we won't have a hangover on Sunday!

Always think positive and look at it from the bright side of life :-)

ENJOY THE WEEKEND (and have a drink for me)
CHEERS

Felicitaciones EB Cuenca

Muchas felicitaciones al nuevo equipo del cuerpo ejecutivo de LC Cuenca, AIESEC Ecuador!

Me hace sentir muy feliz y orgulloso verles como nuevos lideres de Cuenca. Tengo todo la confianca en ustedes y les deseo todo el mejor. Que cumplen sus tareas, logran sus metas y manejan un cambio positivo en su LC.
Sé que tienen las habilidades y fortulezas!

Creo también que vamos a realizar muchas cosas positivas por Ecudor porque juntos estamos fuertes!
Por todos que quieren ver los fotos hacen click aqui

Unificados para romper paradigmas :-)

__________________________________________________________________

Beside my congratulations for the new EB of Cuenca there is another one...
Last Saturday two friends got married and we had the pleasure to assist the wedding!

Hearty Congratulation Bethan & Juan Carlos

I wish you all the best for your future!
May eternal Love be with you!

Diverse Country

Something that I thought after I got to know Cuenca a bit better was that there are huge differences between the cities of Ecuador.
It’s incredible but within 4 hours of bus-ride you are not just in a different city with a totally changed climate but everything is different.
People, food, security, traffic, flair of the city, accent… everything!

If you only compare buses there are lots of differences:
Guayaquil:
- buses don’t stop, you have to jump on while their still driving
- there is only one door in the front of the bus
- you have to pay once you enter
- there is a counter for passengers
- there is tons of stuff such as posters, banners, teddies in the drivers cabine
- music is quite loud and you cannot do a phonecall
- there is no bell to ask for a stop
- buses make shit lots of noise
- there are buses where you have to squeeze in your legs cause there is no space for them


Cuenca:
- buses stop properly for you
- there is a door in front and another one in the back where you can hop onto the bus
- you can sit down and the ticket collector comes to your seat where you pay him
- there is nothing that counts how many ppl enter and leave
- nothing, the bus is without all this teddies and stuff
- there is music, but not so loud
- there is a stop button you can press and the bus stops wherever
- buses are modern and not too noisy
- in all the buses is enough space for your legs


It’s incredible, isn’t?
So many differences about buses from two cities that are only 4 hours separated from each other.
But this makes it so interesting. The country is so diverse and I enjoying finding the differences and learning about it.
What about you, do you see the difference? And what do you do with it?

In my speaking classes I often talk about stuff like that and learn a lot of new things. On the other hand I guess I teach them also a lot of things, especially how to discuss, to be critical and open for new things. Yes, I challenge my students – hey, I’m still a PD guy :-))
And as I’ve heart they like my way of teaching – just got positive feedback from my boss so far. I’m glad to hear so.

Well, there is always stuff you prefer from one city or another – but the most important thing is that you are happy where you are – I am!Hope you too!

useless fights

• why do we fight about stuff that is not worth it?
• why are there people that don't listen and try to understand the other perspective?
• what do you do if you have a discussion with someone that doesn't open the eyes and see the obvious?
• what do you do if the situation is so screwed that it gets only worse the more you talk?
• what do you do if you give your best and others don't accept it, don't see it or cannot take it?
• what about if you have explained your situation 100times and they still don't understand what the heck that means for you, what kind of consequences that has?

hmmm....
funny, writing these lines makes me think of Boby:
Fight, fight for your rights!
and a recent experience as well:
I have managed other things - I won't give up - I think I know what is right - I know what I want and I just give my best in the hope anybody takes notice...

which brings up another question:

• why do we take something bad that is going on more important that something good?
• why do we get upset about one bad word if there are 10 good ones?

and on top of all:

• why is human being so strange?

watching the moon

Yesterday when we arrived home after a more or less thrilling party I went on the balcony for my good night cigarette.

I was stunned at the picture that was presented to me there!

The full-moon was brightly shining and lightening up the dark night.

Some white clouds were drifting by on the black heaven followed by some black and evil looking constellations of clouds a bit further away from the moon.

It was such a special moment.
At first I felt the light; I felt its power, its strength.
Then the dark clouds came across and started covering the moon till the moon itself was not to see anymore
– but the light was still there I figured.

The light is always there, even if sometimes you are not able to see it you know that it exists, you know its there because you believe in it.

If light is our guidance then passing the light on is our mission
with the final goal of having a world full of light –
light in everybody’s soul
light in everybody’s heart

I felt that the light is with me, no matter where and how I am.
I felt so conscious, so aware of being.
“I AM”, I thought and I’m so happy and grateful about it.
I am blessed with so many people that believe in me, support me and are there for me.
I am accompanied by angels that guard and protect me.

This picture stands for HAPPINESS

I guess it's what describes best the state I'm in at the moment.

I AM AWARE

I AM GRATEFUL

I AM HAPPY