One of the first neighborhoods I worked in was called Bella Vista, which means beautiful view. Well, Bella Vista was in fact a very poor neighborhood that was adjacent to a river. In the rainy season, the ground became very muddy and mosquitos were everywhere. The people were very proud people and no matter how many times you asked, " Como estas?" they always responded they were doing well! The girl in the photo, Juliana, was a foster child who lived with a family that treated me like their own son. She was part of the reading club, "El Libro Leido" that used an interactive learning environment to promote literacy. I had the pleasure of being part of this group. It was then that I learned that I had a God-given talent, and that I should put it to use. After all, there were so many days when we had to improvise because we didn't have paper, chalk, money. But we had comedy and dedication...and muddy shoes!
Comedian Gamal Dillard served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador
My Peace Corps Experience...1998-2001
Geez, where do I start with this one? It's not often you hear a comedian saying that they were in the Peace Corps. Well, I was. The year was 1998, and I said, " Damn, I got to go abroad and do something spectacular. I've got to see the world. I've got to make love to a Latin woman." So I applied and was accepted in the Peace Corps, the summer of 1998. I had just finished college with a degree in History with a concentration in the Spanish Language. But there was one problem: I was not a fluent Spanish speaker. Sure I could get by, but when it came to having an in-depth conversation I was in trouble.
I lived in the city of Esmeraldas, Ecuador in the northern region of the country. I was about three hours from the Columbian Border. I was assigned to work with Urban Youth, many of whom worked in the streets to survive. There were many who didn't but still came from poor families. My nickname was Mopri, which is a variation of the Spanish word for cousin, "Primo". When I would see my friends they would say, " Mi Mopri! Como esta Mopri?"
One of the first neighborhoods I worked in was called Bella Vista, which means beautiful view. Well, Bella Vista was in fact a very poor neighborhood that was adjacent to a river. In the rainy season, the ground became very muddy and mosquitos were everywhere. The people were very proud people and no matter how many times you asked, " Como estas?" they always responded they were doing well! The girl in the photo, Juliana, was a foster child who lived with a family that treated me like their own son. She was part of the reading club, "El Libro Leido" that used an interactive learning environment to promote literacy. I had the pleasure of being part of this group. It was then that I learned that I had a God-given talent, and that I should put it to use. After all, there were so many days when we had to improvise because we didn't have paper, chalk, money. But we had comedy and dedication...and muddy shoes!
Speaking of Juliana, this is a funny story...several years later: All water needs to be boiled before being consumed. If not, we get sick. One hot-ass day-we're talking about 97 degrees with the very bright equatorial sun--I saw this pitcher of water in Juliana's house. I drank it and put it back on the table. Half-hour later I came back, it was full. I drank it. The temperature rose 10 degrees and when I came back later, I saw Juliana filling up the pitcher from water right out of the faucet! I looked at her, and in my most apprehensive voice, I asked her," Were all those pitchers of water I drank right from the faucet?" She said "yes" and giggled. I said, " Now you know I can't drink unboiled water. She continued laughing. Well, I got stomach parasites later that week. I knew they were coming. I waited for them.
No one has seen Juliana since.
" The kid is not my son." Here I am with my friend, Sandra who taught me some great Salsa moves. She said," Boy, you got to move yo hips!" She was a great cook and so energetic, and when she was mad, she spoke very, very fast Spanish. Latin women--caliente!
Listen, I love Latin Food. I would eat it every day if I were married to a Latin lady. I would eat anything they gave me. They called me lavaplatos (dishwasher) because after I was done eating off a plate, they put it back in the cabinet. This lovely lady could cook. I mean cook! Make ya wanna slap everybody's momma.
Ecuadorians know how to play basketball! A minute after this shot was taken, the guy in front of me stole my ball and crossed the Colombian border. It turned out he was mad at me for slapping his momma.
