2010.04.29: Ecuador Peace Corps Volunteer Cindy Ann Oursler writes: I'm enchanted by this little town and its history is a source of conversation more interesting than the weather
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2010.04.29: Ecuador Peace Corps Volunteer Cindy Ann Oursler writes: I'm enchanted by this little town and its history is a source of conversation more interesting than the weather
Ecuador Peace Corps Volunteer Cindy Ann Oursler writes: I'm enchanted by this little town and its history is a source of conversation more interesting than the weather
Chilon's first year was 1616, so this pueblo of less than 1,000 people almost is 400 years old. They say it's the oldest town in Bolivia. Yet it refuses to grow!
Ecuador Peace Corps Volunteer Cindy Ann Oursler writes: I'm enchanted by this little town and its history is a source of conversation more interesting than the weather
Ancient town enchants volunteer
Published:
Thursday, April 29, 2010 3:08 PM CDT
CHILON, Colombia - I'm pretty good, or at least that's what I'd say if I just was passing you on the street.
I'm enchanted by this little town and its history is a source of conversation more interesting than the weather.
Chilon's first year was 1616, so this pueblo of less than 1,000 people almost is 400 years old. They say it's the oldest town in Bolivia. Yet it refuses to grow!
Several reasons: Legend has it that many years ago, this area was ripe with gold and it was booming. Then many people from other countries showed up, took the money and left, and Chilon was left poor and remained small.
Another legend says that many years ago, the people were not friendly people, and when a virgin was found in their town (I have a feeling that virgins are pretty rare in Chilon), they trapped her and she remained locked up for a long time.
She put a curse on the town never to grow. Many people think this and it's hard to change public sentiment.
For more of this story, see Thursday's Traveler.
Editor's note: Cindy Ann Oursler, a native of Geuda Springs, is a Peace Corps volunteer now stationed in Puerto Quito, Ecuador. She writes an occasional series of articles about her Peace Corps experience. This column recounts part of her time spent more than a year ago in Bolivia, before she was forced to leave that country due to diplomatic strains between Bolivia and the United States. The last portion of the column touches on a project she currently is doing in Ecuador. Oursler graduated from South Haven High School in 2001, Cowley College in 2003 and the University of Kansas in 2006.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: April, 2010; Peace Corps Ecuador; Directory of Ecuador RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Ecuador RPCVs; Kansas
When this story was posted in May 2010, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Memo to Incoming Director Williams PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams |
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Story Source: Ark City Net
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Ecuador
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