Now towards the end of our explorations in Ecuador, I am reflecting on the two opposite ways of life.  Here in the Sierra we have met a lot of foreigners from many countries - the USA, Australia, Denmark, Germany, Scotland' Canada, even Switzerland.  Many have taken up residency here. 

Having been an expatriot in Switzerland for 8 years myself with my husband Jim in the 80's, I know the joy of experiencing other cultures.

But the natives are the opposite.  They pass on their traditions from generation to generation, building a relationship with one pklot of land, and rarely venture far from a close-knit family structure and community.