New Haven Independent

Hello New Haven,

Querido Puerto Quito (Dear Puerto Quito)

Saturday, April 5, early in the morning, Elio drove me from Quito to his town, Puerto Quito. Located two and half hours northwest of Quito, Puerto Quito is one of the newest “cantones” en the province of Pinchincha. There are 24 provinces in Ecuador, each composed of municipalities called “cantones”. Puerto Quito established itself as a cantón some 12 years ago. The weather changed notably as we passed through the winding mountain road, from the cool and damp Quito to the hot, strong sunshine of the coastal region. The coastal region is very fertile, yielding many agricultural products.

The population of Puerto Quito is about 18,000 people. According the folks, there are about 5000 inhabitants in the central area of this cantón, while the remaining 97% of the population live in rural areas know as “recintos.” Typically, recintos are made up of several families engaged in agriculture. Access to these rugged areas is restricted because of dirt (mud) roads or foot paths. On Saturdays, those who have produce to sell, make their way down to the center. Sundays the center is alive with the inhabitants coming in to buy what they will need for the week and to attend Mass.

In this area of Ecuador, the daily wage is $7 for 8 hours of work, typically back breaking work, as the land is quite rough, (la tierra quebrada). Often the best implement to cultivate the land is the machete, as machinery would serve no purpose in such hilly terrain. Some are fortunate to have their own farms (fincas), others work the farms that people in Quito have purchased. Still there are those who survive by fishing and hunting in the forest.

One can see evidence of the money that has come to Puerto Quito from the immigrant communities. Newer homes, painted and in process, tend to signify a family with members abroad. Aside from the USA, Ecuador has immigrants in many countries, such as Spain, Italy, and England.

While we were passing through the center, Elio pointed our D’s father walking on the side of the street. I stuck my head out the window and called out his name, “Abraham!”. He turned immediately to see us but was a little shocked to see a gringo calling out his name. Elio was my ticket of credibility, presenting me more formally to D’s father. The members of the Ecuadorian community in New Haven were eager for me to meet their families and their parish priest.

More ahead, some of the family.

Sincerely,
Father James Manship

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En Espanol

Desde Ecuador

Hola New Haven,

Querido Puerto Quito

Sábado, el 5° de abril, muy temprano en la mañana, Elio me llevó de Quito a su pueblo se llama Puerto Quito. Ubicado al norte oeste de Quito, dos y medio horas de viaje por carro, Puerto Quito es uno de los nuevos cantones de la provincia de Pinchincha. Ecuador está dividido en 24 provincias, cada una es compuesta de los municipios que se llaman “cantones.” Hace 12 años, Puerto Quito se estableció como un cantón. La clima cambió drásticamente como pasamos por la carretera sinuosa, dejando atrás el fresco de Quito para el calor de la costa. La costa es una región muy fruticosa, bien conocida por sus productos agrícolas a pesar de ser una tierra muy quebrada.

Hola New Haven,