The box of crayons we live in

"We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors ...but they all have to learn to live in the same box." Author Unknown

The very essence of the idea of human rights starts with respect and tolerance. We are all different from each other: we think different, dress different, laugh in different ways; and we should learn to appreciate the beauty of it. People should stop thinking that `human rights´ is a concept beyond our closest context; `human rights´ starts right here and right know: the way we treat people as equals, respect different opinions, embraced our particular contexts, etc; that is the way each of us get involved with this initiative.

We as humans, as the quote says, should learn a lot about being tolerant with each other. The world we live in, for sure is like a box of crayons, and each of us have a particular color. We should feel free to express the color we have in our essence.

Most people talk about this reality as something far, something diffuse; for me it is not about talking about the past of this idea or the repercussions it has on history. For me is more about teaching younger generations how to put in practice `human rights´, and developing a better world, filled with freedom and respect.

We as humans are the only responsible for this, it could be more than words written in a text book, or dates remembered with holydays; `human rights´ are actions, and we should practice them in order to learn to how to live in the same box of crayons.

Frienship

What is friendship for me? The word friendship is a bad used clichè among poeple. When we talk about it, we always do it in a very romantic an ideliastic way. A friend is someone that know you deeply, and also can harm you deeply. We as humans have the capacity of bringing joy or sadness to the poeple around us, and for sure a friend can act both ways.

Friends are there for you in times of need; they are not just present in your life when things are good. You should be able to separate friends from friendly people, the second category is all about fun, partyng and meaningless moments;when things get hard, poeple in this category are no where to be found.


You should love your friends, help them in times of need and enjoying every moment you spend next to them; but never lean on them completely. You should always like yourself more and never give up your essence for anyone. Friends come and go, the only person you have forever in your life is yourself. Respect you and love you better than you love everyone else.

Different stages of Friendship

The process of making friends can be divided into three stages: new friends and acquaitances, true friends, and best friends... we have different kinds of friends in different parts of our lives, but not all friendships last forever.

"Puenting" in Quito

"Puenting" is the spanish reference to Bungee jumping. This is an extreme sport, where people jump from a tall structure, in this case bridges, while connected to a large elastic cord.

When the person jumps, the cord prevents the jumper form falling into the nothing. In our city one of the main spots to practice this sport is located in "La Gonzales Suarez" bridge; here the fall is up about 5 meters, and a lot of "Puenting" groups use this place, night or day, to practice their discipline.

José Cobo is one of the man in charge of a "Puenting" group in Quito. If you wanna know a little bit more about schedules, among other references, you can call this number: 098-576-094 (if you are calling from a place outside Ecuador, remember to insert the necessary codes)

You can also hit: www.afuera.com.ec

Quito Night Life

Quito offers a big variety of options to enjoy the night life: from Performing Arts,Live Music,Club Scene,Bar Scene,Cinemas, Casinos, etc. Even though most of the bars close at three am max, you can find places to enjoy all night long. This is the case of "The Blues", one of the most representative clubs in Ecuador. This place usually closes at 9 am, and it has nights for all kinds of tastes: from rave nights to concerts nights; it´s up to you when you wanna hit the scene. Thursdays are ladies night, girls can enter for free until eleven pm.

"El Blues" was founded in 1989 by Aldo Rocco; he conceived the club as a place filled with freedom to express yourself through non conventional music and style; rhythms like

THE DOORS, ROLLING STONES, LED ZEPPELIN, FLEETWOOD MAC ,THE CURE, among others were the choices to party,

In 1997, The Quito´s municipality made an order were all bars and clubs in the city had to close at 2 am max; that´s when "The Blues" decided to close their doors for almost seven years. September 2, 2004; was the date chosen for the second release of the club. Nowdays this is an icon of nightlife fun in the city , with the best performers, drinks and music.

To learn more about this club, located in República av. 476 and Pradera hit: http://www.clubblues.com/#

Quito as one of the `911 UNESCO Heritage Sites´

The World Heritage List includes 911 properties from all over the world,that are considered part of the cultural and natural heritage by the `World Heritage Committee´.This organization is in charge of determining what places have an important universal value. This list includes 704 cultural places, 180 natural places and 27 mixed properties; in about 151 cities around the world. In our country places like the city of Quito, the Galápagos Islands, Sangay National Park and the Historic Center of Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca; are established in this very important list.

Quito as part of this list now is consider, in an international context, as a place to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. This in theory will help to raise awareness among the citizens and local or international governments for heritage preservation. Also a financial assistance and expert advice from the `World Heritage Committee´ is expected to support activities for the preservation of the city.

To learn more about this hit: http://whc.unesco.org/

Quito Capital of the American Culture, 2011

The organization `Capital of the American Culture´, was created in 1998, to promote the integration of the people in the continent in a cultural aspect. This organization establishes, in an international context, cities that are consider capitals of the culture. These places are symbols of the relationship of the American continent with Europe; because this was the place where the idea started as a concept and as a praxis in 1985.

The International Bureau of the Cultural Capitals (www.ibocc.org), it´s the entity in charge of the `Capital of the American Culture´ organization. This entity is accredited by the OAS (Organization of American States), the European parliament and the Latin American parliament. That organism designed Quito , as Capital of the American Culture, 2011 in July 14 2010.

Until now , have been designed as capitals of the American culture cities like: Mérida (México) 2000; Iquique (Chile) 2001; Maceió (Brasil) 2002; Ciudad de Panamá (Panamá) y Curitiba (Brasil) 2003; Santiago (Chile) 2004; Guadalajara (México) 2005; Córdoba (Argentina) 2006; Cusco (Perú) 2007; Brasilia (Brasil) 2008; Asunción (Paraguay) 2009; Santo Domingo (República Dominicana) 2010, y Quito (Ecuador) 2011.

To get to know a Little bit more about this hit: www.quitocapitaldelacultura.com

`La Ronda´ street

Located in downtown Quito ( between `24 de Mayo´ and `Rocafuerte´ streets) La Ronda is the place to be in the city now days. Filled with coffee shops, restaurants, live music, craft places, among other things; this place offers fun to all kinds of tastes. Security is a major priority in the area, so if you are planing to visit this place in your car, you can be sure that a safe parking lot will be at your disposition.

The night is the perfect time to enjoy the entertaining options this place affers.

Photojournalism Contest in Quito

Photojournalism is the art of telling a story through the use of photographs (rather than words); January 24 was the date of release of the first photojournalism contest in Latin America. It will be taking place in Quito, from March 14 to March 18 2011.

Promoted by the `Social Red of Photojournalists from Ibeoroamerica´ and `Pictures of the Year International´, the contest will collet the work among the residents of the region.

Pablo Corral, an ecuadorian potographer, is the organizer of the contest. According to him the contestants are able to expose their work in 12 different categories. There are also 3 categories in multimedia work and 3 special categories.

The people interest in participating, must be professional photographers or educators, and must be citizens or permanent residents in one of the nations of Latin America.

The inscription is free. Photoshop and all retouch programs derivations are not aloud.

For more details about the contest hit:

www.poyi.org

www.nuestramirada.org

Micro Quito 2011

Micro Quito is a short story contest, were people from all over the country is able to send their stories about the city. You don´t have to be a native from Quito, you just have to write your work in no more than 100 words (without including the title of the piece).

The stories must have urban thematics about the life in the city, and each contestant is able to send four inedit pieces.

The winners are published in billboards all over the city and also in postcards socialized in "El Trole", "Ecovia", Malls, the airport, among other places. About 500 thousand postals will be distributed.

Prices:

Frist price: USD 1500

Second price: USD 1000

Third price: USD 500

Mention from the audience: USD 1000

There´s an open call to send the stories from December 15 2010 to January 30 2011

For more information about the ways to send your stories, hit: http://www.microquito.com/