Ecuador is on Strike

My partner texts me a video on Monday of trees blocking the main road saying, “I can’t enter the city. The protestors have blocked off the road. I guess I am staying at the farm tonight!”

Little did we know the protests would still be taking place over a week later

It is awful being 3,171 miles away from Riobamba and hearing the worries and fears from my friends and loved ones.  While reading the news and watching the videos of the country where I found my home, I have mixed feelings. I am proud of the Ecuadorians for unifying and protesting but I am also sad to read about the destruction and chaos. Seeing the pictures of the makeshift roadblocks, crowds storming government buildings, police in riot gear using tear gas, batons and horses against the crowds, my heart yearns to be there, documenting the pain and passion of the Ecuadorian people. 

Here is a video created by Julian Falconi, my partner, who is currently in Ecuador. 

Meet Mamita

Meet Señora Luzmila Cahuatijo or more commonly referred to as “Mamita.” She is a beautiful, caring and generous 80 year-old woman who has lived in Papallacta, Ecuador her entire life. 

At 6 years-old her father refused to let her go to school because he believed education had no use. Instead, she went straight to work at the family coal business by carrying sacks of coal for miles to their clients. She also worked in the family’s restaurant “El Arriero” where they fed and hosted merchants traveling from Quito to Tena. She still owns the restaurant with her son and daughter-in-law, Javier and Diana. 

Mamita is constantly shuffling around the restaurant in her green hat, beige apron and purple sweater offering to light a fire, make canelazo or blend some juice to all her customers. She said she has worked every day of her life and does not know how to relax and enjoy her elder years.

As I spoke with her she shared wise words with me. She said with a smile on her face: “Para qué desesperarse por el dinero? El dinero es necesario pero no debería consumir la vida. Las personas pobres saben que el dinero se debe usar para las cosas importantes. Porque saben que cuando llegas al cielo las cosas no van contigo, solo el alma.” 

This woman’s kindness hit me to my core. I have never seen such kind, loving, inviting eyes. She is truly the embodiment of love and understanding. 

Canelazo: a traditional Ecuadorian drink made up of panela (unrefined cane sugar), cinnamon and alcohol.

Translation: (“Why despair for money? Money is necessary but it should not consume your life. Poor people understand money should be used on what matters. Because they know when you arrive in heaven, material possessions don’t go with you; just your soul.”)

Who I am.

I have always loved photography but I thought of it as a hobby. I never thought it would become my life.

My name is Cata Ruiz, and I am a 22 year-old living in Riobamba, Ecuador, trying to achieve my dream of being a photographer and storyteller. 

A year ago, I decided to leave my home in the United States and move to Ecuador. I had never lived anywhere but Florida, but within 1 week of declaring my decision, I was on a plane to Quito, Ecuador. 

Most people were confused by my impulsive decision but I left because I feared I would bow to societal pressures of stability and financial prosperity. 

Once, I truly believed and wanted the societal guidelines of success: go to college, find a stable job, buy a house, get married and retire at 65. But this comfortable life plan crumbled when my twin sister was diagnosed with cancer. I realized that life was not a guarantee, and I did not want to spend my time entrapped under white-florescent lights making money. 

I decided to create my own path, and I am starting it here in Ecuador. 

My dream is to travel the world capturing the lives and personalities of people from diverse backgrounds.  I believe human beings are truly beautiful. Their diversity, complexity and realities are so different and mesmerizing — that is what I hope to capture in my blog. 

This blog will provide an in depth story to my projects and photographs. It will relay the captivating stories of  the “everyday people” I capture here in Ecuador and during my travels. It is my hope that it will foster human connection. 

I hope you enjoy my posts!