Notes from Gary Scott
Thanks to Gary and Merri Scott http://www.garyascott.com for sharing this. They have purchased a hotel in the center of the indigenous town of Cotachi and are offering educational and reuvenation programs. The programs include tours of Ecuaodor, introdcutions to import/export opportunities and countless opportunities for rest and relaxation including trips to a delightful and quiet volcanic mineral hotbath nearby.The town square is only 66 steps from the hotel, El Meson, a 300 year old hacienda building.
"Merri and I selected the village of Cotacachi as our winter home because opportunity abounds. Yet there is much more. This is our home and the headquarters of our foundation because it is noted as one of the world’s most progressive humanitarian areas.
You can read this message with pictures and enhanced text at http://tinyurl.com/qytyb
The mayor of Cotacachi, Economist Auki Tituana Males, is the first indigenous Mayor of Cotacachi since the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors 500 years ago. He is a trained economist and one of the first things he did was institute a program so all the people of the region could be heard.
The area boasts a focus on being multi-ethnic and hosts a population that is 35% mestizo, 5% black (5%), and 60% indigenous.
The Canton’s motto is that of the indigenous community. For a worthy, productive and solid Cotacachi, the main duty and responsibility is "AMA QUILLA, AMA LLULLA, AMA SHUA"
"DON'T BE LAZY, DON'T LIE, AND DON'T STEAL"
How refreshing! Don’t we wish our nation lived by this code? This simple but profoundly powerful plan has worked… in November 2000, the United Nations granted Cotacachi the International Prize for "Best Practices"….In November 2001, the Interamerican Forum for the Rights of the Childhood and Youth, granted Cotacachi the national Prize "The Dreamer Goblin", for work with the Cotacachean youth….In March 2002 UNESCO granted Cotacachi, the International Prize for "Cities for Peace", for its democratic work and its intercultural dialogue in search of peace."
