An Exploration of the History of Ecuador

As you might imagine, the history of Ecuador is rather vast and complex as it can be traced back over 9000 years. Before you attend Spanish classes in Ecuador, it is a good idea to learn something about the country's history. As a result, you will have a more enriching experience and get more out of visiting museums and various cultural landmarks. The history of Ecuador is often broken up into 5 periods: the Pre-Columbian period, the Conquest, the Colonial Period, the War of Independence and the Republican Era. Let's take a brief look at these periods to prepare you to learn Spanish in Ecuador.

In Ecuador's Pre-Columbian period, the native peoples were invaded and conquered by the Incas. This conquest began in 1463 under the leadership of Pachacuti Inca Ypanqui. His son Tupa commanded the army and led the takeover. They quickly colonized the region. Of course, many native tribes fought hard to resist the Incas, in particular, the Canari. This Inca Empire was called Tawantinsuyu. The Emperor really liked Quito and made it one of the capitols of Tawantinsuyu.

The next period in Ecuadorian history was the Conquest, as Spanish landed in Ecuador in 1531 and sought to defeat the Incans. In addition to the fighting, disease also played a role in destroying the Incan empire. Although there were far more Incans than Europeans, the Spanish had better weapons and tactics. Due to their technological advantage, the Spanish quickly captured the Incan Emperor.

The Spanish Colonial Era commenced as the Incans were defeated and more and more Spanish colonists arrived. The country was one of Spain's colonies between 1544-1563. The Spanish had a very paternalistic attitude and adopted a system called encomienda so that they could "take care" of the native people. Basically, they divided all the natives up amongst the colonial estates. The Spanish instructed the natives in Spanish and Catholicism. In return, they asked for labor as well as gold. Encomienda was considered to be quite unfair and many viewed it as enslaving the native people of Ecuador. Throughout the 18th century, there was an economic depression in the country. Even the elites became very poor by 1790.

The next historical era was the War of Independence, when those in Spanish-controlled America revolted against colonial rule. Citizens began organizing juntas. In 1811, the Juntas demanded a congress and declared that the area should be free of all governments based in Spain. However, the Viceroyal of Peru stopped this rebellion in 1812. Later in 1820, another junta declared independence. Stronger military forces were organized to support this movement. The natives met with a series of victories in battle. Even after the country was liberated from Spanish rule, they ended up in the middle of a fight between Peru and Gran Colombia over border issues.

The Republic of Ecuador started off with 15 turbulent years that included a great deal of fighting. One of the country's significant leaders from this time period, Gabriel Garcia Moreno, was considered to be Ecuador's best nation builder. He saved the country from falling apart in 1859 and then ruled it with an "iron fist." In the period leading up to 1890, the exports from the country grow tremendously. Since that time, there have continued to be a variety of political upheavals and changes to and from democratic rule.

If you decide to learn Spanish in Ecuador, you will have the opportunity to gain a better understanding for the country's complex history. If you read the newspapers and listen to the radio, you can even gain tremendous insight into the political climate today. It is interesting to note that currently a social democrat is president of the country. When you attend Spanish classes in Ecuador it also makes sense to spend time visiting museums and various historical landmarks.

Latin Immersion offers Spanish lessons in Ecuador year-round, which include cultural exposure through activities and family homestays.

Library Summer Reading Programs

Summertime is the busiest time of the year for public libraries across the country. A child's reading abilities can backslide during those months, a situation that libraries try to prevent by offering a variety of enticements to visit the library. Unconventional activities such as craft-making and movie showings generate initial interest, but librarians hope that reluctant readers will ultimately be attracted to books. Too many kids think of reading as a chore they do for school rather than recreation, and summer reading programs can turn that attitude around.

If you visit a library children's room during the summer, you will find colorful posters, signs, and other graphic-rich materials that produce a "something's happening" atmosphere, inspiring kids from pre-school age to teens to sign up for the program. Librarians often set reading goals, awarding token prizes along the way and maybe one larger prize at the end of the program (sometimes a book) to ensure a big finish. In the process, children can discover that they like reading for reading's sake, that reading can be even more entertaining than watching TV or playing a video game. This early love of reading, this eagerness to soak up words on a page (or a screen), will serve them their entire lives. And so will the libraries that nurtured it.

Once upon a time, librarians launched their summer reading programs individually, perhaps brainstorming with staff from neighboring libraries. They would choose a kid-pleasing theme such as dinosaurs, insects, or astronomy, and then develop activities around it. Eventually an entire state decided to organize for a more cohesive event. Then two states joined together, and another and another, until the cooperative grew to forty-six states strong.

Librarians are still free to do independent programs, but most are happy to join the co-op. A library's summer reading program takes a big chunk of its operating budget, and pooling all this funding produces dazzling materials that single libraries could not afford by themselves. The cooperative hires a well-known children's book illustrator who designs bookmarks, posters, buttons, stickers, t-shirts, and other materials, which are produced en masse by one chosen company. Add television PSAs and newspaper ads, and the Cooperative Summer Library Program is a national campaign that rivals any commercial enterprise.

Librarians usually stimulate children's interest in their summer reading program by visiting schools during the spring, but some parents may still be unaware of this months-long event. If you don't know how much your local library can enrich your child's vacation time, get with the program. When you see your son or daughter immersed in a book on a hot summer afternoon, you won't regret it.

The author, Teresa Ash, has been sole proprietor of Rivershore Reading Store for twenty-five years. The company specializes in reading stickers and library stickers, both generic and custom-printed, plus other promotional products for summer and year-round reading. They also serve Title I Reading Programs. Find them at http://www.libraryfun.com

Important Considerations for Choosing Nursing Programs

Once you decide to pursue a nursing career, you will be faced with the decision of choosing nursing programs. Considering there are different types of programs. Most students find the process of making the appropriate choice almost impossible and it is for this reason that they ought to consider the following factors in order to settle with the most appropriate choice.

• You have to start by checking out the school chargers and tuition fees. This is important as it plays an important role in deciding the school you settle down with and what is more, it also ensures that you settle with programs that sit in well with your financial standing.

• You have to look at the enrollment requirements. Different schools have different requirements and in this case, some might include high school diplomas, specific courses from certain schools and previous nursing courses. This information will be provided alongside the course description and it is important to ensure you measure up to the requirements.

• You have to consider the scheduling and timing of the nursing programs as well. This is because most schools require that the student must complete certain hours of study in order to become eligible for graduation. There are different requirements set for this and they vary from one school to another. In addition to this, they are also based on the type of course selected. When weighing this, it is advisable to look at your family commitments, work requirements and any other aspects that might clash with the courses you want to pursue.

• There are instances when the degrees end up been confusing and especially if you don't understand the basics of what they cover. As such, if the course does not offer the type of degree that will help you accomplish your end, it is unreasonable to enroll for the same. There are different types of degrees and for this reason, you should ensure the one selected not only meets your needs but also offers a higher guarantee of meeting your career needs.

• Lastly, it is important to determine the type of school that is going to meet your personal needs. For instance, you could be in dire need of studying as a group or having a personal tutor. It is therefore important to ensure that your needs is met. It is advisable to consult with your academic advisor for the purpose of determining whether they have selected nursing programs can accommodate your needs.

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The Goddess and the Bee

The bee has been associated with the Goddess and Priestesses of the Goddess for thousands of years. The most famous culture that worshiped the bee was the Minoan culture on the island of Crete. As a symbol of The Mother Goddess, bees represented fertility and healing. Since honey has antibacterial properties, it was used in many healing remedies, this made honey sacred. It was also used during ritual by the Bee Priestesses who were called melissae which means "bees". There was a golden seal found buried in Crete, that shows Priestesses dressed as bees dancing together. The photo pictured above is the famous Minoan Bee Pendant, showing two bees carrying nectar back to there hives, and is dated 2000 BCE.

In the book The Myth of the Goddess: Evolution of an Image, by Anne Baring and Jules Cashford, write that "Bees have an ancient reputation as the bringers of order, and their hives served as models for organizing temples in many Mediterranean cultures." The tombs at Mycenea were shaped like beehives, as well as the omphalos at Delphi where the famous Oracle at Delphi recited her prophecies.

In Knossos, jars were found which contained honey, and were said to be used during summer festivals. Honey was known as "the nectar of the Gods" in the ancient world and was seen as sacred all the way back to Neolithic times. The Bee was said to be viewed as a Mother Goddess and creator of life. Since bees gather nectar from flowers, and then create this wonderfully healing, sweet and sacred substance, they were highly revered. In the Homeric hymn to the God Apollo, it is said that his gift of prophecy came to him from three bee maidens. The Bee was also revered in other cultures such as in ancient Egypt. The Bee was associated with Kingship in ancient Egypt, it is said that there was even a bee King. In the ancient Mayan world, bee motifs were found, as honey was seen as food of the Gods.

Goddesses associated with the bee are Persephone, Demeter, Artemis, Aphrodite, Rhea, Cybele and Potnia Theron, which is the Cretan "Mistress of Animals". In Ephesus where the remains of the Temple of Artemis was found along with the great statue, Artemis of Ephesus, there were bee motifs found on the statues legs and waist. Statues of the Anatolian Goddess, some believe Cybele originated in Anatolia, were shown with the Goddess wearing what looks like a beehive on her head. Possibly as some kind of crown, as some ancient Priestesses were sometimes called "The Queen Bee"

As you can see the bee was a sacred and highly revered animal in the ancient world, along with their highly prized honey. We should honor the bees as well today as givers of life as they pollinate our crops and give us food. Is it said to me to hear of all the bee deaths over the recent years. As followers of the Goddess and worshipers of nature, we need to be honoring animals in the same way the ancient priestesses before us did.

To attract bees to your garden plant things such as daisies, marigold, bee balm, echinacea, foxglove, goldenrod and lavender. I hope you enjoyed learning about the ancient reverence of bees and their sacred nectar!

Writer, artist, researcher and student of the ancient mysteries. Finding the path of the Goddess has brought me to my way in life. All of my inspiration comes from Her mysteries, and the cultures in which She was worshiped. I'm currently working on becoming an independent scholar in the field of Neolithic and ancient cultures, mostly as they pertain to the Goddess. As well as working to be come an author to teach other women of Her mysteries, because all women need the power of the Goddess. I hope you enjoy my writings!