Se Fue la luz

Se Fue la luz

I’ve got two words for computation in Ecuador: surge protector. Yep, se fue la luz roughly translates to the lights went out which obviously makes internet time a disconnected struggle.

Quito, as a bustling international city in the midst of an environmentally conscious movement, is dedicated to the noble pursuit of reducing its ecological footprint; so, the city runs on hydroelectric power. Even though the rainy season has arrived, global climate change has left Quito struggling with water shortages and other areas suffering under surging mudslides. In the city, entire power sectors shut down for a regulated number of hours before operation is allowed to reignite or the energy source is completely drained so everything just unexpectedly dies. Sometimes there is a generator to intercede and shock the grid back to life, but many times, no such luck.

It is such a habitual occurrence here that when the room goes dark everyone matter-of-factly comments, “Se fue la luz,” as if such a revelation was entirely necessary. The lights tend to go out in the middle of class, while waiting on meals at restaurants, and por supuesto, while trying to post blogs or send emails; it’s a peculiar phenomenon that makes for an excellent exercise in patience. Moral of the story: hit the save button every two minutes and expect delays.

Part of the irony to the fact that the compact florescent bulbs go out as a measure of environmental justice is that you wouldn’t stumble across a recycle bin anywhere in Quito. The other day, I was blazing a cross walk when some earth rebels road blocked traffic and fiercely waved cardboard signs with plastic bottles situated so that they spelled the word, “Recicleta.” They had the opportunity to chant it a few times before the light flashed verde and thick exhaust choked the air.

Every time the power goes out, I must push aside my frustration and will just have to remind myself, Ecuador is reinventing a sustainably structured society with an environmental ethic for the lives of future generations. So, let the lights go out!