The type of tourist who comes to the community has changed. No longer the young adventurer, tourists are older now and less interested in personal contact with the Quichua. Few speak Spanish anyway. Most simply want to photograph the older men in traditional grass skirts and feed the pet toucan in the garden. They applaud the cultural program but never ask whether these traditions are maintained outside of the tourism project The Quichua have noticed the change in the tourists, and they no longer look forward to tourist visits as they once did.
Tourism is their job now.
They try to do it well, but they give it no more thought once the day is over. They are making more money than ever. Several people have purchased televisions and VCRs, renting videos every week when they take the canoe into the nearest town. Almost everyone has at least a radio now, if not a stereo. Every house has music playing.