Obama’s new words, Avatar in the Amazon and a Chinese satire

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As Obama enters the second year of his presidency, he’s dropped some expressions — “war on terror”, “Af-Pak”, even “Middle East”. His administration has invented a few too: “remotedly piloted aircraft” (drones) and “overseas contingency operations” (wars). Also, a special screening of Avatar in Ecuador for indigenous groups. What did these Shuar and Achuar speakers think of Avatar’s invented language, Na’vi? Finally, a new online satirical movie is all the rage in China. It features a Chinese double-entendre phrase aimed at avoiding government censorship. The movie also includes a fantastic “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” rant.
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Avatar in the Amazon

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If there were ever a place that came close to the magical world of Pandora in James Cameron’s new film Avatar, it would probably be the Amazon. There may not be butterflies that look like flying squid, but in the Amazon can you eat giant worms and lemon flavored ants for dinner in a forest that is home to both the jaguar and the pink dolphin. Reporter Melaina Spitzer joined a group of indigenous leaders from the Amazon in Ecuador’s capital Quito, to see Avatar on the big screen in 3D. Download MP3

• Watch a video of the indigenous leaders going to see Avatar
• Official Avatar website

Ecuadorian chocolate

For today’s Geo Quiz we make our way to a city in the heart of Ecuador. The city were looking for is a good launch pad for an excursion into the Amazon rainforest.

Lonesome George

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We’re tracking a rare creature named George for today’s Geo Quiz. Lonesome George is not your average tortoise. He’s a giant saddleback tortoise of the Galapagos Islands and he’s getting up in his years. We’re looking for the name of the Ecuadorian island where George comes from.

Over the Andes: A new trade route for South America?

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Melaina Spitzer reports from Ecuador on an ambitious scheme to create an overland trade route in South America that rivals the Panama Canal. The plan involves moving goods from Pacific to Atlantic through a combination ports, highways and riverways. Not everyone thinks the scheme could work.

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Over the Andes: A new trade route for South America?

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In South America, politicians and corporate leaders have devised a grand plan for an overland trade route to compete with the Panama Canal. The idea is to move goods from the Pacific to the Atlantic along a chain of ports, highways, and riverways. Reporter Melaina Spitzer followed the route from the Ecuadorian port city of Manta.