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Crossing the Andes, Ep. 04 - Eternal Life

Crossing the Andes, Ep. 04 - Eternal Life

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In Ecuador, Stef Biemans visits the valley of eternal life and investigates its finite nature. What do spry centenarians in Ecuador right below the equator do in order to stay healthy? What provisions are there for them should they fall ill? And how do South Americans deal with their elderly?

The Vilcabamba valley in Ecuador is known for its healthy old people. The fit old man who interrupts his work in the field to firmly shake Stef Biemans’ hand shows an official proof of identity with a 1913 birthdate. A little bit later, he lets his hips do the talking when he dances.

Other old people in the valley also dance, in groups. Which doesn’t mean they’re all happy as can be. An 89-year-old woman says she’d like for it to be over. But: ‘God is keeping me alive. I’m waiting for my time to come.’ A voluntary ending to this earthly life is so unthinkable, Biemans is afraid to even broach the subject. Man proposes, God disposes. Or, for many South Americans: God and his native helpers.

Series Description

The Andes – in all their diversity – are the spine of South America. We traverse six countries, focusing on work, economy, health, and migration, to find out how South America is doing and which changes are taking place in the continent some call an investors paradise, while others say is still a mess…

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