Blog Post #3 Prompt

Please respond to the following questions:  1)  What was your favorite experience today and why?  2) What did you learn about the indigenous Ecuadorian culture at Otavalo and during our lunch at the  indigenous house? 3) What beliefs/behaviors of your have been ethnocentric so far? How will you work to change these?

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  1. UnknownMay 6, 2017 at 7:08 PM

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  2. UnknownMay 6, 2017 at 7:12 PM

    My favorite "experiencia" was when I tried the cuy. WOW! What an amazing achievement I accomplished "hoy." I never thought that I would be face to face with a guienna pig on plate. When the plate came to our table, I remember feeling nervous--I wanted to back out. Finally, as the plate arrived at my spot at the table, I looked the guiennea pig in the eyes. It looked as the though the pig was about to jump out and bite me! Finally, when it came time to try the pig, my classmates and I counted back from three--that way, no one could back out. After it was all said and done, I left la casa de Claudia feeling happy and proud that I accomplished a task that is often times a little scary at first.

    I learned about the language Quichua language. Also, the clothes were traditional such as the alpargatas, or the shoes. I also learned from mi familia the los hombres de Otovalo cannot cut their hair. If they do, they will never be welcome back in the community. At the dinner, I was able to experience música, comida, y sobre la vida of the city. It was fascinating to see the little kids in the streets. Some ran after the bus while others played soccer in the fields. It seemed para mi that the life of Otavalo is much more relaxed than America.

    One belief in particular that have been ethnocentric about is the bathroom process. For instance, this morning, during our bizcocho stop, I had to use the restroom. I completely forgot to get toilet paper before enter the bathroom. How embarrassing! I had to yell to Matt for him to slide some under the stall door. I can confidently say that after that experience, I will NEVER forget to grab toilet paper again. Another belief I have been ethnocentric about is the traffic. I still cannot believe how busy the streets are. I am constantly dogging cars on the walks back to my home. I realize though, the only way to over come the ethnocentrism is to accept that there are different \ customs in each country. For example, In Ecuador, I need to understand that cars have the right of way--and that the way in my county is not always the right way

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