I will admit that the thing I am looking forward to the most when I get back home is some good, processed, junk food. It seems strange, because I like the food in Ecuador, and am almost always willing to be adventurous and try new foods. But that sense of adventure is exactly the problem. I rarely feel as though I can just gulp down anything placed in front of me, secure in the knowledge of exactly what it is and what it will taste like. The classic foods from home will allow me to eat with that security intact, and that security is what I really miss. I think the thing I will miss the most about Ecuador is the sense of adventure that I could feel every time I left the house, whether it was just to class at the academia or to some other attraction. I loved the feeling that I was going to see new sights, experience new things, and accomplish something impressive every day. The quote that struck me today, as we were le...
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ReplyDeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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