Carly V. - Blog Post #3
My favorite experience today was visiting the Otavalo marketplace. This was my favorite experience because it allowed for us to see such a wide range of culture all packed into one area. Seeing all of the beautiful items that people had for sale was really amazing. We were also able to see some native foods and spices that people were selling. Although we did not buy these, it was a great experience to get to see them. I also loved interacting with all of the vendors. Some of them were very willing to just talk to you, not just try to sell you their items. It was amazing to see such a wide range of items that were being sold as well. Many of the items were things unique to this culture and things I had never seen before. It was great just to look ahead and see so many new things in front of me.
I learned many things about the indigenous Ecuadorian culture while at Otavalo and lunch at Claudia's home. It is very interesting to me to see the culture of the indigenous people. Essentially every aspect of their lives were so different because they live in such a different place. My favorite aspect of their community was seeing how they agriculturally take advantage of every inch of space. Corn was actually growing in places where you generally would not think any form of agriculture could exist. They also had livestock everywhere they could fit them and provide an area to graze. It was also really great to get a taste of indigenous food at Claudia's house. I think food is something so universal that you really learn a lot about a culture through their food. I learned that although there are obvious differences in the food that they eat, much of the staples are quite the same such as meat, potato, vegetable. Getting to experience the culture at Otavalo and Claudia's house for lunch was an experience I will definitely not forget and one I will hold super valuable.
Although I have been trying to be less ethnocentric, I have caught myself many times. Most of my ethnocentrism does not stem from action as much as thought. It is very easy to judge another culture, especially one so drastic from your own. I often found myself surprised at some living situations, or feeling sorry for street dogs. Things that are just a normal part of this culture are very different for me so I am still trying to be more open about accepting the things as they are. As far as trying new food I have been able to set my ethnocentric tendencies aside and really immerse into the culture. The food has been such a great experience so far and I can't wait to continue to try more. As far as trying to work to change my ethnocentric views, I think this is something that will come to em as I spend more time in Ecuador. As things become more familiar, they will be less surprising to see. Once I am able to accept the culture of Ecuador more, I think that most of my views will change as I will have immersed in the culture much more. I already feel as there are many things that I have caught myself on and started to improve.
I learned many things about the indigenous Ecuadorian culture while at Otavalo and lunch at Claudia's home. It is very interesting to me to see the culture of the indigenous people. Essentially every aspect of their lives were so different because they live in such a different place. My favorite aspect of their community was seeing how they agriculturally take advantage of every inch of space. Corn was actually growing in places where you generally would not think any form of agriculture could exist. They also had livestock everywhere they could fit them and provide an area to graze. It was also really great to get a taste of indigenous food at Claudia's house. I think food is something so universal that you really learn a lot about a culture through their food. I learned that although there are obvious differences in the food that they eat, much of the staples are quite the same such as meat, potato, vegetable. Getting to experience the culture at Otavalo and Claudia's house for lunch was an experience I will definitely not forget and one I will hold super valuable.
Although I have been trying to be less ethnocentric, I have caught myself many times. Most of my ethnocentrism does not stem from action as much as thought. It is very easy to judge another culture, especially one so drastic from your own. I often found myself surprised at some living situations, or feeling sorry for street dogs. Things that are just a normal part of this culture are very different for me so I am still trying to be more open about accepting the things as they are. As far as trying new food I have been able to set my ethnocentric tendencies aside and really immerse into the culture. The food has been such a great experience so far and I can't wait to continue to try more. As far as trying to work to change my ethnocentric views, I think this is something that will come to em as I spend more time in Ecuador. As things become more familiar, they will be less surprising to see. Once I am able to accept the culture of Ecuador more, I think that most of my views will change as I will have immersed in the culture much more. I already feel as there are many things that I have caught myself on and started to improve.
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