Day #3 paige

1)  What was your favorite experience today and why?  

My favorite experience was when my classmates and I were sitting around the dinner table at Claudia's and we were listening to the local music and eating the local food. We were able to ask Maria Paz and Jared many questions about the things we did not understand and I felt as if this is how locals would dine if they had a special event or something. I did not feel like a tourist in that moment and I truly enjoyed  that. The food was incredible, and while I was very nervous when the plate of Qui came around and there was only the paws and the head left I was able to get some small meat and experience the delicious taste! I enjoyed hearing the local music and eating the local food the most from our day. However, in general our day was filled with interacting with locals and that experience is wonderful for me!

2) What did you learn about the indigenous Ecuadorian culture at Otavalo and during our lunch at the  indigenous house? 

When we were at the market there was a moment when someone else was buying something so I patiently waited nearby. I saw a man approach a booth and pulled up the table cloth. When the cloth was moved it revealed two young boys sleeping under the table. The dad loudly proclaimed something with the word trabajas, which means to work. I was struck in that moment because on a Saturday morning, when American children are sitting TV side with a bowl of cereal, these young boys were expected to work. What this taught me is how Ecuadorians value the commitment of family. The young boys respected their father and knew because they were a member of the family they were expected to work and contribute to the family. Throughout nearly all of my travels I run into young children working, when normally we would expect them to be in school or running around playing. However, I know how desperate for money some families are and need all able bodies to contribute to the financials of the home. It is a struggle I have, and still do deal with. Because I grisly believe education is such a powerful tool, and by removing children from their school the parents are limiting their future. But at the same time the family depends on that money the children bring in. The market reinforced this conflict for me, even though it was a Saturday. The market taught me the power of negotiation and the place of privilege I have. Walking in the market when things would only cost me $2 I did not want to bargain and I knew while I may be getting ripped off, these individuals need it more than I do. 

3) What beliefs/behaviors of your have been ethnocentric so far? How will you work to change these?

When we were sitting at dinner at Claudia's last night everyone wanted to take a picture with the Cui. I felt as if this was sort of ethnocentric because to the locals this is just food they eat, but for us it is rare, exotic and exciting, and for some reason we need to document this experience for our friends to see. I believe taking pictures in general can sort of be seen as ethnocentric, more specifically when people post them and comment "tried this weird food today". I will work to change this by using comments on my photos that are not like the previously mentioned ones and use more descriptive terms for others who are not here to understand the culture here in Ecuador. I saw the faces of surprise and concern around the dinner table and was worried our emotions would make Claudia and the other cooks feel ashamed of their culture. Which is the last thing any of us intended to do. 

My host family so far has served us dinner, but the mom does not eat with us. She drinks coffee or hot chocolate I am not sure. I have struggled with my Spanish here, and I completely understand it is not my place to ask why. But I am surprised by my reaction, which is one that I automatically assume she may not be eating at all, or that she is somehow being oppressed. I have worked on this by thinking maybe she had already eaten, or it is something about Ecuador's culture with the mother eating in front of guests. I am not sure but I am reminding myself that this is just different, not worse or better.