Day Two: Otavalo Market

I’m not sure I can only pick one experience. I loved Otavalo. In the U.S., there aren’t markets like this. I thought it was impressive how large it was. Interacting with the indigenous people was interesting; they were friendly, but also very persistent. There were so many colors and textures—it was mesmerizing. The amount of work that these people put in amazes me. They are so talented. Another reason why I liked Otavalo, was because I was able to get gifts for my family that will allow me to show them this part of the world. Another one of my favorite parts of today was eating at Claudia’s house. The food, music, and dancing really allowed me to see the Ecuadorian culture. Everyone was very welcoming. The food was very good! I was adventurous and tried the guinea pig (cuy) which was different than what I expected. I didn’t think that it would taste good, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought. It tasted like lamb to me. One thing that I have allowed myself to be on this trip, is spontaneous. Some of the things here I would’ve never expected myself to try, but I am. One last thing that I enjoyed today was getting to see the alpaca. When I went to get my picture next to it, I was worried that is was going to get aggressive, but it didn’t. It just sat there…looking extremely cute I might add.

I learned that the indigenous people of Ecuador are very nice, but they are also persistent. When I was at the market, everyone wanted me to buy something from them. When I said no, they would continue to ask me. I can tell that they are not well-to-do. When I was bargaining with them I felt like it wasn’t right. I thought that the amount of work that they put in should be acknowledged. I felt like I should be paying them full price, however I was happy with the discounts that I got. During our lunch, I felt very welcomed; it was a very authentic experience. I loved the passion that they have behind what they do—whether it be cooking, dancing, or playing music. This passion drives everything that they do. They are very hard workers and strive to make others happy. I loved sitting at a table like we were all family. I think that this lunch allowed us to get to know one another—which I am very happy about.

I have been ethnocentric when considering the food I want to eat and just being on the streets. When I eat certain foods that my host family makes, I hear the little voice inside of my head saying, this is interesting, weird, or even gross. I have tried everything to eat, but some things I like better than others. On the streets, I have been thinking a lot about the stray dogs. I love animals and when I see them on the street it makes me feel very sad. I feel like they should have a home to go to and they should have food to eat. I want to take them home with me and give them the love that I believe they deserve. I know that the people’s intentions here aren’t to hurt the animals, it is just how it is here.

I plan to turn the little voice inside of my head down. I will try and think of the food as something that is new. By telling myself it is new, it allows me to put aside the idea that it is weird or gross. As for the dogs on the street, I am going to try and tell myself that that is how it is here. It isn’t that the people want to hurt the animals or starve them, but rather that the dogs just live outside. I wish that I could give them a loving home, but they get to live outside and meet new people all the time. Telling myself this makes me feel better about the stray animals.

Overall, day two in Ecuador was a success. I may have spent a lot of money, but I have had an experience worth it. This trip has already been eye opening. I’m excited to learn more about my host family mañana!