Meng - Blog 14

1) How is the Mercado Artisinal (the market in Quito) a metaphor for Ecuadorian culture?

I think this market is very interesting because that it is a very traditional market but locate in the Quito downtown. I thought in Quito, most of the traditional markets are in the suburbs because remote areas are not growing so well as the big city, and they are not influenced by new things a lot. So more traditional customs and objects will be preserved and sell. So, I was surprised that I can see the Mercado Artisinal in the downtown. As we all know, it's more convenient to have a shopping downtown, so this market is very good for promoting Ecuadorian culture because it provides more opportunities for the traveler to buy local stuff and to touch their culture.

2) What did you learn about kids from your visits to Neque? What did you learn about service?

It's really my best experience to do volunteer at Neque. When I was playing with my kids on Thursday afternoon, I first felt I was needed, and I felt that I was worth relying on for someone else that made me feel very happy. Maybe because my outlook, I am thin and small from an early age, and always gets sick, so at home, my parents took very good care of me ; when I got to school, I have some nice friends who used to taking care of me; When I kept a relationship, my boyfriend willing to take care of me. Thus, I am always a role that being protected by others. However, when I was playing with kids in the park, I felt that these kids need my help. I pushed the kids on the swings and hold them to the bar, which made me think I have the ability to take care of other people. That is the biggest thing I learned from the service. I am happy to be with these innocent children. They let me know that even is poverty but still can live happily and healthily.




3) How did cooking with your professors serve as a form of intercultural communication? What were the rewards and challenges of this activity?

Today's cooking is interesting. I tried to make a food something like the dumpling, I'm sorry, I don't remember the name of that food. I am poor at remembering names. Cooking together with our teachers is a good experience for me. Especially, we followed their instructions to make local food that is very meaningful. At the same time, I think this kind of communication enhances the relationship between teachers and students, and also help us to deep understand their culture that is also the reward of this activity. I didn't feel any challenge for this activity.

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