Paige Blog #9

 1) What was the most surprising information you learned at Mitad del Mundo? 
What I thought was the most surprising about this place was the rich history and tradition they had in their culture. I was amazed by the fact that all of the local tribes and people have traditional protectors which they make to protect their land and themselves. What I found most amazing about this is the fact that they all did share some similar facial structures and powers. I was definitely most shocked by the shrinking head tradition of the culture. At first I was slightly freaked out by this practice, and questioned why anyone would want a tiny head hung around their neck. However, after examining the ethnocentrism of my belief and hearing the reasons of preserving knowledge or containing a spirit, the practice makes complete sense and I am very intrigued! I wonder if any other cultures around the world practice a similar tradition. I was very pleased with our tour guide because she was so knowledgeable about the practices and customs of the native people. I would like to know more about the daily lives of these people and know about their values and beliefs. 

What I also find extremely interesting was in the burial site we saw. The culture values the earth tremendously, and that is apparent as they bury their dead in the fetal position. But what I found most incredible about the burial site was the presence of sea shells. Our guide Claudia explained that sea shells were traded along Latin and South America. I was pondering this idea of trading shells. When I think about the trade industry I think of people trading items that are necessarily for life. Food, clothing, materials for shelter, etc. However, shells are very artificial and appear almost a commodity, yet they traded them. This taught me that this culture values the afterlife so much that they spent valuable resources on items they believed their loved one would need when they woke up. 

2) What was your perception of the food during our dinner at Mama Clorinda? (Which food(s) did you try that took you out of your comfort zone? Which were your favorites?)
When I saw that cows tongue was on the menu I was very intrigued to try it! Especially because we just had saw it at the meet market when we visited with our professors. I was excited once Sam ordered it, and it was not until I was cutting into the meat that I felt nervous. I shakily brought the fork to my mouth and just did it, and took the bite. I was very shocked to find that the meat was very soft and almost melted in my mouth. I thought the taste was great. However, when I started to think about what I was eating, I got a strange feeling. I was extremely proud of myself for going out of my comfort zone and trying something I would never have had the opportunity to try elsewhere! 

I was very shocked to find out that we only had one waitstaff member attending to our group of 18 people. I observed that the Ecuadorian culture values hard work already throughout my time here. However, this was a whole new experience. Our waiter was extremely calm and patient as we all attempted to say our menu item name correctly, and walked up those swirly stairs multiple times. The opportunity to eat at this restaurant provided me the opportunity to eat food I would never have had the chance to eat. But it also provided our class with the opportunities to share in conversation, laughing and learning about one another in a closer and deeper way. 

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