Chuta

7-15-11

We’ve all been pretty busy working with the vocational course as well as helping other volunteers, but I’ve had some time to reflect a little bit about my experience here.  I’m grateful to be living in a small mestizo community where animals wander and be surrounded by indigenous-looking older people.   I’m sure this would have been a much different experience had I lived in Quito, with much pollution and too many people.  Its fun walking around Lumbisí recognizing almost everyone, smiling, greeting and talking to people who own little shops.  I wouldn’t be able to do this in the capital.  I’ve also come to find that I’m pretty flexible when it comes to plans changing or working with different people.  I love how “chill” it is here.  If you make a mistake, you are forgiven (sometimes laughed with) immediately.  I like the variety of things I’m able to do- whether it’s helping the U of I students with the course, working in the community garden, traveling to Tonsupa, or working in the FEVI store-I enjoy the things I’m doing.  When we had the “minga” in the community garden the other day, I wasn’t freaked out about the little bugs or worms in the dirt; I embraced them.  I wasn’t concerned about getting my hands dirty as we weeded about 8 beds.  It’s so easy not to complain about things here because I honestly like the adventure of trying new things and changing how I view the world.  I’m able to appreciate even the odd things or non-North American way of how we do things because I understand the cultural aspects since I’ve been living here for even a few months.  Even the ridiculously obnoxious Ecuadorian music I’ve come to love, just because it reminds me of the people I have danced with or the setting I’ve been in (like Tonsupa).  I still hate the dogs in Lumbisí, but since we’ve been delivering meals to the elderly after serving in the comedor, I think they’ve gotten used to us and don’t bark and run after us anymore (hopefully! :-) Also, even though the women would save SO much time using washing machines instead of washing by hand, I like seeing ladies outside their houses in their “washing station” type concrete slabs.  It’s definitely a different culture, but I’ve come to love it.  I hope to always be sensitive to different cultures and try to understand their way of doing things.  I’m sure I haven’t even come close to finding all the cultural aspects here because I think that comes with time.  I have gotten close to my host family, especially my host mom, just conversing with her over tea or helping her cook dinner.  She’s a great woman and I’m happy to have lived with one of the best families here!