Monday, December 30, 2013: Quito to Salasaca to Riobamba
Today we left Quito to go to Riobamba, making a stop in Salasaca on the way. We left the hotel at 8:00 am for departure where we visited HosterÍa La Ciénga. While there we looked around the property grounds, had tea, and listed to music played by the Group Cotopaxi. The music was excellent so I bought a CD. Once we left the Hostería, we departed to the Comunidad Salasaca. This was such a neat place; we were given a weaving demonstration. The man who demonstrated did not need to look at a pattern because it was memorized in his head. He learned how to weave at the age of eight. The Comunidad has tables set up with clothing’s, jewelry, bags, and all types of gifts. I bought an alpaca sweater, which is amazingly cozy. They also served us lunch that consisted of corn on the cob, mixed vegetables, beans, and tea. Before we left the family played music and danced. Next, we made our departure for Riobamba where we spent the night at Hostería Bambú. In the evening, our group has a welcome dinner and discussion about the past few days. Today was mostly a travel day on the bus, which was relaxing.
I noticed a couple cultural differences. Family stays together even when they are adults, unlike in the U.S. where we go off to college and usually do not move home after. Where here they usually do not go to college, they learn the trades of their family and work for and with their family. Their traditions are also different from ours. All their traditions revolve around their family while most of our traditions revolve around the TV. For instance, we watch football on Sundays on TV, we watch the ball drop on New Years on TV, and we watch the super ball on TV. We are a very technology based country. One more thing I noticed how Ecuador is different from the U.S. through the environment is they are considered harmony. Meaning, they give back to mother nature for what they take. For example, they use a certain bug’s blood to dye the wool. They use many alpaca to make clothing. The older generation teaches the younger generation how to make and do things because they want to keep traditions going. Where in the U.S. we are considered mastery. Meaning, we think of nature and ourselves differently. Many people think they are “one with nature” however, it turns out they are not. I heard a story about a man in the U.S. who drives his SUV to work everyday even though he lives one mile away from work. He says he loves nature, going camping, hiking, what not and recycles. How is “one with nature” if you are polluting the earth by driving to work when you live so close. That was my day, which I enjoyed very much!!
