Another Adventure

Video: Rediscovering Identity

kaitlynhennessy — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 09:00:00 GMT

Here's a short video I did for my final class project summing up my experience in Ecuador so far. I hope you enjoy!

Soy Normal!

kaitlynhennessy — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 19:00:00 GMT

Well, it’s our last full day in Cuenca and our last class period of the trip. I only have one week left in Ecuador! When signing up for this trip at the last minute in October, I would have never guessed that my experience would have been quite like this. Sure, I had generalized Ecuador to be like Mexico and other countries that I had heard about in the news, but I didn’t come into this with all that many expectations. I didn’t know anything about Ecuador. By taking this class, not only was I able to learn about the economy, healthcare, education, and migration in Ecuador, but I was also able to observe and get to know some of the people on a personal level. They changed my perspective and my life.

Today’s lecture on education finished up a series of talks about Ecuador as a country. I cannot even begin to say how much I loved and appreciated all of them. These lectures made Ecuador not only a country to visit, but also a place where people live, work and go to school. It really added a human component to this whole trip. Like I mentioned in previous blogs, as American, we get this distorted view of the rest of the world. With short J-term study abroad programs especially, we start to think of the rest of the world as a showcase. Other countries are places we need to see and experience. It’s fine for us to take pictures, act like Americans, and do whatever we want because we can. We’re Americans.

With that said, I feel like this trip has been very different than previous study abroad trips I’ve been on. We live in houses with people from Ecuador. We go out for drinks on Friday nights with our Ecuadorian friends. We experience them at CEDEI, in the hospitals, in the schools, and in the restaurants. We’ve been living amidst the people and we have been forced to see what their lives are really like, what their "normal" is.

Through this experience, I have really been able to redefine what normal is. I usually think of normal in terms of myself and compare everyone else to that standard. However, as I was sitting with my professor, Marianne, today, I had yet another eye opening experience. I asked what she thought I could do to make my video better. She answered that she thought the middle section was a bit judgey. This comment really shocked me, as I was convinced that I had it all figured out. Judgey? After thinking about this for a while and talking it through with Marianne I came to a realization: I was still on my “normal” standard. Sure, it’s pretty usual for humans to think of situations in relation to our own lives, but that doesn’t make it right. Most of the people here in Ecuador are content with their lives. They’re happy with their standards of living, just as I am happy with mine. Making generalizations about any group of people is not only naïve, but it is indeed judgey. I know I still have a lot thinking to do on the subject, but this is certainly a start.

My mind has definitely been expanded with this experience. Ecuador has given me a new perspective of the world, and has definitely helped to strengthen my beliefs. I’ve gained a plethora of new information, all while experiencing God’s beauty and majesty. I can’t think of any better ways to be spending my J-term.

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Note: The title is a result of "soy" jokes. Soy in Spanish means "I am", so naturally we add it before words to make phrases sound cooler. For example, if you think that something is cool, you could say "soy awesome!" It really adds a whole new dimention to the phrase. Plus, if you're around Spanish speakers, they'll either think you're hilarious or ridiculous, and I readily accept both reactions. (Credit: Kelsey Thomas)

Magical Forests and Underground Rivers

kaitlynhennessy — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 17:30:00 GMT

At 7:45 this morning, we loaded the bus for Cajas National Park. I heard that this trip would be exciting and “magical” but I wasn’t sure how magical it would be for me. I love hiking, but wearing rubber boots and three layers at 12,000 feet didn’t sound all that appealing.

We were making our ascent to Cajas and I could already feel the elevation (or maybe the carsickness?) I was not all that excited. We soon pulled up to our first location. This, they said, was a test route to see how well we could do with the elevation. The second we set foot on that trail into the woods of Ecuador, all my fears disappeared. Never before had a seen landscape so beautiful! The paths were well made, there were many birds for us to watch, and our tour guide was excellent. It’s so much more interesting when you know what you’re walking through. We even go to off-road it for a bit when we found out a good chunk of the trail was blocked by a big tree. All that I could hear the whole time we were going through this unmarked territory was my mother saying in my ear, “Don’t go into the woods! Take bug spray with you everywhere!” My mama would have been proud of me. I put on bus spray AND sunscreen. That’s definitely a win for the day.

As we hiked around the trail we continued to see beautiful things and take a lot of selfies. What’s better than a picture of my face with mountains in the background? After a while we came to an old brewery. It was such a cool looking building that had unfortunately been shut down 100 years before possibly due to the prohibition. It was so interesting! Finally after an hour, we were on the bus again to our next destination.

This stop was our big hike. The first one had been nice and Three Crosses (a stop we made along the way) was cute, but we were doing the real stuff now. The guides asked if anyone wanted to do the easier one, and we all defiantly answered, “No way!” We started our two and a half hour hike.

When I say this was the best hike I have ever experienced, I actually mean it. We were climbing in the Andes at 12,000+ feet experiencing beauty at its very best. This hike didn’t include the normal trees in the forest and nice flowers, but rugged land with lots of rocks, underground streams, and magical forests of paper trees. It’s not an exaggeration when I say I felt like I was in the Lord of the Rings or Princess Bride. I was waiting for something to jump out and whisk me away at any moment! After stopping to have a picnic at the top of a small mountain, we jumped through mud and walked through the spongy grass all the way back to our bus. We were all tired and sunburned, but it was worth every second.

I am constantly amazed by the beauty of everything in this country. From the mountains, to the markets, everything displays a natural beauty beyond measure. I’m so sad we only have a week left!

Back to the Basics: Cooking, Healing, and Education

kaitlynhennessy — Wed, 8 Jan 2014 22:15:00 GMT

The last couple days have been so eventful! We learned how to cook a traditional Ecuadorian meal, visited a hospital, saw the CEDEI School and participated in a traditional healing. It is so interesting to compare all that we’re seeing with what we know from home. It definitely opens your mind a bit.

Yesterday, after class, we were lead down to the kitchen to learn how to cook. I was so excited to learn how my host mom and all the other women around here cook so well. Yolanda invited us in and started ordering us around in Spanish. She was so cute and so assertive that we couldn’t help but listen to her every wish (after it was translated of course :)). After a while, we had different combinations of tomatoes, onions, potatoes, meat and fruit cooking on the stove. Yolanda told us to go set the table while she made some juice out of a tree tomato. Before you know it, our food was done. Could I tell you the names? Nope. But I can tell you that our potato soup, beef, corn, tomato salad, and fruit desert was excellent.

After lunch, we all congregated to go to the hospital. We have been learning about healthcare in class, especially the difference between traditional healing methods and the western methods. Therefore, we were excited to see what would be in store. The hospital we visited was a public one, and the conditions were not close to what we’d consider okay in the US. We even got to go back in their emergency room, vaccination room, and lab. Like we said many times during the tour, “Never in the US.”

When we asked about the implementation of traditional methods of healing in the hospital, our guide responded with, “No, we have real medicine here.” I thought that was a very interesting thought, as many newspaper articles had praised Ecuador for the integration of traditional medicine into some hospitals. We had been talking about how cool it was to integrate the Shamans in the hospital to assist the doctors, but what she said confirmed my thoughts. It seems as if the Shamans are simply a form of comfort to patients in these hospitals. Just as our guide said, they always point back to the biomedical or western approach.

Therefore, when they told us we’d be experiencing a “limpia” today, I was skeptical. As we entered our classroom with 40+ people, you could smell burning wood and incense. Soon after, the man lecturing to us started to pour oil and spread rocks out on the floor next to the dense smoke. We had not clue what to expect. After eggs were rubbed and put in water, people were smacked with branches of herbs, and we had breathed in all the incense humanly possible, the limpia was done. It was very interesting to watch.

After seeing this, I have to wonder if it actually works. Can the health of our body, our energy, be determined by what an egg looks like in water? I’m not so sure. Can we actually better our equilibrium by generating “samy”, which is the feminine energy, in our hands? And then pass it off to people? I’m not convinced. I’m also curious to how this corresponds with many of the people’s Catholic background, after all, 95% of Ecuador identifies as Roman Catholic.

This cleansing will probably gain the title of most interesting lecture of the trip, but the school we visited was pretty cool too. CEDEI International is the program we’re working with on this trip. And it turns out that their college program is not the only thing they do; they have a school that is Pre-K to 9^th grade. So after our class period this morning, we loaded into another pseudo bus to get to the school. I don’t think I have ever ridden in a bus where a driver has gotten lost, but boy, did this driver get lost. We must have driven around for a good 30 minutes trying to find the school. It was hilarious! I’m so thankful for the group I’m here with. We never fail to have a good laugh in a stressful situation.

After unloading, we were buzzed in through the gates only to see kids running around everywhere. We knew that this was a tri-lingual school, but I was still surprised to hear some kids speaking English, some in Spanish. We didn’t hear any French unfortunately, but they don’t learn that until third grade. Ha. What a difference that is.

I was shocked to see this school in Ecuador. It seemed so well-organized, successful and clean. However, we were informed that most schools in Ecuador are not like this. This was a private, non-Catholic, liberal arts school. They encouraged the arts, taught 50% in English and 50% in Spanish, and gave kids freedom that they weren’t normally allowed. It was a very cool school to tour, and I will be interested to see if the idea of this school expands in Ecuador in the future.

I can’t wait to go to Cajas tomorrow. We’re taking a two-hour hike and I’m SO EXCITED. Forgetting the fact that there won’t be bathrooms, I expect it this to be one of the best parts of the whole trip.

Halfway to Somewhere

kaitlynhennessy — Tue, 7 Jan 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Well, our trip is officially over half way done. I have so many mixed feelings about that! On one hand, I absolutely love Ecuador. I’ve had so many opportunities to grow and learn, all while in a beautiful country. On the other hand, I miss my family and friends, and can’t wait to get back home. I just feel a bit conflicted, and I’m sure being mentally, physically and emotionally tired doesn’t help with the fact.

I was asked today if I was experiencing any culture shock. To be honest, I don’t know. It’s hard to see people struggling everyday: begging for money, sleeping by the road, living in dilapidated houses. I almost feel bad bargaining with the shopkeepers knowing that selling those goods is their sole source of income. It’s difficult when you step out of your comfort zone only to realize what really goes on in the rest of the world. I’ve been talking about the concept of the privileged versus the marginalized for years now, but have just come to realize what it really means. And I’m still asking why. Why am I the one with privilege? I’ve done nothing to deserve it.

I don’t know the answer to this question, and I would venture to say that I might not ever know. However, it is still important to ask. In thinking about it, I’ve come to value privilege because with privilege comes power. No, not the power to rule over and dominate others, but rather the power to help. There are so many people out there that need help and desire change. I’m starting to realize that it really only takes one person to begin that change. I have to begin with myself.

I know Ecuador isn’t the only place with marginalized and privileged groups. They’re everywhere you go. It just took a trip to Ecuador and a week in a penthouse watching the beggars from my window to really realize what it really means.

Spanglish

kaitlynhennessy — Mon, 6 Jan 2014 21:24:00 GMT

It’s official. I’m tired. We’ve been having so much fun that I can’t keep up anymore! I’m so glad I’ve decided to take tonight to work and homework and relax. I have to say, the boy advice from our host dad and bonding with our host mom was definitely worth it.

Yesterday we took a two-hour drive to Ingapirca. Being the history nerd I am, I loved being able to look at these Incan ruins and learn about what each room meant, what the Incan traditions were, and how they still impact the culture today. It’s so interesting to experience all the different aspects of Ecuadorian culture. Sure, the indigenous presence is felt almost anywhere you go, but each person expresses that a little differently. The Incans and the Spanish both conquered Ecuador at some point in time, so you have to wonder if these differences are a result of that. Or, are the difference just a result of the gradual globalization?

Thankfully our two-hour drive there and back was not uninterrupted. On the way to Ingapirca we stopped at another indigenous market. This one was definitely unlike the others I saw, as there were live chickens in bags, people chopping up pigs as they hung from the ceiling, and fresh fruit and flowers beyond measure. I can only imagine what my face probably looked like walking through the market. I know that the faces of my classmates were hilarious!

On the way home we stopped at a church. The Church of the Virgin of the Morning Dew was one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen. I was chatting with our tour guide, Austin, who said that people make the trek up this mountain every Sunday (some people everyday!) to go to mass and celebrate. Just to make it clear, the people hiked up a mountain, then 145 steps (we counted) just to go to Mass. It was so inspiring! The endless arrangements of roses, the gorgeous stone alter, and view out the window just made for an even better experience.

Once we got home, I took a shower and was going to call it a night. We heard there would be a parade, but I had homework to do and was getting pretty tired. However, at about 8:00, my host sister Angelica asked if we wanted to go out with her and Francisco. We couldn’t resist! As it turned out, this was no normal parade. The whole city had shut down for the Day of the Innocents (equivalent to Halloween in the States). Francisco led us up and down the streets of Cuenca as we encountered many people in masks, weird dragon floats, and a circus in the street. It was such an odd experience! When we were done, we all decided that we needed some pizza. I was excited to try pizza in Ecuador because I thought it would surely be different, just like it was in Italy. So when we pulled up to a Papa Johns, I had to laugh.

After a late night of Spanglish and a long discussion over when to use the word “though” at the end of a sentence, we returned home. I’m so thrilled that we have the opportunity to make friends with actual Ecuadorian people. You learn so much more than you would without them! Anyway, it’s about that time. I have an observation paper and digital narrative to do.

Ciao!

Reflecting on Myself

kaitlynhennessy — Sat, 4 Jan 2014 23:59:00 GMT

This week, we’ve been talking a lot about identity, stereotypes, and what it really means to communicate. Phrases that I’d heard for all of my life are actively taking on new meanings as I am starting to tie real experiences to these textbook ideas.

As I’m reading through all of my past blogs I can’t help but see certain themes evolving. The family, indigenous culture, and my stereotypes seem to be the frontrunners. I have to ask myself, why do I notice these things? Do they really matter in the grand scheme of things? To be honest, I think it’s fairly easy to answer my own questions. Why do I notice these differences? Because they’re important. Do they matter? Of course!

One of the main things we’ve been focusing on is identity. In class, our professor asked us the question: “who are you?” The whole class had a really hard time answering this question. Student, athlete, American, and Christian were a few answers, and a few of us identified with sister, brother, or family member. In Ecuador that seems like family is something that is central to their identity. It is in this way that they answer that question of “who are you?” Looking back, it’s all so clear. On New Years Eve, all of the guests but one were part of the family. When we come home from class, Angelica and Juan are always together, or talking to their parents. The kids live at home well past eighteen and the idea of us doing our own chores in our own houses back in the States made our host mom cringe. Many of our classmates have had almost identical experiences. It’s quite amazing to see how the lives of most Ecuadorian people revolve around their families. The idea is so refreshing!

Another thing that I’ve been noting a lot of is the indigenous presence not only in the villages, but in all of the big towns as well. You see an expensive shirt next to weaved baskets. You see people doing indigenous dances outside the new Cathedral. There’s a part of the indigenous heritage that people here in Ecuador just seem to identify with, even in the midst of globalization. It’s also interesting to watch my family, as I’ve mentioned before. Right now, I’m living in a house nicer than mine, watching movies in English, in Ecuador. I think this perfectly displays the consequences of all of the change over time. From the Incas to the Spanish, Ecuador has become a country with a small, but growing world presence. It’s funny that our host family so heavily embraces their Ecuadorian culture, yet can’t wait to get out.

Lastly, looking back I see the strong presence of ethnocentrism. Without even realizing it, I have developed this sense that the United States is superior in all ways to almost all countries. I’ve enforced stereotypes of the Ecuadorian people, while still trying to live my American life. I’ve realized now, that this way will get me nowhere. Many times it’s actually necessary to step back and take a look at the world as a whole, as equal. Being a minority is hard. Using our incident at the park as an example, having people stare at me all the time, not being able to speak Spanish well, and constantly being called out on the street is tiring. It makes you feel like there’s something wrong with you, like you don’t belong. This experience will go with me forever and make me consider how I treat others.

Through these experiences, I’ve gained a strong sense of understanding. From the Andes to the Sea: Intercultural Communications in Ecuador is truly living up to its name. Not only have I gotten to travel throughout the mountains and to the sea, but I’ve also learned what it means to be a world citizen. I’ve learned the true definition of intercultural communications.

Creepy Old Men

kaitlynhennessy — Sat, 4 Jan 2014 19:14:00 GMT

After three days in Cuenca, it feels like home. Our legs have stopped aching from the 40-minute walk to school and we can almost breathe normally with the altitude. Actually, to be honest, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to breathe normally here! I’m sorry I’ve been falling so far behind on this blog. It’s really crazy that we’ve already been here for over a week. Sometimes it feels like it has only been one day, and other times I feel like I’ve been here for a month. The days go fast and we’re learning so much!

CEDEI has been keeping us busy. We’ve been to three museums, all which had historical indigenous artifacts, toured the center of Cuenca, and even had dance lessons. Believe it or not, I can actually do the merengue without looking like too much of a dork! One of my favorite things so far was the lecture by one of the Ecuadorian professors. She spoke about affect immigration and migration is having on middle-school aged students. It was a very interesting lecture and gave a different perspective than we’re used to. The lecture put a pit in my stomach and new thoughts in my head. It made me question what I know about the subject created a desire within me to seek out answers.

After class each day we have a bit of time to go to the markets, get ice cream with our classmates, or just enjoy how the temperature will not be a raw -15 F on Monday. It’s really interesting to see the continual presence of the indigenous people here in Cuenca. They told us that the people in the markets commute from Otavalo to Cuenca everyday. That’s crazy! Oh, I have another crazy story for you. After our dance class yesterday, Christine, Kelsey and I went to the central park. Since it was a beautiful and sunny 60 degrees, we obviously kept our shorts on despite CEDEI’s warnings not to wear them. We figured it would be fine while we observed. Unfortunately, instead of observing, we were the ones being observed. After people stared at us for a good fifteen minutes and some old Ecuadorian guys took a picture with us, we decided it was time to change. Enduring catcalls and air-kisses the whole two blocks back to CEDEI, we decided that we’d never wear shorts in public again.

Later that night, we decided to go out for some drinks. It was so nice to be able to relax and be a normal (legal!) kid. When Christine and I returned home in a taxi, she went to bed and I joined Angelica and her friend Francisco for a movie. Despite the small language barrier, it was so much fun to be part of their banter and participate in normal life.

So, here we are on January 4, 2014. I have finished my application for the Rome semester, researched Ecuadorian healthcare, written a blog, and gone zip lining in the mountains. Oh yes, you heard me right. I went zip lining in the mountains! Although I’m generally afraid of heights, I really enjoyed the challenge and most of all, the thrill. Getting to enjoy all of God’s beauty was the highlight of my day. When we got back we ate a wonderful meal with soup, rice, chicken, and something made of corn (a traditional Ecuadorian meal). And our host dad is so funny; he insists on having Christmas music on during every meal. So great!

I think I’m going to miss this family when we leave. They are so caring, and thoughtful, and fun. Juan went back to school in Mexico yesterday, and you can already feel something missing. It’s so cool to see how much they value family and time together. It makes me miss my family at home!

Well, minus the cows in the street after lunch, I’d say it’s been a pretty normal day. I’m going to go write a paper now. Happy Sunday Eve!

A New Year Adventure

kaitlynhennessy — Thu, 2 Jan 2014 21:00:00 GMT

Sorry this is a little late... but this is for New Years Eve and Day. Happy New Year!

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I can’t believe it’s only been six days since I left the U.S. I feel like I’ve been in Ecuador for a month! It’s been an eventful two days. After we left Riobamba on Tuesday, we came straight for Cuenca. Six hours in a bus doesn’t sound like long, but when you actually experience it, it’s quite torturous. And my normal napping habits failed me! However, while I wasn’t sleeping, I got to enjoy the scenery. I remember dozing off and then just looking out the window to see a few quiet houses, fog covered mountains, and people enjoying the sun. On our way, we also got to make a quick stop at the oldest church in Ecuador; it was built in 1545 and still standing strong. Very beautiful! As we continued, it became quite obvious that it was New Years Eve. The people on the side of the street were selling effigies, kids were running around with masks—we had to stop several times to avoid running them over—and full pigs ready to be sold were hanging from multiple buildings in each town. It was quite a spectacle. After stopping on the side of the road for a potty break and “getting in touch with nature,” as our tour guide Austin called it, we arrived in Cuenca.

Cuenca was not what I expected. I also said that about Quito, but Ecuador is really so diverse that you never know what to expect! We came from a more dangerous Quito, spent time in indigenous villages where everything was pretty humble, and drove through multiple villages with houses that we would call far less than adequate. Needless to say, I was nervous to meet my host family and see our new home. We arrived at CEDEI (our school) to meet many smiling faces, which is something you don’t see often. Apparently smiling a lot is an American thing. We were ushered into the building only to see an audience of host families. Nervously, we stood up in front of the group and they called up our host families one by one to retrieve us. It was awkward, but as our host brother, Juan, and host father, Patricio, greeted Christine and I, we couldn’t help but feel overjoyed to finally meet them. Soon enough we were on our way to our temporary home.

Our host mother, Ruth, greeted us at the door. She was speaking in Spanish, and I have to admit I couldn’t understand a thing she was saying. I understood “hola” and “bienvenido” which mean hello and welcome, but that was pretty much it. The smell of carrot soup greeted us as we entered the apartment. Ruth is such a wonderful cook! After we ate and got settled in, I picked up on the fact that there would be a party. And sure enough, seven o'clock rolled around and people showed up honking their horns, dressed in masks, and ready to party.

The night was really great. It was fun to see the extended family interact. Not only did they treat each other like brothers and sisters, but they really made Christine and I feel like a part of the family. After salsa lessons and learning how to loosen up a bit, we went out to the park to burn the effigies. As weird as I still think it is, the ceremony was nice to participate in. We jumped over the flames with the rest of the family for good luck, and then lit off fireworks to end that portion of the night. What we weren’t expecting was the massive amount of food awaiting us inside. Ruth and Patricio's sister had prepared a feast for us! The food was delicious, and again, we got to witness some of the Ecuadorian cultural practices.

On New Years at home, we always have a big meal and it is usually prepared by all of us. The same goes for most of our meals I suppose; it’s a community effort. However, here in Ecuador they observe more traditional gender roles and the women did all of the cooking and cleaning. As much as I love preparing meals with my dad, it was refreshing to see these roles in action. It’s not a tradition observed out of dominance over women, but the men very much appreciate and honor the women for it. It’s just something different that you can tell is engrained in the culture.

After the meal, Christine and I wimped out and went to bed. Two in the morning is muy tarde para mi! We were told that it is tradition to sleep in late on New Years, for all the shops are closed for a day of rest. Sure enough, when we finally went upstairs to have breakfast at eleven, everyone was still sleeping. It wasn’t until lunch at three that we finally saw our host brother and sister. I know I’m a college student and I should be used to that, but it’s so late!

At four we went to Mass for the Solemnity of Mary. It was such a beautiful Mass with a lot of music and a lot of people. As always, the Mass was the same, but I noticed a few differences that were really interesting. First, the people are much more involved in the Mass. They sing a lot, recite prayers, and really love being there. At communion, there are no lines and people just go up whenever they felt they were ready. You can be sure that it drove my type-A mind crazy. Right after Mass finished, I was suprised to see many people rush toward the sanctuary. They were going to get blessings from the priest; my family followed suit. It was a really beautiful experience and I was honored to participate in it.

To end our day, we came back to the apartment to watch a movie with our host dad and have dinner. I have to admit, I laughed when he picked out a movie on John Lennon. It was kind of disorienting to be sitting in a house nicer than mine, watching a movie about John Lennon in English in Ecuador. Muy interesante!

Anyway, it’s definitely time for me to go to bed. Not even my late morning and afternoon nap can keep me awake for much longer.

Living the Indigenous Life (not really)

kaitlynhennessy — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 12:10:00 GMT

I was so sad to be leaving Quito this morning. It was such a vibrant city with so much to see! We had breakfast in the seventh floor of our hotel and it looked like an incredible meal. Unfortunately, I pulled a Kaitlyn and woke up a little too late to fully enjoy it. After taking some pictures of the skyline and appreciating the view, we hopped on the bus once again to travel. We were on our way to Salasaca, one of the four indigenous communities in Ecuador. Before we arrived, however, we took a quick stop at a mansion turned hostel. No, not hostile, but it was turned into a bread and breakfast type hotel. As we drove up through the grove of huge trees, I had flashback to Beauty and the Beast. It was like the scene where Bell was chasing after her father in the dark stormy night and rides up to Beast’s mansion at the end of the wood. Minus the stormy part, this place was it. I’m not kidding. It reminded me of something out of a book. Anyway, we were able to go inside Hosteria la Cienega to check it out. It was a mansion just as you would expect: grand rooms, a beautiful courtyard with multiple fountains, a private chapel, and people in white jackets to serve us tea and coffee. It was a very cool experience. To make it better, a band showed up half way through our coffee to play us a little traditional Ecuadorian music. It was great.

After we left the Hosteria, we continued to Salasaca. We soon pulled up to a house on the side of the street and the bus drive told us we had arrived. To be honest, I was a little hesitant, as this house looked a little sketchy. But as we walked around the back, two kids popped up in front of us repeatedly saying “Hola, hola, hola…” so that they greeted all of us. The little boy looked like he’d been playing hard all day and the girl was pushing her new puppy around in a baby stroller. It reminded me so much of my sister Sarah toddling around our house with her babies. It’s probably one of the most adorable sites anyone can see. After we were greeted, we got another weaving demonstration. The man said that the blankets he weaved sold for around $600 dollars! It was really amazing how he made them. First, the women made the thread out of sheep’s wool. Then, they dyed the wool with the blood of a native bug. Finally, the man demonstrating weaved it into a blanket. He said that the process could take months and even years, even though he had been doing it since he was eight years old and had the patterns memorized. The people used all natural things and really put an emphasis on preserving “mother earth”. It’s so much different than we’re used to, but very interesting and quite thought provoking. After they fed us a delicious Ecuadorian meal, the family hosting us brought us outside to show us how to dance. The dance they taught us is often done at parties thrown after the election of a new governor. They showed us this one in particular because the election is in two days. It was a simple dance that was very easy to participate in, very much like the Ecuadorian culture in general.

Finally, we made our way to Riobamaba where we are spending the night. Hosteria Bambú is a quaint little hotel with a very homey and resort-like feel. We had our first class session and got to discuss everything we’ve seen so far. It was fun to get together and actually talk about our experiences in depth. Then dinner was served and we were lucky enough to get our third traditional meal of the day. Although my stomach is feeling a little queasy, the food was worth the risk. It was all natural and very good. I have to say, my favorite was the coffee cake for dessert. SO GOOD. Tomorrow I look forward to meeting my host family and getting acquainted with Cuenca where we’ll be spending our next two weeks. What an adventure it’s been so far!

The Beautiful Quito

kaitlynhennessy — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 00:03:00 GMT

I could definitely get used to waking up to the sounds of roosters. It’s just like I always imagined as a kid! Sure, 5:45 came around early, but the quiet, beautiful city made it all worth it. Christine and I went to Mass at the church down the street at 6:30. I believe it was called the church of St. Francis, but I’m not sure; the Ecuadorians don’t put huge signs next to the door of the church like the Italians do. When we walked in, we quickly realized that they were half way through the preparation of the gifts. Apparently Mass started at 6:00 and not at 6:30. Oops! Nonetheless, we were warmly welcomed by an old gentleman sitting in the back row and got to participate in the rest of the Mass. I even understood some of what they were saying! It amazed me that even in Ecuador, the Mass is the same. What a beautiful witness to our faith. After Mass, Christine and I wandered around Otavalo for the last time before going back to the hotel. The community we witnessed as people were attending Mass and setting up their market stands for the day was refreshing. It was a witness to the family like unity that still exists in our world.

After getting stranded outside of our locked hotel for a good fifteen minutes, we made our way to breakfast. Real pineapple juice, fresh bread, and scrambled eggs were ready when we arrived. Soon after, we loaded the bus for Quito. This two-hour drive seemed boring until we made a stop. We were at the equator. I was ready for a touristy spot with tons of people, but our tour guide took us to a different site. This location, we were told, was the middle of the earth. Since this spot was in the Andes, it offered many opportunities for interesting research about the earth. We even learned that we’ve been viewing the world the wrong way. Who knew! After getting the cheesy pictures, we got back on our bus and continued our journey to Quito.

Quito was NOT what I was expecting. Talk about a country full of diversity. We came from the indigenous town of Otavalo where the people ran markets and lived modestly, and to be honest, I expected Quito to be much of the same thing. When I woke up from my nap—I have a habit of falling asleep on buses—I saw many high-rises, modern buildings and very nice apartments. The mall we stopped at for lunch even had a Tiffany’s across the hall from a KFC. It was evident that we were in for a whole different experience.

Our first stop was the museum. We saw the work of the famous artist Oswaldo Guayasamin. This man was distraught over all of the tragedies that were occurring in the world around him. He experienced World Wars I and II, Vietnam, and many others. The paintings and sculptures depicted the emotions of the people ranging from hopeful, to hopeless, to angry, and sad. It was a beautiful depiction of humanity. Although it was difficult to understand most of what the tour guide was saying, a simple phrase translated by our tour guide Austin made the paintings come alive.

Finally, we went on our city tour. Quito is so beautiful! The city is literally built in the mountains surrounded by volcanoes. The churches, government buildings, and houses were built over gullies via arch like supports. I have to admit, I was in seventh heaven because we finally got to hear more about Ecuadorians and their Roman Catholic faith. First, we saw the Basilica dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This huge gothic church stood high and strong right on the boarder of the old and new Quito. The influence of the Galapagos Islands was evident, and I loved that the crucifix, Sacred Heart painting and Our Lady of Guadalupe picture were all lit up with blinking lights. It’s strange for us Americans, but definitely something you see all over Ecuador. The lights illuminate what they see as most important. One last thing about that Basilica: there was a window at the entrance shaped like a heart. Through that window, you could see a giant statue of Mary on the top of a small volcano located in the middle of Quito. Take this as you will, but to me it was a reminder of how important Mary is to us as a church. She is our mother and protector, always watching over us.

Next we visited the Plaza of Dead Pigeons. Yes, dead pigeons. The square was surrounded by the home of the president, significant churches, and old colonial houses. This is a square in which people could come to perform whether they were a clown, a musician, or a passionate speaker. You could see the excitement among the people and the energy all around. I laughed when I saw an obelisque in the square. Italy found me! Actually though, they imported this statue from Italy piece by piece. After leaving the plaza, we saw the local monastery and what the Ecuadorians call the Church of Gold, because the inside was literally covered in gold. Both churches had stunning interiors and great stories to go along with them. Lastly, we went up onto the Mary volcano where you could see all of Quito. It was again, SUCH an amazing site. You could see all the sites that we had visited, buildings for miles and miles, and then beyond that, the mountains. It was a great way to end the day.

As we arrived back at Hotel Quito (which was definitely one of the nicest hotels I’ve stayed at), we ate dinner and called it a night. Right now I am sitting in my hotel room attempting to stay awake to read the last few pages of the textbook. I’m so excited to see what the rest of this trip has in store. Two days until we meet our host families!

Alpaca: My New Favorite Animal

kaitlynhennessy — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 00:00:00 GMT

I am completely stunned by Ecuador. It is everything I had hoped for and nothing that I had expected. Our first day in Otavalo was full of fun, learning, and plenty of surprises. We bargained our way through the Saturday market, learned how to play traditional Ecuadorian music, and hiked up a beautiful mountain. I feel like I might fall asleep at any given moment, but it’s been 100% worth it.

We started our day with a trip to Otavalo’s open-air market. Never before have I been so overwhelmed by stuff. There were stands every way you looked with a plethora of things to buy: famous Ecuadorian scarves and blankets, lots of fruit that we couldn’t eat, and many, many sweaters, cups, backpacks and ponchos covered in alpaca. It was quite the site to see. Aside from the merchandise, there were also some very interesting people. In preparing for this trip, I thought that it would probably be a lot like my experience in Italy: the people are not fond of Americans. However, that was not the case. I was astounded by patience, generosity, and kindness of every person we met. I remember one lady in particular who was insistent on my friend buying a poncho with alpaca on it (surprise!). I thought it was about to be one of those awkward situations where we have to rudely walk away, but the conversation took a different turn. She was very grandmother-like and very patient each time we turned her down. So, when she ushered us over to try on her alpaca sweaters, I couldn’t resist! I can now proudly say that I am the owner of an alpaca sweater. Yes, embarrassing, but completely awesome at the same time.

After successfully learning how to bargain, we got on a bus and made our way to the day’s next activity. They told us that we were going to an island, but no one took the time to really think about what that meant. After about two minutes on the bus, I fell asleep—it really seems to be a trend with me lately. So when I heard our tour guide come on over the speaker, I was shocked to wake up to a gorgeous blue lake surrounded by mountains. Oh, and the islands were in the lake like promised. After a few minutes of gawking at the lake, we were told that we could hike up some of the smaller hills to get a better look at things. I can’t even put together the words for what I felt when we reached the top. The enormity and the beauty of the landscape was surreal. As we were sitting on the last few steps, out of breath from the altitude and quickly getting sunburned, my thoughts came together. This view is only a glimpse. It’s a glimpse at the enormity and beauty of our Creator; He is unimaginable in our small human minds. The power of the thought hit me and I remembered again, how blessed I am to be able to travel to such a beautiful country.

Finally we loaded up the bus to go to our last two stops: a textile hand-weaver, and a family that makes indigenous Ecuadorian instruments. It is here that we truly saw what Otavalo is about. We have heard things for friends and read articles, but it didn’t measure up to experiencing these people first hand. Again, the kindness and generosity amazed me. The weaver and his family were very passionate about artifacts and ancient weaving. Aside from making beautiful scarves and ponchos, these people were advocates to the Ecuadorian culture. From political activism, to teaching their children the importance of tradition, the weaver embraced his culture and his lifestyle. The same can be said about the instrument makers. The way they created and played instruments was inspiring. They were so genuinely invested in what they were doing. If only I could say the same about myself. As a music lover, it was fun to witness a father and daughter “jamming” together. It reminded me a lot of playing and singing with my father growing up.

When the music ended we made our way back to the hotel. A traditional Ecuadorian dinner and some homework later, I am ready to go to sleep. I would definitely say today was successful. I experienced more things than I can write in this blog and learned so much. I cannot adequately explain how excited I am for the next 20 days.

Burning Dummies

kaitlynhennessy — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 21:00:00 GMT

As I am preparing to leave for Ecuador, I cannot help but to be curious about the Ecuadorian culture. If I’m going to spend three weeks in a foreign country with a family that I do not know, surrounded by things unfamiliar to me, I want to at least try and understand the culture. I’ve read about Ecuador and it’s people, clothing, customs, and arts; I’ve heard about their traditions and tried to familiarize myself with the environment. However, I still feel unprepared. I'm slowly realizing that culture is more than a definition and is not learned by reading a textbook; culture is supposed to be lived and experienced. For this reason, I am excited to escape the comfort of the United States and to fully experience the Ecuadorian culture.

Part of immersing myself into this new culture will mean ridding myself of stereotypes and assumptions about Ecuador. When thinking about South America, it’s easy to compare its countries to other countries that we do know the characteristics of, like Mexico. As citizens of the United States who have little intercultural experience, we have a naïve vision of different countries. It gives us a narrow view of the world, and little to no conception of what the rest of the world is actually like.

I also have this assumption that Ecuador is an indigenous country where people live in less than adequate houses and get pleasure out of simple things. My knowledge of Ecuador tells me that this is certainly not true, however, my strong stereotype keeps the thought there. I worked with a girl last semester that was from Ecuador, and she talked about how bad her parent’s experiences were in the country. This helped confirm assumptions that I had developed from movies and other people; all of which I’m going to have to work very hard to diminish.

Although the stereotypes and assumptions are going to be difficult, I have a feeling that they’ll be quickly taken care of once I actually get to Ecuador. Once really getting to know people, it’s easy to change opinions. However, it’s not easy to change our own cultural traditions and behaviors that we’ve grown up with our whole lives. One thing we value in the United States is success, particularly monetary success. I’m under the impression that this is not the case in most other cultures. This success is often accompanied by other values such as faith, individuality, and pleasure. These values are instilled in our holiday traditions, our every day work lives, and our family lives. It is culturally acceptable to be immersed in ourselves and to do what it takes to keep it that way. I’m anxious to see if that is the same in Ecuador. Part of me hopes that it is not, as it is nice to escape the high-paced lifestyle everyone once in a while.

Accordingly, I researched the lifestyle in Ecuador, including traditions. In my research, I learned of an interesting New Years tradition. In America we celebrate the New Year by partying the night away, and if lucky, kissing someone at midnight as the ball drops in New York City. In Ecuador they do it a little differently. According to the travel guide, This is Ecuador, Año Viejo is a celebration where people make scarecrow-like dummies of people they dislike, mainly political leaders and other famous figures, and burn them to the ground. Often a list of sins is attached to the dummy reminding the people of the figure’s shortcomings in the last year. It is a symbolic ritual that reminds people that amidst the ashes, there is hope in the New Year.

This tradition is certainly different than those we see in America. Like many of the other carnivals celebrated throughout the year in Ecuador, there seems to be a focus on community-like activities. People enjoy celebrating together through rituals and large-scale celebrations. I’m so excited to take part in the joyous activities while learning what it's like to be a real Ecuadorian. Hopefully while burning dummies, I can also burn away a few of my misguided assumptions and stereotypes.

This trip is going to be an adventure. It’s going to take me out of my comfort zone, away from my easy life, and into an unfamiliar culture. I hope to be shaken and changed; I want to be morphed into a better person. Hopefully this experience of intercultural communication will achieve exactly that.

Bibliography

Matheus, Carolina. "The Transforming Powers of Masks." This Is Ecuador. Web. 22 Dec. 2013. <http://www.thisisecuador.com/component/content/article/15-handmade-in-ecuador/100-the-transforming-powers-of-masks.html>.