Another day in Ecuador. After consulting mi mama, I decided it was safe to venture on my first morning run next to the “river”. This is essentially a raging 30 foot wide stream that runs throughout Cuenca and is an important landmark for figuring out where something is. After a warm shower I enjoyed another cup of delicious fruit, café con leche, and walked to class with my sweet friends who called when they were outside my gate. I kissed mi mama goodbye and was off to school. In the mornings I am served bread with jam and last night mi mama asked if I liked the bread. I tried to gently inform her that it was not my favorite by emphasizing just how much I liked the fruit. Obviously the message did not go through. I cannot bear another day of untouched bread so I have decided to stash it in my backpack and let it be a morning treat for Wick to enjoy as we make our trek to school.
I studied lots of Spanish this morning and then booked it home for a delicious lunch. Today I enjoyed a simple meal with only mi mama while the other family members who sometimes join us were still at work or school. I learned that mi mama is 78, got divorced a long time ago, and has not had a ton of opportunities to travel. At lunch popcorn was sitting on the table in a bowl. I was quickly informed that this was to be put in the soup which was a greenish color with a broth like consistency today. When in Ecuador, do as the Ecuadorians do. I promptly plopped multiple pieces of popcorn in my soup and much to my surprise it was actually delicious—my new favorite way to eat popcorn. After lunch I walked back to school, explored the city and began our afternoon section of development discussions. We learned a lot about our work in the field today and I was struggling to focus. This weekend we have Saturday and Sunday off and it will be a much needed break. My mind is tired.
After class, Elizabeth and I wandered around and found some fun new shops. We ended up hanging at one of our favorite coffee shop/bars/hostels/ local hang outs with some friends. We then had one of the best meals yet at a small Mexican restaurant devouring a chicken burrito with fresh guacamole, beans, and cheese. $3.50 well spent! I was lucky enough to see Elizabeth’s house and meet her entire host family including some quality time with her 19 year old brother, Sabastian. He was full of life and it was so entertaining to spend time with someone my age of a different culture. He made fun of my Spanish and me constantly but despite our limited verbal communications I left the night feeling like I had a new great friend (especially after he shared two bites of his cheeseburger with me).
Today I have been thinking a lot about appearance because I receive a lot of attention for my blond hair in this country were that is a rare thing to come by. My hair color is not something I can control. I did not decide where I was born, the color of my skin, or the language I grew up speaking. There have been times in the past few days where all I wanted to do was blend in—cut off my hair, change my clothes, my language, everything. I feel noticed everywhere I go and it is exhausting. Yet it is the reality of the situation I am in. Why? Who feels like this in communities I am in at home? What do refugees feel like? People with deformities? skin diseases? What does it feel like to always feel like an outsider and never find a place that feels like home? I don’t have answers to these questions but I do want to be intentional about noticing those people that might feel out of place and trying to make them feel welcomed, valued, and appreciated. In addition, this has helped me better understand self segregation. I have almost always been the majority in all environments I have existed in. As the minority here it is easy to cling to other Americans or people who speak English because it is much more comfortable. I want cultural differences to be lessened and our similarities emphasized in Ecuador or across races, ethnicities, socioeconomic classes, etc. in America.
Just a few thoughts. Still loving it.
Hast luego,
Cate
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