Moving to a different country (or even simply just traveling
to one) is never without its challenges and trials in various different aspects
no matter how exotic the adventure. One of the biggest obstacles to overcome is
the cultural difference you are forced to face no matter where you travel. This
already has been especially evident in my almost one month here. And
unfortunately this has been one of the toughest aspects so far. This country I’ve
been blessed to call home is a beautiful place with warm, caring people…but
sometimes my quirky self just struggles a little.
A few examples:
·
In America, quietness is a common value that
most people respectfully share. Even in some of the busiest cities, there’s
still an individual sense of silence and reservedness. When out in public, most
people keep to themselves (sometimes almost like the plague) even if there are
100+ people in one area. It is expected that individuals are to be silent
around the more fragile of people – babies, somebody sleeping, somebody who is
sick, maybe even the elderly. In Ecuador, this is not so! Silence is not golden
and no matter what type of setting – public, private, or anything in between – people
seem to just do what they want. From an early age, babies learn to ignore the
noise around them and so as they grow older, they seem to not even notice it. At
any given time walking through my house, it is typical to hear: the TV blaring
(even first thing in the morning), cell phone rings (over and over and over),
slamming doors, loud footsteps, chatter (at various volumes), barking dogs
(that are never quieted), howling
dogs, rooster crows, kitchen noises, the 5-level car alarm that is never turned off until it has hit at
least level 4, etc. For my quiet, reserved, and slightly introverted self, this
has proven to be a bit of a challenge to say the least. A few things I’ve
learned to tune out, a few things I’ve learned the beauty of earplugs for (that
I’ve bummed off of other PCTs), but a few things I’m not sure I’ll ever get
used to. This can, however, work to my advantage at times if I’m staying up
late to work on some training homework or to boil water so I can wash some
strawberries for a potluck tomorrow (like I’m doing right now); I know I most
likely won’t be bothering the other members of the house.
·
I am very much a “personal space” kind of
person! I value it greatly and am the most comfortable in my little bubble
where I can “control” the atmosphere around me. This, is not a thing in this
culture! People are not afraid to get super close to you, they tend to not move
for anything (even if they are the ones randomly stopped in the middle of the sidewalk
or street). And on the bus? Ha! You can forget it!! There are no reserves there
with people bumping, pushing, shoving, grabbing, or even flat out leaning up
against you for balance. I’ve had plenty of bus experiences in my life but
these are definitely ones for the books! Complete strangers, friends, family
members, all of the above – closeness is just a part of everyday life.
·
When one wants another to do something, it is
not that common here to be asked but rather to be told. Por ejemplo, if my host
mom wants to offer me to get more fruit at church, the situation would go
something like this:
o
Host mom: Saralita, go get more fruit!
o
Me (standing there with two fist-fulls of fruit
I can barely manage): si, si.
o
HM (when I don’t move immediately): Go go!! Get
more fruit!!
o
Me: si! Esta bien (yes, it’s ok [I will])
o
HM (when she sees I still don’t go): Go, go,
go!!! Fruta, fruta!!
And so it continues until I either finally
finish what I have and get more or walk away trying to hide my annoyance. This
is a fairly common perspective (from what I’ve been told) and while it may seem
pushy to me that I was almost forcibly told rather than simply just asked if I
would like more fruit, this is not a negative thing to my mom and to her, she
was simply just being nice to offer (slash tell). This has possibly been one of
my biggest struggles as of late but something that I am working on just taking
in strides. Seeing such gestures as Ecuadorian generosity is the best way to
handle such situations and is just something my independent,
I-do-it-myself-when-I-want personality is just going to have to get used to.
·
It is not uncommon to hear car horns honk, see
mucho staring, or even get cat calls or yells at times. Car horns in America
are typically used out of aggression and it has been a constant goal of mine to
not perceive this as offensive when I hear it whether I’m on the sidewalk just
walking, on a bus, in another car, etc. There could be several reasons why one
uses their horn but it’s usually not coming from a negative place. Staring is
also very common! In America you do not stare, ever! No matter who the subject
is or what elicits the stare. In Ecuador, not so much. Staring is common and
accepted because people are curious as to why you are different and curiosity
is just fine!
Though these things may take a bit to get used to, they aren’t
necessarily bad things nor are they good things; they’re just different and
different is ok! Adjustment is part of the game and I’m told this aspect gets
easier. I’m sure by the time I get the hang of this in Tumbaco, it’ll be time
to move again to an even more diverse place with all new things to get used to.
Eh, bring it on.
