Reflections

We've been living in Ecuador for over three months now, and I thought I'd write some of my reflections about our experience thus far.

I can't imagine moving to a third-world country is ever easy, for anyone (except maybe if you've already lived in a third-world country). And yet, here I did it, with an 8 week old baby nonetheless! People often say they can't believe we are doing this, and half the time I can't believe it either. Who willingly puts their life on hold to move a newborn to a third-world country? Not very many people apparently.

But life is now settled in Quito and is somewhat routine. Josh hasn't always had enough work to make it completely routine. And I don't feel quite as crazy anymore. I've met enough other crazy Americans who have moved here for whatever reason, and when all us crazies are together we tend to think we're normal.

We can kind of get lost in our own American life we've created in our apartment, and we often forget we are even in a third-world country. We have cable TV with NBC, ABC, and CBS. We have internet. We cook American meals. We have Kraft macaroni and cheese and Oreos, how much more American can you get? It's nice to have some of the comforts of home to help with the culture shock. Things I don't usually eat back home I crave here, just because it's made in the US and I know it's available. Though a small box of Entenmann's is $7 or $8! Don't think we'll be getting any of those.

Every time we leave our apartment we are reminded that yes, we are indeed living in a different country! Life here is very similar to what we're used to, but there are some minor and major differences that have taken getting used to. There are things we're still trying to get used to. It's all a part of the culture shock. I wouldn't say we are still in the shock phase of culture shock. Culture shock has different stages and I'd say we're in the Gradual Adjustment stage. We've already been excited about everything new, we've already experienced irritation and pointed out all the problems. Now we're slowing understanding the way things are, and the culture is feeling more natural. I still don't agree with everything, but it's just the way of life here.

Things I've taken note of:

*pedestrians have no right-of-way on the streets. watch out or you'll get hit. the cars don't like to slow down.

*there is no sense of time--ugency of time, importance of being on time, efficiency with your time. things routinely start late (unless it's church, which for some reason starts 5 minutes early).

*you must check your bags at any large store. the stores have lockers or cubbies at the entrance. if you try to walk in with your bag they'll grab you and make you give them your bag.

*guards wearing bullet-proof vests, and often carrying guns, stand in front of all banks, and many stores, even inexpensive restaurants.

*it's often difficult to pay for things with $10 or $20 dollar bills (US currency here). and if the total isn't an even dollar, (ex: $4.37) they'll always ask if you have the cents amount ($0.37) so they don't have to break a dollar and give you change back.

*kids (and adults) often spend their entire day selling gum/cough drops/candy/corn/beans/bananas on street corners.

*everyone (well, mostly the women) greets one another with a kiss to the cheek

*you can't push your grocery cart through the checkout line. the bag-boy bags your things, loads them onto a different cart, and they always help customers out to their car. this is so they can get a tip. unless, of course, you don't have a car and you have to carry everything home.

*they don't sell any candy at the grocery store checkouts, usually just razors, toothbrushes, and batteries.

*when eating at a restaurant, they never just bring you the bill. you must always ask for it. and they don't take your drink order first, usually with the main order.

*rice is served everywhere. you can order it at KFC and McDonald's.

*all the babies are dressed like they're ready for a snow storm--layers and layers. the temp is usually in the 60's or 70's.



These things aren't bad. Just different. Things we've had to get used to and are pretty much used to by now.

Most the people here are all very nice (everyone but the theives who stole our things). It has been so great getting to know the people here and getting to know a different culture. It is so eye opening! It makes me appreciate everything back home SO much more! Especially the English language. I don't think I'll look at things in the US the same way ever again. At least I hope I don't. I hope I always appreciate everything so much more.

It has been so great to get to see the country of Ecuador, the beautiful mountain highlands and the greener, denser (though disappearing) jungles closer to the coast. (We still haven't made our way to the Amazon region, but we hope to). We've been able to see things because Josh hasn't had a lot of work. He wants work and isn't real happy about his situation, but because of a combination of poor management at FHN and too many doctors available and lack of good communication, he's had a lot of down time. In order to stay busy we've tried to do and see as much as we can. We've decided we like the mountain highlands better than the humid jungles. We love the fresh air, the fragrant smell of the trees, the cool breezes, the great hikes. We have loved trying new foods--within reason. (I won't dare touch most foods sold at their markets!)

We have more fun trips planned, in hopes of getting the most out of our experience here. We want to enjoy the next 5 months and want to make good memories of Ecuador. It really is the experience of a lifetime! During the times I feel bored, upset, or lonely I try to remember how lucky we are to have this experience. And, it's especially nice to not be in the US during this awful recession time. No jobs to worry about losing, no house payments to make.

So, even though this whole experience hasn't been easy, and Josh hasn't had consistent work, and I'm sometimes in Quito by myself when Josh is working, and traveling around in buses isn't always fun, and sometimes we get a little sick from the food, and we miss our families, I am happy and grateful for the experiences we are having. And overall we are having a great and fun time!!