Trip to Ecuador - Mom's Perspective

After my family's trip to Ecuador, my mom wanted to write a guest blog for our site. We were happy to share her experiences with you! Without further ado, here it is!

On June 16th, my sister Charlette, my nephew Shamarion, my best friend Barbara (who is more like a sister than a friend) and myself went to Ecuador, South America. The purpose of the trip was to visit my son and his wife. As that Monday approached for us to take off, I woke up with butterflies in my stomach. It reminded me of picture day in elementary school or going on a field trip. I wanted to put on paper the experience I had while visiting another country. So, I have given myself a homework assignment that I want to share with my daughter-in-law and son.

As the four of us started our journey at the Douglas Airport, we got on the plane and walked down the aisles to find our seats. I noticed that I had a middle seat and Barbara had a window seat, so who did the aisle seat belong to? I have always believed you never know who you might run into, so always treat people kind and with respect.  I could not have guessed in a million years, the seat belonged to my cousin, Harvey Degree. Harvey was a cousin that I did not know and had never seen before. But if you know me you know I will start a conversation with anyone. That is how Harvey and I realized that we were cousins and that we came from the same “big” town of Cherryville, NC. That was my first experience before I even got out of my own country or state. When we arrived in Miami, Harvey went his way to visit his son. While my crew and I changed planes and continued our journey to Ecuador.

As we got off our plane in South America, I had my second experience. The director in the airport said, "All foreigners to your left". I looked at Charlette, and said I am not a foreigner. She said, "You are now". So, in less than 24 hours, I had become a stranger, an outsider, an alien or a person who did not belong to the place I just entered. Oh well I thought, I will be one of those for the time being, since I do not have a much choice. As I waited for my luggage, I said to myself I am going to see how many similarities there in this country compared to my own country. What are the likes and dislikes, and what can I learn and take back with me?

   I took many notes during my trip, but I have since lost them. After over two months of searching I have not found them. However, I think I will be alright, since I still got excited every time I think of something that I just could not believe. I remember, the first was Wanda is a foreigner. The second would be the sign in the bathroom at the hotel. There was a sign that said, "Do not flush the tissue in the toilet". Oh no!! I had to practice all week because that was something back home that I just did by habit. There was a well prices the hotel, sixteen dollars a night including breakfast. You cannot get that back home, that is a difference that was outstanding. The service was great, but Eric had an agenda for us that only had us staying there but one night. If I remembered the name of the hotel, I would share it with you, but remember I lost my notes.(side note it is was Santa Fe hotel in Otavalo)

  

Moving on... Day one we climbed hills (Eric says they are just normal streets but didn't feel that way to me) and went to visit the family that took Eric and Emily in on their first arrival. I noticed there are lots of parks that are enjoyed by everyone. You see people playing cards, exercising, having lunch and enjoying each other (yeap!). Now, we do have parks, but they are not used as much as I saw there (my opinion).

                                    

One thing we have in common is that we eat ice cream and so do they. The difference is they eat it all the time, in the morning, afternoon and evening and the price is different. I can get ice cream for twenty cents, now that is what I was excited about. Ice cream is popular there and the majority of it is made with fresh fruits.

As day three came around, I thought I knew my way around along with Barbara. The two of us thought we would go for early morning walk and pick up some breakfast, leaving the hotel while everyone else was asleep. We stopped to ask some students how far Burger King was and they had no clue what we were talking about. One thing I can say is the oldest of them did try to show us by waving his hand in motion to say way down there. This let us know it was more than three blocks. We adventured out anyway to find it and when we got there we could not translate what we wanted.  Barbara especially had trouble when she wanted coffee and the ladies at the counter wanted to give her juice and coffee. Speaking of which, that is different. They give you both juice and coffee and back home you get one or the other, not both.

After that, we came out and not realizing it we turned the wrong way. Realizing that we were lost and Eric was probably looking for us we finally decided to stick our hand out and get a cab back because after asking the police office, who did not speak English that was our best guess. We survived and the price was right. Remember we got into a cab and neither one of us spoke Spanish, but we did have a pamphlet that showed our hotel on it. Now, that was an experience.

The next adventure was when we went to the market, one of the biggest markets in South America, I had another exciting moment. You know what we say here, "shop until you drop". We had a wonderful time; I wanted to buy everything at the market. On the way there we saw a big parade. All the streets closed down and everybody celebrated. Instead of them throwing candy they gave out fruit. That is a change from our side of the world.

Some other differences I noticed were:

      ·   The majority of business hours are from 9 to 5 and that includes fast food, an example would be Dunkin’ Donuts. No coffee or donuts until 9am. 

      ·     The average price for a cab is between 50 cents and 2 dollars and you stand on the corner and flag one down. 

      ·     The majority of businesses have a guard at the front door.
You park in the middle of the traffic instead of next to the buildings. Traffic goes one way and the parking lot is in the middle and on the other side the traffic goes the other way. There is someone there to collect the money instead of having a meter.
·     Most of the currency is the same and the bills are like ours. Ecuadorians use a dollar in coin denomination and their fifty cent piece is different.
·      At the bus station, it cost 15 cents to use the restroom and there is a nice person sitting there to hand you a certain amount of tissue.
·      There isn't any wasting on paper. Napkins come one per person, per meal, do not look for any on the table or at the counter.
·      It is difficult when you don’t speak the language. Thanks to my translators (Eric and Emily), because I have no clue how to speak Spanish. I appreciate them being there for me (remember I like to talk and I was still trying to hold conversations and getting nowhere).
·     Is they use kilometers where we use miles
·      You are able to buy fresh meat, vegetables and fruit daily at the market. There are no added ingredients in their food; it is fresh from the animal or garden. The produce is fresh and the quality is great.
·      I would say the driving is crazy, and the pedestrian does not have the right of way like in our country.

      In closing, what I noticed the most is how Ecuadorians all embrace one another, whether it be getting off the school bus, in the park or just strolling down the sidewalk. There is no shame in them showing how much they care for one another. I would say that is one of the most important things I brought back with me after my journey was to take time out for others and let them know how much they are appreciated and loved, whether it is family, friends or a stranger. That is the way God wants us all to be!! If you read this I would like to thank you for doing so, and let you know I am not a writer. I just wanted to share that no matter where you go in this world there are some things that are similar and some that are different but if you go with an open heart and mind, you will see more likes- and LOVE!