EIL Intercultural Learning

So I´m at the end of week three here in Ecuador and what an experience it has been so far. Of course the 22 hour trip from Dublin to Quito really

takes it out of you especially when you are told your luggage is running a 'little late'. And being in a city 3km above sea level doesn't help but that di

dnt stop me getting out and about in Quito from day one! I moved in with my new family in Quito, a lovely lady named Juanita was my surrogate mother for my time there. When I applied to go to Ecuador I told the staff I wanted to learn Spanish, so from day one I had Spanish classes which was invaluable seeing as not many people (includung my host family) speak English here. It is such a great feeling to walk out and about in a foreign country and speak to the locals in their own language, something I had never done before. While it was difficult to learn the guts of a language in two weeks it was throuoghly enjoyable and completely worth it. I had a teacher in EIL Quito named Narcisa who put up with my mispronunciations and bad grammar for two weeks but at the end of it all I can hold conversations in Spanish. Which for me is nothing short of a miracle! Of course I had the opportunity to talk to the other volunteers and other Quiteños outside of classes to improve my skills.

With my basic knowledge of Spanish I was prepared for exploring Quito and its surroundings. I was able to visit 'La Mitad del Mundo' or 'the m

iddle of the world' in week one, it is a monument on the equator. And an impressive sight. Of course I managed to get my mandatory photograph with one foot on each hemisphere. I also got a diploma for balancing an egg on a nail. Which I hear can only be done on the equator?! I'll have to wait until I get back to find out but I'm in no rush!

With the other volunteers I was able to visit Saquísili a small market town close to Quito where you could buy any

thing from 'genuine' brand goods to ponchos and pan pipes, not to mention animals. It was a fantastic opportunity to practice our Spanish skills and try and barter with the locals to get a few good deals.

Of course I don't think I can write a blog without mentioning a few of the culture differences. Ecuador seems to be a relaxed country where a minute is an hour, an hour is a day and mañana (tomorrow) means it isn't going to happen. Although Quito has its dangerous areas, as with any city, I have to say that I felt at home with the family straight away. The Ecuadorian people are friendly and are keen to share their culture including the good food. I never though I would eat cake for breakfast out of a leaf in a city. I also never thought I'd eat guinea pig. A part of me still regrets doing that!

I have to say I did enjoy living in Quito and after two weeks of living with them I do miss my host family. I didn't get around to feeling homesick, except for that day I got food poisoning :S Ok, maybe all of the local cuisine isn't for me! But now I have moved out of Quito to the TINY pueblo of Puerto Quito to do my volunteering work.

It is important to point out that work is strong word... Although I have little time to rest I also enjoy all of what I do. A brief example of a standard day is: I wake up at around 7am ready to assist in the local college English classes from 8-1, when I return home I help at the finca (farm). THis includes anything from making chocolate or coffee from scratch to general cleaning. In the evening I help at the English night course in the town before I return home to sleep. Although this wont always be the case, this week school was cancelled for the week for no particular reason. So, it is important to be prepared for and be independent.

Also, the type of living is different here. I live in the rainforest in a cabaña. A wooden shack. I live alone but ony 20 or 30 metres from the family house. Living in the rainforest has its advantages and disadvantages. On the upside, you have no worries of your room being broken into. On the downside (for me) I have to negociate my way to my bed with the hope of not enountering a snake, spider or from what I heard yesterday a scorpion! I have been assured that they are not poisonous but it is still a little unnerving. Very different to the countryside in Ireland!

The local people here are great, extremely friendly! I don't even suffer the tourist tax here. The town has a history taking in volunteers and the comunity help themselves to get along as there is not much money here. For example the teacher charges nothing to attend the evening classes.

All in all I have had my ups and downs in Ecuador but I am enjoying every second here. I can't believe it has been three weeks already! I am definitely not going to have had my fill of Ecuador in eight weeks! Although a warm shower would be nice...

I have so much more to say but I will leave it till the next post!

Nos vemos!