It has been a year since I left the comfort of my home, home meaning Texas and where my family is. Up until that day I had been eagerly anticipating the adventure that lay ahead of me, preparing my allotted 100 pounds of luggage, saying ‘good-bye’ to friends and family and alleviating myself of responsibility such as a car and apartment. I don’t remember being too nervous during that time and I always felt I was making the ‘right decision’. I thought I had a good idea in my head as to what I was getting myself into yet I knew that I would no doubt experience new and strange things. I consider one year of living and working in a foreign country an adequate amount of time to reflect on how I’ve changed, or haven’t changed and also what sort of crazy shenanigans I’ve experienced.
I’ve documented a lot of my experiences on this blog so don’t worry; I’ll refrain from restating all of those tales I’ve told. If you’ve read some of my posts you’ll notice how I try my best to keep positive and of course not give too many details of what particularly irks me, and trust me there is A LOT that irks me. It’s not easy leaving my comfort zone, travelling to a developing country, finding my place among strangers and convincing myself no matter how much I hate how no one remembers to shut the bathroom door at night allowing that freakin’ bat in which poops all over the place is really no big deal. There is a lot to adjust to and fortunately, some things are easy. However, other things can’t be easily brushed off and I admit I have let those things build up and chip away at my positive attitude until I have a break down. Then, post break-down I build myself back up ready for the next onslaught of irksome events. After a year of being in Ecuador I feel it is sufficient time to be able to properly look back on my experience and measure myself.
How have I changed?
Quite an open-ended question but I have some answers. I’m much more of a feminist. Machismo has left a dark mark in my soul and I am battling it on a daily basis. I fear that I will be a man-eater when I return to the States, watch out boys! However I do think I’m significantly more patient in a million different ways.
How have I helped my community?
I studied business and I’ve learned to rely on quantitative data to measure progress. Unfortunately I only have qualitative data which is unreliable. Ask me on a good day and I’ll have positive qualitative data, ask me on a bad day I’ll probably just shout explicative words.
How do I view the service I have dedicated 27 months of my life to?
To be quite honest I have decided to ‘stick it out’ more for personal gain (the experience) rather than for those I was sent to ‘help’. Oftentimes I wonder if I’m needed where I’m at, which is a common feeling but regardless it’s a bothersome one. I never would have dreamed that my service would be like this. I thought I would be needed in my community. I oftentimes wonder if I wasn’t here if they would be able to do it on their own. Sometimes just being a catalyst isn’t enough motivation for me.
How do I like Ecuador?
Ecuador is an outrageously beautiful country, as a whole. Of course there are parts (inner coastal towns for example) that are just crowded and filthy but the diverse beauty of the country certainly overshadows its not-so-beautiful parts. The people are just as diverse just like the natural beauty of Ecuador. I have met some incredible people but I have also met people who I wish I’d never been aware of their existence on Earth and who unfortunately constantly remind me they exist by calling or texting me at 2:00 in the morning inviting me to go to a ‘discoteca’ when they should rather stay at home and care for their wife and children. I digress… My point is, no matter where I live there will be the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. I can honestly say when someone asks me this question I give a positive answer.
What’s it like being a PCV?
I’ve no doubt changed my perspective on what it means to be a Peace Corps Volunteer. Before I left I admit I had a bit of naïveté when it came to the PC. I knew I wasn’t going to bring peace to the world but I did believe that I would be doing much more work than what I do now. I’ve been at my site for nine months (it will be a year April 20th to be exact) and I feel like I haven’t accomplished much. I’ve done my best to stay busy and what we have accomplished has exceeded the expectations I had when I was a few months into my service yet this ‘work’ that I do takes up about oh… 4% of my time.
The funny thing is (well actually it’s not funny) is that I’m always ‘working’. I’m always a PCV therefore I’m always ‘on call’. Things pop up and when they do I relish in the opportunity to do something out of the ordinary. Also, just having a long conversation with my host mom about how I used to live by myself in the States is work, cultural exchange as they call it. I live a drastically different lifestyle than I did a year ago no doubt about that and I still have problems getting used to it. So much free time to fill…
How do you get through the tough times?
I have fortunately met some amazing people who keep me sane and occupied from time to time and I have also acquired new ‘family’ members which have also become a major support for me. I honestly did not like living with my host family when I first arrived in my site. In fact I was counting down the days for when I could move out. When the time came and there was nowhere else for me to move to I was incredibly unhappy. I honestly felt very unwelcome by them and I also had reason to believe that they were hindering my integration efforts because they aren’t exactly the most popular family in town. I had no choice but to stick it out. After a long and slow process we began to warm up to each other and understand our differences. I let go of my pride and I assume they did too. Now, I’m quite content and would much rather live with them than not. I’m also very fortunate that I have supportive parents, grandma and friends. They have really guided me through some tough times and I am ever so thankful for that.
Whatcha got planned for 2012?
Stuff.
Regardless of the negative parts I am enjoying my time here in Ecuador and I remain hopeful that I will make a positive impact even though what that impact will be is a bit unclear at this stage in the game. I still feel lucky to be serving my Peace Corps service in Ecuador and have the ability to get to experience all the amazing and beautiful things Ecuador has to offer.
A tiny little update: We had a Mango Festival!!! The other PCV very near my community and I helped the women host a Mango Festival. Although it was not a wild success it was a great start. They got a bit of experience planning an event and earning some money for selling food. They’re already planning a Crab Festival. It will be March 3rd so go ahead and book your flight now, you don’t want to miss it!
Setting up
Filling up balloons!
Mmmmm Mango Salsa. Kudos to Leah, ’twas delicious!
Mango Flan
Mango marmalade
Mango Empanadas
Waiting for the party to start…
Games with Green Mangoes (they’re hard as rocks!)
Chicken with mango sauce and a mango salad
My contribution to the Mango Festival: a sash for the Reina Competition
The only girl who showed up to participate in the Reina Competition. We had a stipulation that the girls couldn’t dress super sexy and had to have a dress that was creative and was environmentally-themed.
Even though she won by default she had to answer three questions regarding the Reserve and the environment. She deserved the title Reina de Mango!
Pop a Balloon with Your Butt Game!
Notice the three men on the motorcycle.
Scary. I would’ve cried and made a video of me crying.
“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”
-Confucius-