December Culture Ecuador

So I decided to come down to Ecuador for the Christmas holiday...just to experience the holiday culture within Ecuador. All of the world I have visited celebrates Christmas (so that is a hint as to where I have not been)....and Ecuador is no different.

Here in Quito people decorate their houses with lights, although not quite as gaudy as that found in the US. The interiors have trees, stockings, and Christmas decor of all types. The malls have glitter and lights as they entice people to buy. But what is different in Ecuador is that people do not 'buy'.... I was at a Christmas family event where 15+ people attended and there was not one gift. Where in America; .prior to Christmas we spend hours hunting for that particular gift that we think someone will like, and most of the time it is just 'another' thing that sits idle most of the year, or fairly soon. And during Christmas or Eve, we spend hours opening up gifts...either ripping through the paper or slowly, the end result is the same. More things to haul back to our house or eventually place in the storage shed or...sell cheap in a garage sale.

But at this family event I attended....no gifts...none....only food of turkey, several types of potatoes, pig, vege's etc etc...and wine. Afterwards....karaoke. And when I say Karaoke, I mean KARAOKE.....in fact, five (5) hours of it. On and on and on and on.... Luckily being the new kid on the block I became exempt, thanks goodness. Oh, this was all on Christmas Eve by the way....

Christmas day....yes, the malls are open but again I hardly see anyone carrying around a bag or exchanging. People walk the mall...eat at the food court...walk and talk. The malls are crowded with little room to park as people just walk and enjoy the company of others.

I cannot say which group (America or Ecuador) obtains more or less satisfaction from Christmas. I am not overly religious and neither are the people I stayed with in Ecuador, so that aspect didn't even come into play. But from being apart of the Eve/day activities....I can honestly say that both groups manage to enjoy their days. Each group brings with it their family culture and they exist and enjoy each other within the frames of their culture.

I do know that I for one....will most probably experience Christmas from my culture as opposed to attempting to enjoy that of Ecuadorian culture. Not that I am smug, just that I too have to recognize that I bring to 'myself' a unique culture when it comes to holidays. In my quest to understand and to experience the culture of Ecuador, it is important to not leave out my culture as being a viable option as well.

Study Abroad at Washington State University

Summer 2011....Study Abroad with Washington State University will offer up to 3 semester credits for internships/work in Ecuador. You will be provided with room and board....excursions, whale watching and data collection opportunities, chances to work in schools and experience Ecuadorian Culture...

One of the negatives about living in the USA is just that....you live in the USA. When compared to other nations we have a false society....and very materialistic. Summer Abroad is a great opportunity to witness life in another country. Eco-Ecuador will give you a chance to experience Ecuador at its purest. This is not a tour trip.....this is a working adventure. Each year with the return of the Humpback whales, the Ecuador economy gets a boost as tourists from around the world come to catch a glimpse of humpback whales. But why just catch a glimpse...? Why not work more closely with several times a week and help out in collecting whale data? ....Why not work within the schools and help to demonstrate about Eco-education, environmental education? .... Do something with your life and help others, help the world.

Our biggest problems in this world are yet to be solved. There is very little we can do about the past or what has led us to 'seeming' climatic changes so there is no use harping on it...but we can begin to take what we have and make a difference for the future...... This starts with 'you'...learn about different cultures, experience them...be a part of them. Build from within and begin to do your part of help those around you.