I’ve learned a lot of things over the past ten days, but heres a glimpse into ten of the ones that stand out most to me!
1. How to travel across a city using public transport with no maps, no cell phones, and an extreme language barrier
Coming to Ecuador, I was a bit nervous about a language barrier, but figured I could make do with the little Spanish I know. For the most part, I was right. It’s hard to communicate, but generally doable. The one thing that seemed overwhelming and nearly impossible my first day or two here was getting around and getting help with directions. Especially when using the bus system, everything moves so fast and there aren’t many people who have the time or patience to help you. After three days of working in a ministry that’s an hour bus ride away, we have become pros at finding our way around with a few coins and memorizing the bus routes. We also learned the hard way that it’s inevitable to be ripped off in a taxi if you’re a group of six gringas. Hit me up if you’re ever in Ecuador and need some help.
2. Ear plugs are a world racer’s best friend
Living in a house with 47 other people is all fun and games until you’re trying to get decent sleep. This one is self-explanatory.
3. Feelings/emotions don’t always equal truth.
Just because I’ve spent my whole life believing something about myself doesn’t mean it’s true. I’m learning to question where I get my thoughts and expectations and stay rooted in what I know to be true and question anything that can’t be backed up.
4. We are very wasteful of resources we take for granted in the USA
One of my favorite things I’ve learned so far is to be mindful of how I’m using my resources. In the US it’s normal to keep the water running while doing dishes, while shampooing your hair or shaving your legs, or while washing your face. It’s also normal to finish eating when you’re full and tossing the rest of the food because “it’s not as good left over.” In Ecuador they stress the importance of being responsible stewards of our resources. This means we eat everything we put on our plate even if we’re full or if we don’t like the taste of it. You’re lucky if you can find a squad mate to take one for the team and finish that meal you’re not a fan of. During showers we are expected to only have the water running while actively rinsing. It will be turned off while shampooing, shaving, washing, etc. We also are encouraged to think about how we are spending our money and if it honoring to people who don’t have the same fortune we do.
5. Peanut butter is almost every racer’s most prized possession, and the quickest way to make a friend.
Ecuadorian food is great. It really is. But sometimes, you just need a taste of home. Or you need a cure for the hiccups. The answer is always peanut butter.
6. Community living is hard. But it’s so good and so rewarding.
It is hard to go from having your own space to sharing every waking moment with people. Everything has hair on it. All the floors are wet. Everywhere you go is loud. But the good outweighs the challenges by far. Need a clean shirt? Someone’s gotcha. Need someone (or three people) to walk to the fruiteria with? Kenzie always needs bananas. No one will say no to 4 for $1 apples. Need someone to rub your tummy while you cry over stomach pains? Cami is always there. And if you need prayers, you’ve got 47 prayer warriors no more than a stairwell away.
7. Mayonnaise on fried rice is surprisingly delicious.
Sounds gross. I got talked into it. Amazing.
8. FOMO can be almost completely eliminated by limiting access to seeing the fun you’re “missing out” on.
We only have our phones for two days and when we do, it’s up to us to find wifi because it’s not provided at home. I have decided not to spend any of those two days on social media for the first month, and it’s so freeing. I truly don’t feel like I’m missing out and I have hardly even been homesick, which is shocking if you know me and my homey heart.
9. Ecuadorians don’t joke around when it comes to sugar in your latte.
I was stoked about coffee coming to Ecuador but I have been so let down. They really don’t care when you say “un poquito” about your vanilla syrup. In fact, I’m convinced they think it’s funny to put extra.
10. Freedom is a choice
Jesus died for me. I am free in every way possible if I choose to be. It’s easy to sit in heartache and become a prisoner to my mind but I don’t need to. The lock has been opened and its my choice to open the cell and walk out. So I choose to do that every day, from today forward.
