Saturday, August 26, 2006
What we learned...
Contributed by Heather Burns and CITTI project members
Now that the trip, the project, the dream is finished for this year. I think each of us know that brought us to Ecuador, but none of us knew what we would bring back. Apart from souvenirs, pictures, fun stories, and cherished memories, each one of us brought back new or deeper friendships. For me, along with the previously mentioned, I have taken with me new and deeper understandings. Understandings of cultures, beliefs, values, definitions, languages, and the many ways to show love. On one of the last days of the trip, I sent around a small notebook of blank pages. I simply titled the top, "What I learned in Ecuador." Each member of the CITTI project took their moment to reflect and place one or two of their own lessons learned. The list I returned with is moving and funny and just makes me love and respect my fellow group members on a whole new level.
What I learned in Ecuador by: CITTI Project Member 2006
No matter where in the world you are, the sun still feels good on your face
All people smile
Bunny ears in pictures is funny to all
Love is universal
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Every child in the family takes care of their siblings
Community is everything
Inclusion is a value
The children are all BEAUTIFUL!!!
Family is everything & always comes first
Lunches are a family/community even and are filling
Everyone pitches in to help
What family means
That language is only a barrier if you want it to be
The language is the way to understand the culture while at another level people are people
One person + one person + families + children + workers = community which is powerful and can move the world
Being gentle and polite is strong ? not weak
That THINGS are not what makes life rich
That generosity can be a cultural norm
That emerging design? can be applied to dwellings as well as actions
That baby steps can be enormous
That you can listen with your eyes
Two pair of socks is a luxury
Roosters have no sense of time in Ecuador!
That there is a place on this earth where life is how I always thought is could be ? filled with unconditional love and acceptance
A chicken has more parts and uses then one ever thought possible
With love and patience everyone wins!
Leaving the United States does not guarantee freedom from Easy Listening music
Bananas are cheap; pancakes are time-consuming; people are priceless; roosters must be destroyed
Remember we don't get to choose where we are born!
Never order the Austrian Crepe Dumpling soup
It's an honor to have an entire pig killed and cooked for you
Vehicles often pass on the left on two lane roads
It's necessary to have small bills
Aguacafe (avocado) ice cream is tasty
The temperature can become quite chilled at the equator
Hugs are free; coffee is extra
Medical care is thorough and inexpensive
Thank you with a smile is understood anywhere
Be observant and help
Determination is a human trait, but how you use it is individual
I am sure there are more lessons out there and more realizations that each of us will come to in future days. Many of these lessons seem like things that you would find on an All I ever needed to know I learned in Kindergarten? poster. I am almost saddened that it took us going to a whole new county and culture to learn things that should be out our front door. Basically, human life and the relationships we form are priceless. There are no regrets, just lessons learned. I was blessed to be picked to go on this trip, and I have been blessed 100 fold for going. I love you all, Ecuador, America, CITTI project, friends, now family.
