My Cross-Cultural Learning Curve
I wanted to share with you some more details about my new life here in Ecuador. There have been many cross-cultural adjustments, in addition to the language and changes in physical surroundings that are typical of any move. I believe the Lord has prepared me for this ahead of time and He has helped me greatly throughout the process. So here are some examples of these changes:
Language Acquisition
Learning Spanish has not been easy for me. I have had to work and study very hard at this. Many times I have felt overwhelmed, but I remain determined.
Everyone says my Spanish is “great,” buy I feel like I have so far to go yet. Sometimes after many hours of Spanish in one day, my head hurts and I struggle to remain focused.
I have had to learn how to “listen fast”, because at my intermediate level most people think I understand and they keep talking at their regular (fast) pace.
The Country of Ecuador
Ecuador is a small nation, but regionally very diverse, with amazing contrasts – from the lowlands of the coast, to the sky-hugging peaks of the Andes, to the Amazonian jungles to the east. We even have a well-known chain of islands called the Galapagos, almost 600 miles off the Pacific coast. The cultural atmosphere and the climate are different in each regional area.
In Ecuador, you can still visit the natural habitats of indigenous peoples, ruins from the Inca Empire, and admire the architecture of the Spanish colonial period. The sheer ruggedness of the mountains, combined with frequent rock slides and a weak transportation system, means no guard rails, no emergency off ramps, and a lot of prayers!
I have been able to enjoy the sights of several beautiful places, but I have heard stories and seen photos, and I hope to see much more in the future!
Life in Ecuador
Life in Ecuador is marked by stark contrasts – rich vs. poor, modern vs. antiquated, technology vs. old customs, people who have the right connections vs. regular people
deeply ingrained Catholic traditions vs. the growth of Christian evangelicals, close families vs. high rates of divorce. And the list goes on.
In my adopted country, there are lively downtown districts, open markets, and small businesses, restaurants and bodegas on nearly every block. People are out and about, often seen milling around in the streets, parks, or in front of their homes.
Life in Ecuador basically feels more like it was in the U.S. about 60 years ago. This means stronger family values with less cultural erosion. But it is also less developed in many ways.
Earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and landslides are a constant reality of life here, often with disastrous and tragic results. Over the past year, there have been several earthquakes (one major), a volcanic eruption, many instances of severe flooding, highways blocked by landslides, and an entire town buried in a mudslide.
The Andes Mountains here are very steep, rugged, and much higher than the Rockies. The mountain roads are narrow and quite treacherous, with very few guardrails. This greatly increases one’s prayer life
Ecuador is heavily Roman Catholic by tradition, yet with rampant immorality and many dysfunctional or fatherless families.
There many new and different varieties of plants, crops, fruits and vegetables in Ecuador. I love the food here! I enjoy trying new dishes and even learning how to cook them myself. People here will eat most anything, which sometimes bumps me up to my limits.
Brown eggs are most common here, not white.
Ecuador is a land of llamas, cuy (guinea pigs), iguanas and lizards, tiny ants and gigantic roaches (and much more that I haven’t seen yet).
Mass public transit is very common. Taxis and street vendors are everywhere, along with buses, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles and push carts. It is rare to see anyone pulled over by the police, or to witness a traffic accident, however.
Poverty is also very visible here. Many people just try to eek out a living. It is changing, but we are still predominantly a cash-based society.
In this land of few enforced laws, every transaction that people make is still tracked by the government through a national ID system. Except for informal or “on the street” cash transactions, you always have to give your ID number!
Zoning laws and construction guidelines are either non-existent or unenforced. This leads to several more issues on my list.
Concrete block buildings. Corrugated sheet metal. Scaffolding made of bamboo poles. Unfinished buildings. Gravity fed water tanks on roofs. And, if you are fortunate, a mounted electric device for hot showers.
Most dwellings are heavily secured, with outer walls, gates, bars, and sometimes electric fences or coiled barbed wire. There are also security guards everywhere. A lot of homes have a “bodega” (small family business) either in front of or below their residence.
People in general tend to eat more natural or healthy, and there is a greater awareness and use of natural remedies. They do like their treats or sweets, however.
The Economy, Crime and Politics
I guess Ecuador would be considered a “developing nation” in modern terminology. This means we have a semblance of modern conveniences (like electricity, running water, cars, cell phones, the internet, etc.) but there are on-going struggles with trade, production, and general stability within the country.
We are way behind the curve or cutting edge of technology. Disruptions in basic services are more common here, and customer service is very slow and unimpressive.
Ecuador’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture and petroleum. There are also growing industries in fishing/aquaculture, mining, textiles, processed foods, and the service sectors.
Prices here are generally cheaper for food, housing, and healthcare, but more expensive for some services and most imported items.
Yes, many people here have cell phones. That constant distraction looks the same. However, the people here hang out together everywhere – on the streets, in the parks, in their homes – everywhere. Very strong family and social bonds.
Some things are very new to me. Like having Chinese cars, or movies from every part of the world, translated into Spanish. For me, the days of American isolationism are long gone.
Riots and nationwide strikes are not uncommon here. When this happens, the impact is felt immediately across the entire nation.
Sandwiched between Colombia and Peru, Ecuador has its share of serious problems related to gangs and drug trafficking. The prisons are extremely overcrowded and dangerous, as the gang activity and drug traffic are out of control. There is a lot of violence and crime, especially along the coastal areas. I stopped watching the news, just like I did in the States.
There is also no shortage of government or political corruption and bureaucracy, but most people seem resigned to this fact.
As far as politics, it is very interesting, to say the least. General instability, with an unlimited number of political parties and alliances. Fueled by the ever-present corruption, this translates to never-ending trench warfare. As in the rest of Latin America, it is common for former presidents to live in exile in other countries with a protected status.
Just recently, to avoid the possibility of being impeached, our president enacted a recently passed law that has never been used before. It is called the “Cross-Death”, and it basically dissolved the entire national legislature and called for new elections. His decision was supported by the majority of people. Yet he is so unpopular that he is not running again.
There are however, EIGHT candidates running, which ensures the likelihood of no one winning a majority and a runoff election.
My Life in Machala
People on Ecuador’s coast are more outgoing, uninhibited, and vivacious (those are the words I’m going to use). In Cuenca, they are more private, conservative, and reserved.
Machala is known as “the banana capital of the world.” From our port, you can see the ships being loaded to export to the rest of the world. We have vast banana plantations and many shrimp farms. We produce huge amounts of bananas/plantains, shrimp, tuna, and cacao (used to make chocolate).
I now live in a world filled with new surroundings, customs and routines. Some descriptive words are lively, vibrant, noisy, chaotic.
So to give you a better idea, the highlights here in Machala (nearly 1/4 of a million people) include one enclosed mall with one large movie theater.
There are no leash laws here, so dogs run loose in the streets. There is dog poop (and trash) everywhere.
The people here are generally very warm and friendly. Even though there are hardly any tourists or gringos here, they have treated me very well.
It is common here for people to be out late at night. This includes families, even with little kids. There are frequent all-night parties with very loud music. People seem to love the “power” they can have by using booming speakers or public microphones.
Out of concern for their loved ones inside, scores of people here in Machala can also be seen all night in front of our emergency hospital downtown.
Another amazing sight to see here are so many “family motorcycles”, with both parents and 1 or 2 kids precariously crammed together. Just yesterday I saw one with 3 little kids!
I now live across from a large school, every morning there is a constant stream of traffic and people bringing their children to school. The patterns I can detect so far demonstrate more of an emphasis on watching or entertaining the kids. This includes lengthy recess periods and assemblies where the aforementioned use of PA systems and outside entertainers are utilized.
There is also a cock fighting ring close to my home, which I pass when I walk to my church.
My friends at church are very friendly and generous in helping me, although some seem hesitant to deal with my level of Spanish.
Many people in Machala seem obsessed with trying to improve their social status. They will often take 2nd or 3rd jobs; or pursue advanced degrees and certifications. All of this makes it more difficult to make disciples of Christ.
On the personal side, I now walk a lot more. I eat more healthy. I have learned how to take taxis and use the public bus system. And I enjoy the preferential treatment and “senior discounts” that I now have.
So far, I have been robbed only once (on the bus to Cuenca), and largely due to my lack of experience and trusting nature. That lesson is checked off!
So there you have a taste of my new life as a missionary here in Ecuador. I hope it was educational, and that you enjoyed reading it. Maybe it even made you smile or send up a prayer for me.
With warm regards,
David Batcheller