Over the past week I have been thinking a lot about the differences between being a traveler versus a resident in another country. Adam and I enjoy traveling and love seeing new places, learning about new cultures, and visiting historical sites. There is something about the newness of a place- the unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells. We hadn't lived abroad before this experience (not even to study abroad) and I suppose we were thinking that living in another country might be like traveling- and in some ways it is (we learn new things every day about the culture here & we take on the traveler role when visiting other volunteers' sites) but there are definitely big distinctions between living and traveling- as I often witness when I see travelers passing through Loja with their big backpacks, cameras, and the excited "Wow this place is amazing and beautiful" look in their eyes.
I have been trying to look at things through a traveler's eye (it makes things more exciting and helps take away the frustrations at times!) and thought I would share the difference between the reactions of Traveler Emily and Living in Loja Emily! Enjoy (and don't worry, I do love living in Loja if it sounds like I don't! All my rants are said with endearment...most of the time anyway!!)
When visiting the Sunday Market
Traveler Emily- Whoa! Check out those weird looking fruits...what is that, I have never seen a fruit like that before?! Look at all this fresh produce. Hey and that guy is grinding fresh from the farm coffee beans! And people are negotiating, that is so cool! Hey Adam, maybe we should go try negotiate for some bananas!
Living in Loja Emily- Hmm, nope, don't want babaco today. Man, how come all the broccoli is wilted. I can never find decent broccoli at the Sunday market. And is nobody selling white onions this week?! Oh, there is that gross coffee that I should avoid. You know, I should just go to the Centro Comercial- I hate negotiating and they never give me yapa at the Sunday market. (*yapa is when they toss in a bonus, like an extra banana)
When visiting the Centro Comercial Fruit/Veggie Stands
Traveler Emily- This is awesome! Look at all the prices. Avocados are 4 for $1! A pound of tomatoes for $0.50! I wish we had a place this cheap in California! I would eat guacamole everyday! You can buy everything here! And check out the meat section! It's like a huge butcher warehouse!
Living in Loja Emily- What?! She is trying to sell avocados 4 for $1? Yeah right! I am going to that lady, she usually sells them for $0.20 each. And why are tomatoes $0.50 a lb. That is so expensive. They were literally $0.30 a lb last week! I'll come back when the prices are lower. And why in the world won't they sell me just one bulb of garlic. I don't need a whole pound! Oh! Oh! I can smell the rotting meat from the meat section over there. I gotta get out of here quick!
(our normal veggie lady's stand...on the very top the green/yellow fruit is babaco)
(just a small view of the Centro Comercial...no pix of the meat section this time. Couldn't handle the smell! Maybe next time!)Traveler Emily- Is that guy walking down the sidewalk with live chickens in his hands? Is he selling them? I need to get a picture of that. Where's my camera?
Living in Loja Emily- Seriously, why is this guy walking so slow and why is he walking in the MIDDLE of the sidewalk. Move to the side buddy, you and your chickens!
When Eating an Almuerzo
Traveler Emily- Wow, I can't believe this! Only $2.50 for soup, a main course, and a drink?! Oooh check out this soup. I think it has yucca in it. Let me take a picture of this. Wow, and check it out, the main course comes with fried bananas. That is pretty great. I need to take another picture of the food. Man, Ecuadorian food is so good!
Living in Loja Emily- Sure, I guess we can get almuerzo today, but not the expensive place that charges $2.50, we should go to the $1.75 place ($1.50 if we don't get soup). And no soup for me today- they only have the yucca one, gross. Man, what I wouldn't do for some Thai food right now!
The almuerzo Adam ate today for $1.50- pollo al jugo
The almuerzo I had today- pescado fritoTraveler Emily- Hey check it out! Corn flakes with Spanish written on them! I am taking a picture. Ooh what's that? Hot sauce with maracuya- what is maracuya? And check out all these Asian sauces. Haha, this brand is called Oriental and has a cartoon of a guy with squinty eyes- that is so inappropriate! Another photo! Wow and an entire half aisle of tuna??
Living in Loja Emily- Ok, what is on my list. Corn flakes, boxed milk, bread, ground beef, and sugar. Check check, let's make this fast. Ok, and avoiding the sauce aisle with the nasty Oriental brand. I can't believe Kikkoman's soy sauce is $5 for a teeny tiny bottle. Good thing we brought back 2 quarts of that stuff.
About Hobbies
Traveler Emily- Look at all these craft shops! One after the other! They are selling yarn, ribbon, buttons. I could totally live here and scrapbook! And there is so much to take photos of! I love it!!
Living in Loja Emily- All these craft shops and none of them sell scrapbooking supplies. So sad. I need my sisters to mail me stuff. I am having scrapbooking withdrawals. I should've picked up knitting- I would have no problem doing that here. And I can't even bring out my camera because I don't want to look like a tourist or get robbed.
When We Hear the Lovely Sound of Roosters
Traveler Emily- This is great! We can hear roosters and we are in the middle of the city! So cool! I would never need an alarm clock if I lived here!
Living in Loja Emily- Stupid roosters! Whoever said they cockadoodle at sunrise is a big fat liar. They have no sense of time- midnight, 2 am, 3 am, 5 in the evening. Good thing I am used to it now and don't even hear them in the night! No more earplugs, finally immune!
Ok those are the anecdotes for today! =D I am going to keep trying to put my "traveler lens" on when I am moving too fast and not enjoying the little moments! I am glad I took my camera out today and took some photos of things that have just become normal, everyday life!
And not to worry, a post about what we've been up to will come soon, photos and all!
7 comments:
emily, your post totally reminds me of what it's like when i swing by new york city. the convenience of being able to purchase breakfast at a bagel cart, or a nearby fruit cart on what seems like every other corner... then you look at the quality of the fruit, as well as the price; then you just keep walking. ugh, can never find strawberries as good as in calfornia (since most of them are grown out west, and shipped out east.)
next time i head out to the big city, i must find a bialy to compare with those i've eaten on the west coast (flash frozen and flown from brooklyn, or freshly baked at bagel shops in jewish areas of los angeles.)
what is that pink liquid with your lunch???
Just some horchata! Not like the kind from Mexico, but a tea that is really common in Loja. They make it in the province (up in Gualel and Chiquiribamba). I am not a huge fan but I drink it!
I feel your pain but I'll admit your two personalities made me laugh.
Dear Emily,
This is a really great post and one that I think would be very useful for people who are planning on living somewhere that they really enjoyed in their travels.
Would you be interested in writing a guest post on my site for women travelers, www.pinkpangea.com? It would be great if you could send a photo of yourself in Ecuador, and write about your experiences there, providing some helpful information for other women travelers. You can email me at rachel@pinkpangea.com.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Rachel
@pinkpangea
hey, we are a young couple from Toronto, living in Loja as well, for 3 months. It was cool to read your blogs since we have experienced all the same things and thoughts. It's amazing how things are so exciting at first and then just a pain when you get used to them! Maybe we'll see you around town sometime! (it's not hard to spot fellow gringos.. we're a double wammy...I'm blonde and my husband walks with crutches!) Have fun!
good stuff
like the pics
getting a feeling of life there
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