What I´ve learned

This great adventure really did have a purpose. I was investigating whether it is feasible to offer an education methods course over the winter term. My response is a resounding Yes! although I after experiencing the trip, I have revised my thinking about how to organize and deliver the course. There are definitely hurdles to overcome but the advantage of being here is that I believe that I have created a solution for each one.

Hurdles (solutions to be discussed in person)
1. The CEDEI classrooms and classrooms throughout Cuenca do not have access to educational technology.
2. The CEDEI students stay very busy with classes and afternoon cultural activities. There seems to be limited time for homework.
3. Some of the required assignments in the EDUC318 course do not translate well to the environment in Cuenca.

Benefits
1. The CEDEI experience offers American students an opportunity to learn about Hispanic culture from the inside. Students live with local families and travel throughout the country to learn about its different peoples and regions. Really learning this requires an extended stay.
2. The CEDEI experience offers American students an opportunity to experience what it is like to be in a foreign country and perhaps not always be the best student in the class. It allows them to understand what it feels like to process language and events through a different lense, thereby developing empathy for their future students who might come from a different background.
3. Several of the assignments in EDUC 318 require project based learning. Using the rich cultural environment of Cuenca will enhance this learning experience.
4. CEDEI sponsors an elementary school and partners with local high schools. Several of the CEDEI teachers are also high school teachers. Students studying in CEDEI would have a very real connection with local schools for observation and interaction with Ecuadorian students.

Coincidentally, there are three education majors on this trip. I took Trisha, an elementary major, to the elementary school with me one day. It was clear to me that she very much enjoyed interacting with the students. My discussions with each of the education majors on the trip have reinforced my thinking that this would be an excellent study abroad experience for our education majors. Each has said that they will write their thoughts for me to share. I look forward to returning to Ecuador and sharing this experience with our teacher candidates.

Ingapirca

Sunday was our last group trip in Cuenca. We went to Ingapirca, which are Cañari and Inca ruins. Cañari´s lived there from 1200 to 1400 and then the Inca´s lived there for about 60 years. The ruin site is quite impressive.

After that we went to the town of Cañar, which is an indigenous village. Sunday is their market day and it was a sight to behold. There were hundreds of indigenous people either shopping or selling or both. This was their market for meats, fruits, and vegetables. I guess they each produce something and then come to town to swap. I bought a huge bunch of tiny bananas, which are very sweet and about one third the size of a regular banana. Another difference is that the skins are very thin. And the whole bunch cost me 50 cents!

I tried to take some pictures and managed to get a few before one indigenous woman came at me firing away in her Spanish. At that point I was only taking pictures of her grapes, but she didn´t like that anyway. I´ve tried to be quite discrete when taking pictures of people. Don´t know what I will do with the over 450 pictures that I´ve taken so far. After I show them to anyone who will volunteer, they will probably reside in a case along with the rest of my pictures, only to be eventually discarded. After cleaning out Jeff´s parents house after they moved, I´ve learned that very little survives the next generation, nor should it :)

Cuenca

Wow, I´m finally getting into the rhythm of life in Cuenca and it is time to leave. I can see the advantages of staying longer. I went to the grocery store this weekend and even though it was on the other side of town and I took a taxi to get there, I met 3 teachers from the elementary school that I´ve been visiting at the grocery store. After greeting each of them in different aisles of the store, I began to feel like a local. And invariably as I walk through the streets going to or from class, I meet someone that I know from the town. Americans have quite a community here. But I´ve enjoyed meeting the local Ecuadorians also. On Friday I was invited to my Spanish teacher´s house for breakfast. That was super. She cooked waffles in my honor; I guess she thinks that is a typical American breakfast. She remarked that it was the first time that she had made them. And the real fun was that we decided that for this meeting, we should speak English only. It was fun to watch her struggle as I have done through most of our classes. She is really wonderful and welcomed me back to stay at her house any time. Now all I have to do is convince Jeff to come with me.

On Saturday, I spent the morning with Francisco, Anne´s artist friend. She said his paintings were great but I had no idea that they would be so wonderful. (and I´m picky!!) He is so talented. I was excited to see his work but also disheartened to learn how he struggles to sell his work. I´m hoping that Anne and I can figure out a way to help him get a showing in the US. Maybe I´ll open a gallery in Berlin and show the arts from Ecuador. At any rate, my suitcase is packed with two of his paintings. Hopefully they will survive the trip home....

Then on Sunday night, I went to dinner with the family that Anne lived with when she was in Ecuador. I took my Nano and was able to sit with Mamita about a half hour showing her pictures. It is true that a picture is worth a thousand words, especially when they are in Spanish.

So now that I´ve made so many friends, I must leave and go back to my other life all the while making plans to return soon.