Time is a different thing here in Ecuador. I'm not sure how to even explain it. It's as if it doesn't matter, it doesn't exist.
People say to be somewhere at 8 but don't show up till 9. Something starts at 10 but there's no one there until 12. Now, I'm not a very punctual person. I always came to work 30 minutes late but that was just me. I knew work would start at 9 no matter what and I would just be late. But here its like work can start whenever. A store may usually be open at 9 but then open at 10 or 11 one day just because.
So for right now, Ryan and I spend a lot of our time waiting. Waiting for meetings to happen, waiting for students to show up to class, waiting for stores to open, waiting for people to do things. Because we haven't been able to let go of our time focused American ideas that have been pounded into our heads.
Here being late is not rude. Period. Its just not. Now, I'm sure some of you (my Dad) might think that just because everyone else is late it's still rude to be late yourself. It's just not the case.
Perfect example...
Maria Jose invited us to a concert in the park for the Haitian community in Quito. The invitation said 10am. We got there at 10:45 and they were still doing sound check. We came back at 2 and the concert was just getting going.
Another example...
Yesterday we had our health insurance meeting with Pan American Life at inlingua. The email said the meeting would start at 3:30. Ryan and I hurried over there after attempting to run in the park. The Pan American Life reps didn't show up until 4 and didn't figure out the projection system until 4:30. A full hour late. These people are professionals. It's not rude to be late.
Anyways, time moves differently here and I feel like I've been here for a really long time already!
Hope all is well.
MULUB,
Taylor
