Monday, August 30, 2010

Lie to Me

Grab this related post Widget!
We're probably--well, maybe--OK, hopefully going to move into our permanent residence in a couple of days. This is the same permanent residence that our soon-to-be-redone lease says we would be occupying July 1. So es posible dia after manana--a mere two months late--Cynthia & I will actually sleep in our own bed for the first time since the end of April.

Unpacking in anticipation of the finish line has been like opening Christmas presents from yourself. The items packed in the early stages haven't seen the light of day in 6 months. So many times I've said, "Oh, I'd forgotten all about this. I like this!." Our apartment is a wreck at the moment but it's because our stuff is everywhere--the decision to ship or not is highly personal, but we definitely made the right choice for us. Hooray!!

So the way the drill goes down for TeamStaton is like this--I unpack; Cynthia arranges. Period. That's why I'm sitting here writing this blog while she's upstairs slaving away. Edd at the moment is nothing more than a living, breathing distraction, and once I've got a bunch of boxes unpacked my only functions are to fetch something, reach something, or render an opinion on something about which the decision has in truth already been made.

It may seem like patience won the day in our unexpected waiting period to get settled, but that would be a gross misperception. I have been (for me) overly sensitive to cultural differences, and aware that I am the guest here in Ecuador. In truth my patience has broken all personal records, an achievement I take great pride in reporting.

But---------------

I don't believe we would have ever moved into that damn apartment had I not run out of patience, abandoned the "can't we all just get along" strategy, and kicked some ass, American style. That manana thing is humorous for awhile, then aggravating, and finally, in my case, "Hulkifying."

We have listened to so many BS "promises" over the past 8 weeks about what would be done and when it would be done. Like the Little Muchacho who cried "Wolf," sadly after awhile you start not believing anything anybody says about whatever.

I asked a Cuencano friend of mine recently,"Why is it Latin American people look each other ( or me) in the eye, lie to each other, know they're lying to each other, then walk away pretending that they weren't lying to each other?." Her answer? "I don't know--we just do."

People say, "Oh, they don't think of it as lying. They just don't like to disappoint, so they tell you what they think you want to hear." Maybe they don't think of it as lying, but, I'm sorry, to a dumb Southern boy like me, if you're not telling the truth, you're lying.

Thus far we're amazed that this cultural difference far exceeds the obvious language barrier as far as comfortably adapting to our new home. We know once we're in and settled we won't "need" locals so much for so many things, but I won't lie to you, it's been tough.

After all the fun-and-games, here's Edd and Cynthia on yet another adventure blogs, this one may be a bit unexpected, but I want you to know the almost always good, the sometimes bad, and the once in a while ugly. This ain't paradise, folks, but it's still pretty darn fantastic.

Next time I'll show you some pictures of our apartment. Believe me? Careful--this is Ecuador.

8 comments:

Sapa Ynca said...

Well said Ed..grin. Patience is a virtue.........but who cares about vitue! Gosh I love frank and open blogs and not just reports of did you put ketchup on the hamburger while Gracie put mustard on hers..geez..on that one I say..who cares! Thanks man, keep it up..have another Pilsner..its all good! It could be worse. Remember that SC heat?..still here.

Edd Staton said...

As I read your comment I'm enjoying a chocolate croissant and a morning cup of coffee----actually I am but as you said, who cares?!? I'm not a big fan of what I call "diary blogs" either; I find reading the chronicled mundane details of a generally boring life to be, well, boring.

zootenval said...

If I told you that I love chocolate croissants, I'd be lying...really. I'm nore of a cinnamon roll man myself...

I look forward to each post, because I know it will never be A) dull, 2) mindless stream of consciousness stuff and Next) lacking wry humor...

Gracias, Amigo for sharing, and good luck finally settling in.

zootenval said...

One other thought:

Feel free to share a brief description of how you kicked ass, American style...

Gracias...

Holly said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sandy said...

My Significant Other and I moved a container to Colombia to join up on a finca with some friends of his. But it was greatly misrepresented to us exactly how we were going to be participants and it has been a difficult time trying to figure out what is really going on. The lying is a big part of it as his SO is a Colombian native woman and I believe, in spite of the fact that she is a psychologist, she is lying to herself as well. Anyhow, we are returning to Colombia in a couple of weeks to see what we can get sorted out, and perhaps will come to Equador to see what that is like while in S.A. I really love Colombia and hope we can resolve these issues.
But yes, there is the great, the good, the not-so and the ugly. Glad to read your perspective!

Unknown said...

Hi Ed. I just found your blog. I'm laughing because we also live in Cuenca, I have a blog, and I recently added a post entitled "Liar, liar, pants on fire" which sounded strikingly familiar to your post "Lie to Me." I whole-heartedly agree that this isn't paradise but it's pretty great. Hope to run into you guys around town sometime.

Edd Staton said...

Go to Zoe's tomorrow night and you will.