Andean High

Estoy en Quito. Hola from 2,850 meters or nearly 10,000 feet!

I was literally on the midnight flight into Quito, which coincided with a customs pile-up, so it was even later in la madrugada than expected when I met my host dad, Edi, more fondly known as papí (Pop*ee). My mamí (mom*ee), Doris, wasn’t there because I have a two year-old little sister and a baby brother on the way, (Juaquin is expected to arrive at the end of January or the first week in February), but she was waiting for me when we got home. My Ecuadorian parents are very loving and affectionate and from the very first instant it was obvious that I had been adopted into their family as their oldest daughter. We had a great introductory chat (which went well since I had eleven hours of rehearsal on the plane). But, I must admit I totally had that low moment; you know the one in the Atlanta airport after you have just heard the voice of your hysterically crying mom for the last time. Before you drop off the grid for the next 4 ½ months and disappear into the unknown crevices of a foreign country. Yeah, that miserable moment where I was totally like, this was a mistake, what was I thinking? I can’t do this!

Cue God…. Oh wait, God never needs a stage direction to enter the scene.

When I arrived at my seat I discovered the lovely face of my fellow Hokie and sweet sister in Christ, Carly, and everything was suddenly better. I would say what a fortunate coincidence, but as another one of my beautiful B-stud (cool chrisitanese term for Bible Study we like to throw around on the college campus) sisters in cru. always says, “There are no such things as coincidences, there’s just Jesus.” So, it was totally a “just Jesus” moment where I was reassured by the Holy Spirit that I was meant to dive into studying abroad, learning Spanish, and serving in Ecuador as a part of being called into God’s Global Ministry.

In between our excited nervous chatter, we realized the very eloquent Spanish speaking man to our left (who had ridiculously bilingual and adorable children) was wearing a Virginia Tech class ring. Of course, we had to ask. He was a GTA in the history department who studied at USFQ for a semester, where he met his wife. They had just finished visiting family in Lynchburg and were heading home to Quito where they have lived for the past twelve years. Come to find out his son, Wesley, is named after John and Charles Wesley because his father is an ordained Methodist minister in the Virginia Conference and he is a Pastor who leads youth ministry in Ecuador! He gave us a rundown of the city, things we must do, dangers to guard against and offered a glimpse into Ecuadorian culture; so, both encounters were really fun and unexpected blessings, but then again that’s how God works, unexpectedly.

This morning I woke up to squealing and cluttering from the breakfast table and emerged to meet my little sister, Rebeca (Bequí), who was dressed in Disney princess pajamas and was chanting Raquel. She was wearing a bib that said, abrázame (hug me), so I did, and received a really sweet little beso (kiss). As we continued our get-acquainted conversation over a delicious fresh, fruit salad with mango, kiwi, banana, papaya, and apple, a fuzzy Elmo slipper snuggled with me under the table.

The view from our seventh floor apartment of the northern part of Quito, the airport, and the mountains is quite gorgeous. The very first morning the snowcapped volcano, Cotapaxi, was visible, but since it has been high in the nubes (clouds). Given this fact, the first thing you will undoubtedly notice in Ecuador is that one single flight of stairs feels like thirty minutes on the elliptical. Needless to say, the altitude here takes some adjustment.

Mis papís took me on a short ride through our part of the city and we had a fun seafood lunch. I became acquainted with a ceviche which is a very typical Ecuadorian dish. The most popular ceviches are made with camarón (shrimp) which swim in a lemon/lime juice (in Spanish lemon and lime are the same word, limón, how incredibly efficient or inefficient rather, depending on how you look at it) with onions, cilantro, and it is customary to put popcorn in it! It was unusually delicious with a mezcla única (unique mixture) of flavors. ¡Que rico!

The first evening I met both sides of my extended family at separate get-togethers. It was quite overwhelming, but very loving and lively. At first I thought that we were gathering as family for a special occasion, but now I realize being surrounded by relatives is an everyday occurrence for my Ecuadorian family; whether it is an afternoon cafecito, a late night postre (dessert), or a quick game of tennis on the wii. It is such a blessing to be adopted into an amazing, adoring, and larger than life family here in Ecuador. It is such a wonderful reminder of home. Praise be to God!

Ecuadorian table manner tip of the day: when consuming food, especially homemade meals, you must say, ¡Que rico! at least six times to appear decently appreciative and satisfied. Seriously.