Apply for Regis in Ecuador

Information for Regis in Ecuador 2015 coming soon!

Final Reflections on Ecuador 2014

20.    50.    100.

As days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months since returning from my fourth trip to Ecuador, I found myself thinking most often in terms of... years.

Twenty years of Regis students spanning the globe to serve those in need. 

Fifty years of families rising out of poverty in the loving community of the Working Boys' Center.

One Hundred years of the miraculous gift of free education sponsoring the brightest "men for others."

The stars aligned on our trip to Ecuador this year. The coincidence of these anniversaries created a veritable syzygy of milestones (yes I had to look that up to make sure it was right, and yes I can use it because I am an English teacher!) in the heavens of goodwill. And, just as those celestial bodies in alignment create their own gravitational pull, so do Regis in Ecuador, the Working Boys' Center, and Regis High School depend on one another in the mission of compassionate discovery and selfless service.

It has been a singular privilege to play a part in the great continuity of these missions as both a student and a chaperone. Each trip is an adventure, and this year's was as grand as all the rest. What better way to capture its spirit than by the adventurous bunch themselves, offering snippets of final reflections and lasting memories, now that the experience has become part of their pasts.

Brandon Baldovin '15:

It's been one month since I resumed my life in the States, and I still think about Ecuador frequently, maybe even daily. The memories made there are countless and priceless, which is why I'm glad JQ strongly urged us to journal and blog. To compare here to there is an exercise in contrasts and leads me to believe that less is truly more. When you strip life down, truths become apparent: maybe family, food, and shelter are all one needs, and the rest is just white noise. If my Ecuador experience did anything for me, it helped me tune out that white noise. Or better yet, it tuned me in to the important aspects of life that can't run dry. I recommend this trip to all and hope that a few good men will respond to the call and carry on this twenty-year legacy.

Mike Flood '15:

Something that stood out to me in Ecuador was the importance of manual labor: the center’s goal was really to educate children in a pragmatic matter, giving them the tools they need to put food on the table, through carpentry, auto mechanics, hairdressing or the like. There is a certain dignity that comes with working with your hands that one simply cannot receive by working in an office or other professional settings. Once we finished work for the day, I always felt proud for having accomplished something through the work of my own hands, and I saw how the type of work someone does is not important; as human beings, we are all entitled to meaningful employment, whether we work using our hands or our minds.

Will Lajes '15:

The Ecuador trip it taught us so much about ourselves and the communities we live in back in the states.  It not only taught us to appreciate what we have, but also showed us that we can actually go without in our lives and still be able to live happily.  One of the highlights for me were the many soccer games we played against the children. Even though we tended to lose, we all felt more like a team -- both the Regis guys, and the great people we got to meet and were playing with.

Jared D'Sa '15:

When I think about Ecuador, it's usually the little things that come back to me most often, usually in a flooding manner. I miss having to go to the bodega to get massive jugs of bottled water. I miss the innumerable games of hearts. The anthems of our trip. The kids calling me “el indio.” I miss the things I thought I never would. I miss Diana and her insults, Armando and his touching. Getting winded after climbing some stairs. The unbearably cramped shower. Getting absolutely smacked on the soccer pitch nightly.

The bigger, broader things, the “themes,” if you will, of the trip come to me with less frequency, but carry so much importance. I remember with great fondness the people I was fortunate enough to meet, among them Madre and Padre, the amazing kids, and the other volunteers. I was able to forge an unbreakable bond with eight other guys. I’ll never forget the service we had to do, the often seemingly fruitless labor, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.  

The little things last. The image of the unfathomably cute toddlers waved at us while saying “Hola” when we first arrived at the center will remain with me forever and make me realize how wonderful one moment can be.

Elliot Sanchez '15:

In Ecuador and during our service trip the biggest question we kept asking ourselves was, "What is the difference that we are making?" I feel like we found out the answer to that question when the doctor at the La Marin center talked to us about her job and the joy she gets out of seeing the children. One word she kept repeating that stuck with me was "progreso" and I started noticing it more as we continued our days at the center. What she meant was that no matter how big or small our impact was on these children, we were making a difference in their progression from childhood to adulthood as they learn and practice in their future careers. From serving meals to losing at soccer matches every night, our interactions with the kids made an impact even though we couldn't see it in the moment. Even though the friendships we made with the children only lasted two weeks, the memories and smiles we shared live on. Ecuador!!!!

Frank Aguilar '15

We managed to do a lot in Ecuador in only two weeks, but what stands out the most are the long afternoons on the football pitch where the children of the Center always congregated after their classes and before meals. I had so much fun playing with them, whether it involved passing around a soccer ball to lifting them on my back and running around with them. What amazed me was watching how the barriers of class and language just seem to fall apart at the Center, whereby these simple games I played with the kids there brought them such joy. During my time there, I also began to rediscover the joy of being a child, a feeling I had not experienced in such a long time and one which I truly enjoyed. Perhaps what this trip truly taught me was that one does not need much to be happy, as proven by the never ending joy of the children at the center. Instead what I learned was most important was simply being present with them, a step in my continuing understanding of the ministry of presence and how powerful and wonderful it is. I may have not helped lift these kids out of poverty or solved any of their problems at home but what I did do was provide them with a few moments of happiness that may very well be the foundation to their journey in forming a better life for themselves through the help of the Center. 

* * *

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for reading this blog and following us on our journey. If you are a Regis student interested in coming on the next Regis in Ecuador trip, please see our Information page for more!

Sincerely Yours,

Frank Aguilar, Brandon Baldovin, David Boak, Joe Caparelli, Jared D'Sa, Mike Flood, Will Lajes, Elliot Sanchez, and Joe Quinn

Day 15: Adios, Muchachos

Regis in Alpaca:
Brandon Baldovin, Frank Aguilar, Joe Caparelli, Will Lajes, Mike Flood, Jared D'Sa, Elliot Sanchez, David Boak, and JQ.

by David Boak ‘15

It was our last day in Ecuador, and we were feeling sore: saddle-sore, heart-sore, and the kind of sore you get from being almost home. We began the day in the bakery for a sort of “last breakfast,” and over french toast and coffee discussed our battle plan: cleaning the pig-sties (AKA our rooms)and bidding farewell to Madre, Padre, and all the people we had met on this wild and crazy trip.

In these endeavors we succeeded: our rooms were newly habitable, we bid our adioses, and we made sure to give a hug to kids we were surprised to find we’d miss a lot. In a gesture perhaps to be repeated in his storied sports career, Mike Flood left little Juan his baseball cap, sorry that he could not make good on his promise to take him to America.

Amigos para siempre.

In this and other ways a few loose ends were left untied: we never won the match that proved the gringos had the upper foot in futbol; we never got to meet alpacas; and we never dined on the scrumptious flesh of the cuy (guinea pig).

But what are these to matter much with all we saw, and did, and felt? We did survive -- mostly unharmed -- our bags now filled with gifts, our hearts now filled with love, and our minds filled with memories of an unforgettable experience.

Hasta la vista, Ecuador.

Days 13 & 14: The Banos Adventure

by Frank Aguilar '15

Although our Ecuador trip was primarily for service, our two weeks of hard work earned us a well-deserved vacation at the popular tourist destination of Banos, Ecuador.

In case you Spanish students are wondering, this name does not refer to an elaborate restroom, but in fact describes the Baths of the Holy Waters (Banos de las Aguas Santas) attributed to the Virgin Mary, who protects the inhabitants of this village from the mighty Tungurahua volcano above. It lies four hours to the east of Quito, much closer to the jungle, but Mr. Quinn assured us its relaxations and attractions would be well worth it.

It was a long journey indeed, requiring us to wake up very early to catch our 6:00 AM shuttle to the bus terminal in downtown Quito. There, the next phase of the voyage began, when we boarded a “Greyhound-esque” bus to hurtle us across the Ecuadorian land. Some of us were lucky to get a few hours of sleep, ignoring the loud music that blared incessantly.

We managed to come to Banos before lunchtime, and many of us were dying to sample the local cuisine. But first, we had to find the hostal, La Posada del Arte, a wonderful place run by Chicagoans Jim Redd and his wife Marshia. Apparently we arrived a little early, as only a few of the rooms were ready, but that didn’t prove to be a problem on our empty stomachs. We ventured into the street for food and were greeted in turn by similar stories: that we were just a bit too early for lunch. So we circled back to enjoy La Posada’s comida, fueling for a big bike ride ahead.

Down the Valley of the Waterfalls

We next set out to acquire bikes for the ride to El Pailon del Diablo waterfall, a much-heralded local attraction. Unfortunately, David and Will were unable to join on for the ride, but JQ sweet-talked the outfitters into getting a chiva “party bus” to carry them to our destination.

While Will and David were intrepidly sightseeing on river-spanning cable cars, the rest of us took to the roadways down a valley of waterfalls. We had to keep our heads down as trucks barreled by, but when we looked up we saw beautiful mountain views that never seemed to end. Before we knew it, we were at the entrance to the waterfall -- and played a waiting game for our chiva pals. The game turned out to last about two hours, but the joy in seeing Will and David was proportional when they did arrive! With all of us together we made our way down a trail through thick Ecuadorian forest until at last we reached the waterfall.

"Dios Existe!"

Words do not do justice to the immense beauty and power of God’s creation, which captivated us all. To say the least it gave us great backdrops for photos. Perhaps the best part was crawling through a tunnel right beside the falls that brought us to an observation deck right behind the cascade itself. We got a little cold and wet, but no one regretted it after witnessing the miraculous water roar right over our heads.

After sharing this incredible moment together, we struck back for the hostal. As it was nightfall, though, we forewent the cycling in favor of a ride in the bed of a military truck, making us all feel like a combination of Indiana Jones and Che Guevara. Having returned our bikes we changed into our trunks and made straight for the much-discussed hot springs. The waters were warmed by the volcano and were the perfect thing for aching muscles after a very long day, with the clear sky above and the cool night air around.

Guerillas in training.

Yet the day was not done there, as we still had burgers in store at the “Stray Dog Pub.” These were delicious, and evoked both awesome conversations and reminders of home. The food was so substantial that some of us couldn't even finish, but you may rest assured we all walked home satisfied and ready for bed.

Brandon, Mike, and David sally forth.

Luckily we got to sleep in, and after a last-minute rearrangement substituted for our white-water rafts some stalwart steeds. Horseback riding turned out to be a great experience; while few of us had ridden horses before, some took to it naturally -- and some not so naturally! -- with gorgeous views and a feeling of freedom coming readily to all. Once after a hike we were surprised to discover our horses had gone! The stallions got loose and roamed back to the corral as the handlers dashed after to get them. Luckily we were reunited with our mounts before too late, and made our checkout in a timely manner. Catching the bus turned out to be a less timely affair and we caught a ride an hour later than we planned. Nevertheless, we did make it back all in one piece -- restored after our adventure, relieved to see our rooms, but suddenly aware that this was, in fact, our last night in Ecuador.

Mounting the trail.

Jared D'Sa, Lone Ranger

We treated ourselves to American fare at KFC in the nearby mall. We ate mostly in silence, perhaps aware of this concession to consumerism, but perhaps all the more anxious to go home and share memories of our incredible Banos adventure.

Day 12: Working is Persisting

by Brandon Baldovin ‘15

As our time in Ecuador nears its close, we can’t help but reflect on our work thus far. Have we really made an impact?

Last mass at La Marin

We feel we have, but the degree is harder to determine, especially when we find ourselves laboring to complete projects whose ends we cannot see. One example was our scrubbing the cafeteria’s rainbow-colored walls, which are stained by permanent grime and dirt. They’d just be dirty again; how long would momentary cleanliness last? It was a kind of work we expected to be satisfying, but whose satisfactions were less visible. Then again, many of us have forged bonds with the kids we’ve met that only blossomed over the course of our stay, and in repeated, unexpected meetings. These are also less visible, but we know will count for something.

How to clean a carpet Quito style: you slap the enchilada.

Today we returned to a familiar place: Center #1 at La Marin, where the inner-city Quiteno ninos come. However, instead of working with the muchachos, who were celebrating their last day of classes, team Regis washed carpets and wiped down benches. We learned the art forms necessary for doing good jobs. We were tired -- as if it weren’t obvious to JQ, who caught us all napping in unison -- but despite this we soldiered on. Perhaps the task was one we weren’t to see concluded, just continued.

Sleeping the sleep of the just.

We left enough in the tank to challenge Fordham Prep to a quick soccer match. When JQ pulled us off the cancha (yes, in Ecuador the balling is so hard, any time, anywhere) we held a 2-0 lead.

We boarded the bus, napped, helped cook mac and cheese, and slept some more for the amazing adventure waiting for us at dawn. Banos, here we come!

Don't say we never set a benchmark.

Day 11: Full of Surprises

by William Lajes the Third! ‘15 and Elliot Sanchez ‘15

After two days of relaxation and tourism it was time to get back to work. We spend the entire day at Cotocollao and tackled our projects with a vengeance.

David Boak and Manuel doing some heaving lifting.

We first had to move the tables and benches back into the cafeteria after the VP visited during Ecuador’s well-fought match against France. Since we are such a strong group of men, the benches got moved in no time. 

Will Lajes and Brandon Baldovin get some touch-up tips.

Next on the agenda was to re-paint the faded red and yellow columns holding up the comedor. With artistic talent and graceful brush strokes, we finished the first coating of paint while singing along to the U.S. Army song, "Hard Work."

Feeling light-headed from inhaling a little too much turpentine, we decided to get some churrascos and apanandos for lunch at the local restaurant. To JQ’s surprise, an apple pie was waiting for him to devour after lunch. He thought we wouldn't remember his birthday! 

"I'll take 23," quipped JQ, in fact some five years older.

Once we enjoyed the deliciousness pie made by the wonderful ladies at the bakery, we went back to painting the second coating. One hour later, the columns were wearing a fresh coat of red and yellow designed by the regis crew. So we earned some free time. We worked up an appetite by playing soccer with the kids and the U.S.A. beating Ecuador for the second time, making the official standings 2 to 10. 

But another surprise was in store before dinner. JQ had been talking with Mike and Maggie, two older volunteers with an incredible story he'll share with you later... They arranged for some college-age Ecuadorian students to meet with us for a special English-language conversation class. Of course, dancing lessons might have been a better name for it!

Getting, how-you-say, low?

After an eventful day and well-prepared dinner by the expert chefs, Maria and Antonia, we had another surprise for the birthday boy during reflection with a hidden cake. We picked his favorite kind of cake: banana. Happy "23"rd birthday Mr. Quinn!

Day 10: Started From the Bottom Now We're Here

by Mike Flood ‘15

Today was another recreation day, so after going to the middle of the world the natural next stop would be the top.

We took a public bus to the TeleferiQo, a cable car which goes up high side of Quito’s mountain range and affords incredible views of the city. The ascent was fun, but the hiking at the top was even better. After some big climbs and a few friendly races we stopped at the ledges for spectacular photos. We played some trip anthems at the peak. including “Temperature” by Sean Paul (which JQ a little sarcastically called “a modern classic”).

A day at the races.

We then descended the mountain in a hurry in order to catch Ecuador’s world cup match against France. This was a big event at the Center, not just because the national team was playing a big game, but because the Vice President of Ecuador paid a visit! Cotocollao’s comedor was totally tricked out with big screen TVs, and the excitement was huge. 

Top of the World!

Despite a strong performance, Ecuador tied France, and was therefore eliminated. The national pride of that whole room really inspired us. After some selfies with the VP, we played soccer with the kids and had so much fun we just about forgot to be embarrassed by the 3-0 loss.

The Fearless Leader: Jorge Glass.

After some delicious lasagna we helped make, we were pretty beat, and went to bed after reflection. All in all, today was a great day to take a break and to experience the wonders of the city and the community. We had great times on the mountains, in the city, and with the people, and were reminded of God’s presence in so many different ways.

Day 9: Journey to the Middle of the Earth

by Joe Caparelli ‘15

After several days of hard work we decided that we had earned a day of recreation. After treating ourselves to an early lunch at KFC, we boarded a very overcrowded bus to Mitad del Mundo, or, the Middle of the World: Latitude 00 00’ 00”.

First we stopped to take a photo by what was once calculated to be the center of the world by 18th-century French cartographers. Thanks to the wonders of GPS, the “actual” middle of the world was found to be a few blocks down the road, complete with funky exhibits and activities!

Men for Others, across the world.

At this “unofficial” Mitad we were exposed to the culture of the Indigenous tribes of Ecuador, who worshipped the sun and developed clever ways to measure its movements. We saw totems from all over the world and passed through authentic huts made by tribesmen of the Amazon.

We were finally taken to the actual equator, where we took numerous selfies straddling the hemispheres and got locked in a battle to balance an egg on a nail. According to our knowledgeable and well-spoken guide, special physical properties kick in at exactly the equator line, to which resident scientist David Boak did protest! Nevertheless, the guide demonstrated rather believably the forces of the Coriolis Effect, and we all laughed about it afterwards as some of our number suited up in fetching (and matching) alpaca sweaters.

The Alpaca Pack: Mike, Jared, and Brandon.

We wound down the day helping the lovely chefs Maria and Antonia cook up a storm. We ate heartily and rested well after our “journey to the middle of the earth.”

Day 8: Flying Solo

Welcome to La Marin.

by Jared D’Sa ‘15

On our eighth day in Ecuador, brave Regians flew solo, away from each other for an entire day, as we shadowed year-long volunteers at the Center for Working Boys. The Center relies on the goodwill of these volunteers, many of them recent college grads, to do so much of what it does. Today was our day to have a taste of what that year is like.

Although start times varied, we began our day as we always do, in solidarity, with a prayer and hopes for the day. I myself followed Christina, who was teaching 4th grade English that morning. As it is the end of the year, the girls watched the movie Sky High 2 in Spanish while they got their nails painted in a manner vibrant even for energetic young girls. Afterwards, we took them to the library-slash-computer-lab where they took lessons on typing and silently read books to themselves. If one was so lucky, and I was one such sort, the girls would read their story aloud to you. It really felt amazing to be welcomed so warmly by girls I had just met into a place they called “mi hogar segundo.” They seemed to enjoy reading so much, sharing something that many of us take for granted.

Following the library, we went to the Girls Program, where girls make bracelets and other accessories that would be sold to raise money for the Center. As the girls worked (and told me absurdly difficult riddles in Spanish) Christina explained that for their last project they are making skirts that they think are being sold, but the year-long volunteer intends to give back to them as gifts. It was at that moment I realized the genuine and incomparable love the year-longs have for their kids.

Finally, after a lunch break, we went to La Marin and watched the kids play in the park completely blissfully despite being in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Quito. On the way back after a long day’s work, Christina and I stood on the hot and crowded public bus for over an hour. It was just one day, but I was exhausted, a sentiment shared by my Regis friends when we debriefed that night. We agreed that the year-long volunteers play such an integral role in the success of the Center and sacrifice so much for the kids they love. To think they do this every day for an entire year, away from their homes and families, is something we should not only respect, but admire.

Much Love,
Jared

Day 7: Dios Le Pague

by Joe Quinn ‘04

“El domingo es para la minga.” - Don Edison

While the Lord rested on the seventh day, the members of the CMT keep holy their sabbath with an honest day’s labor. Despite what its sounds like, minga is a corruption from the Quechua meaning “communal work”. And yet, for we Regians, the experience was far from foreign, and truly central to our mission of living out the gospel’s message of service.

Gringos looking for work.

We started one man down as the noble Frank Aguilar took ill and rested on the home front. The rest of us were up-and-at-’em by seven o’clock, joined by kind and able-bodied folks from Dubuque, Iowa. Gloves in hand and work-boots shod, we were met by Edison, one of the Center’s teachers in charge of placing the working boys after finishing their technical studies. On the long bus ride to our destination beyond the outskirts of town he explained that the purpose of our minga was to help Marciela, a local autobody-shop owner, build a new garage. While Marciela and her husband were not members of the center, their shop has employed many graduates of the CMT. In this we saw the widening circle of the Center’s “family of families”; while traditionally mingas are devoted to building places to live, a place to work must come next in the order of “felt needs.” Treating Marciela’s business as another kind of “home” offered us an added object lesson in the Center’s spirit of generosity.

You see a giant hole in the ground. We see jobs for working boys!

The site, when we arrived, was not much more than a cleared-out tranche and two mounds of dirt. A pit about thirty feet deep sat at the far corner of the property, bordered by a deep retaining wall. First to meet us there was Myrian, one of the directors of Center #1 (La Marin), who introduced us to Marciela, “la duena de la minga”. Our task was to move all that dirt into that big hole, and though you could hardly tell to look at it, a little prophetic vision made it all add up one day to a beautiful garage with jobs for the muchachos we met on Friday.

"La cadena" está en vigor.

The work was laborious, and seemingly endless -- but healthy activity for muscles atrophied by laptop typing and all-night cramming. By picking, hoeing, and shoveling we broke down the mounds, and it soon became clear that the best approach would be a collaborative one. “Se necesita cadena,” Myrian and Marciela agreed, which added to my store of Spanish working vocabulary by one, for it referred to a “chain” of loosening the earth and shoveling it from one man to the next and finally into the great open pit. We learned other choice modismos that day, but the most delicious of all was the chicharron -- pork chitlins -- eaten heartily for lunch.

We all stood a little higher that day.

By day’s end we couldn’t say hole was wholly filled, but those massive mounds were sure cleared out. Some even sacrificed their pantalones and a sliver of dignity to the effort of literally moving the earth… (Yours truly.) And yet, we had played our part. With hope in your heart you could see that bottom really had risen a few feet -- and even if you didn’t believe your own eyes you had to believe Marciela’s. “Dios le pague,” she told us. God will repay you. It’s an expression sometimes used as a mild joke here, a kind of “I owe you one, and since I can’t pay you so the Good Lord might.” But when spoken sincerely it conveys more gratitude than mere “gracias” ever could.

What a choir!

We got back in time for a local mass at the Iglesia del Divino Nino. While hewing closer to the Sunday services we were used to at home, a spirit of child-like joy brought the ceremony closer to the kids’ daily masses at the Center, and we were impressed by the moving songs and deep faith of the parishioners. Since the cooks were off duty we conceded to our American appetites and ordered entirely too much Dominoes. What pizza we had left over we gave to the midnight-flying Fordham group -- both in a spirit of Jesuit brotherhood and a preemptive peace-offering for the inevitably heated soccer matches played out on la cancha.

Day 6: Bizcochos and Bargains and Breathtaking Sights

 by William Lajes III

Hola y buenos dias damas y caballeros. Dejase su cinturon en ordinario, porque tomamos un viaje!

Today the Regis group left Quito to explore places of interest in the country nearby, namely, a beautiful Crater Lake and the market town of Otavalo. Even though the road was long and winding, and some of our group were sleepy due to not following the curfew... we saw some amazing sights along the way.

We first stopped at an overlook that gave us a terrific view of the Ecuadorean mountainside. This view provided a perfect backdrop for pictures with our new friends. Then we made a pit stop for delicious and crunchy Ecuadorian bizcochos and tangy cheese. It was so good that Michael Flood won the admiration of all by treating us to another round.

Once our hunger was relieved, we clambered back into our seats and pressed on to the world-renowned “leather town” of Cotocachi, where David Boak made the purchase of a fetching James Dean jacket. Next we reached the beautiful Crater Lake known as Cuicocha. We were captivated by the amazing view of this natural phenomenon, as well as fascinated by the fact that the lake sits over an active volcano. We took a boat ride around the lake, which gave us a perfect opportunity to take some breathtaking photos, as well as providing us with a quick shower.

We left the Crater Lake and arrived at last at our true destination: Otavalo. We hit the street and a sprawling market opened before us, where our hard bargaining truly shined. Setting the example was the dynamic duo Elliot Sanchez and Brandon Baldovin who utilized their tag team capabilities and impervious poker faces to bring down the price of Ecuadorean coins from $1.50 for 1 coin to 2 coins for 75¢. Most notable perhaps was Frank Aguilar, who let his Ecuadorean side come out by sporting a Panama hat, Ecuadorean scarf, and bag full of hand-crafted goodies.

Frank Aguilar: Ecuadorian gangster?

Once done with shopping for ourselves and family, we returned to the bus, feeling one with the Ecuadorean spirit as we sported our alpaca ponchos, sweaters, and blankets. We got back to the center exhausted, but the energy was well spent as we brought another amazing day to a close.

This is Double-You Lajes 3, signing off.

Day 5: Caminando en los Zapatos de Otros

Summer School with Marco Polo. 

by Elliot Sanchez '15 & Brandon Baldovin '15

Today we found ourselves in some new shoes -- those of the working boys to be exact. After kicking things off with a morning psalm and reflection, we met with Marco Polo, “dean” of the Center’s technical schools, who explained to us the program of education the children pursue. He ended his lecture by asking which of the courses -- carpentry, auto-mechanics, metalworking, or baking -- we ourselves would like to take. Unlike the boys who must make this decision and stick with it for years, we Regians needed to commit until just noon.

Elliot makes sparks fly in the metal shop.

Though we each experienced something unique, the general consensus was that the instructing children were incredibly patient and were kids just like us. Yes, a language barrier still existed despite our improved Spanish skills, but nevertheless we communicated effectively with enthusiasm, humor, and lots of pointing. 

Joe, Mike, and Frank look under the hood.

Each of us had something to show for our toils: the carpenters made step-stools, the mechanics a finished engine, and the lone metal worker (Elliot Sanchez) had little burns running along his arms.

Carpentry... wasn't JC into that? Ask Brandon, Will, or David.

With our labors behind us, we attended yet another 'clap-happy' mass with los niños, which included a special intention for Ecuador's victory over Honduras, which would pay off. At roughly 2:30, CMT's Doña Teresa led our party through a local produce market bursting at the seams with its fair share of pigs' heads and cuy (guinea pig).

A walk through Cotocollao's beautiful open-air market...

... and a visit with its beautiful people.

Teresa suggested to us what our delicate gringo stomachs could and could not handle. After peering through every tent of produce and haggling for some Ecuador futbol jerseys, we decided to take matters into our own hands and make guacamole. This led to a scavenger hunt to find all the right ingredients. Once we gathered the limes, tomatoes, onions, and avocados, we set to work at the casa. Using everyone's dicing, chopping, and mashing skills, the masterpeice was made and we enjoyed the fruits of our labor with some banana chips. Hard work never tasted better.

Day's end, and a new friend.