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!