8-13-09 Mi nueva ahijada, Evelyn!!

About 3 weeks before I was scheduled to leave, Walter and Evelyn asked me if I would consider being Evelyn's godmother. They said they would be honored, but it was I who was more honored than anyone. Evelyn is 14 and had never been baptized. I did not hesitate as I said, "Of course!!". Thanks to Sunshine (aka Claire), who was also asked to be a godmother to an unborn child in her host family, I had some background with how the Ecuadorians do godparents. We've heard a few different things but supposedly they have four different godparents depending on what is being celebrated...first communion, confirmation, etc. Problem was, that Walter and Lourdes had to go through a parent class and then had to schedule a day that I would be available. This was a little tricky but ended up working out in the end. The only day available was the Thursday before I left.


Walter said he would come pick me up at 6pm at the hostel. We had just gotten back from shopping at Jorge Washington market. I was down in the "lobby" waiting and it was getting to be 6:10ish. Phone rings and it's Maricela (Evelyn's sister) asking where I was. Told her I was outside looking for Walter. Here she comes walking across the street. I ask, "Where's Walter?" and she said he's at the church waiting. Church was for 7pm. We had to get all the way to the south end of the city....quite a long ways, even past the new bus station! We hopped the bus (for $.25) and rode for about a half hour. I can't even describe the traffic...it was horrible. Maricela kept getting phone calls and I had a feeling we were going to be late. We ended up getting on another bus, then into a taxi, and FINALLY arrived at the church at 7:30! I hustle in and didn't realize that there was a second baptism as well. Needless to say...as I walked down the isle, everyone, including the priest, gave me the look like..."we waited all this time for HER?" I felt badly about being late but as usual...it was the traffic. I had a whole new appreciation of getting from one end of the city to another via public transportation (hey, at least we had a seat on the busses!). No wonder my students were late almost every day! Buses are not real reliable as far as time goes.

Whew! Made it...late, but made it!

Isn't she beautiful?! Evelyn w/parents

Her extended family, of which they made me feel part of

The church was lovely as kids were walking all over the place....up by and around the altar. It was a little strange to see that they allowed the little ones to do this but it really didn't matter. They were well-behaved...just curious.

After church, I thought Walter was going to bring me home. Oh was I wrong! I was ECUA-NAPPED!! That's kidnapping Ecuadorian style. In my case, they told me that it would only be an hour or so but in reality...it was a 6 hour ordeal. They think nothing of the time. It is a non-issue. I had such a bad headache and wanted, in the worst way, just to head back to the hostal, but NO! FIESTA a la casa de Walter!! How can I say no to that?? I knew it would be a long night. About 12 of us piled into a pickup truck, most of the kids standing up in the back bed. I wished I had my camera! No rules when it comes to driving. Car seats? Probably never heard of them. Britney Spears gets scolded for having her kid in her lap. That's normal in Ecuador. You should see the little ones on motorcycles! It would make any mother kringe.

Got to Walter's house. I couldn't even tell you what it looked like from the outside. All I know is that I climbed up some cement stairs inside, no railings, no gates for little ones, and inside was what they call home. Chocolates were passed around. I had to make a toast and champagne was shared. They treated me like a celebrity and catered to me all night. (what I could have really used was about 4 Excederin migraine!) Then the MUSIC starts! Oh boy! Can you say SALSA?!! What fun and thank goodness for my lessons with Pato! We all just hung it all out there in the living room and EVERYONE danced, even grandmas! There was so much love in that room. I taught them the Chicken dance and the Hokie Pokie. I laugh whenever I think of Walter saying it....just like Chop, chop and MOVE! (sorry, one of those...you-had-to-be-there moments)

They just LOVE to dance!

My gift to Evelyn was a necklace ,$20 and a homemade card written in Espanol! Told her to save it for something special.

The kids were adorable.

Auntie and cousins of Evelyn

Walter, his mother and mother-in-law

Walter's mother lives in Cotopaxi on a farm. The next time I visit, I need to go spend some time there. I can't wait!!

Living room, kitchen to the left

Running medals hanging in the living room

Walter, Maricela, and Evelyn are all runners. He has several medals from marathons. One thing I did not get to do while I was there...run a race. Bummer!

After our huge meal (at 10pm) of chicken, rice, fruit, cake...they bring in a 12pk of Pilsner 22oz bottles. It was a gift to me and a tradition supposedly. I could have stayed there all night drinking and dancing but it was now midnight and I still had to get all the way back. So...I THOUGHT I was getting a ride back from Walter. I don't think he even has a car. Nope. I found them on the phone calling a taxi to come get me. I was getting a little nervous but not too bad. My head was pounding so hard nothing really mattered, really. It took a while to find someone "safe". Said a million good-byes, shed a few tears, gave (and received) tons of hugs, and I was off. The taxi dude was cool and its amazing when there is no traffic. Got back to hostel in 20-25 min. Walter paid for taxi so all was good!! Oh, what a night. It was the best one yet. Too bad I had to wait until 2 days before I left to have it. Trust me, it was worth waiting for. And the Pilsner......crap, I had forgotten it!!! Probably a good thing.