As the plane touched down in Quito and the twelve of us carried our bags toward the Working Center bus, predictions of the experiences that we would ensue preoccupied our minds. We had all seen the introductory video letting us know that we would be working with kids and performing some physical labor, but there were no real details. Questions such as: "Would the kids like us? What exactly are we doing? Is not having knowledge of Spanish going to be a problem?" flirted across my mind. Father Juan and Madre gave us a great welcome and answered one of those questions by explaining what we would be doing for the week.
The first few days were very interesting as we "lived the life" of an Ecuadorian in Quito. Small groups split among the varying professions to shadow and work. My group went to carpentry and made small benches out of a seemingly large slab of wood. We also took tours of the various centers where we finally met some of the kids for the first time. When we toured some of the houses of the people at the center, the whole group and I overcame a change in ourselves. Realizing what the people there live in everyday compared to all of the luxuries we have is a startling experience. Their "electrical boxes" are open and pose a threat everyday if one of the wires would just have happened to fall or get rain in them.
On the 2 hour ride home from these houses, our bus was silent. Everyone was trying to feel for what they had just gone through. These people were great people with no shame for how they are living. They are proud even and are joyous with more smiles than I have had this past week. Why do people this great have to be in this situation. They deserve better and, yet, are content. I wish I had their strength. It is not up to us who "wins the lottery." There is a reason why we were placed in a position to help, someone said. The whole goal of this trip was to realize this and act on it.
The rest of the trip was much different. The once shy, cautious, and tentative New Yorkers were now very outgoing and bold. Visiting the houses invigorated all of us with new life it felt like. I didn't know any Spanish and was very isolated as a minority. After the fifth day, this was no more. Interacting with the kids, asking their name, and just having a great time was not hard to do. They want to understand you as much as you want to communicate with them. The most rewarding part of the trip to me was meeting, teaching, and playing with the kids. I would have rather been doing that than the "touristy" parts of the trip to be honest. The Minga and painting were rewarding as well because our group left a lasting impression on Quito, even after we left.
Overall, the trip was an extremely rewarding experience. When I applied for this trip, I wrote that, "I do not know what I will get out of this experience. I do not know what I will learn or how it will affect me." Even as the trip was occurring, I did not realize how much of an effect the Ecuadorian hospitality would have on me. To be honest, I struggle to find the words to describe how the trip has made me feel still. The only way to understand is to partake on this type of trip too.
-Michael Tripp '10
No comments:
Post a Comment