Set the Table

Ecuador

This trip gave new meaning to the term 'set the table.' Have you ever shown up someplace where the table is set and dinner is waiting, and you didn't have to do any of the work? Pretty much every thanksgiving for me! :) But, in this case, that about sums up our trip to Ecuador as well.

My dad served his mission 43 years ago in Peru and Ecuador, and jumped at the chance to return with us when we had the opportunity to go to Quito, Ecuador a few weeks ago. He tried to find some of the families that he taught all those years ago before we headed down there, but to no avail. So much has changed in 43 years, and towns that were small when he was there are now booming cities. Undaunted, he left with us on a plane with the simple plan of showing up at church on Sunday and faith that we would be able to find them. You cannot imagine the fervent prayers I prayed as my faith was not quite on par! We spent Saturday figuring out the bus system to get to the town of Ambato, two hours away from Quito, where my dad had baptized the Mesa family. Let's just say, we later learned that taking the bus is not a safe mode of transportation for 'gingos,' but the entire time I felt perfectly fine. We went to bed Saturday night with our route mapped. The next morning my dad tells me he dreamed that he went to Ambato, and found out the Mesa family had all moved to Quito. We laughed about how 'ironic' that would be and set out bright and early Sunday morning on our appointed bus. We were let off in the middle of town, and immediately found a taxi that knew the way to the local mormon church. We walked in 20 minutes before the branch conference started and were greeted with a hug and kiss from each and every member! (A custom I now feel is AWESOME and think we 'gringos' should institute!) After sacrament meeting, the branch president spent two hours helping my dad, and another woman who remembered the Mesa family helped us track them down them down in, where else, Quito! Ironic? My dad talked with them on the phone and set up a time to meet them the following day in Quito.
The branch president and amazing sister.

We then spent the rest of the day exploring Ambato with sister C.
Overlooking Ambato.



Soccer game in some random part of town.

These stray dogs were EVERYWHERE! :(

Dinner...something called qui (sp?). Also known as 'raton,' or, as we gringos like to call it--RAT! (Or guinea pig...I'm not really sure.)


Part of the city.

Walking with our guide.

A typical house.

A house I liked.

The site where it all began! This is where my dad first met Luis Mesa. Very interesting story actually...My dad and his companion had set up a 'mormon' booth in the park telling people about the book of mormon, etc, when he said he saw a light above one young man in particular as he entered the park. He recognized the man, but wasn't sure how he knew him, so he started talking with him trying to figure out how he knew him. The man said he recognized my father as well, but they couldn't put together how they knew each other, and, in fact, there really was no factor connecting them as the man had never been out of Ambato, and that was my dad's first time in that city. Pretty cool! Long story short, my dad asked if Luis would like to know more, and when he said yes, my dad asked when, to which Luis replied 'right now.' My dad and his companion quickly packed up their booth and went with Luis to his home, where they taught his entire family consisting of his mom and dad and his nine siblings. My father was able to baptize four people from their family and has always remembered them fondly.

This girl was doing cool acrobatics from a tree in the park.

Random shots.






We then took a car service back to Quito--everyone in the branch was so concerned about us and made sure we made it back safely! Great people!

Monday morning, the morning of the big reunion!
My dad and Luis Mesa.


With the Mesa family in their home.

Marta took such good care of her 93 year old father. He was amazing! Ninety three and he trooped around the whole day with us.

Luis and his wife, Irme.


All together.

Lunch at Ceviches de Reu...? Can't say it, but it was yummy!
Dad ordered about 4 different entrees alone. Eat up!

Dad and his eating buddy


Touring The Middle of the World.


Tom's Halloween costume.

Headhunters!! I grew up listening to the story about the time my dad and three of his companions were chased by headhunters. Apparently these tribes still exist--I always assumed he was exaggerating--guess he was telling the truth!

Instructions on how to shrink a head...ya know, in case you were wondering and needed a good head shrinking recipe.

Real shrunken heads--one animal, one human.


Burial style of indigenous tribes--fetal position with tools they would need. If a chief were buried, the wife would be buried with him. Good thing I'm the chief! :)


Straddling the equator!

The sign of true brotherhood!

At latitude 0.0.0.

Balancing an egg on a nail. Go baby!

For someone who doesn't believe in magic...!

Certified egg balancer!

Baptismal font?


Water on the equator doesn't circle the drain, it just goes straight down due to the gravitational pull.

Middle of the world monument--it was built 200 or so yards away from the actual middle of the world before scientists came in and determined the actual spot.

Picture of my dad in the Mesa family scrapbook from 43 years ago.

Patriarch Luis Sr.

The Mesa home.


Tuesday we found this fun little museum.
Also the day we tried fruit smoothies from a street vendor--NOT a good idea!





Quito skyline.

Wednesday we toured a local government farm.





From the farm we headed to Louis's brother's house, Byron.

Then we went to dinner at a restaurant their family part-owns.

Yummy!


Byron and his wife.

We then went to the COOLEST cemetery (if a cemetery can be cool) I've ever seen. We went to visit the Mesa family matriarch--Juana. The cemetery sits on the side of the mountain and overlooks the city. AMAZING view!



Thursday we found a fun tourist trap in the heart of Quito. Yummy food!



Dad and I went to the top of the Andes together!
Riding the gondola up.

Higher...

higher...

higher...

The top!



There was a ferria at the bottom of the gondola, where this guys was painting on feathers. Belle collects birds, so I got one of the feathers with a hummingbird for her.

Fun ride at the fair. Hamster balls for kids! Genius!


Friday
Dad ready to go!

Luis and his wife took us to a house they literally built with their own hands and now rent out. The renters now use the land as a flower farm. It was here I also saw the tree that bears the delicious tomate de arbol fruit. I drank more than my fair share of tomate de arbol juice that week! De-li-cious!!

Some of the beautiful flowers the renters grow.



The renters also raised fighting cocks!

We then headed to Otavalo! (One of my favorite places.)



We did some shopping in the market. Shopping! Fun!
Dad sporting his new look!

Tom's alter ego!

Playing 'futbol' with some local kids.

I can't believe how much taller I was than everyone!


Eating! Another fun activity! (Ecuador has some really good food!)



This man was outside the restaurant begging, but he smiled a toothless smile the entire time! He was tiny--sooo short!

Luis and his wife were getting ready to leave for their mission as temple workers in the Guayacil temple. They worked previously in the temple with a couple who lived Otavalo, so we stopped off to visit them.
This family was awesome! No forewarning that we were coming and they dropped everything to visit with us for a few hours.
I was so impressed with them. Their home was modest to put it mildly, but they showed us to their nicest room, which was adorned in pictures of the temple, the first presidency, the proclamation on the family, and family. They visited with us, played guitar and flutes for us, and made us a mouth watering meal--and they weren't even expecting us!

What an amazing family!

Night view of Quito.

We headed back to Quito, where we went to the church and had a 'Mesa Family Meeting.' Luis and my dad were able to recount the events of 43 years previously, and bear their testimonies. I didn't get any pictures except this one--

A reminder to keep the church nice and to pick up your trash! (Seems I've heard similar reminders stateside!) :)

Saturday
We explored downtown Quito.




Sweet shoeshine girls! (All cousins!)


Downtown city square.


Inside one of the cathedrals.

Street view.




One last yummy meal!


Sunday morning we were up before the sun to catch our flight home.

What an AMAZING trip! It would have been fun without dad, but having him along, and being able to be a part of his reunion with Ecuador and the Mesa family really made it! The timing of the trip couldn't have been better--one week earlier or later, and we would have missed Luis and his wife. I could feel the spirit the entire time and we were blessed to feast at the table that was set 43 years ago. I am proud of my father, for his willingness to serve the people of Ecuador, and I am proud to now know the Mesa family, who, after 43 years, are not only active in the church, but serving themselves. Luis and his wife left the week after we did to serve their mission, his brother, Byron, is the PR rep for the church in Ecuador, his sister, Juana, had two sons serve missions, and more siblings children are preparing for similar things.

I know I invited myself to the table...but, WOW, what a feast! (BTW--Mesa in spanish meands table!) :)