Its a boy!

We have been living in the same apartment for about 5 months now, and the Ecuadorian family who owns and lives in the building have been very kind to us. We have been on a couple day trips together, including family Sunday at their weekend home in Malacatos. However, it was still a complete surprise when they invited us for dinner and formally asked us to be their 11-year old son’s Godparents (padrinos as they call them in Spanish). Now, for sure, your mouth is gaping open at the moment, but we want to reassure you by saying “We are not his only Godparents.” There are many religious celebrations in the life of Catholics here and godparents are selected for practically every religious ceremony including baptism, First Communion, and marriage. For the occasion (La Primera Comunión), we borrowed some formal clothes from friends for the ceremony. The ceremony was held at the church on Saturday morning. The children had been rehearsing for the event all week, as well as having formal pictures made and programs with their photos prepared. There were approximately 60 children participating, and the church was packed. We filed in line with our godson, José Antonio, and tried to follow along in the prayers and taking of communion like good Catholics, a noticeable irony for a half Jew and a Methodist. We pulled it off quite well. José Antonio is rather shy, so little words were exchanged throughout the ceremony and evening. Slowly, perhaps he is warming up to us, and we communicate in Spanglish. 

The morning ceremony was followed much later by a formal evening dinner. During the afternoon, the family worked quite hard preparing flower displays, appetizers and wrapping gifts for all the guests. We were invited to help alittle. Dinner was served at a nice hotel in Loja for about 20 people, mostly family and a few friends. Again, we just did as we were told. We were seated at the “head” table with José Antonio and his parents. Although the event was to begin at 7pm, as is typical in Ecuador, guests showed up about 1 hour late, plus or minus, so it was a late night. His father made a speech, and we just hope we didn’t miss any special customs that we were supposed to follow as his new godparents.

The proud Padrinos

The family posing before the formal dinner

The next day, Sunday, we went with the family to visit El Cisne. It’s a small pueblo (community) within an hour drive of Loja. This community is perched high in the mountains, and it is a long, windy drive there. Not only were we a bit motion sick from the drive, but also took on dull headaches due to the bus exhaust we followed all the way up the mountain. Thank goodness for emissions testing in the US!!!! El Cisne is well known for its cathedral as well as the main attraction which is the effigy of the Virgin Del Cisne. She is well regarded in Ecuador for performing many miracles and thus has a loyal following throughout the country, but particularly in the Loja province. You can see her placed at the head of the altar inside the church.

Before we reached the town, you could see the blue steeples towering above the little community. The cathedral was well-kept and adorned with a substantial amount of hand-made floral garlands (as you can see in the photos). We chose not to get our pictures on the llama with a small monkey-size saddle strapped on the back or purchase plastic rosary beads, candles or toenail clippers with the Virgin’s picture on them. However, we did indulge in some peanut butter “bocaditos” (sweets) that sent Ben running to the hills on the drive home. Guess you aren’t supposed to eat three at one time. It certainly gave the family a good laugh, especially the kids. Thank God they keep a roll of t.p. in the car.