After a long two days of connecting flights, sleeping in dorm rooms, and 5 am (and earlier) wake ups, we had our first full day in Quito. And what a day it was. It was a sunny Sunday morning, and we were greeted by the sounds of church bells ringing in the many cathedrals and churches around the city. The streets were alive, filled with people contrasted from the empty streets the night before. Most of these people were headed to or from church.

I am Catholic. I have been my whole life. I was born into it, baptized, had my first communion in Second Grade, and confirmed my beliefs with my Confirmation at fifteen. Every Sunday, I go to church with my family at noon. This trip was the first time that I have been in another predominantly Catholic country during a Sunday. When we toured Iglesia de San Francisco, we walked in during service. Even though I spoke no Spanish, I could follow what was going on. I knew what part of the mass we walked in on, and I knew roughly what the priest was going to do next. I heard familiar prayers and songs being prayed and sung in Spanish, and I was able to roughly translate them because the main traditions and procedures are the same. I was able to connect immediately to the people because of our shared faith.

Even though I am Catholic, and roughly 75 percent of Ecuadorians are Catholic too, not all of our traditions are the same. Back home, once service ends, most people continue on their days. For the most part, Catholic traditions are separated from everyday life. Once mass is over, mass is over and people continue on with their secular day. In Quito, it is near impossible to escape after mass ends. There are pictures of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and saints everywhere. In the markets, vendors sell crosses and ornaments. Reminders of Catholicism are everywhere. The similarities in our faith gave me something to connect to, while the differences made me appreciate the culture more.