Chapter One
The chapter starts out introducing the main character Daniel. He starts to tell us about the year his mother gave him a digital camera. Daniel would take photos of anything and everything. The more pictures Daniel takes the more he begins to see things differently. Like the way his friends look when they laugh. Daniel begins to study about photography. He continues to practice taking pictures. This makes mother very happy. She tells Daniel that it is not common for a teenager like him to be so interested in the arts. Also that he should think about photography as a career. This does not make Daniel’s father happy. Daniel’s father tells Daniel that there are too many people who want to be photographers and there is no money to be made. Daniel’s mother on the other hand says that Daniel should work with something he loves. But his father still is against the idea of Daniel becoming a photographer. He wants Daniel to be just like him.
Daniel finds an online photography contest. He tells his mother about it and she tells Daniel that he has to enter the contest. But that he shouldn’t tell his father. If he wins they will surprise his father with the results, if he loses nothing needs to be said.
Daniel begins to talk with his uncle Andrew, who lives in Ecuador with his family. Daniel’s mother suggests that Daniel spend a summer in Ecuador with Andrew’s family. The chapter ends with Daniel conflicted about whether or not he should go. He knows it will be a great opportunity, but he doesn’t want to give up his summer.
Daniel finds an online photography contest. He tells his mother about it and she tells Daniel that he has to enter the contest. But that he shouldn’t tell his father. If he wins they will surprise his father with the results, if he loses nothing needs to be said.
Daniel begins to talk with his uncle Andrew, who lives in Ecuador with his family. Daniel’s mother suggests that Daniel spend a summer in Ecuador with Andrew’s family. The chapter ends with Daniel conflicted about whether or not he should go. He knows it will be a great opportunity, but he doesn’t want to give up his summer.
Chapter 2
Daniel says that his uncle's house is like being in the United States. For instance, Isabel has her own computer, the television has cable. Andrew's entire family speaks perfect English, so Daniel isn't able to practice his Spanish as much as he would want to. We then find out that Andrew works for an oil company and that is how he makes his money.
Chapter 3
Daniel says that his cousins are his best friends. Fernando is funny and Isabel is very kind. Daniel thinks of them as the siblings he never had. Daniel goes to lots of parties with his cousins. The cousins plan one every weekend. Andrew has another cultural shock at the parties, he notices how loud the music is being played and that the neighbors do not say anything. Daniel has good luck with the ladies, the girls say goodbye with a kiss (which is a custom) and Daniel likes this.
Isabel and Fernando go to a bilingual school, so that is why their English is so good. Daniel likes Maria Fernanda and she is his girlfriend. Daniel LOVES Ecuador.
Isabel and Fernando go to a bilingual school, so that is why their English is so good. Daniel likes Maria Fernanda and she is his girlfriend. Daniel LOVES Ecuador.
Chapter 4
Daniel has been taking many photos, but they all seem very similar to the photos he took back in California. Daniel's uncle decides that Daniel should travel around the historic part of the city. Daniel sees the ancient architecture and the antique churches. Daniel's cousins tell him legends while traveling the city. Daniel loves traveling around this area and wants to see all of the country. Daniel's cousins, aunt, and uncle start to talk to him more in Spanish. This is hard for Daniel, so most conversations end in English.
Daniel feels like there is an invisible wall between him and the maids (Rosa y Juana) that work at Andrew's house. He decides that he is going to break down this wall by asking them for help with cooking. They just laugh at Daniel and ignore him. Later, while the maids are speaking with Daniel in Spanish. HIs cousin thanks Rosa and Juana for allowing Daniel to talk to them. Then Daniel's girlfriend and Isabel leave to talk which makes Daniel very nervous.
Daniel feels like there is an invisible wall between him and the maids (Rosa y Juana) that work at Andrew's house. He decides that he is going to break down this wall by asking them for help with cooking. They just laugh at Daniel and ignore him. Later, while the maids are speaking with Daniel in Spanish. HIs cousin thanks Rosa and Juana for allowing Daniel to talk to them. Then Daniel's girlfriend and Isabel leave to talk which makes Daniel very nervous.
Chapter 5
Daniel, Isabel, and Carolina are going to Otavalo. A driver named Carlos drives them though the dangerous highways. On the drive Daniel sees beautiful mountains and takes lots of pictures that he loves. Daniel also sees all the farmers. He takes pictures of the landscapes and the farmers in their traditional dress. Isabel says to Daniel that its good that he took photos of her friends or the people back in California would think all the Ecuadorian people were Indigenous. This comment really bother Daniel. Daniel asks Isabel what's wrong with being Indigenous. Isabel was at a loss for words after this because she had never seen Daniel mad. They then drive to a biscuit factory where there are only four people at one table and the hand make the biscuits. Daniel then gets to see the houses of the people. The houses' poor condition makes Daniel sad, but he still thinks they are beautiful. He takes photos of them. Isabel brings up again that the people in California will see these photos an think that people in California will see the photos and think all of Ecuador is poor. Daniel tells her that she knows nothing about photography.
They all (Daniel, Isabel, Carolina_ go to an open air market. At the market Daniel takes pictures of the people and the merchandise. Daniel then sees a beautiful girl about his age and he realizes that the photo of this girl with black eyes is the photo he has been looking for. He wants to take a picture of this girl, but is to shy to ask. When he does finally speak to her he finds out that her name is Carmen, she is 14, and she works at a flower plantations and goes to night school. Carmen eventually has to leave. After she is gone, Daniel gets up to leave and runs into her again. She looks terrified to him and runs away. Daniel runs after her, but he can't find her and no one has seen her.
They all (Daniel, Isabel, Carolina_ go to an open air market. At the market Daniel takes pictures of the people and the merchandise. Daniel then sees a beautiful girl about his age and he realizes that the photo of this girl with black eyes is the photo he has been looking for. He wants to take a picture of this girl, but is to shy to ask. When he does finally speak to her he finds out that her name is Carmen, she is 14, and she works at a flower plantations and goes to night school. Carmen eventually has to leave. After she is gone, Daniel gets up to leave and runs into her again. She looks terrified to him and runs away. Daniel runs after her, but he can't find her and no one has seen her.
Chapter 6
Daniel meets back up with everybody (Carlos, Isabel, and Carolina) has long faces. Daniel had left all of them waiting for two hours, so everybody has gotten pretty upset. They all leave for Quito. One the way home Daniel thinks about how he wants to find Carmen and see her again. So he asks his aunt if he could take a bus back to Qtavalo, but she says no. That it is too dangerous, and that she is responsible for him. She says that if he wants to stay he has to have someone stay with him. Although, Daniel decides to stay without her permission. That is until Daniel notices that his wallet has gone missing. Daniel and everybody else believes that it was stolen back in Otavalo. Daniel thinks about how beautiful Carmen is and how a picture of her would be perfect to win the competition. Daniel then says how he has had fun hanging out with his cousins' friends, but he is ready to see the rest of the country. He realizes exactly how being in Otavalo has broadened his view of Ecuador.
Chapter 7
Daniel stops going to parties with his cousins because he wants to get to know Ecuador. Carolina helps him out with this, but because she is responsible for Daniel. He has to go on group tours or he can't go at all. Sometimes Fernando comes with Daniel, only if there is some extreme sport that they will be doing on the tour. Activities like mountain climbing, kayaking, etc. There are a lot of different climates around Ecuador so there is always an activity that you could do. Daniel likes to take pictures of landscapes, national parks, and the people. Daniel travel back to Otavalo to see if he can find Carmen again. When he gets back to Otavalo no one knows where he could find her. He tries to find the plantation that he works at, but there are too many flower plantations for Daniel to visit and look through.
Daniel rarely spends time with his cousins or their friends anymore. Isabel sees Daniel more as an alien now that her cousin. María Fernanda is getting pretty angry with Daniel. She does not return his phone calls, but Daniel honestly doesn't care. Finally, Daniel asks Isabel how she is. She responds by saying that she doesn't feel like her and her family mean anything to him and she slams the door in his face. This makes Daniel very angry. and he thinks his cousin is just being dramatic. But then he says that she is actually right and it was him who was losing his "little sister." Daniel knows that he needs to get to know Ecuador better, but he can't lose his relationship with Isabel. At the end of the chapter Andrew and CArolina announce taht htey are all going to the Galapagos Islands for five days.
Daniel rarely spends time with his cousins or their friends anymore. Isabel sees Daniel more as an alien now that her cousin. María Fernanda is getting pretty angry with Daniel. She does not return his phone calls, but Daniel honestly doesn't care. Finally, Daniel asks Isabel how she is. She responds by saying that she doesn't feel like her and her family mean anything to him and she slams the door in his face. This makes Daniel very angry. and he thinks his cousin is just being dramatic. But then he says that she is actually right and it was him who was losing his "little sister." Daniel knows that he needs to get to know Ecuador better, but he can't lose his relationship with Isabel. At the end of the chapter Andrew and CArolina announce taht htey are all going to the Galapagos Islands for five days.
Chapter 8
Daniel loved the Galapagos Islands he describes them as the most beautiful place he has ever seen. Daniel takes a lot of pictures of the Islands. When the family gets off the plane they all board a cruise. On the cruise they see plants, interesting animals, and beaches. A tour guide named Kathy tell them about the island. Daniel talks about how Charles Darwin lived on the islands while he investigated, studied, and created his theory on the adaptation of species. On the last day of the trop Daniel sees Carmen's friend. Daniel watches her her steal a tourist's wallet and he realizes that she was the one who stole his wallet. Daniel starts to yell thief, thief. And he runs to catch up with her. Daniel ends up getting the address for Carmen's school.
Chapter 9
When Daniel gets back from the Galapagos islands he only has one week left in Ecuador. Daniel goes back to Otavalo to find Carmen. He sees her leaving school and he goes up to her and Carmen says to him that she had nothing to do with her friend stealing his wallet. Daniel tells her that he knows this and he invites her to go eat something. Carmen confesses that she wanted to protect her friend, so she didn't say anything about his wallet. Also that her friend, Antonia is coming so that she can return his wallet. The reason that she stole the wallet is because her sister has cancer and they can't really afford to buy her proper medical care.
Daniel realizes that he lives a life much easier compared to Carmen and Antonia. Daniel continues to learn more about Carmen. He finds out that she is the oldest of four siblings. Her mother works all day to pay the bills. Carmen has to work too because her ftehr left them and he doesn't help them out at all. The plantation that Carmen works at is mainly made up of young girls like her who have to help out at home too. Carmen works six days a week and if the flowers are in high demand she has to work seven days a week and could have to miss classes.
Carmen has to leave to go to work, but she allows Daniel to take a picture of her before she leaves. On the way home from Otavalo Daniel talks to Carlos about Ecuador's government and other stuff about the country. At the end of the chapter Daniel says that he starts to see Carmen's eyes everywhere.
Daniel realizes that he lives a life much easier compared to Carmen and Antonia. Daniel continues to learn more about Carmen. He finds out that she is the oldest of four siblings. Her mother works all day to pay the bills. Carmen has to work too because her ftehr left them and he doesn't help them out at all. The plantation that Carmen works at is mainly made up of young girls like her who have to help out at home too. Carmen works six days a week and if the flowers are in high demand she has to work seven days a week and could have to miss classes.
Carmen has to leave to go to work, but she allows Daniel to take a picture of her before she leaves. On the way home from Otavalo Daniel talks to Carlos about Ecuador's government and other stuff about the country. At the end of the chapter Daniel says that he starts to see Carmen's eyes everywhere.
Chapter 10
Daniel is about to leave for California and his relationship with Isabel is still really bad. His aunt tells him to try to patch things up with her before he leaves. Daniel asks Isabel why she is mad at him. She tells him that it is because she doesn't think that her and her family mean anything to him anymore. Daniel reassures her that she ad her whole family mean a lot to him. She then tells him that she feels this way because he spends no time with them anymore. He then explains that the whole point of his trip was to take pictures of Ecuador. He had only been taking pictures of the same things he has always been taking. So he had to start spending more time touring the country to take pictures of different things. Isabel understands and they hug.
Daniel only has two days left in Ecuador, so his cousins want to throw a party for him. Daniel also mentions having Isabel and Fernando come to the United States one day.
Daniel only has two days left in Ecuador, so his cousins want to throw a party for him. Daniel also mentions having Isabel and Fernando come to the United States one day.
Chapter 11
Daniel returns to the United States. He tell his mom about his trip and how it was such a great idea. Also that he wants to see more countries and take photos of them. Daniel doesn't use the photo of Carmen in the contest, instead he uses a picture of a little boy at the Ecuadorian airport who had the same eyes as Carmen. Daniel keeps in contact with his cousins and hopes they will be able to visit him in the United States one day. Daniel also keeps in contact with Carmen through letters.