There is nothing more exciting about moving to a new place than to learn about the culture, events and special days of a country.
Moving here to Ecuador has certainly not disappointed us with learning experiences because we are never quite sure what celebration is going on here.
We find it downright funny and entertaining because we are always trying to talk to the locals to find out what is going on next.
We hear cannon shots (probably fireworks but I am sure there has to be a cannon around here close) on a regular basis and they are enough to make you jump out of your skin when you are not expecting it.
Of course, we all look at each other after it happens and have a great laugh together.
Some celebrations are very different and I find the one for new years day a bit eccentric. We noticed toward the end of the year that effigies started to go up outside of people’s homes and businesses.
Then on new years day, they burn these effigies out in the streets to apparently symbolize a new start and getting rid of the bad things in the past.
Seeing the fires in the streets at night was kind of a scary thing because so many of them were going on. However, the locals stayed right with them and after it was done burning, the neighbors on our street poured water over them to be sure the fire was out.
Seeing these effigies riding in the front seats of taxis and out on the streets was a sight we were unfamiliar with. We won’t be forgetting that too soon.
Then, we have never seen so many parades on a regular basis as we do now that we live here in Cuenca. For sure they are always celebrating something here.
[youtube width=”600″ height=”550″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYYlqsWVkF4[/youtube]
Effigies, Celebrations and Customs of Cuenca, Ecuador
For example, a couple of Sundays ago, we were having a nice quite morning, drinking our coffee when we heard a parade going down the front of our street.
I grabbed my phone, hung out our second story window and started recording. Again, I am not sure what that celebration was about, but it was fun to catch the 30 seconds or so as they passed by.
For this past year to celebrate their country’s independence, we saw many new sites. One of them was this bus going by as people danced inside and you could hear music from the bus playing several blocks away.
We were sitting and eating at a restaurant in the center of town when it came by.
Then right across the street at the same time, we heard a local town musician playing as if he was a three piece band.
Playing for tips, he had a mouth piece, an instrument at his hands and another instrument at his feet. I couldn’t grab a picture of his feet but it was a cool sound coming from all his instruments.
Too, because Cuenca is a place for art, many of the celebrations and events are a time to display beautiful and unusual artwork.
Then, I would like to say that you only see cuy (guinea pig) and pigs roasting at special times and celebrations, but these are common sights as you roam the streets.
One day I will be brave enough to try some of it.
We just found out this week that the next celebration coming up has to do with Carnival and is water drenching.
Apparently the whole town becomes involved in a “war zone” of some kind as buckets of water and water balloons are thrown at you.
No one is spared and especially gringos get targeted. I think I will be sticking around closer to the house this week.
The folks here in Cuenca are the most fun loving and celebrating anything type of folks.
It sure has made for a lively stay so far.
As we keep reading and learning I am sure we will understand way more about their special days and celebrations but we are loving some of the lively entertainment now.
Hugs and love ya,
Check out these other posts:
Appreciating the Culture of South America Through Dance
Discovering Geography Through a Field Trip to Incan Ruins
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