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There is a wondrous diversity of fruits in Ecuador, much like everything there. These are fruits that you have most likely never seen or tried before, and they don't taste like anything you've had. From the tree tomato (tomate de arbe) to the babaco, they are a delicious addition to a trip through the country. So stop in, try some pies or jams or just eat them raw... you won't be disappointed.
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In the market places, it is customary to haggle over prices. Some visitors have an issue with that, especially as the prices are pretty low to begin with. But it is part of the life here, part of the experience. I've had some people actually look a little shocked that I didn't make any kind of counter-offer, just accepted what they said. So, dive in and try to score some deals. Enjoy the experience
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On New Year's Eve besides burning the famous dolls, Ecuadorians, mostly men, are dressed as widows in black clothes, tights and a black shawl and stop cars and people in the street asking for money. They are supposed to ask for money for their husband's funeral but they have to perform a dance before they get the money. Obviously they are not so sorrowful about their “husband's”death. This goes on on New Years Day , too . Cars are stopped by a rope raised across the street and can not go unless money or candies are given. The “widows” perform short dances which really funny as most of them are ...men.
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On New Year's Eve all people in Ecuador are celebrating the beginning of the new year with a lot of firecrackers and an amusing custom of burning dolls. They have been prepared many days ahead and they can be seen at every corner being sold, or in front of the shops dressed as real people. They are waiting for their moment of sacrifice which will give people a great enjoyment. They are life-sized dolls filled with sawdust or newspapers or any other flammable material, and wearing real clothes according to the person they represent. The head is covered by paper masks. Most of the times they represent unpopular politicians or celebrities, athletes or even cartoon figures. Sometimes even members of the family , but in this case they are burned for luck and not as a punishment...Before they are burned they are beaten by the “displeased” Ecuadorian giving a lot of fun!
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'Pasillo' is a indigenous latin musical genre very popular in Ecuador, especially in the mountainous regions (including some parts of Colombia, Panama and Venezuela).
This is very sad music from the mountains, my friends explained. Sad old men would drink their nights away listening to the tearful moans of pasillo. Leave a Comment
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Another typical Ecudorian tradition is to be whacked on your bottom with a belt by families and friends on your birthday. If you turn 20, you get whacked 20 times!! Ouch!! Leave a Comment
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'Banda del Pueblo' (Village’s Band) are groups of musicians playing trumpets and drums.
To my untrained ears, they seemed to be playing horribly yucky tunes with no beats, no rhythms.
But to my surprise, my friends told me these were traditional music, some of which even have lyrics, all singing praises of Quito, Ecuador and other Ecuadorian delights. They were being played during all festivals. Leave a Comment
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I came across this typically Ecuadorian celebration by chance! It was the evening of 23 September and they were celebrating the Virgen de La Merced on the plaza in front of La Merced.
In the evening, these guys started preparing some form of structures with bamboo sticks. These tall structures are called 'castillos' (castles) which have a series of fireworks that get ignited from the bottom to the top by one light.
At 8pm, the first of the fireworks soon got ignited. Gosh, I had never seen anything like this before! There were about 3 or 4 layers of fireworks. As the first one lights up, there may be a display of spinning or normal fireworks. As that gets burnt off, somehow, the next level of display will be lighted up automatically and another set of display will continue. So, we had words commerating the event being lighted up, a rabbit that dances as the fireworks lit up around it, then, structures that appeared to fall down, but were actually ‘flowers’ opening up upon being lighted… Wow, it was such a fascinating sight!!!
We screamed and hid from the spits of fire as the fireworks advanced through the structure, and then, oohed and aahed over the beautiful spinning or twirling or dancing or whatever displays. At the very end, there would be fireworks being shot into the sky, seemingly endlessly! I could not believe how dangerous this was, because some of these fireworks that shot up into the sky, had burning sticks that fell back down to earth! Imagine, being struck by one such stick-on-fire!! I did not think there were any paramedics around.
The second structure got lighted up in pretty much the same way, to more shouts and delights. I was thoroughly floored by how these structures with fireworks were created. They were made of bamboos!!! And yet they opened up into displays like a church with a scroll of the Virgin unfolded, display of a star, etc… Terribly impressive! Leave a Comment
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The Andes are still very much a barter society. The local markets are full of not only colorful images and intense smells but also a cacophony of noises and not all of them are coming from the livestock. People yell to announce what they are selling but what makes the most commotion are people arguing over prices or what they quite vocally consider an unfair trade. It can become quite heated but we never saw anything come to fisticuffs. Oh, and pigs squealing another competitor for most dissonance but then again their fates are probably worth all the uproar! Leave a Comment
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During the Week of easter there are many religious ceremonies around all of South America. In Cuenca they have an incredible procession through the streets that you have to see. There are countless men dressed in ornate costumes. Some are dressed as Jesus and are carrying huge crucifixes through the city. After that, each church parades their statue of Jesus, ornately decorated and carried by a group from the church (or organization). It was a amzing experience. Leave a Comment
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