CHRISTMAS IN ECUADOR - CUENCA Christmas Parade "Pase Del Nino" 2013

FELIZ NAVIDAD FROM CUENCA 2013

This was our second Christmas season in Cuenca, and the "Pase Del Nino" parade, which is always celebrated on December 24th, was just as I remembered it from last year - Joyful, fun, and filled with hours of talented musicians and creatively colorfully costumed people parading along in their floats or by foot and celebrating their Catholic religious belief in honor of the Christ child and His birth.  This huge annual procession is a picture of Mary and Joseph and their journey to Bethlehem.  It is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in Ecuador, and there were many tourists from all over the world visiting the crowded streets to view this all-day celebration and parade, many enjoying it for the first time.

The parade began around 10 a.m. and the streets were lined with crowds of families, photographers, and many holiday visitors anticipating the procession.  Vendors walking up and down the crowded streets selling their wares, street food, beverages and ice cream.  It was one of the warmest days in Cuenca, and those in costumes were feeling the affects of this exceptionally hot and sunny day.  The skies couldn't have been more gorgeous, and the day couldn't have been more perfect weather-wise (for this photographer, that is).  Vendors selling umbrellas had a great day of sales from those who wanted protection from the bright burning sun rays.  Of course, I couldn't be happier with our weather here after living in rainy cloudy Eugene, Oregon for 40 years.  For me, bring on the rays.  I'm making up for all those years of cloudy skies.

Once again, I hope my photography will take you to this fabulous and fun day, and if you haven't been to Cuenca for Christmas, you must!  It's a holiday that is celebrated here with religious gusto and a true humility and reverence.  Yet, the music, dancing, singing, and colorful array of marching people and floats leaves one feeling happy and smiling all the day long.

Pictures Tell The Story!

It was a beautiful "blue sky" warm and sunny Christmas Eve day.....

.....and the streets were lined with crowds anticipating the celebration of Pase Del Nino.

Some were excited, some a bit bored!

Finally, the parade was here!

Umbrellas and "helado" kept the crowds cool and satisfied.

The floats were spectacular and bursting with color and adorned in flowers.......

......and an array of fruits and candies.

Talented musicans blared their instruments.....

....and beautiful dancers whirled through the streets.

Every group of dancers were adorned in beautiful hats and colorful traditional attire.

Their dancing passion caused the crowds to clap and chant, and photographers clicked away.

Street vendors pushed through the crowds with their wares.  Umbrella hats.....

......plastic blowup toys (gotta love the Nike shirt!!!).....

....and sugary cotton candy were popular with the crowds.

Even the dogs were overloaded with colorful bling and gadgets.

Families marching with their babies protected them from the hot Cuenca sun rays.

Colorful painted faces......

....and colorful religious banners made their way through the crowd-lined streets of Simon Bolivar.

So many beautiful people participated, from the aged....

....to the youthful.....

......to the beautiful babes!

 

Yes, photographing the children was the highlight of my Parade-day!

I LOVE Christmas in Cuenca!

Feliz Navidad!  Hope your Christmas was sunny, warm, and colorful too!

LIVING IN ECUADOR - ANOTHER PARADE DAY - 1 De Mayo International Workers Day 2013

 1 De Mayo International Workers Day

May 1st was International Workers' Day, and the area around El Parque Calderon was crowded with street-lined spectators, the police force of Ecuador and loud chanters with demonstration signs parading along the streets.  It was a demonstration of opposing workers involving the pro-goverment and opposing government sides - for and against President Rafael Correa.   Workers' labor unions protested with signs and slogans criticizing capitalism, imperialism, poverty, and unemployment.   Those who are pro-government defended Correa's changes since his election, especially the lower unemployment rate and rising wages. 

Our friends who live on Simon Bolivar called us in time for me to grab my camera and walk on up to capture this event.  Though some ex-pats could not understand what they were loudly chanting about or figure out what their waving signs were protesting against, I was able to understand much.  We ran into one of our ex-landlords who began to warn Bo and me to be careful, especially being "Gringos."  He said that violence between the opposing parties was bound to happen, and we didn't want to find ourselves in the midst of this.

No violence occurred, we stayed for most of the event, and I've captured some interesting street photos of these working-class protesters for those who missed it.

This protester's sign reads, "I'm hungry.  It's been 4 months since they took my job.  Return my things and my Kiosk....  Help me."

Protesters chanted loudly as they marched along.  Some of the marchers were directed down Simon Bolivar while others were detoured down Benigno Malo - depending on what side of the government they were on.

This sign reads, "One can't talk about democracy or liberty if no liberty exists for the worker to organize."

This worker blared her displeasure for workers' rights over this loudspeaker as crowds gathered to listen and cheer her message on.

Marchers with bands leading the way held signs that read, "We demand a decent life.  We're humans!" 

These workers signs demand, "Worthy wage and not minimum wage."

The innocent were also present.  This child was busy downing her ice cream, unaware of what her family is fighting for so she can have a better future.

Adults and their families lined the streets of Simon Bolivar.  This Ecuadorian woman munches on her salty plantain chips.  I watched her and wondered, "What side is she on?  What is her story as one of the hard working vendors of Cuenca?"

At one point, the anti-government marching stopped and crowds gathered to listen to the pro-government marchers before they were released to begin marching down the streets.

 

The pro-government workers are released to begin their marching.

"Rafael (Correa) thank you for your works!"

Police line the streets......

In the park, some are oblivious to the marching and chants of the demonstrators. 

Bo and I finally head home to continue our day in Cuenca.  There is nothing boring about our Cuenca city life!