Today was Cuenca's all-day parade called "Pase Del Nino." What an amazing and unique day it was for us! With camera in hand and only a two block walk from our apartment to Calle Simon Bolivar, we were able to plant ourselves for hours and observe a most grand celebration by these partying religious Ecuadorian people. This eight-hour plus procession had the most creative and colorfully decorated vehicles, horses, adults, children, pets, and floats. there were bands, stilt-walkers, dancers, and latin music along the narrow cobbled streets. Crowds lined the Bolivar, and vendors cried out with sweet and cold drinks, traditional foods, cotton candy, ice cream, and various wares for sale. The theme was the Catholic infant Jesus being carried through the peoples' town. It is written that over 50,000 people participate in the parade, and more then 200,000 observers watch from the sidewalks, balconies, and rooftops. This is also a three-month-long celebration which extends to early March when Ecuadorians celebrate "Carnival." A high alcohol content drink called Chicha was also being handed out, free, which is their traditional holiday beverage. Bo and I didn't get to sample this drink, but I read that it is very bitter and not tasty at all.
My photography delight was seeing and capturing the families together walking the streets or riding in floats and vehicles with their adorned beautiful children. Their satiny dark skin, shiny charcoal eyes, and thick long dark hair stood out in their colorful and bling-adorned costumes as they proudly flaunted their religious belief and dedication to this relgious celebration.
We were able to walk back to our apartment to take several breaks from this festivity. Never before have we experienced a day long parade with so much energy and festivity on the streets of a city. There was such joy, laughter, music, song, and dance all day long, and it was a wonderful experience for us as newcomers to this unique and vibrant city.
At 3 pm, we were back at our apartment, and via Skype we were able to see and talk to our mom. The care facility had her all dressed up in her Christmas outfit, and she looked wonderful and our conversation was sweet and precious. At 87, Mom's dementia is slowly advancing, but she still knows her children. I cried saying goodbye to her, knowing I can't just drive over to see her and spend Christmas Day with her this year. However, I continue to rest in the fact that she is in a loving place with loving care, and I know they will make her Christmas special.
I hope our readers will enjoy some of the special photos I took of this day's festivities. It won't be the same as watching the parade live, but at least it will give you a glimpse of how grandly Ecuadorians celebrate, and how serious they are about their creative costumes and parades and festivities.
CUENCA'S BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN
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| MORE BEAUTIFUL PARADE PEOPLE....... |
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| ECUADORIANS LOVE COLOR!!! |
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| A CATHOLIC RELIGOUS THEME ADORNED ALL OF THE PASSING FLOATS...... |
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| ECUADORIAN WOMEN IN THEIR ELABORATE PARADE ATTIRE |
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| MANY OF THE FLOATS, HORSES, VEHICLES, AND WALKING PARADERS CARRIED CHANCHO (ROASTED PIG), ROASTED CUY (GUINEA PIG), POLLO (CHICKEN), AND OTHER FOOD GIFTS. |
CUENCA'S PARADE DANCERS
IT WAS A DAY OF FESTIVITIES AND VIBRANT COLORS
IS THAT CHICHA HE'S SIPPING???
(Notice the detail of this adorned Horse - toys, candy, ribbons, etc.)
CUY (GUINEA PIG) AND DRINK
THE Calle SIMON BOLIVAR BALCONY WATCHERS
By evening, the streets were lined with "basura."
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| CUENCA IS A CLEAN CITY, THANKS TO THE BLUE AND ORANGE MEN AND WOMEN! |
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| WITH GRASS GROOM, THEY QUICKLY SWEPT UP THE GARBAGE AND FILLED WICKER BASKETS.... |
.....as the water truck drove by and finished the clean-up task.
The wicker garbage-filled baskets were dumped into the garbage truck......
......and in less than 5 minutes the streets along this corner were immaculately swept and washed down!
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| This evening, on the way home, we stopped and bought a postre (dessert) and took it to Sr. Diaz. We wanted to wish him a "Feliz Navidad." He was sitting at his shoeshine home eating a simple bowl of rice. It was sweet seeing him light up as he took the dessert and shook our hands, thanking us with such gratitude. A simple gesture meant so much to him (and to us)! |
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Tonight and tomorrow, some will be celebrating Christmas with family and friends, and some will be all alone. Some will be celebrating through their religious beliefs, and some will be celebrating with a special meal and gift exchange. Some will remember with heart-felt gratitude Jesus Christ as their Risen Savior, and some will scoff at the name of Jesus.
Tonight and tomorrow, Bo and I are thousands of miles away from our family and friends, but we will be celebrating our Risen Lord and Savior together. We have so much to be thankful for apart from the material world of stuff. We have each other, our health, and a new City to explore and learn about. We have new friends we've made here, and we'll meet new friends as we journey through this amazing country. We wish everyone reading about our Journey a blessed Christmas and a fruitful and blessed New Year ahead.
