Carnival

From February 6th (Epiphany - the celebration of the wisemen's visit to Jesus) to February 20th (Fat Tuesday - the day before Lent) is the season of Carnival (which some have said comes from the latin words carne (meat) and vale (farewell). Carnival is the Spanish version of the French Mardi Gras. Carnival is celebrated in many Latin American countries and most are similar to the New Orleans version of Mardi Gras, although more elaborate. In Ecuador however, it is very different. Here they do not have parades as much as they do water fighFrom February 6th (Epiphany - celebration of thets. They do have parades in a few towns, but water balloons and water guns and even flour throwing is very popular... especially in the warmer places. We didn't see quite as much in Quito, but every once in awhile I would see a person walking down the street with their shirt soaking wet or white in their hair from flour. I have been asking around for the reason for this tradition and no one really seems to know. I have had a couple of explanations given... a sort of purification ritual of past sins and a mix of the Catholic celebration of Carnival with the Incan celebration of the rainy season. But, for the most part, nobody knows why they do it besides the fact that it is just fun. The two days before lent are actually declared an holiday for Carnival. The kids are out of school and everyone heads to the beach.
We didn't go to the beach, we actually visited Quito Colonial with a couple of our interns. This is a picture of one of the streets in Quito Colonial. This section of the city was built in the 1500's. It is very beautiful.









We also visited the Basilica and the Plaza de Independencia. The Basilica is actually fairly
new... finished in the early 1900's.


















While we were visiting we heard a mass with an electrical guitar and a very out of tune young singer (interesting and somewhat out of place in this beautiful cathedral).









We also were able to climb all throughout the cathedral.


















One can climb up into the clock tower and actually step outside on the ledge. It is crazy!
















The gargoyels on the side of the Basilica are actually creatures found in the Gallapogos and other areas of Ecuador. Their are lizards, pelicans, qui and all sorts of interesting creatures.









When you stand at the alter in the cathedral, you can actually see the panecillo (a statue of the virgen Mary) on the hill top about 5 miles away through this heart window.















We met these boys in the square. They wanted to polish our tennis shoes so they could get some money to buy another squirt gun for Carnival.