February 2018

In Ecuador at the stroke of midnight, people around the country burn effigies of politicians, pop culture figures, and other icons of the year in the streets. This tradition of burning the “año viejo” (“old year”) is symbolic of cleansing the bad from the previous 12 months before the new year commences. So this year we decided to get our own little effigy and we selected Pinky Panther simply because he was so darn cute.  Now I have the Pink Panther song playing constantly in my mind.  Last year I made my own little effigy out of a toilet paper roll and fill it with the names of some less than pleasant gringo neighbors in order to clear the air and have a fresh start.   Even though I had great plans for our little Pinky Panther effigy I just could not bear to burn this little guy. So all of my symbolic messages of burning negativity plus new year hopes will have to wait until next year.

Another playful tradition in Ecuador is what they call Viudas in which men dress up as women and try to solicit money from you.  Everything is all in good fun and reminds me of good old New Orléans style Mardi Gras and even the children join in the activities. On New Year’s Eve, we were cruising around  Cotacachi in Bronco Billy and at nearly every corner the street would be blocked off with ropes and the Viudas asking for a toll for us to pass. Most of the Viudas were children or teenagers.  We finally ran out of change and Bill started handing candy. So think of trick or treat at Halloween.  Funny we have lived here 4 years but never ventured out into town on New Year’s Eve.  I will never miss going out on New Year’s Eve again it was so much fun and a sight to behold.  The Ecuadorians certainly know how to have a good time and there is always dancing, music, and parades to celebrate every occasion. I think the US would not be nearly as stressed if they would follow the Ecuadorian practice of working hard all week but never miss an opportunity to party.

Another tradition is to eat 12 grapes at midnight. Each grape represents one wish for the new year.  I have done this at La Mirage New Year’s Eve party and it is darn difficult to eat 12 grapes in a row right at the stroke of midnight.

Yellow underwear is another interesting New Year tradition in Ecuador which alleged will bring you prosperity in the new year. Supposedly red underwear will increase your opportunity for finding love. You see the colored underwear in many of the little stores around town. I have yet to try this but maybe some yellow underwear is a good idea for the new year.

This was the first year that Bill and I decided to just stay home on New Year’s Eve mainly because we did not want to leave out little blind Winky dog alone. Turns out it was a rainy night but that did not stop all the fireworks. Sometimes it sounded like a war with missiles exploring loudly over our house.   Winky and I cuddled on the couch and welcomed the New Year with the family tradition of saying rabbit at the stroke of midnight.  This was a tradition my Uncle Charles always told us to do as children. All I knew was that it was for good luck.  I did some research on Wikipedia and found out saying “rabbit rabbit” is a  superstition that has its roots in Britain and North America that you should say or repeat the word ” rabbit ” or “rabbits”, or “white rabbits”, out loud upon waking on the first day of the month, because doing so will ensure good luck for the month.  So by saying rabbit only on New Year’s at the stroke of midnight and not the other 11 months I was really missing out on having much luck the rest of the year.  On New Year’s Day morning we had our Texas tradition of black-eyed peas and cornbread. While we acquire new customs in Ecuador we never forget our own traditional customs from our homeland.   

Happy New Year to friends and family

Texas Annie Ecuador