March

Carnival in Ecuador is unique, fun-packed, and a local holiday.  The locals wear colorful masks, dance, and participate in parades. I learned the actual word “Carnival” is an Italian word that refers to the absence of meat. The festival proceeds during the period of Lent. So the diablo’s (little devils) range from children to teenagers involved in a crazy type of game kind of like snowball fights.  They love to ambush unsuspecting folks with water balloons, spray foam out of tall cans, and silly string and douse passing cars with buckets of water. You better hope your car windows are closed! Years ago there were eggs, flour, and even dog poop thrown luckily the custom has changed. So I compared the celebration to Mardi Gras and should be taken in good fun after all Ecuador is always full of surprises.

We went on a small tour to Peguche where Carnival was in full celebration. The first thing Bill did was buy 2 cans of spray foam for defense. So we were well armed! We received a blessing on our heads of flowers and water. We did not get sprayed with foam until Bill egged some cute kiddo’s on and then I really do not know who had more fun Bill or the kids. What fun we had and I am not sure we would have enjoyed the tour very much if it had not been Carnival. 

Proud Papa. He used Cerveza instead of foam

 Throwing buckets of water at passing cars.

Tour by  Luis of family-owned Hammock Factory

Luis has a small store about the size of a closet where we get eggs and Cerveza and he even delivers.

The weaving machines below originally came from the United States.

Wool & alpaca  blanket and sweater factory

85-year-old Jose weaving his wife just died and this was a job that they did together.

Wall hangings weaved by Jose Cotacachi in Pughe

Bill had to have the one pictured! So unique.

Jose’s wife adding finishing touches to the hanging for Bill

Demonstration of Ecuadorian Musical Instruments

Back to Torora Sisa reeds from  San Rafael de la Laguna

Baskets are made from natural reeds from which lake in-which some are dyed with natural colors.

My little rooster

They also had this reed  Christmas tree, note the handmade reed chair and the rug is something I have planned for our future purchase. I wish they had this little Christmas tree at Christmas!

The final stop on our tour was lunch at Puerto Largo on San Pablo Lake

Historic and beautiful Hacienda Cusin: we are ready to move again!

Hacienda Cusin is a restored 17-century Andean estate high in the mountains at the foot of the Cotacachi volcano. The Hacienda offers 5 acres of gardens, cobblestone paths, ponds, a hotel, and fine dining. There is also an original monastery which we did not get to tour simply because we ran out of time!

We have new friends that have a home there. Unfortunately, there are no other homes available otherwise Bill would be moving us again! So we will just have to settle for staying overnight in the guest houses decorated with antiques.

Re

Our amigo’s casa  is below.

 

Champagne Cocktails with amigo’s: who has stress?????

At the market, Bill saw a fried chicken head. Below is his demonstration of what it looked like.

Hey Toto we are not in TEXAS anymore:  Chili Cook-Off Contest: Quiroga Farm.

Oh, my Cerveza home-brew pale red and dark so good.

Gravity helps to get the last drops of cerveza.

Our neighbors from Hawaii

Third place winner! But oh my I thought his chili was wonderful!

Our hosts: Shawn and Lindsey

This young couple had no previous farm experience and here they are making a new life and business. We buy sausage from them and they even grow habanero peppers.

The adventure continues and March is only half over!

Texas Annie Ecuador