I thought I couldn't live without Q-tips . . .

Founding of Quito all day parade

During the parade, this group carried and set up bike ramps along the route, performing amazing tricks for the crowd.

The annual fiesta celebrating the Founding of Quito lasted for days. The streets were flooded with thousands and thousands of people, all day and all of the night! The family, with whom I have been comfortably living with here in Quito, has a 24 year old daughter named Cindy. Cindy kindly invited me out with her and her friends three nights in a row. I accepted the invitation the first two nights. Craziness ensued, as you might imagine with that age group. I kept up quite well I would say, considering that I am 10 years older.

One beautiful thing about Ecuador is its’ diversity. Unlike other South American countries I have visited, Ecuador hosts people of many different skin colors, backgrounds and cultures. This I love. The first night of this grand fiesta, we went to a really popular dance club called “One Thousand Arabian Knights” where there were many Arabic people mixed in with the locals. One of the girls in our group knows a couple of Arabic guys that are friends with the owner of this particular discotec; thus, we were able to dance on the primary stage, in front of the DJ booth, passing around the flavor-filled hookah. Communication was interesting with this group, and it went like this: Vero spoke in Spanish to me; I translated what she said into English to Abdu, who translated that into his language for Omar, and vice versa. Later on, in a quiet area, Abdu (of Afghanistan) and I spoke of the war and politics between our two countries. Then, he gave me a gift of comprehending the difference between his Muslim religion and my country’s Christian one. Just as the light of understanding was beginning to shine in my mind’s eye, I was suddenly whisked away. Apparently, one of the guys had unwelcomingly kissed a girl in our group. She slapped him, and we were off to different fun.

In the late hours of the night, we ended up in an all black dance club, the majority of which were Africans, but also mixed in were many local black Ecuadorians. What a joy! I had not seen hardly any black people in South America before. What a nice surprise! The people at “The Knights of Arabia,” moved subtly to the music, hardly raising their arms, but at this new place, the dancing was natural and familiar. People danced moving their entire bodies. I felt most comfortable here.

By 2:30 in the morning, I realized how hungry I was. Leaving the packed dance floor, I wandered outside. There I met Yamil, a Cuban gentleman running a small, clean, late-night food stand. Full of doubt, I asked if he had anything other than meat.

He quickly said, “Yes! Would you like a veggie burger?”

“Seriously? You really have veggie burgers?”

“Yes! Just inside,” he proudly replied, obviously wanting to shatter my disbelief.

I was very excited, to say the least.

Then, he told me, “I must go inside to get them. You are in charge. You are the boss now. Be right back.”

WOW!! So there I stood, on the streets of Qutio, outside of a happening dance club, behind the counter of a food stand, awaiting customers. I was the jefe, maintaining a pleasant, welcoming smile for some 5 minutes. Now, that was an experience! 

Chivas, rolling open air parties all over town for the festival. Many have dance floors aboard, overflowing with people!

The second big night of the fiesta, Cindy and I went and listened to some great live music at a big outdoor stage. Soon, 4 lively young women showed up next to us. They were wearing necklaces with shot glasses attached and were passing around a bottle of liquor. They quickly absorbed us into their happy bunch. Off we went! A group of 6 vibrant and feisty women, celebrating life!

Virgin del Panecillo

You could see her from all over the city!

She mesmerized me

Diana's shining smile is in the middle of the group

The third day of the fiesta, I spent with Telmo, Diana, two of their dear friends, and Cindy. We all piled into one car and drove around the city, taking in spectacular views of Quito seated within the mountains. Before the sun set, we parked and walked to a grand park, where thousands of people were dancing, radiating out from a stage so far away that I could barely see it. I got to use my newly acquired Ecuadorian-style dance moves.

There were lots members of the military present at the parade.

Interesting perspective including the police and "with infinite love" captioned under President Correa, considering the standoff last September between them.

Clown posing for a picture. Check out the boy in the background.