CHRISTMAS IN ECUADOR

Jim and I are back in Ecuador for Christmas. We were so amazed last year by the Paseo de los Ninos, an all day homemade parade of children and floats on Christmas Eve day, that we were really excited to share this event with my brother Chuck and his wife Nancy, who are new residents of Cuenca. Even though they are old Cuenca hands, having lived here for more than 1/2 of last year, they weren't here over Christmas.

People come from all over Ecuador to participate in this parade. Everyone is decked out in festive wear - the kids, dogs, horses, etc.

Everyone is out to have fun. We saw so many smiles and cute little girls!

Parade themes don't seem to have any rhyme or reason, which makes it really fun. We saw plenty of Nativity scenes and Holy Land scenes, including Paul's journey (complete with map), Moses in a basket, and Romans.


































































Then there were the Amazon Indian tribes and a cannibal with a spear - we think he was blackened with charcoal (and Mama was SO proud).




























































































We saw a dog dressed in Santa get-up and a guy wearing an amazing cone hat made of ribbon with a bird head on the peak. He was with a group who danced their way down the street to the beat of a excellent drum group.


















These Ecuadorians were some of the most colorful.














Here you see the Spanish influence - the toreador look as well as the "princesses" with their long trains draped over the horses.













































































































Interspersed throughout were little boy and girl angels wearing halos and little gold sandals.

Of course Jim had a great time as "Papa Noel" or Santa Claus and was probably one of the most photographed people at the parade.













He made lots of friends, not only with the kids but with the adults as well (especially the young women who were clamoring for a photo op with Papa Noel. This was accompanied by lots of giggles).

If you want to see even more photos of this wonderful event, I invite you to click on Nancy's blog

Wishing you and your loved ones "Feliz Fiestas!"

Audrey