Fiestas de Quito

Ecuador seems to be unique in that they celebrate not only an independence day, but the independence day of each of their largest cities: Guayaquil, Cuenca and Quito.  Quito's big day was celebrated over the first weekend in December.  Javier and I were excited for this celebration because we had heard that the festivities start for Fiestas de Quito and continued through the Christmas holiday.  We joined in the celebration, both at school and in town.  Here are some fun pics from the traditions our students participated in at Colegio Menor.

First up are the Balcones (or skits performed using our second story walkway as a 'balcony' of sorts).  The 10th, 11th and 12th graders decorate their balconies and then perform a short scene or play from them for the school.  I believe this was the 11th graders balcony and skit.

Next up, the 12th graders scene complete with air drying brassiere and musical performance.  They did a nice job but...

it was the 10th graders with their big band and extreme decorations that won the Balcones this year!

In addition to the performances on the balcony, we spent half the day in our gym watching the drama students perform traditional legends or stories from Quito for the rest of the school.  Our band also joined in on the fun playing some traditional and not so traditional music to entertain us.

Here is our band!

Here are two of my 9th graders performing.  This one was something about a ghost that was found in a museum.  (Most of the legends seemed to be more ghost story than anything else...)

Again two of my 9th grade kiddos performing on stage.  This one involved a bull falling in love with a woman (weird....I know) but then when they can't be together he (the bull) instead kills her (I guess if he couldn't have her no one could?)

Here is one of my more theatrical (even during class) 9th graders getting read to face the bull that is in love with the woman.

After school, Colegio Menor hosted a party for all teachers that would include traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, Flamenco dancers and a less than traditional ride to the party.  We teachers had assumed they had rented a Chiva for us...but boy were we wrong.... (a Chiva is just a party bus where all the seats have been cleared from the back to allow for dancing and general merriment.  They are very common in Quito and usually include Canelazo, Ecuador's traditional drink.  We have not been on a Chiva yet, but I promise to post and go into detail when we do get that fun experience.)  Instead school sent a Gusanito (little worm) to pick us up from school and take us to the party!

Here is Madison riding on our little worm to the party.  It was decked out in Quito red and blue!

More teachers catching a ride: Vanessa, Kirstie, Ashley and Kim.

And the Cabezas not missing this once in a lifetime opportunity to ride in a worm down the main streets of Cumbaya.

At the party everyone was chowing down! (Esperanza, Mike Parker, Christina, Bri, Rachel and Madison)

The food was delicious and included: hornato (pulled pork) queso empanadas, roasted plantains, avocado and a red onion salad.

Our hostess added a few blue balloons to her red ornaments on this tree to turn it to a Fiestas de Quito tree!

I probably should have gotten a bit closer to take this, but the dancers were awesome!

And once the professionals were finished the teachers took over.  It is amazing to me how much Ecuadorians love to dance.  It seems that they all know how and jump at the opportunity whenever it comes up!

It was super fun to start the holiday season with some early festivities!