My first 24 in Ecuador

by Michael Lopez (United States of America)

A leap into the unknown Ecuador

I step foot out of my taxi; my face greeted by a plastic pistol, followed with a blast of water. I have yet to stand on my own two feet in Cuenca but have already managed to let the locals get one up on me. A group of children found me to be an easy target, soaking me within seconds of entering their city. They run off, yellow and orange water pistols in hand, with laughter beaming from their faces. Their youthful cheer and excitement add to the bustle within the crowds parading outside my hostel. A bit startled, but I can tell it was just a playful greeting. I quickly notice that even the locals seem to be a target for the youngsters and their body language tell me everything is ok; welcome to Carnival. I quickly learn that I’ve arrived in time for this city's biggest celebration. I drop my bags and take off to explore the town square. Seemingly infinite vendors are flooding the town square. Cuenca's best salesman show great focus in the frenzy. A place filled with both distraction and detail; the town square is located in the heart of the city. The people carry an underlying anticipation which gets me excited for the unknown. I purposefully walk towards the chaos in hopes to get lost in the culture. I take notice of the incredibly detailed, handmade creations each of the stands have to offer. I have never seen the colors of the world in such beautiful display. Whether it’s sold, worn, grown, or eaten – everything has color. I work up an appetite walking through the market, picking my way through foreign foods, eating fruits my tongue has never tasted and smelling the aroma of freshly baked breads which my nose still longs for to this day. I pay for the fruit I’ve picked from the bunch by extending my hand filled with change towards an elderly woman. She returns the smile I gave and picks through the coins in my hand and takes only what she needs - trust is established. I ask what to expect come evening. She grabs my shoulder and points to a stand no more than 20 feet away, urging me to head that way. This stand has water pistols, silly string, and corn starch. I’m not sure what the corn starch is for but it seemed to be of importance from the vendor. I score an arsenal of playful ammunition from the vendor, along with a pat on the back. I take this as a sign that I am now properly equipped for the festivities - ready to take on Carnival! Or so I thought. As the sun went down and the musicians take the stage, the entire population of Cuenca fills the town square. From children to elders and all in between, everyone hoists a plastic pistol. If you were within the boundaries of the town square, you were fair game, and it was every man for himself as the shaving cream and silly string took to the air. The band begins and fireworks erupt; as if the chaos could increase anymore. But it does! Within minutes I was soaked in shaving cream, dried up with a heavy heaping of corn starch, then soaked again by a small army of children and their water guns. So that’s what the cornstarch is for, I thought; added anarchy! I run out of supplies myself before I know it - It’s nice to be a part of something where nobody is too old for whatever fun is taking place. The children didn’t seem to tire out, despite the hours passing by. The party continued its chaos in orderly fashion. People filed into local bars and restaurants with an open-door policy. The only thing that separated the insides of these places were the walls itself. Music filled the streets along with shaving cream and puddles. Children making snow angels in shaving cream and grandparents dumping starch on the teens displaying their public affection for one another. My first night in Ecuador was unexpectedly the liveliest event I’ve attended in which the entirety of a city celebrates and nobody is left out.