They then disperse to other main squares and plazas, where the city organizes more concerts, and everyone dances to welcome the New Year.
While these holidays are incredible, my favorite holiday in Ecuador is Carnaval, which takes place in the days leading up to Lent. Carnaval is a holiday of indulgence and celebrating before Lent's restriction and self-control. If you are someone who doesn't want to jugar Carnaval ("play Carnival"), it's best to stay inside during these days: this holiday is essentially a city-sanctioned water fight... and food fight, too. Friends, family, and strangers all throw/spray water (via balloons, buckets and water guns), colored corn starch, eggs and especially espuma (foam) on each other during Carnaval. Walking the streets, don't be surprised to be hit by water or espuma from passing cars. At my work on the Friday before Carnaval, we closed our computers at noon to share a lunch filled with traditional Carnaval foods such as mote pata, dulce de durazno, dulce de coco, y pan de Carnaval. Then, we had a massive water fight. Cities sponsors events for Carnaval, and something that I learned the hard way is: don't go to these events without some kind of eye protection. I left covered head to toe in foam, water, and colored powders! Carnaval is an experience unlike any other, and something truly unique to Ecuador. Though they celebrate Carnaval in other countries, such as Brazil, it's much different to how they do it here. Como se dice aquí, durante Carnaval, "¡no te puedes salvar!Pages
