Ecuadorians are celebrating their independence from Peru. The celebration begins the last week of November and will end Tuesday. The colonial city has taken on a festive air. Public and private balconies are festooned with bunting, flags and bright mesh ribbons some threaded with tiny lights. Some balconies have dressed dummies formal gowns and surrounded them with flowers. All of the hotels feature bowls of red Ecuadorian roses in their lobbies and the city is filled with people either to celebrate or sell their wares. Yesterday we say open trucks with about 30 or so people each driving through the streets honking the horn, blinking lights, blowing whistles and cheering for their country. Neighborhoods set off fireworks. There were no arranged pyrotechnics just lots of Roman candles and skyrocket. Small boys dressed in mini tuxedos and little girls wearing tiaras and gowns was the style of the day. Old men and women in black fedoras and ponchos have set up stands for corn, candy and tamales. One tried to see me baby boots and when I told her I had to babies to wear them she was sad for me. Today the clouds have lifted and we are going back to the Grand Plaza to explore some more. The Presidents greets the citizens at eleven every morning. We hope to see him. Below are a few of the decorated balconies.
