Parade

Parades are very popular here.  In the 5 weeks we've been here we've enjoyed two major parades and several smaller ones. The smaller ones seem to break out at any time of any day for any reason.  They usually include homemade fireworks in the lead and somewhere in the crowd there will be a religious statue hoisted on a stand and carried on the shoulders of 4 men.  One of the large ones took place on Ecuador's Independence Day.  It caught us by surprise but we were able to watch it from our rooftop.

Today we were able to enjoy the largest one yet.  We heard about this one in advance so we were poised and ready with our cameras.  It started at the entrance to the town and traveled down the well-known "leather street" until it reached the bull ring.  We were told the parade ended with a mock bull fight.  Even though the bull wouldn't really be killed we chose to forego that part of the event.

Once the street was completely cleared of traffic and the side streets blocked then the band started playing.

Following the band were several different groups of horses and riders with a vehicle in the lineup every now and then.  The first group of riders wore full chaps and ponchos and were carrying a stick between them.  On the stick hanging by their feet were 4 chickens.  Not sure what that was about.

The horses came in all sizes and colors.  And the riders in each group were dressed differently.  We came up with several ideas as to what the different groups represented but we were unable to confirm any of them.

Each vehicle was decked with an enormous stereo and speaker system.  And each one played their own music.

Each of the groups was small but they usually contained a variety of riders.  This group included both young and old.

This next guy wasn't in a group.  He was all alone but he was having tons of fun waving at everyone and showing off.

Some of the groups included ponies.  This one even had it's colt following behind.

This little guy had his very own horse.........on a stick.  Even though his horse was different from the others, he was dressed the same as the others in his group and he led the way dancing and performing.

The entire parade passed us in about 45 minutes.  The horses were absolutely beautiful and it was so interesting to see the different ways the riders were dressed.  While some groups just casually strode by most groups actually performed as they passed.  Some of the horses walked past in fancy high steps.  Others performed a dance routine as a group.  And yet others were lone dancers that really showed off.  We were very impressed!

And no parade in South American would be complete with a live.......Mariachi Band!!!

And the grand finale.......little Quichua girls tossing oranges to the spectators.