The Bowen Knot ⌘: Christmas Parade 2016 in Cumbe, Azuay Province, Ecuador

Monday, January 11, 2016

Christmas Parade 2016 in Cumbe, Azuay Province, Ecuador

I was walking to the market here in Cumbe the other day and I saw some floats being prepared. I managed to snap a few photos while walking. It was fun to see everyone dressed up in costumes and decorating pickups and cars. I didn’t understand the guinea pigs and whole pigs roasted and displayed on truck hoods. One pig was secured to a platter on the back of a horse even.

I suspect its a display of plenty and a request for good food or fortune for the new year. Maybe its like Santa cookies and milk we do back in the states.

I tried to get ahead to see the parade but it managed to stay several blocks ahead.

After finishing in the market, I started home. On my way back up out street, Heather ran past me with another camera to catch the parade as it went past our road. I was a bit tired so I just went back to the house to unload the food and drink some coffee.

Heather got some great photos of the last half of the parade and while taking pictures, a mother and daughter we know walked past. The little girl gave a few pieces of hard candy to Heather. It was a very sweet moment and Heather was moved deeply by her generosity. It was a gesture of thanks for gifts we had given her previously. And it was all the candy she had. So many Ecuadorians are friendly, outgoing, helpful and giving. I wish it could be the same within more of the expat community.

We know a few gringos that we honestly enjoy being around. But, there are so many that are close minded and rude. So much so that it becomes really difficult to even want to reach out and figure out if people are even worth knowing.

It seems to us that a lot of people that had difficulty socially in the USA, Canada, or original country have become expats here in Ecuador. It is hard to deal with so much negativity and silly clicks that we find ourselves divesting our list of gringos we called friends, at one time.

Also, there has been a heat wave in Cuenca of late. We are much higher in elevation and surrounded in our valley by mountains on all four sides. Cumbe has managed to stay cool, most days. All three of us are very happy with our location. No humidity, Lots of greenery, and cooler temps. Its a mix of Oregon and Colorado. Heather's sister is coming in three months for a week visit and we are very excited to be able to share Ecuador with her, show her some of its beauty, and attractions. It will be a blast I am sure.

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Our blog is about a lot of things. Our daily lives, our move to Ecuador, and the vacations we plan to have. Please read and follow our travels through life. We welcome comments! Making friends along the way would also be great. People have described us as being colorful and animated. Our family looks at a glass and always considers it to be half full. We have an easy going attitude. We think things should get accomplished and that in the process you can still have fun. Feel free to come along on our families journey.

The Bowen Knot - Shamrock Rating System

One Shamrock: This indicates the worst service possible. If awarded, it means we would never EVER use the service again. If it was a food establishment the food was barely editable. This means a complete fail with little to no redeeming features. We will never go there ever again.

Two Shamrocks: This is a service that we might consider using again to give it a second chance. But, the experience that we had would normally cause us to award one shamrock if not for some key redeeming features. If it was a food establishment the food was okay, but still sub-par. We didn't like the food. Serious room for improvement exists.

Three Shamrocks: Normal middle of the road service. We might have had some bad or some good but they were offset somewhat. This is service we would use again but we will look for a better provider. If it was a food establishment the food was good. We like it and will return. There might be room for things to get better but it is still a decent meal.

Four Shamrocks: Great service. This is a definitive repeat for us. We like a lot about the service and recommend it. If it was a food establishment the food was excellent. We liked it a lot. We like the place enough to return frequently. There are very few detractors.

Five Shamrocks: Outstanding service. This is service that treats us above and beyond what we think we deserve. We consider this what we would want to find all the time and what we hope all service providers would want to obtain. If it was a food establishment the food was perfect. No issues whatsoever. We loved it and would eat there everyday.