Armed and Dangerous - The Gringo Marauders

Our street has been exceedingly quiet for the last couple of days, reminiscent of other holidays; however, it is necessary to proceed with caution while on the streets. Although quiet, there is mischief in the air. When Mick and Jim picked Angie and me up on Friday at weaving, they were practically giddy, looking much like little boys up to some impish pranks. While on their morning excursion, they had purchased the item that is so prevalent now...espuma de Carnaval...foam. They had begun their antics, participating in the Carnaval festivities, spraying innocent bystanders, sometimes not quite fast enough with their draw.

It was decided that on Saturday, they would prowl again. We decided to go to some of the surrounding areas. Jim drove and Mick rode shotgun with Angie, Nick, and me in the back. We stopped in Gualaceo to look at pottery. Mick had seen the shoes on a previous visit to the shop and insisted they were big enough for Jim. The shop owner became irate at his trying them on, insisting that he was too heavy and would break them.

In Chordeleg, the festivities were being prepared. The cuyes were being skewered.

We did a bit of sampling. This booth had some of the traditional sweets and breads for the occasion.

We endulged in the roast pork which was very delicious. The plate consisted of pork, salad, yapingachas, and a chorizo made of rice and cabbage. The young boy by Mick, whose name was Brando, seemed a bit hungry, so, we had him join us.

The pig had been roasted perfectly.

The cuyes were still on the grill.

Some were dressed a bit more elaborately than others.

The cuyes were being basted with oil and achiote.

Mick had just reloaded.

The children were enjoying the pranks.

Foam is sold everywhere, even the jewelry shops in Chordeleg.

We left Chordeleg for Sigsig. In Sigsig, we visited the coop of the ladies who weave hats. The largest hat in the world is here.

There are hundreds of hats here, waiting to be finished and sold.

This is in the almacene. We bought sombreros and bolsos.

Here's Mick browsing and waiting. He doesn't see himself as a Panama hat kind of guy.

Of course, while on our journey, the boys were continuously in search of those with whom to share their Carnaval cheer. We were dowsed with water twice. The offenders had quite good aim and directly hit the open windows each time; everyone, including Nikolas were drenched.

We continued driving past Sigsig. The area was rather remote. There were many dwellings with only paths to the homes. As we drove on, the number of houses lessened. Without an altimeter, the altitude was unknown, but we were well above the clouds. At times, we were in jungle-like vegetation, very lush, with giant ferns and dense tree cover and undergrowth. We ran out of paved road and traveled on a rocky dirt road for about 15 km before turning around.

The valleys were green and beautiful.

We simply enjoyed the beautiful vistas.

Jim and Angie had already loaded back up.

After a day of Carnaval and also bouncing over back roads, everyone was tired, especially Nikolas.

Before heading home, we stopped at California Kitchen for dinner. On the drive home, Carnaval was still in full swing for the Marauders, shooting pedestrians with their cans of foam.

This morning, they're out again, raiding the streets of Cuenca, in search of the unsuspecting. Mick is driving and Jim is riding shotgun. Practically no one is safe. The boundary for them is women with babies; everyone else is fair game.

Feliz Carnaval!

Until next time,

Mick and Kathy