The month of March began with Carnavale – always a crazy, fun time, but the onslaught of turistas here during those few days is overwhelming. I’m guessing (and this is just a wild-ass guess) that at least 25,000 people show up in our area (Montanita/Olón) for this event. I’ve heard as high as 50,000 people. I don’t think it was as crowded this year as the last couple, but other locals might disagree with me.
The beaches are packed, the traffic and parking are a nightmare, and the internet slows to a crawl.
I think most of us that live here hide inside for most of it.
The trick to surviving Carnavale is to stock up on books, movies and food, and be sure to hit an ATM a couple of days before- hand (otherwise wait in long, long lines to get cash).
About a week or two before Carnavale, there was a fun (locally commercially sponsored) affair on the beach that included a food contest (these are always very competitive – all the food looks scrumptious – and I don’t envy the judges who have to pick a winner).
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| Johana, Vicente, Tomasa y Sebastian |
I mean let’s face it: no matter how long we live here, no matter how kind the locals, we are still guests in their country, still have much to learn about the nuances of culture and customs and language, and we’ll always be “outsiders” to a degree.
One culturally different aspect is that NOTHING, I mean NOTHING ever starts on time. Always add two (2) hours to the designated time. That's a given.
Naturally, the invitation said “starts at 7PM”….ja ja ja ja…!
Being wise to this by now, we didn’t show up until 9:30PM, and even then, we were some of the first to arrive, so we left and came back around 12:30AM, when the music, dancing, and partying really tuned up.
Ecuadorians love to dance, love to sing, love celebrating life. We had a great time, but wimped out around 2AM…meanwhile; the party lasted (as usual) until 5-6AM…or until the amps blew out. Whichever happens first.
I give a lot of credit to the Ecuadorians for their stamina!
Click on the you-tube link below. A cute group of “kids” were visiting the Olón beach recently, and having a wholesome, great time.
They treated some us to this impromptu serenade:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY2YSCxtTew
Because the sunsets this time of year are so stunning, most everyone around town heads to the beach to watch them each evening, and the camaraderie is harmonious.
Interestingly,
a couple of weeks ago, there were two nights when beautiful rainbows glowed over
the hills of Olón, adding to our sense of awe of the dusks here.
Our “high”
season is winding down. “Semana Santa” (the week before Easter) and “Labor Day”
(May First) signal the start of the” slower” season – and also the whale
season.
This
area has become quite popular in the last few years (I suppose depending on
perspective, that is either “good” or “bad”), but probably inevitable.
I
started going to water aerobics classes (my friend, Deb Anderson leads
these in her pool), and I’m really enjoying those afternoons sessions.
I kid you not, it’s been at least 15 years since I actually attended any type
of exercise class, so I’m thinking this is a good place to start now. They are not that strenuous, fun
conversation, and wonderful to jump into a pool during the heat of this season.
Part of
my motivation is that recently I noticed my forearms (mind you, not my upper
arms – those went south long ago) are starting to take on a distinct “Shar-Pei”
look.
If there is one bone to of contention right now, the trash pick-up days (?) have become erratic, to say the least, since the recent provincial elections...and gone is the familiar (if sometimes annoying) tune announcing their arrival.
Trash is piling up to an embarrassing degree in our coastal towns now.
The recent local elections resulted in a change-over to new leadership in our province, and most all locals, with whom I talk about this subject (who over-whelming voted for new guy(s) in), are also dismayed about the current piles of garbage around all the local towns, but shrug it off as "there may be a period of "transitional 'conversations"
Living in Olón is not exactly like living in "Mayberry”, but sometimes it comes close.
Living in Olón is not exactly like living in "Mayberry”, but sometimes it comes close.
Great post as always Leigh! Thanks for explaining what happened with garbage pickup (both lack of music & lack of regularity). I had not asked around about it but was quite confused.
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