New Years in Ecuador!

I woke up early to prepare breakfast. I was eager to start exploring Ecuador.  The previous night was filled with fireworks, and people dancing, singing and celebrating New Years with loud music and parties.

New Years Customs in Ecuador

Los Anos Viejos
Ecuador has a few different customs that are very interesting.  One of the New Years festivities includes 'los anos viejos' (the old years) and includes people making and burning large dolls.  These dolls are often designed after people or icons that are disliked and the idea is to burn them and put the past behind them.  Some are made after local, political or famous people. In 2017, Donald Trump and an Ecuadorian judge (accused of taking bribes from Chevron to avoid a 19 billion dollar judgement for one of the world's worst environmental oil contamination) were popular.  Some dolls are just for fun.  I've seen Bart Simpson, and superheroes like Spiderman, and DeadPool.

Viudas (the Widows)

Another  new years custom is for brave (or really stupid) men to dress up as women and ask for money for beer because their husbands are "the ones being burned" in the los anos viejos tradition.  Kids will also dress up and ask for candy.

Fireworks

Fireworks is pretty much a universal thing all over the world for celebrating New Years and Ecuador is no exception.  Fireworks will go on all night (and all week) long so there is no shortage of celebration.  I think fireworks is much livelier and louder in the Philippines.

In the evening, Graciela and her family graciously invited me to join them for New Years dinner. Potatoes, pork chops and chicken were the main dishes.  Graciela was like a mom to me and always made sure I was ok during my stay in Guayaquil. Her hospitality and kindness was nothing short of Ecuadorian's hospitality and kindness which I was accustomed to during my entire stay in Ecuador.