More Things Parade-Related

We have more kids (not on horseback this time), the rather unique phenomenon of public drinking at events such as these, and just a few general photos of things I found of interest.

This little fellow looks like being in the back of this truck isn't his idea of a great time.

I sat next to this little girl and her siblings.  They were so darned cute it was hard to focus on the parade all the time.

Someone in pink isn't getting all the attention right now.  She thought pretty hard about crying but never did actually get the tears out.

All better.

The little girls in this wagon were throwing mandarin oranges to the crowd.  The wagon advertised a "dude ranch" or something similar.

He caught the orange.

Alcohol is a huge part of life in Ecuador (and no doubt other parts of the world as well but I just happen to know about this little corner of it).  As the fellows in the parade went along the route there was alcohol to be had in many different ways.  Here these fellows were sharing a drink their group brought with them for this very purpose.  Mind you, this was pretty much at the beginning of the parade, around 11:00 in the morning.

Here's one of the people along the route who have drinks they share with the riders as they come along.

The guy on the horse (a very talented horse, I might add), is fun to watch but it's the guy in the orangy-red jacket I want you to keep an eye on.  He has the ubiquitous jug of orange juice and whatever else might be in there.

This fellow was offered an adult beverage after he got back up and even though the parade was moving on and there were people behind him he took a very quick drink before heading out.

He had a little more time to accept an offer of a drink.  Here's part of the problem--it's considered very rude to turn down a drink.

Yet another fellow handing out what we used to call Dutch courage.  This was straight from the bottle.  I think it was Black Label something or other.

Before the parade actually got started we were treated to a selection of music from a mariachi band. They were very good and fun to listen to while we waited for the parade to start (it was only an hour late).

There are a couple of things to take a peak at here.  First, the guy with the tray of sweets.  He had chocolate covered strawberries and candied apples.  I've never tried them but they always look so good.  Then, on the sidewalk right behind him, is a couple with one of the cutest little dogs.  The dog is wearing a baby's T-shirt--too cute.  The kid walking a little further back is carrying one of those foam coolers we see everywhere but down here they have a great solution for keeping it from getting all dented up immediately.  They cover the outside with package tape.  I've been told it works great.  What a great idea.

In every parade you'll see at least one display of food in this shape.  This one has lots of local fruit and even has a jug of what appears to be yogurt (milk doesn't come in jugs here and it's not quite white).  It's very interesting.

I love the look of this guy.  He might be a street person but I doubt it.  His clothes appear too clean and he doesn't have a "begging bowl."

So there we have the sights of the parade.  I loved every minute of it.  After the last of the horses went past I headed on home to catch the cab I had ordered earlier in the day to take me out to Plaza del Toros (the bull ring).  I've heard taxis are almost impossible to find when something like this takes place far enough out of town that most people wouldn't walk.  Since the parade started about an hour late I was a little late getting to my taxi but I knew I'd be OK because we were on Ecuadorian time.

Coming up--horses performing in the ring.