There was a change of plans because bus tickets were sold out, and here I am in Lumbisi for the weekend for the first time in two weeks. When I first found out I was actually relieved and slightly disappointed. I think I really need a break, so this should be good. I took a nap yesterday afternoon and then joined in some Carnaval festivities with my Ecua-family.
I changed in preparation to start playing, and headed outside to help Rosa with taking the kernels off of the corn (is there a verb for this?) Anyway, it started with Genesis... she took a handful of flour and put it on her mother's head. Then she slowly approached me while looking at her mom. Rosa told her not to do it, but she came closer, and I was like... whatever, it's okay. So I got some flour on my head. The next thing I know Carlos has an egg in his hand and Rosa is yelling at him. Having an egg smashed open on your head is a really interesting experience, I can now check that off (twice) my list of things to do in life. [Rosa was half yelling at her children "DON'T TAKE THE EGGS, THOSE ARE FOR BREAKFAST! Ay pobre Joy"] It escalated to throwing buckets of water at each other. Josue was cheating and locked himself on the terrace, he dumped buckets of water on me. Rosa, like her usual ninja self, busted out an "Espuma," which is foam, and started spraying the boys. I ran up to my room and grabbed my Espuma that I had bought earlier in preparation. It was a very intense waterfight, the most intense one I've experienced. I kept getting water dumped on me by Josue... I kept thinking I was out of range, only to be surprised by very cold water. There was also some grabbing and dragging people to the sources of water. By the end of it I was completely soaked and my shoes had small puddles in them. I left trails of water to my room and the bathroom. I might as well have jumped, fully dressed, into a pool. The boys are very good at dodging the water, I guess they've had years of practice.
After I got cleaned up, I sat down with Rosa for a nice little afternoon hot chocolate and tea. It's like we weren't madly attacking each other with water and foam just an hour before. Rosa told me that the Carnaval we just played is considered "tranquilo" or peaceful here. If grabbing people, rubbing foam into their faces, and cracking eggs on their heads is considered peaceful, I'm not sure I want to participate in the other forms of Carnaval. Apparently, on Monday and Tuesday most people stay inside. Young guys will walk around in groups looking for victims to soak. Girls are the usual targets. I might have to stay on my roof to observe the festivities. It's definitely an interesting holiday.
In Lumbisi today there is a Carnaval dance. On the large banners posted in public places, it advertises raffles, awards, fun music, and a wet t-shirt contest. Yes, you read that correctly. I went for a walk with Rosa and Juan Carlos yesterday, we ran into their pastor. We were standing by one of the banners and he read the description outloud. Then he turned to Rosa and jokingly asked her if she had her T-shirt ready... Awwwwkward. I probably won't make it to the dance (which is almost an all day event, 1pm to 12am), since tonight I plan on going to Quito to hear live Ecuadorian folk music.
That's all for now. I'm sure I'll have more Carnaval stories as the weekend progresses.
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