We had a wonderful new year's day and a very interesting new year's eve. Our day involved lots of walking, and hanging out with Luis and his family in the guitar shop, which included an amazing jam session of Latin American music.And now I will attempt to describe the evening activities (please see pictures for clarification and detail).
Traditionally, our New Years´ Eves involve family and friends, champagne and kisses at midnight. We typically reflect on the past year, and make resolutions to ensure a good new year. Similarly in Cuenca, people partake in rituals to guarantee a prosperous new year, from wearing new underwear, to eating 12 grapes for 12 wishes, to lighting different coloured candles that represent different good fortunes, to walking in and out of their homes with suitcases to ensure travel in the new year.
Traditionally, our New Years´ Eves involve family and friends, champagne and kisses at midnight. We typically reflect on the past year, and make resolutions to ensure a good new year. Similarly in Cuenca, people partake in rituals to guarantee a prosperous new year, from wearing new underwear, to eating 12 grapes for 12 wishes, to lighting different coloured candles that represent different good fortunes, to walking in and out of their homes with suitcases to ensure travel in the new year.
And the most interesting ritual, and the one that we most enjoyed, was the burning of the "años viejos"("old years"). These, are stuffed dummies constructed with paper, sawdust, wood and firecrackers that typically represent something significant that happened in the past year, which their creators wish to forget. These characters can be as simple as a small scarecrow with a mask and a name, to elaborate scenes with multiple characters, objects and messages. Some characters represented personal sorrow, while others were quite political in nature.. Around the old town, which is where we spent our night wondering around with some very attractive masks on, there were over 50 monuments. Throughout the night, mostly at midnight, they were set on fire, to music, dancing and drinking. We brought in the new year watching a scene that included the heads of Hugo Chavez (which Phil had the opportunity to wear, see picture), and the King and President of Spain explode to fireworks (which Phil helped to ignite). We then headed to another square that had turned their burning into a full on dance party of all ages, which we of course joined in on. We slowly made our way back to the apartment, knowing that the bar downstairs would be in full swing. The party lasted until 7 the next morning, but somehow we were able to catch a few zzz and had a very nice new year's day, which included Phil's famous egg's Benedict for brunch on the rooftop terrace. So far all of our rituals for a good new year have paid-off! We hope that your new year's eve celebrations were also a “blast”, and that the new year brings you peace and happiness.
Happy New Year (and happy birthday, mom)!!!
2 comments:
We wish you both a Very Happy New Year from jolly old England and hope that 2008 bring you many more exciting adventures.... You have both made Sara and Suzie even more excited about their travels to South America.
Lots and Lots of love gail, simon, sara and suzie xxxx
Hi. I tried to leave a comment yesterday but didnt have enough time. So, again, we are friends of the Pauptits who forwarded a link to your blog and an email from your relatives. We are also studying in Cuenca, at CEDEI and spent a few days at Hosteria Uzhupud just after Xmas. Bob Seiler and Doreen Hammill. Our other email address is rseiler@Zochodnelaw.com. Perhaps we'll hear from you. We're here until the 18th.
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