Another strange tradition here during May is early morning processions carrying candles and someone singing a mournful hymn. May is the month dedicated to Mary and twice now we have heard them pass by our house at about 5 am (what is it with these people and singing early in the morning?). The first procession that went past was with about 20 or so people but today I think there were only about 3 in total (I could be mistaken as I had been woken up of course from a very deep sleep). Unfortunately I could not find any information about this crazy tradition but it is definately something to do with Mary worship.

Just something that caught my eye

Swine Flu Song

So I'm still feeling lousy and thinking maybe.... then I watched this video and so how could I blame the cute little piggy. Very cool song and video (clever chap who put it together is all I can say) so worth a look and hey even the NZ news made the cut.

Really it's Mothers Day Again???

I found this piece about the strange custom they have on Mothers Day here:

At around 9pm groups of men convene, some with pick-up trucks packed in with microphones and amplification, others equipped only with their walking shoes and guitars strapped on their backs. After milling around for a while, the night's journey begins. The first mother to be surprised is usually the one whose son has lent his car or equipment. The group pulls up to the house as quietly as possible, hooks up the instruments and mics, and starts strumming the first set of tear-jerking chords. Around mid-song, the mother usually comes out of the house, accompanied by a daughter, tears in their eyes. The son gives a short and sweet Mother's Day dedication, then continues on with the second song. At this point shot glasses are brought out from the house and filled with canelazo , a warm and potent traditional Ecuadorian drink.Now, with a quick burn in the throat and the blood a bit more alive, the group of men play a song or two more, then move on to the next mother. Since some of the men may live in the country-side, the drive or hike might take up to a half hour. Arriving at their destination, out come the instruments, with a repeat of the same Mother's Day songs, an emotional mother, and more alcohol. By this time it has reached midnight but there are at least three more stops to make. For the next stops, the serenaders, fired-up by drink, are notably more confident in their singing and off-chords are barely noticed. As the night gives way to the wee hours of dawn on Mother's Day, mother-themed songs can be heard echoing from the nearby hillsides of the Ecuadorian Andes. Unsuspecting mothers are awakened with the hear throbbing music, light switches flick on and matches light stovetops to prepare the steaming canelazo. With drunken hugs and warm wishes, sons reaffirm their love and appreciation for their mothers with the picked out tunes of guitars and bellowing voices. The last of the mothers are awakened at around 6am, just in time to prepare Mother's Day breakfast. By this time the serenaders are exhausted and hungry, but are able to squeeze out the last few songs of love before they collapse, ready to sleep. Although many mothers spend the eve of Mother's Day alone with their children while their husbands serenade the town, they are always filled with joy to wake to the rustling sounds outside their houses and the first few notes of a sweet serenade.

All I can say is these poor women who work like dogs all year round till they are bent over and supposedly this is the one day they show them any kind of respect yet what do they do??? Wake them up at an unearthly hour with stupid serenading and then expect them to cook them breakfast! The blokes in our area seem to only start the singing at 3am so with that and the flu I have - I am one grumpy individual today!

Drama, Drama, Drama

The Baños Performing Arts Group

Last Sunday night the congo put on a "despedida" (farewell) for the ones leaving (Barbara included, who went home to California on Monday) and the young ones performed a Drama about Enoch. They had been practicing for months because they had wanted to perform it for Chad and Michele when they returned at the end of last year. Things had happened that had meant the party was always cancelled, i.e Joanna died, one of the pioneers had a car accident - etc, so on Sunday they were finally able to get dressed up and do their stuff. They did very well and it was fun to watch. Then of course the dancing started and Mark and I were a hit with the under 5's - they exhausted us though, we must be getting old.
Today has been a bad day as I have picked up a flu (no I don't need to go rushing out to buy oinkment). Stayed home and so far have watched 4 movies - how depressing. So lets hope tomorrow is a better day.

And the Answer Is...

Catherine guessed correctly - we finally tried guinea pig or as it is known as here - cuy. I am afraid I just couldn't get past the fact that back home they are pets (or that they look like rats on a stick while cooking). The flavor itself was quite good but I didn't really like the texture either. Oh well at least I can say I ate it!
The family that invited us are dirt poor and as you will see in the video - they don't have much. They are so kind though and very clean even though they don't have two pennies to rub together. We feel privileged to have been invited.
The two girls featuring on this video are Kami and Sara, visiting from America. We met Kami last year as she was visiting C & M when we first arrived so it is like seeing an old friend. She serves in a sign language congregation back in California so has some stories to tell too. It is very cool to meet all these different ones - I am talking up NZ so they may get the bug to visit us over there sometime and then you can meet them too!

WARNING: IF YOU HAVE A QUEASY STOMACH - DO NOT WATCH THIS VIDEO

Can anyone guess what my problem is?