Get Your Parade On!

It wouldn't be Christmas Eve without El Pase del Nino Viajero. You saw it last year and we couldn't resist returning for another go this year. We went a little bit earlier this time and got some better photos. (At one point, I perched myself up on an electrical or phone service box to see over the crowd.) Like last year, we went back a few times, as it's exhausting being buffeted by crowds for the full 8-9 hours it takes for the parade to pass. I wish I could tell you where all the different styles of traditional dress are from, but I'm just not the well educated, I'm afraid.

Without further ado, the festivities:

Dressed to the 9's even on the sidelines.

Black face is new to us this year, don't know what that's about...

Diablos de la Carnival

The Unknown Flautists?

So many different generations participating!

Check the modern push car...old meets new

If the children look mildly disgruntled, tired or just plain peevish, it's because we're at the end of the parade route...they're all just tuckered out.

 

Clown a la Ecuador

We think that this poor guy carried the pig the whole route! Exhausting!

 If you think it's just the girls, think again, the men get involved, too!

More crazy masks and llama skin pants...can you say overheated?

"Are we there yet??" (Ya llegamos?)

Angel with a toque, must be Canadian!

You can barely see, but the horse is laden with food of all types...

...including a chicken in a sombrero (PS that's a real chicken)

One little guy actually waved at me, most are too stoic, or too tired.

The sun has been breaking through the clouds, can you imagine how hot this guy is?

May pole...or should I say December pole

The guys in the centre are champions...they could barely keep the pole still.

Heavy Spanish influence on the little principesa - huge horse, huge dress, tiny girl!

I have two videos as well, one of the December pole and the other a general street scene:

 

That's it for the wild and wacky world of Christmas in Cuenca. Come down and visit one year to experience it. Next up: New Years Eve meaning bonfires, burning effigies and fireworks!