That´s how they do it in Ecuador!

So today we got our first taste of Ecuadorian culture when we got to go to La Citad del Mundo (the center of the world!! No really... I stood on the equator a lot of times for photo ops!). The atmosphere in Ecuador during Carnival is pretty crazy... and if you´re standing around and not paying too much attention, someone will inevitably spray you in the side of the head with scented party foam - but really, it´s all over the place!!! We were able to take some photo ops at the equator and walk inside the museum and monument they have. A tour guide took us through the many artifacts they have of the various cultural groups in Ecuador. I have to say that seeing how another country lives and operates is a really interesting and enriching experience.
But, back to the foam. The people of Ecuador celebrate Carnival in a variety of different ways, and they love (as we found out) to bring everyone into the celebration. Moms, Dads, kids, grandmothers, grandfathers... I think everyone, had a can of this foam at La Citad del Mundo. If you weren´t covered in bubble gum scented foam when you got there... you didn´t really have to worry because all of us got a good dousing in it, thanks to Angie, her mom and several precocious children. One in particular took one look at me, smiled big and shot a huge can of yellow foam at myself, Rob, Sophie, and several other unfortunate people standing by.
The music is so festive and everyone was so happy, it´s hard to not get caught up in the good mood and start celebrating with everyone there. They played music native to the country and a few pieces we recognized as well! Carolyn and I enjoyed dancing to their version of "In the Mood." Several of us chose to do a little shopping from some of the vendors there, and some of us practiced our spanish.
After getting back on the bus we were able to go see a large crater in Quito (the name of which escapes me right now...) and try out some really neat instruments vendors were also selling. I don´t think any of us decided to buy them, but we definitely had fun trying to play them. Some of us succeeded... and some of us... really didn´t. But either way we had a blast trying!
After we got back to Residencia Mecedaria we enjoyed a huge lunch and a little bit of rehearsal before dinner and our Welcome Event tonight! We´re all pretty tired but enjoying the country, the people and each other´s company a whole lot.
I would have to say that today has been a fairly huge success (even if you aren´t partial to party foam.). :)
More later from Quito, Ecuador at approx. 2800 meters... or 9200 feet or so.
-Sam