Quito Part 3 - New Year

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New Years celebrations 2009/2010 in Quito and I also made trips to Mindo, Banos and Atacames. Ecuador goes wild this time of year. It observes a very unique tradition the "anos viejos" (old years). There will be loads of human figurines which are stuffed dummies made with paper, sawdust, wood as well as firecrackers. These dummies are displayed through the whole of the nation before they are set on fire at midnight to signify burning the old years. Many people also dress the dummies in their old clothes and kick them for good luck while they are burning. Many of the dummies are famous people including politicians. I chose Osama Bin Laden as mine. At midnight the whole of Quito had bonfires in the streets it was amazing you could see many fires on the mountainside becuase of the way Quito is laid out. There was a live band on the side of the street that they had hired and after midnight we then ate lots of food and I tried as best I could to avoid whisky shots from all the family.

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