Last Saturday I was up in Cuenca for a weekend visit (that ended up turining into a week because I got trapped in the Sierra by some paros (roadblocks) set up by people in several communities protesting mining activities in their areas. They basically try to get their message out by disrupting the flow of the most important transportation routes, in this case those between the high sierra and the coast. No worries, I was able to stay with my Chuffmate and entertain myself during the days by going on long walks, having philosphical talks with other volunteers, and hanging out at the bus terminal trying to see if the paros had ended so I could get home.) In any case, last Saturday was the summer equinox, or so I was told, and in the Sierra here they celebrate a sun and harvest festival called Inti Raymi. Some of us got together and took a bus up to Cañar where the festival was getting underway. Here are a few photos...
Above - Assortment of special homemade candies and sweets with a typical Ecuadorian Sierra backdrop.

One of the many performing acts. This group had the coolest costumes which shook and swirled like flames as they danced. The boys are on the left, girls on the right, but during their performance they meshed and mingled and got into all sorts of bodily trouble as they mock fought, picking eachother up into the air, carrying the girls around over a shoulder, and bounced and shuffled like inebriated apes with low-hanging arms while circling around. With the hot sun beating down on us just sitting in the grass, I was impressed with the fortitude of the dancers.

More of the girls shaking and jiving as bubbles float through the energized air.

A fellow spectator, this elder just hung out on his cement perch for hours, not seeming to interact or talk with anyone else, never buying a drink or an ice cream or a nibble to eat, but thoroughly appeared to enjoy the show, as evidenced by an occasional smile that would peek out from under his traditional hat.

When the sun and the noise became a bit much to bear, we headed for higher ground to see things from above in the shade of a tree. And THEN we unsheathed the frisbees.