2005 Q & A

July 2, 2005

Q. A 10th grader from Lincoln, NC asks, "Here in the United States we are about to celebrate the 4th of July. What celebrations or holidays does Ecuador have?

A. There are many holidays celebrated in Ecuador. We passed a celebration en route today from The Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve to Puertoviejo. In Santo Domingo, a city of 60,000 people, there was the Banda de Guerra Celebration which means "Band of War", celebrating the small town rising to a county 48 years ago. The festivities included a parade with high school bands from the area, plus a full military display.

Additional important holidays that are celebrated in Ecuador include: Dia del Trajbajo "Labor Day" on May 1, Day of the Dead on November 2, Christmas on December 25, Anio Nuevo "New Year's Day" January 1st, The Day of Kings on January 6th, Carnival which is one week before Ash Wednesday. Holy week is celebrated the entire week before Easter, Mother's Day is the 2nd Sunday in May, and Father's Day is the third Sunday in June. Some holidays are mandatory days off of work and some are not.

Q. A 10th grader from Denver, NC asks, "How do people act there? Do they react well to Americans?"

A. Everyone we have encountered has been welcoming, hospitable, friendly, and eager to make us feel at home and comfortable. Many communities have prepared delicious meals for us with their very best regional delicacies. They strive to bridge the communication gap.

Q. A college student from Wake county who is studying dance at ECU asks, "What are the performing arts like there?"

A. In Quito and Guayaquil they have the symphony, but other places really do not have organized performing art opportunities. We encountered an outdoor stage in the center of Calceta.

There are several groups that don traditional Ecuadorian costumes and perform their music internationally. There is in Quito the Sucre National Theater which was built in the 1500's and has been restored and is in use once again.

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