Carnival

By Bradley Rehak - Guest Blogger studying in Quito, Ecuador

As in most countries in South America (all of them, to my knowledge), the celebration of the last week before lent is huge in Ecuador. The beaches, of course, are a popular place to celebrate due to the almost always-warm weather; of course (let's be honest) the proximity in status to being naked is also a large draw. The beaches are generally packed with drunks and loud music being pumped from clubs, restaurants, hotel rooms, and cars. The other main part of the celebration are the water fights: it is entirely acceptable and expected that you drench any person you pass--with a balloon, a squirt gun, a bucket, a hose. You must be even more prepared to be attacked if you're an attractive girl or a foreigner, or God help you, a foreigner who is an attractive girl. My friends who went to the beach reported being chased down numerous streets by Ecuadorians eager to soak the gringos.

Where I went, however, water fights are banned. In Ambato, which hosts one of the largest celebrations in Ecuador, the water is replaced by a type of foam in a can, which is sold under the brand name Karioka. It is not altogether different from Silly String, but it´s not as solid as the former. Karioka is also illegal in Ambato, however one would never guess it. There are basically only two things one can do to avoid being sprayed with Karioka: drink beer or eat street food. And these must be done constantly. One runs the risk of acquiring a nasty traveler's diarrhea every time that one tries street food--the more so during Carnival because the food remains outside all day. One accepts the assurance of becoming inebriated rapidly by choosing the latter, as I did. To be entirely honest, I felt such action was thrust upon me, after I was sprayed twice--directly in the face--while leaning against a wall in a rather vacant side street, talking on the phone. There were only two groups that passed by me during this time.

It kind of stung, thus the beer.