We spent New Year's Eve at Hacienda Guachala, 1 hour north of Quito. This is the oldest hacienda in Ecuador, dating back to 1580. It was converted into a hotel in 1993. It was a fun place to stay...it had an indoor swimming pool, hammocks to relax in, horses, hiking, plus an entertainment room fully equipped with a pool table, pingpong table, direct TV, internet, books, and a fireplace.
This is an old church on the property, and it's about 100 years old. It has been converted to a museum and inside were a bunch of old pictures of Ecuador and also other places in the world.
The hacienda is located in beautiful Andean country. Nearby is Volcano Cayambe, the third tallest volcano in Ecuador, but we were never able to see the top because it was always covered in clouds.
That night they had a special dinner and a New Year's celebration. They had promised a pyrotechnic show, and they had this strange spinning thing that let off firecrackers and such. It was pretty cool.
They also built two big bonfires. They kept us toasty warm during the cold night.
We learned about a couple new year's traditions of Ecuador. I'm not sure if they're specific to Ecuador, or if other countries do these as well.
First of all, they say goodbye to the Old Year, or "Anyo Viejo" (sorry can't type the letter 'enyay' from my computer) by burning it. The Old Year is usually represented by a life-size dummy wearing a paper mache mask. We had a mini dummy, and it didn't have a mask. But at midnight, we threw him in the bonfire! This represents the burning away of any misfortunes and bad memories that happened in the old year, and you look ahead to new hope and happiness. We burned away all our memories of the thefts we've had here in Ecuador (we've been a bit unlucky).
The other tradition is to eat 12 grapes at midnight. One grape for each month, and all your hopes, wishes, and desires will come true in the new year. Josh really enjoyed his grapes. :)
This was Owen at midnight....he totally slept through everything, even all the loud music they were playing!
....but he is quite cute when he is awake. 
New Years Day we walked about a mile north of the hacienda to the equator, where they had this monument. 
It's designed as a sundial, and all the lines and the eight-pointed star have special meanings, all of which I find somewhat complicated, but it is all really cool.
Owen took the oportunity to stand on the equator again. He was much more cooperative than the last time he stood on the equator.
Happy New Year everyone!!!
8 comments:
Owen is growing up so quick! I love his Ecuadorian hat. That is an awesome New Year's tradition of burning a dummy of yourself. Maybe we should start that tradition. All was quiet here in Paklang where we were on New Years. It was kind of nice. You asked if we can find American candy in one of your comments to me. We can find Kit Kats here in Paklang, but that is the extent of good chocolate. When we go to Chiang Mai there is an European grocery store that we kind find most anything. Happy New Years!!
Ecuador looks amazing. Looks like a great experience!! Your boy is so so so CUTE!!!!! He's growing fast!
Oh my gosh! Owen looks SO cute in his little beanie!!
Hola! :)
Feliz Ano Nuevo!
We don't have that tradition in Argentina. ( burning the dummy)
I would love to visit Ecuador, it looks pretty.
Melanie, if you want to practice your spanish, we can write emails to each other in spanish.
Owen is so cute!
Have a nice year!
love
Claudia Del Papa.
It looks like a really great time you had. The traditions of burning up the old to begin the new year fresh and new sound like a good one.
I can't wait to get to Ecuador and experience some of this. And of course to see the little O.
Dad W.
That looks so amazing!! I'm so happy that you are able to experience all of that. Owen is adorable, he looks like a doll in that picture of you and him.
You guys are like Indiana Jones-The Family Version.
I finally updated my blog, come check it out :)
It looks like you had fun!! Owen looks sooooooooooo cute at the equator.
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