“Each day brings new opportunities, allowing you to constantly live with love—be there for others—bring a little light into someone’s day. Be grateful and live each day to the fullest.”― Roy T. Bennett
“Lee-SAH,” my lovely friend Dady exclaimed, “How did you know about this?!”
Perched along the top row of seats of the amphitheater, I was watching the crowd funnel into the performance area at the Las Vegas Park in Portoviejo. I usually sit alone so that I can be as unobtrusive as possible when taking photos at events. The park is not far from my apartment – maybe five minutes – as is the Museo Portoviejo, and I arrived early to watch the day wean to night and then witness the event.
Dady knew that I usually dodge evening events; I like to be home by dark, especially in a city. The night air often prompts my old cough to return, so she was not expecting to see me – especially since she learned of the event only a few hours before it was to begin!
We were there to see Quito’s National Ballet perform the Nutcracker, and the show soon began – and captivated the crowd!
Today, December 22, 2019, we note the sun’s placement in our skies and contemplate the approaching new year. I, however, am reflecting back in time to the September equinox – when friends and I witnessed ancient rituals along the southern part of Ecuador’s Sierra.
The September Equinox ritual has several names in the Andes, and by using late-night internet searches for September Equinox, Equinoccio Ecuador, Kulla Raymi, Cuya Raymi, Killa Rayme, we found snippets of writings about an annual ritual in the Province of Canar. Our search fine-tuned to a small community located between Riobamba and Cuenca and is near the much-larger archaeological site of Ingapirca.

We did not have time to see Ingapirca, but we can plan for ‘the next time’ in the area!
My four intrepid traveling companions and I set out for Canar, and our navigator and pilota did great jobs of finding the perfect spot to ask for information. Three lovely local ladies were just leaving to join their community, and they escorted us to the ancient site of Banos del Inca. As if stepping into a fairy tale, we were embraced into another realm and merged into the community’s afternoon of rituals.

The right side of the gates showcases the moon…

… and the left side of the gates showcases the sun…

Chicha anyone?
A bilingual sign at the site states: Coyoctor Archaelogical Complex – Inca bath Complex or Coyoctor is an archaeological Canari-Inca site, strategically located and lined with Yanacuri hill directed to Northeast. This site is dedicated to the worship of the moon, the September 21st of each year is celebrated Killa Raymi. The archaeological complex conform the big court, inka chair, kanari altar, rooms, and Inka’s bath. Also, there are buildings from the colonial times that belonged to an old hacienda that were constructed over ruins of sculpted stone. Nowadays, there is an Interpretative center with 3 show rooms that you can visit: 1) Tambo-Coyoctor Touristic Tour room, 2)Non permanent exhibits room 3) Ethnographic Museum.
My travelmates also shared my ‘Be home by dark’ rule, so we left as the locals rested between events and prepared for their evening fiesta. Most of the photos from that trip are still locked into a stubborn camera chip that refuses to share them with other devices, including my computer!
While in the Andes, we observed ‘several days of equinox’ at other locations.

Pre-Incan sun dial at Hacienda Guachala

Quitsato, on the highway near Hacienda Guachala

0-0-0 Monument at Calacali northwest of Quito

Thankfully my friends enjoyed a crash course on the life of Guayasamin and the Chapel of Man in Quito.
Another alignment of blessings gave me the opportunity to attend a private viewing of a documentary about the Galapagos. Galapagos – Hope for the Future, directed by Evert Van Den Bos. Oh my! Start HERE: Galapago – Hope for the Future trailer.
The documentary focuses on the work being done by the Charles Darwin Foundation, and as if by magic the film transports us as if we are truly there. The opening scenes brought tears to my eyes as the narrator (Ronan Keeting) bridged the images with the director’s message. A few tears also leaked out in the closing credits with Keeting’s (not-yet released) song. Throughout the documentary, we chuckled more than cried, as various scenes captured the personality of many species. The director hopes that this documentary, ” — will inspire others to live in harmony with nature,” and he stresses the importance of sharing this with children. The Darwin Foundation website states “The film has been funded by the Netherlands-based COmON Foundation to promote conservation work of this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site…” and “…It will also be screened in several cinemas across the country (Ecuador) from January 2020 onwards… “
https://en.galapagosfilm.earth/
JustEntertainment blurb states, “The film highlights another side of the Galapagos, one where humans better understand and respect the significance of the animals and environment. It tells the hopeful story of passionate researchers who are committed to protect and conserve this special, but fragile, ecosystem.”
About the makers – Here: Galapagos/Earth/the Makers
In November Museo Portoviejo showcased the work of local artists who make nativity scenes. At 7 pm the public gathered outside the entrance of the darkened museum and peered into the darkened museum. Twinkling lights provided a lovely backdrop, and we watched from a temporary seating area on the sidewalk and street.
When the formal part of the presentation ended, everyone stepped inside to inspect the magical hand-made scenes and enjoy the refreshments. Feeling weak from the night air and traffic exhaust, I left before the event finished – but took a few more departing shots! My favorites were the ones made from Mate (dried Calabash) and the Ceibo tree scene.
……
On the same weekend as the Nutcracker event, publicity about a Sunday afternoon ‘Beatles Challenge’ prompted me to walk to Parque Rotonda. Traffic is low on Sundays, and the walk gave me the opportunity to get lost while taking shortcuts (!) and I also took time for birdwatching.
Most likely this is a juvenile/immature Gray-cheeked Parakeet, which is on the Endangered list. So far I’ve found no inforation about a Parakeet with yellow wing bars – in Ecuador. All else looks like the Gray-cheeked, but the birds did not show any red/orange on the wings. Feedback, anyone?
On retrospect, I suspect that the Beatles Challenge was more like a rehearsal than a public event, but it was worth the effort and definitely worth spending time with friends! Like a good girl, I left before the event was over so that I’d be home way before dark!
This past Friday the Museo presented another sidewalk event of Christmas music – this one to begin at 5! (I thanked Carlos Wellington, director of events, for the late-afternoon timing!) There were solo and group performances of traditional songs, and one artist provided a semi-traditional Andean tune while playing guitar and harmonica (without the flutes, he apologized) and Carlos performed three of his original songs. Attendance was low; people were probably dashing home from work and tending ‘things-to-do’ lists for the holidays. Those who attended were the lucky ones!
For me it’s easy to ‘Be grateful and live each day to the fullest’ – especially when Las Vegas Park is a short walk from where I live. Dodging traffic exhaust, I zip there as fast as possible in daylight hours and veer straight to the shallow marsh-like pond on one edge of the park.
The feathered residents provide easy photo ops, and the beautiful Purple Gallinule will most likely be a subject for a future painting. The blue-hued beauty has competition, all so easy to photograph from the boardwalk.

“What big feet you have!” – Immature Purple Gallinule

Purple Gallinule

Wattled Jacana

Striated Heron

Snowy Egret

Great Egret
Closing with a splash of Christmas red – the male Vermillion Flycatcher, I send a, “Happy Holidays to all!’
I am so glad that you take advantage f the daylight to take beautiful pictures and still be ‘home before dark’. Happy Holidays to you and all your friends.
and then I work half the night on the photos taken in the daytime, so it’s probably best to stop at sunset!!! Feliz Navidad – pero what is on the menu?
A belated Feliz Navidad to you.
Merry Christmas, sweetheart! I have a viewing of The Nutcracker planned in the next few weeks too! 🙂 🙂
I suspect that yours will be an amazing event! Feliz Navidad!
🤗🎅🎄🎁💕
WOW!! What a nice Christmas present from Lisa! Many thanks and have a very Merry Christmas, my friend.
You make me smile, Hugh! Thank you, and Happy Holidays to you as well —- Your post about the “>>> Bowl’ made me smile – would you believe that I forget about those other sports when in this culture? Until someone mentions the bowls or playoffs.
Did you see who visited Quito back in November?
I was tempted to take the 7-hour bus, but it was an inconvenient time for me!
Happy holidays Amiga
And to you as well, dear |Margo!
Very best wishes for a safe, happy and healthy holiday season Lisa. I could hear lovely Dady 🙂 Hope to see you in the New Year and so glad I can follow your adventures here! XOXO Pat
Of course you can hear her lovely and special voice! She’s a walking angel! Happy Holidays to you as well, Wonder Warrior!
Lisa, many thanks for the plethora of colors, shapes, fauna, flora, people and artwork. Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable holiday Feliz Navidad. Keith
Best wishes to you as well. I’m behind this week in reading posts but will read the WP which hopefully loaded and ready for off line reading!
Lisa, this is a post bursting with interesting and beautiful people, places, and events. It’s always a joy to see a post by you.
I pray for you a happy and blessed Christmas and 2020 (covering all bases, since I never know when you’ll surface.) Looking forward to reading and seeing more of your part of the world and your art.
janet
Si, thanks, and am online to check a few things then run errands etc! This weekend most likely a ‘formal’ informal bird count in hopes of Poza Honda being added to next Christmas Bird Count.
Boy, you have been busy! What a buffet of events. All the best for the holiday season Lisa. And may 2020 bring you many blessings.
Alison
Thanks, and it’s been fun cooking in the happy kitchen… I’m there with you in your own imagined version and wondering what’s on your menu! You’d enjoy the ‘pureed chochos’ which is a work-around hummus sort of high-nutrient food that one either loves or — does not! Feliz Navidad!
Feliz Navidad to you too xo
This is such a beautiful read Lisa. The nutcracker suite performed in the amphitheatre sounds sublime. And I am fascinated by your account of the Inca equinox ceremony. Would love to witness it someday.
Merry Christmas dear friend! May the magic of the season spill over into the new year.
Good to be home by dark. But you surely make fabuloso use of your days!
It seems you’ve had more than enough to keep you busy as the year draws to a close.
Is your determination to get home before dark because of safety?
The 0°0’0″ monument with the people straddling the line reminds me of two other places: 1) Texarkana’s main street, whose line down the center divides Texas from Arkansas 2) The Four Corners at the intersection of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, where people lie down to be in all four states simultaneously.
I love that you did some research and found a small community that celebrates the equinox, and checked it out. That was a very cool thing to do – hopefully the photos will resurrect themselves at some point. I also love seeing the gallinule at the park near you! Those guys are just fabulous – I’ve only seen them once or twice. Glad you have photos. 🙂 And that park is obviously a godsend. Here’s to a creative, healthy new Year, Lisa! 🙂
Just spent five days back at Poza Honda to do a ‘test’ circle – whew a lot of work and we were exhausted, but it was an enriching time for all. The local ‘segua’ at the park certainly provides easier photo ops. Would you believe that when perusing my files, there’s no good image of a Cattle Egret?! Ha, to the park I will go!