Fiesta Weekend
The rodeo for bull sporting.
I saw my first bull sport yesterday at a fiesta, for a celebration to mark the independence of a small town adjacent to Quito. It was a game of tag with the bull, with men jumping into the fenced-in rodeo space trying to get the bull to chase them, then running away before it could catch them. There was also a special performance by two comedic characters who had their way with the bull rather grandly. Some parts of the sport were tough to watch, like when they were trying to subdue it with a lasso and pulling it back into the truck packed with a couple dozen bulls, but it was an interesting experience, followed by great street food.
November is the main month for bull sports here – specifically bull fighting at a stadium named for the sport, Plaza del Toro, which is also used for concerts all year round. Ecuador recently had a referendum in May for ten constitutional amendments, which resulted in a new law that any sport that threatens to kill bulls (or other animals) has been outlawed. Apparently this means that bull fighting will continue but in the Portuguese style, which never involves killing the bull. It was quite a surprise to hear that, as bull fighting is so popular in this continent.
What else happened? Finally made it to Guapulo for drinks over the weekend, which is famous for its beautiful view of the city, where I tried caneloza, a sweet warm alcoholic beverage made from sugar cane, after which we went dancing in a non-touristy salsa club. There was K’s going away house party on quite an eventful day, which also involved a break in at one friend’s office and being stuck in the lift while the electricity went out for a couple of minutes. Went out biking once again (yess!!!), saw what may well be the shortest concert ever hosted by the TV channel that broadcasts all the Copa America soccer matches during half-time of the Finals at Plaza Foch (where all the fancier bars are).
