The lead up to Christmas saw lots of parties so it was fun. One included a Novena which wasn't exactly a laugh a minute but it was interesting nonetheless. Basically whole families get together to pray together in a different house for nine consecutive nights. Its followed up by drinks and cake. Wasn't wild about the religious aspect given the heathen I am but it was interesting to see it and the cakes were bloody marvelous! Mind you I only managed one night but I reckon I picked the best night as my friends mum makes even better cakes than I do.

Christmas Eve saw the 'Pase del Niño'. Which in case you are wondering is "one of the most important demonstrations of popular religiosity" in Ecuador, whatever that is. Basically its a huge parade to celebrate when 'god' was a child. Loads of adults and kids dress up in religious and Christmas costumes and horses, trucks and cars are decorated in sweets, biscuits, alcohol and various alive and dead animals. They then parade through the centre of town.

It was a great photo op and unlike lots of my other pictures I could actually take them face on rather than just peoples backs as for the most part everyone loved having their picture taken. Yee-hai! This was until towards the end of the day when lots of the kids had had enough and so the tears came. Mind you if my parents had dressed me up in some of the things they had to wear I think I might have shed a tear as well.

Christmas day was a very chilled day. Up early to cook the turkey. This was a bit of a challenge given we have no temperature control on the oven so it was a bit hit and miss but I managed to avoid killing anyone off. Then pressies, over to Fran and Kathleens, food, alcohol, more pressies, then collapsed into a chair. Pretty normal Christmas really.