We headed up to Latacunga as a base to make the trip to Quilotoa. An otherwise pretty unremarkable town, we happened to arrive during the Mama Negra festival.

I haven't yet googled this for a full explanation, but let me try to describe what we saw.

1. Mama Negra is portrayed by blacked up men.

2. The many Mama Negra's parade through town each carrying a construction of a whole cooked pig surrounded by cooked rabbits, chickens and guinea pigs on their backs. Some have the Virgin Mary at the very top. All have various bottles of booze and packets of cigarettes incorporated into the design.

3. Each Mama Negra is followed by either a traditional dancing troop or a marching band.

4. All of the above constantly drink shots throughout the whole thing. Children included (although to be fair a bit less).

5. Members of the troops force members of the watching public to drink said shots.

6. Fireworks are liberally let off throughout.

Very very odd, more than a little disconcerting, but very entertaining. The parade completed its circular route several times as the performers and watching public got more and more drunk.

Interestingly, everything stopped at 9pm sharp. The (excuse my French) s***faced hoards magically disappearing home. I guess that's the beauty of armed police!