Mother's day celebration at the "13 de Abril" school in Vilcabamba

Today mothers were invited at school for a celebration. It was a big event for such a small school.

Little girls were wearing their best looking dresses for the occasion

They were getting impatient

Each one had bought a rose for their mum

Check out this touching video

Louis looked bored, again...

They danced some good old rock'n roll too.

The Shuara Indians live near Vilcabamba. Their kids go to school wearing their traditional clothing

A lot of creativity was necessary for this band to play

Louis is on the left side, with his hands on top of his head, Angelina is on the right side

The chip and candy store at the back of the courtyard was busy all the time

Refreshments and sandwiches were served

The boys could not wait all that long. Some exercise was welcome

The school even hired a professional singer from Loja, Santiago Herraes.

After an hour or so these little girls were feeling exhausted

These kids chose to spend some time in the classroom

Dads were not invited today

This little girl just found a kitten and got to take it home with her

At the end adults started dancing and having fun

They always look so happy when they are dancing

Kids joined in

Angelina had a very good time today

And the dancing kept on going in the street...

Vilcabamba celebrates 151 years of existence

Today the whole town celebrated.

The Republic of Ecuador celebrated its first Independence Day on the 24th of May, 1822 when they got their independence from the Spain. 'El Primer Grito de Independencia' the local name for Independence Day of Ecuador is widely celebrated throughout as a National Holiday. The anniversary of the nation's independent statehood from under the Spanish rule marks the beginning of a new era for the Ecuadorians.

Absolutely everybody seemed to be enjoying this special event.  (Except Louis?)

 

People came from other neighborhoods riding in the back of taxis

Inside the school "13 de Abril" things got serious. 

School flags were deployed

These kids are in Louis's class

Louis has been dreading this event. There were many rehearsals over the last few weeks and it was all tough on him.

We thought it was very open-minded of the school to let our two kids march with all the Ecuadorians on this occasion.

Angelina did not seem to mind the rehearsals or the march itself.

They had practiced marching corners.

The march went all around town for almost two hours

The band was marching first, followed by the beauty queens then the schools

All the schools of Vilcabamba marched, hundreds of kids all ages

Everybody was anxious to see the march

Everybody  took their part very seriously

All outfits had to be perfectly clean for this day. 

We had no idea there were so many different schools here, or so many young people!

Everybody had rehearsed perfectly. The whole march was in perfect order

Various local organizations also marched

On this auspicious day the people celebrate the Independence Day of Ecuador with much funfair and merriment. The celebration usually includes military parades and civic events held around the country. Agricultural, artisan and poultry fair together with typical dances and music parades also take place all over the country. 

A local Indian tribe was also represented

Here comes "our" school "13 de Abril". They wan the first prize last year.

Juan Montalvo was the first school Louis and Angelina went to in Vilcabamba.

Vendors were ready

A temporary arcade was set up in the street

 

This is the final! On the central plaza

Angelina is in the front of this group

And the flag goes back in the bag