Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Traditions and leisure in Vilcabamba

Leisure activities are mostly outdoors and related to sports.
 Ecuador does not seem to have a traditional music of its own. This band is playing some good Colombian music.

 And the locals watch as only a handful of gringos dance.
 This night was the first night of the celebration of the "Senor de la Buena Esperanza" which translates as "The Lord of the Good Hope".
They let this live fireworks effigy run loose among the crowd.

 This man was juggling with three real machetes.
 Various folkloric dances were shown.

 Don't leave home without your machete.



Horse riding is a widespread form of entertainment.
"Paso Finos" are popular in Vilcabamba for trail riding.

The gymnasium is used for indoor soccer during the rainy season.

During the dry season, there are soccer games every weekend.
when a cow does not interrupt..

Check out this live soccer game
Goal or not?
This vendor sells ice cream on the side of the soccer field.
Families and friends gather for basketball games on the weekends. All ages are welcome to participate and the games are geared towards having fun with not much emphasis on competition.
Everybody enjoys basketball here.
 A new exercise gym opened in March 2012.
Not quite the Iron Horse Rally, but finally some bikes bigger than 250cc which seems to be the engine capacity limit of the locally owned motorcycles. 


People from Loja also come out to to enjoy warmer temperatures. Vilcabamba is about 2000 feet lower in elevation than Loja.
Let's all eat some more ice cream!
This is the scene every weekend at the Central Plaza sometimes with the car stereo booming. 

We heard that there are bets on volley ball games and other sports. Players bet up to one day's salary on the game ($10-$15).

THE VILCABAMBA RECREATION CENTER/ZOO
Located in the barrio Yamburara.
Adults pay 75 ct. Children 50 ct.

 For such a small town, the area near Vilcabamba has a nice rec center and zoo.
 People come out to have a barbecue and spend some good time together.

 They have a decent playground too.


 There is more than one volleyball court.
 Louis tried to play soccer with some locals. In Ecuador, as soon as a toddler can walk a soccer ball is introduced into the equation.
GOOOOAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!
 The zoo is interesting-and very, very dangerous. Ha ha...


 Matico leaves are used locally to heal wounds and bruises.





 Local birds are able to get inside the cages.
Pigeons on display! Only in Vilcabamba do you see a special enclosure dedicated to pigeons.

Don't molest the animals!
This monkey was having a good time with his lollypop.
check out this monkey video!

The orquidearium is not ready yet. Orchids naturally abound in the area.

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