¡Viva Cuenca!

Holidays are not taken lightly here in Cuenca, not to mention in other places in Ecuador I've traveled through.  The excitement of Valentine's Day alone almost made me want to buy myself a giant teddy bear that said TE AMO across its chest and take it home to live with me forever.  And I do like the idea of holidays where you are allowed to go crazy and douse your friends with water.  But for the most part I've been a little stand-offish.  I mean what will they think if I, a foreigner, took part in their festivities?  Would they think I was mocking them if I took photos of all the illegal fireworks being set off all over the city?  Would it not be as funny if I sprayed silly string in their faces?  So I've just taken to shuffling through the crowds as water balloons were chucked from rooftops at innocent pedestrians walking by and trying not to gawk at the strangest looking parade floats I've ever seen.

But eventually you come to a breaking point.  And the infectious pride Cuencanos have for their city will soon seep into your bones as well.  And suddenly it won't be annoying every time a taxi driver asks if you love their city or not.  Because before they can even get the question out of their mouths you'll be shouting Yes!  Yes I love Cuenca!  It is the most wonderful place in the world!  And you won't care if it has rained fourteen days straight in a row because you are in Cuenca, and you love it.

Well this happened to me.  Something snapped and when it came time to run the 15K race that was held in honor of the Foundation of the City of Cuenca I wanted to show my pride.  Now I was told it wasn't uncommon for some of the runners to dress up for the race.  So I prepared diligently.  My race bag was packed well before I finally drifted off to sleep the night before the festival.  And despite the beginnings of a seemingly dreary day looming outside my window the next morning, I bounded out of my house towards the race start donning my costume.

It was a tough race.  I've ran long distance races before, but none at 8,500 feet above sea level.  I had a mental obstacle to overcome as well: no one was wearing a costume!  But eventually this worked towards my advantage.  Along every route Cuencanos had gathered, despite the drizzle, to cheer the racers on.  And when I came into their sights, they shouted things like "La Cuencanita!" and other patriotic sayings I didn't quite catch entirely.  But I could tell that they appreciated the effort I had made to celebrate their city.  Maybe they even felt honored that I would go to such lengths to look so silly and run all across their town.  Ultimately I realized that it is worth it to participate in the festivities of the city you live in, even if you are a foreigner.  The locals won't despise you and they might even ask to take a photo with you.  Especially if you are wearing a superman cape and face paint.

¡Viva Cuenca!

Proud runners donning our medals