Carnival is coming

It's just two weeks until Carnival, or Mardi Gras, as it's also know in the States.

In Ecuador it means parades, floats, games, contests, lots of fun but most of all, it means that everyone will be playing water wars with each other.

Unlike Brazil, where Carnival is a huge festival of dancing through night and day, in Ecuador dancing isn't at all as important.

There will be music and dancing, there will be inebriated people around but most of all, there will be people throwing water and Carnival foam at each other.

During the Carnival everyone is a free target.

Both Brazil and Ecuador, along with many countries around the world with a dominant Catholic populations observe a form of Carnival. Even the southern U.S. has their Mardi Gras festival which is the same party just with a different name.

You cannot go out of doors without getting a bucket of water thrown at you.

I personally prefer the bucket to water balloons that actually can hurt quite a bit when thrown with force.

In my first Carnival here I wandered through the streets, trying to get a feeling of what was happening and not quite sure what Carnival in Ecuador meant.

I found out very fast when I was thrown on buckets and wash basins full of water.

And especially when I joined the fun and started throwing water at passer-byes.

There are people driving around in trucks with water basins at the back and people throwing it at everyone from there.

Carnival used to be a two week affair in Ecuador, but with this new law you are usually safe up until the weekend before Ash Wednesday (which usually falls in February). Tuesday, the final day of Carnival is the day where nothing is held back. And the streets are almost dead, with only players seen in all out war, armed with their buckets and water guns.

Or you can buy a water gun and shoot at people who happen to be close enough.

It's not just children and young people who join in the fun but entire families come together to throw water at each other.

Sometimes the fun gets a little out of hand and instead of water you are thrown eggs or flower.

There is also an entire town, called Ambato, in Ecuador where people throw fruits and flowers at each other.

Luckily in Ambato, it's not about a play war and throwing as hard as you can.

Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the long fast for the Lent period in many Christian churches. The day is the day before Ash Wednesday and usually falls between February 3 and March 9. It has many names, including Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, the Tuesday of Carnival, and Pancake Day.

At the coastal region, everyone flocks to the beaches and plays with Carioca, the Carnival foam.

It is impossible to walk around without starting to look like a foam monster.

My son loves Carnival and started playing at the beginning of February.

He has always loved it and especially he has always loved throwing water and foam at other people.

What he did not love when he was younger was when people reciprocated and threw water at him.

He usually got pretty mad and when he was little, even started crying.

In Ecuador, the carnival celebrations are expected each year for cultural and social value. In every region and city, the celebration of Carnival varies, with clear differences in the Ecuadorian coast and in Highlands.

I think that for an only child the Ecuadorian system of not leaving anyone out and not forgiving anyone leaving their home, is an excellent one.

Sometimes for an adult it’s tough if you forgot to buy something and you need to run to the shop.

But as they say, it’s Carnival and you really should be prepared.

After all, everyone tries to have a free from work during the Carnival, so they can join in the fun.

Both the beaches and the jungle area are filled with people having fun in the sun and throwing water and foam at each other.

All around the country, "diablillos" (little devils) play with water. It is a somewhat crazy game, like snow fights, which is long awaited, especially by children and teenagers, and feared by some adults. Throwing water balloons, sometimes even eggs and flour both to friends and strangers passing by the street can be a lot of fun but can also be annoying. Although the government as well as school authorities have forbidden this game, it is still widely practiced throughout the country.

Carnival fits perfectly Ecuadorian spirit of living the life and enjoying it while it lasts.

Who knows what tomorrow brings, so we better have some fun today.