After lunch, everyone played a card game called Cuarenta (Forty). In this game, two sets of partners play against each other to make as many matches as possible. They collect their pairs and tally up points at the end of the game. After so many rounds, the team with points closest to forty (cuarenta) wins. The game moves fast, so it was a challenge to follow, but it looked like fun. Eventually, I will learn to play it.
After lunch and Cuarenta, we all went out to the street where there was a chiva waiting for us. A chiva is like an open party bus. They are usually decorated with balloons and streamers. They have flashing lights and a loud sound system. The inside is a big, open space so people can dance. The chivas drive through the city and everyone dances, talks and laughs, and waves to the people on the street. On December 5th the streets of Quito were full of chivas and happy revelers.
We rode through from our business district down to El Ejido, a popular park, where all the chivas stop for some stationary dancing and entertainment. Then on to the centro histórico before turning back to the office. It was a great opportunity for me to see more of the city and celebrate with my office friends. Everyone looks forward to Fiestas de Quito, and now I understand why!
December is a busy month in Quito. Festivities start with a Founder’s Day holiday to celebrate the founding of the city of Quito in 1534 by the Spanish. There is some irony in this since Quito was an established city, and part of the Inca empire, before the Spanish arrived.
