On Saturday, Annie and I went to go check out the karaoke bar that's in our neighborhood. We intended to just go see if it was open and then get ready and come back later, but we went in straightaway, even though we both looked absolutely terrible. It was a pretty small red room with tables and a projection screen, and there probably were about fifteen people there, including us. One of the bartenders brought us the song book and we picked out "Me Voy" by Julieta Venegas, "Don't Speak" by No Doubt, and "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie and Meatloaf. We drank some beers and then it was our turn to sing. "Me Voy" didn't go so well, but whatever, it's in Spanish. Then we sang "Don't Speak" and KILLED IT. We tied for first place (we scored a 99.5) and got a free beer out of it. Then! We sang "Total Eclipse" and GOT ONE HUNDRED PERCENT, which meant a solid perfect first place forever and more free beer. And respect from everyone there.
We sang more and drank more and had a grand old time. The bartenders kept bringing us free things (actually, just beer and chicharrones, which we politely refused). We sang pretty much every song that they had in English, and sang along, somewhat clumsily, to the Spanish songs that other people were singing. At about 3AM it was time to go, but as we were saying goodbye, the bartenders called us over and wrangled us into chatting (and drinking) with them for a good hour and a half more. One of the guys really likes Slipknot (and he's giving us a demo tape of his band next time we go), and they kept making us sing. In the end, the Slipknot-guy walked Annie and I home (the bar is literally five minutes away), and Annie and I celebrated our karaoke-triumph for days afterward.
On Sunday, Annie and I went to Quitumbe (a big bus terminal) to get tickets to Ambato, but we found out that we didn't even need to buy tickets in advance. So we went to La Marin, the stop between Quitumbe and our house, to hang out in the Centro Historico for the afternoon. So, in Ecuador, Carnaval is super exciting. There's a variety of ways to celebrate, but mostly you just throw things at people: water balloons, eggs, stinky and/or colored water... plus there's this spray-foam that you get people with, and it temporarily dyes their skin colors. So while we were in Centro Historico, we bought a ton of this spray foam (it's actually called espuma) just in case we got attacked by the locals.
We did.
Everyone from tiny little baby kids to grown ups working in stores would just sneak up on us and absolutely cover us with the stuff. And then while we were blinded by the espuma, little kids would run up and dump their water bottles on us. It was the BEST. I love Carnaval. It's my favorite holiday, for reals.
Espuma Carnavalera ... my weapon of choice. Monday, we went to Ambato but it was a bummer. Not really even worth talking about.
Today is the first day of Lent and I've decided to do this one (yoga) kriya every day, and also be vegan (with the exception of alcohol, sorry). We might go to Baños this weekend which could be fun, but I just want to go to the beach. That's all I've ever wanted. Ever.
I really like the songs "Shit Luck" by Modest Mouse (because it's great for dancin'), "February" by Dar Williams (because it's sad and I hate February), and "Jaguar House" by Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas (because it's just awesome).
Okay, that's all. Still no pictures, but I'm very seriously considering going to buy a camera.
That's it.
Gina.
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