This was a Sunday event in Banos, the Carrera de los coches de madera. The wee go-cart race. This is no "wee" event just the size of the carts are "wee". But then compared to me most things in Ecuador are "wee".
This event starts in the city, one up the road called Pelileo. The participants, with their cart, boot it down the hill and a few up hills and as fast as they can get themselves, no small feat. They get to the final hill in Banos where everyone is waiting for them and greeting them. This whole event requires tenacity and also bravado.
The scary thing is that often the people who are in the audience want so much to show their enthusiasm, that they stand right in the middle of the street and don't move. It is a policeman's nightmare. Yikes!!! Yes in the past there have been injuries both the the participants and members of the crowd.... but I guess that is part of the fun. The flirting with danger.
I understand this year one of the participants was killed practicing for this event and he was fairly young. Truely sad for the family.
I went for coffee and drawing yet again to Amarello while waiting for the event to get to Banos. Yes, in the second photo there are 2 policemen going to work the event. They were everywhere and all over Banos, they really do have to work hard to try and control everything. They really have to work against the crowd who are oblivious to their own safety.
I even showed my photos of the the crowd to some of the policemen who were stationed a bit away from the event and there was a lot of head shaking and cussing.
So Back to my drawing, It was of a dog who is scratching that itch, you know the one that is so hard to reach but ecstasy when you get there. I love dogs they so greatly show us the true joys of living.
Talk with you all later
Robin