Carnival in Baños, Ecuador

We left Cotopaxi later in the day after climbing the Volcano early in the morning.  Our goal was the town of Baños, where we planned to stay for Carnival.

Baños is a popular tourist destination (population about 17,000), and known as the "Gateway to the Amazon"

We checked into one of the many, many hostels and hotels in the town, and luckily were able to find a room 1 day before Carnival starts.

Carnival in Roman Catholic countries usually occurs in the 4 days preceding Ash Wednesday, although different countries may celebrate Carnival at different times of the year.

Baños at Night, from in front of our Hostel

We spent our first day in Baños on a local river, braving class 3 to 4+ rapids in a white water raft.  It was Troy's first time ever rafting, and both of us had a absolutely wonderful time.  Our guides were first class, and included a forward scout who traversed the river ahead of us in a small sport kayak.  He was amazing to watch as he navigated the 4+ rapids with ease.

We got back to the hostel, tired after a day on the water paddling, so we had a quick nap, then supper before venturing out for our first night of Carnival.  We had met a wonderful girl named Tutu, who was with us on our boat.  She's from France and had been traveling through South America for a while.  

The streets early in the night.  It got much busier.

One of many traditions, the people here arm themselves with spray foam canisters, which they use to spray one another with in the crowded streets.  In Barranquilla by contrast, people throw flour.  It has the same effect.  :)

We quickly got doused as soon as we left the Hostel, and wasted no time in arming ourselves with a couple canisters each, so we could fight back in style.

Most people on the streets showed some signs of being doused with foam, but for some reason, we seemed to attract the majority of attention from the locals who delighted in spraying us at every opportunity.  By the time we made it back to the hostel, we were soaked from head to toe with foam.  

It was an absolute blast, and we are so happy to have been able to experience it for the first time.

Arming ourselves for the coming battle.

Spray painting a happy face on a passing car.  The foam comes in different colors, so my shirt was a rainbow.

The battle starts.

The result of a spray encounter.  Troy's friend Tutu who we met rafting.

Some kids passing on the back of a truck decided to engage us in battle.

We won the battle with superior firepower (we had more foam canisters)

Troy, ready to go.

Troy and Tim, mid celebration.

Troy, on the losing end of a skirmish with some locals.

Standing still for a photo meant I got sprayed.

On the streets, Carnival in Baños.

The aftermath.

I wonder if this will wash out?

It left a dried sticky kind of residue, but it seemed to wash out OK.