Celebrating Ecuador Independence Day at Parque de La Carolina

Ecuador's Independence Day is August 10 but this year was celebrated on Friday to give everyone a long weekend.   My teacher told me many people go to Parque La Carolina for soccer, music, comedy entertainment and abundant food carts.    This very large park was filled with families having fun and lots of people playing soccer, volleyball and flying kites.    Since school was cancelled we decided to spend the day there.    Annalise had fun rock climbing and jumping onto a rather simple but effective crash mat held up by small sand bags on the perimeter.    Emmett always is eager to find a game of soccer.    He usually is able to start an informal soccer game with boys his age or older between trees.   The many small astroturf soccer fields are dominated by older teenagers and men.   On Friday, Emmett was finally able to play a game with older teens and men.   He played about 2 1/2 hours (partially in the rain) and scored a goal.   Emmett's soccer knowledge has served as a good social ice-breaker for us.  We've said hello to the armed guard at the Paraguay Embassy  and mentioned his fellow countryman, Nelson Valdez, who plays for the Seattle Sounders.   Emmett always is able to name a few star players on the Ecuador national team but also on many of the international teams favored by taxi drivers and other futbolistas.    Often Emmett makes a good impression playing soccer and I am asked how old he is and where he is from.   I say that he plays in the United States but also mention that he plays for a team with Mexican boys (Go Colibri FC!) to pay respect and tribute to the Latin American passion and skill for soccer.    I also have some fun with our obvious visitor appearance in Ecuador.  We infrequently see other tourists and Emmett and Annalise's blond hair makes for a rare sight.  When Emmett was playing with the older players I arrived at the sidelines and asked the wives and girlfriends, "Quien es el rubio?" (who is the blond male?) and they all laughed.   John