Ecuadorians just do things their way. This article may sound a bit sassy but it is just meant to be informational to all the people who want to know or want to experience an Ecuadorian New Years.
1. Año Viejo
First of all you need to buy one of these around the end of the year but definitely before the 31st because "early bird gets the worm". These are effigies that will be burnt at midnight representing everything that you want to burn from that year. They are usually figures of someone they dislike like a political figure or a soccer team.
2. Yellow underwear
You need to buy a new yellow underwear every year because if you wear that at midnight you will have good luck.
3. Last sunset of the year
You need to go to watch the sunset because it is the last of the year.
4. Giant meal and nap
We all eat a giant meal and then take a nap because we know that we got a big night ahead.
But in addition to that as soon as the clock ticks midnight there many things you need to do. All of them should be done as soon as possible and then there are some more steps that you continue on January 1.
5. Burn of Año Viejo and fireworks begin
6. Hug everyone in your family who is with you
You will need to hug around 40 relatives that are usually with you and wish them a New Year. The tricky part is remembering who you have hugged. If someone of your family is not there you need to call them or at least try to because the phone service will possibly go down.
7. Observe typical Ecuadorian traditions
Now is the tricky part. Everyone should take note of this if you want to have a good year. You will need to:
- Eat 12 grapes.
- Eat 12 spoonfuls of peas.
- Run around the block with a suitcase (so that you can travel a lot that year).
- Toast with champagne.
8. Preli
Now the best part begins. Now you need to get ready for the party so you pregame with your family. Dance with some cousins and start getting ready for the party.
9. Party
The party starts around 1:30 a.m. and you need to look nice for it because who will probably know everyone who is going to the party (small city problems) and you need to look good. In the party you will need to:
- Hug everyone you know and wish them a good New Year.
- Keep drinking to stay awake.
- Find someone to dance, hopefully they will be good dancers because you will probably get stuck dancing with them for the rest of the night.
- 4:00 a.m.: Dance a little bit with your parents so that they know you are not dead.
- 5:00 a.m.: Reassure your parents you have a big group going back home with you and that you will be safe.
10. Watch the sunrise
Even though your feet are hurting a lot and you are probably a bit drunk, or more drunk than you think, you just wanna keep dancing. The DJ will probably stop playing music and you will ask for one more.
11. Walk back home
If you are lucky enough you will have a ride, but the truth is that you will probably need to walk back home because all the streets are closed and you will probably be too drunk to drive.
12. First breakfast of the year
Since you are kind of tipsy you decide that it is a good idea.
13. Go to sleep until you recover from the first chuchaqui (hangover) of the year
After you complete all this steps you can say that you have experienced a real New Year in Ecuador.
