Welcome to the final part of my New Year's Manigotes series my steemit friends! Here in Guayaquil Ecuador larger than life size paper mache dolls are all the New Year's rage. They are probably more popular here than anywhere else in the country. They are actually big business.
Having a big fancy Manigote is another way to show off ones success and wealth. Ecuador being a rapidly growing third world country, those with the money enjoy showing that they've made it, by bringing home some incredible pieces of art for the New Year's celebration.
To further show off one's wealth they light them on fire! Well, that's not exactly true; lighting them on fire really is just tradition. That's what they are made for. At midnight everyone burns their manigotes representing a death to the old year and new life to the new year.
Here in Guayaquil they get a little crazy. Not only do they light them on fire they fill them with little sticks of dynamite and other seriously explosive firecrackers. Last night I thought I was in a war zone. Piles of burning life like dolls and explosions were all around.
There was smoke bellowing from every street corner, my ears were ringing, I was getting hit with flaming sparks of debris; tires were being burned in the middle of the street and I even had to take cover behind a lamp post at one point!
Fortunately I caught it all on camera. So don't miss tomorrow's post and you won't believe what you'll see! Until then enjoy these photos and Happy New Year! -Dan "World Travel Pro"
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