Today, April 12, is Foundation Day in Cuenca, Ecuador.  The city was founded 458 years ago, and there are celebrations of various types for the entire month.  Last night we saw one of the largest fireworks displays from our apartment window that we have seen since arriving here.

Today, there was a “Wooden Car Race” on Calle Larga, just half a block from our front door.  Even though I am still recovering from the flu, this was so close and unique that I just had to go see.

The race was scheduled for 3:00.  I got there about 3:15, knowing nothing ever starts “on time” in Ecuador.  There were maybe 20 spectators on the street, and 9 cars at the starting line, all waiting for the signal to go.  I waited around for something to happen, and thought it odd there were so few spectators.  At 3:28, there were suddenly 200 or 300 spectators!  Where the heck did they come from?? At 3:30, two police motorcycles took off, and the first two racers followed down the street.  Turns out they were the only two “real wooden cars” in the race (bottom left image).  They were gone and past me in less than 30 seconds, when we all turned to watch them head down the gently sloped cobblestone street.

About half an hour later, the two motorcycles came racing back at top speed, and skidded to a halt just in front of the other racers… and waited…  Another 15 minutes went by with everyone standing around, and then suddenly — without warning — the two motorcycles took off again and the remaining cars (all metal frame) followed them at top speed.

Somehow everyone else knew what the “real start time” would be.  I am still trying to decipher this mysterious “Ecuadorian time.”   🙂