Day of the Dead

Ecuador and other South American countries celebrate 'the day of the dead' on the 2nd November. In Ecuador the holiday is interpreted as a day to “catch up” with the ones who are no longer with us but have a life in a different world. People pack lunches of traditional food, flowers and offerings and head for the cemeteries where they spend the day as a family talking, eating and performing routine maintenance on the grave site. The traditional food of the season is called 'colada morada,' which is a thick purple drink, and guaguas de pan, sweet bread in shape of dolls. Weeks before the holiday supermarkets and bakeries begin selling the ingredients and store-made versions of the drink and breads. To some people the purple/red drink symbolizes blood, which in turn symbolizes life of the ones how have moved on from this existence. At BSQ each child was given bread shaped as a child to decorate and a glass of colada morada.