Montanita For Halloween

Fun Times In Montanita

Halloween is not that big in Ecuador. But around that time there are various religous festivals and also a public holiday - which I have no idea for what reason, and it appeared not many locals had any idea either. Still, it ultimately meant that I had from Saturday to Wednesday off work and so it was decided to do a big party in Ecuador´s beachy town of Montanita.

I went with a host of people. A little while ago I had met a young Ecuadorian girl, called Diana. Her and her work friend Milton, along with my hostal buddies Claudia and Mike all headed down to the coast. The last time I was in Montanita was for last New Years - that was actually the last time I was on a beach, and so after an overnight bus-ride for 8 hours and then another two buses of 4 hours - it was nice to finally be back in the hippy beach town of Montanita.

The place had actually changed quite a bit. Last time, the roads were dirt tracks and the whole place had a very grungy feel to it. Now though, the place seemed to of had a make-over. Paved roads now line the streets and many bars and clubs look new and pristine. Still the place has its grungy, hippy side to it, that I feel makes Montanita what it is. The beach is still big too and the surf is always good - and those things never change.

We stayed for three nights. The place is designed for partying so naturally all three nights were for two things only - drinking and dancing. We soon met up with some other friends that we knew - Nicki and Marie and some others from the Secret Garden Hostal in Quito that we would bump into now and again. The parties were great and although not many people dressed up for Halloween, it still didn´t stop us all having a good time. Our frind Claudia did however manage to get a costume - she went as the pregnant girl from the film Juno. No-one had any idea who she was but she did look pretty pregnant and many people would get out of her way during the night - she naturally played on it.

On most of the nights we would start off on Cocktail Alley - where all drinks are made with fresh fruits and a lot of alcohol. You kind of feel like you are being healthy and unhealthy at the same time. Then we would move to a club for dancing the night away, or relax on the beach where many people would light fires and sit around them with their bum firmly in the sand, chatting until the early hours of the night.

In the day we would chill on the beach, play in the waves and generally do very little. The weather was warm although for the entire time we were there we never once saw the sun, which was a shame.

The trip was great however and everyone had a good time of what they could remember. It was the last time I would see Claudia and my long term mate - Mike though, who were both leaving for different locations and not returning back to Quito. For the rest of us however, we headed back up to the capital and were soon back at work. It was nice to have a little holiday and nice to go back to a place which I had not been for so long. Now though - it was back to work and back to normal life - well for a while at least......................