Ecuador

ecuador
you could look it up

IN THIS LAND NAMED FOR THE EQUATOR, DOCTORS RUB RODENTS ON THEIR AILING PATIENTS, AND PEOPLE CELEBRATE A MAJOR RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL BY THROWING ROCKS AT A CHAPEL

AND THEY MAKE A MEAN CANAL, TOO
The Panama hat was originally made in Equador.

YES, YOUR HMO WILL COVER IT, BUT IT HAS TO BE ONE OF THEIR GUINEA PIGS
One way an Ecuadoran shaman will diagnose illnesses is by rubbing a live guinea pig over the sick person's body, then gutting the animal and studying its entrails.

TRUST US-YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT GOES INTO THE SURF AND TURF
Ecuadorans have another interesting use for guinea pigs; they like to eat them. The greatest delicacy on local menus is cuy—stuffed guinea pig. The cuddly rodents are skinned, gutted, stuffed and coated with garlic and other herbs, then roasted—eyes, teeth, claws and all. They are said to taste like a cross between chicken and rabbit.

TO WASH DOWN YOUR FIFTH PLATE OF CUY....
Chicha, a popular alcoholic beverage, is made primarily from fermented yucca plants...and human saliva.

AS ALWAYS, THERE'S PLENTY OF CUY km CHICHA FOR EVERYBODY!
Ecuadorans celebrate their holidays with energy and ingenuity. In the Sierra region Carnival is celebrated with enormous water fights. In Latacunga men mark Fiesta de la Mam� Negra by dressing in drag and wearing blackface. In Otalvo the Feast of San Juan is celebrated by throwing rocks at the local chapel.

...AND HE'S THE ODDS-ON FAVORITE TO TAKE THE GOLD IN SLEEPWALKING IN 2000!
Jefferson P�rez, who won the gold medal in the 20-km walk at the 1996 Olympics, is the only athlete from Ecuador to win an Olympic medal. (In 1972, Jorge Delgado finished fourth in the men's 200-meter butterfly.) "When I took the lead, I felt very tired, as if I was asleep," P�rez said afterward. "It felt like a dream. Then I thought that this is my dream. I have to go for it, even if I die." Ecuador's president declared, "This triumph has to help the country!" and had a postage stamp issued in P�rez's honor.

HAIR BY SALVADOR CALVANO WITH LOVE BANNE AT HAIRPEACE, NYC; MAKEUP BY HEIDI LEE FOR PRICE, INC. LOUISE FORSLING IN A SWIMSUIT BY LENNY FOR PISCES SWIMWEAR $80

IRINA PANTAEVA IN A SWIMSUIT BY RADIOFIJI FOR RAISINS $58