ANDES DANDY

“Thank you John. Well, we can definitively tell the viewers at home that we have no idea what the weather will be like today,… or tomorrow,… or generally any time in the future. What we can tell the viewers is that however they dress, by the end of the day, they will have regretted it at least three times! However, I can tell you what the weather is like at the moment. It’s cloudy with a slight chance of rain.” “Yes Oliver, but isn’t there always a slight chance of rain?” “Yes, all chances of rain are equal, but some chances are more equal than others!” A.D.

People told me that the arrival of the Virgin of El Cisne in Loja is a big thing. Pilgrims set off on the 15th of August and carry the statue 75 kilometers to the central park of Loja. At the end of the pilgrimage, Loja welcomes Mary with fireworks, a live orchestra and a priest who works the crowd like he is a commentator at a soccer game. “VIVA VIRGEN DEL CISNE! VIVA LOJA! VIVA…” In honor of the Virgin Mary, the city will have lots of events in the evening, until the end of November when the statue will be returned to El Cisne. The wooden statue of Mary was carved by Diego de Robles after the Virgin Mary appeared in the city of El Cisne in 1594. The fireworks, the orchestra and the overly energetic priest was amazingly entertaining and I wish, at least once in a life time, everyone could experience this. I’m looking forward to the programs that the city will host, and will keep you guys posted. A.D.