Get Your Squirt Gun

Cuenca is a VERY dangerous place this time of year. That’s right. At this very moment, Cuencanos are preparing for La Carnival, a celebration that involves puring one’s soul with water. Although this celebration doesn’t officially start for at least another week, the entire city started participating in a water fight weeks ago! You have no idea how DANGEROUS this makes my 15 minute walk to and from class. I first heard about La Carnival as we were entering Cuenca for the first time. While our instructor was explaining the craziness of it all someone totally chucked a water balloon at our bus! Welcome to Cuenca!

One must be very, very careful when maneuvering her way through the streets. Yesterday, one of my good friends was the victim of a drive-by shooting. She had no time to prepare herself when all of a sudden, a squirt gun poked itself out of a passing car, shooting cold water right at her face! Weapons come in many shapes and sizes and truly do appear out of nowhere. They include hoses, buckets of water, the innocent water bottle, and the oh so popular water balloon, also known as a bomba (bomb). As previously seen, water may come shooting at victims from passing cars, from up above on rooftops, or even at knee level where giggling assailants pop out from tiny shops to make sure you get swamped with water. No one is safe. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, you are a target.

Thankfully, I have only been hit once, on the back of my legs. Shocked, I turned around to see this adorable little boy swinging another water balloon in his hand and chasing down his next victim. Today another little boy totally picked me out from a line of people (I hear both people wearing suits and Gringos are worth more points, especially the blonde ones) and gave his mother a coy look. She burst into a massive grin, gave me a knowing look, and handed a water balloon to her son! I think “OH NO!” came out of my mouth as I attempted to escape. Lucky for me, the little tyke has to work on his aim. In hindsight, I wish I had let him hit me just to see his devilish face afterwards. Maybe that will be my initial reaction next time… or not.

But yesterday… oh yesterday. I left class only to enter the street and find myself at the foot of what appeared to be a gauntlet of school kids. The sidewalk was absolutely drenched and kids stood around smirking while trying to conceal their weapons. So I put on my “Don’t mess with me” face (yes, I really DO have one) and marched through only to come out dry. WOOHOO! Take that kids! HAHA! I find it hilarious that my only two assailants so far have pretty much been toddlers. However, if things get too ugly, I may have to invest in my own squirt gun. Only no squirting policeman as they are against the big water fight, claiming it’s too violent. Knowing me, I’ll probably have to serve time here in Cuenca after somehow managing to get an officer wet. Oh dear…

Oh, and I had a HOT shower this morning! WOOHOO! It’s amazing how a little bit of deprivation can make you so thankful.