Occasionally i will be going a little back in time with the project if i come across some really cool places or events like this one. The "Festival de la Virgen" in the town of Illuman (very small pueblito near Otavalo) in northern Ecuador takes place toward the end of September and is one you won't find advertised in Lonely Planet. We just happend to talk to a guy in Otavalo the day of the festival and stumbled into this amazing event with no idea what to expect.
1)we were the only gringos there. very cool.
2)there was an abundance of hot aguardiente. very cool.
3)they had erected these massive towers loaded with fireworks under which people danced insanely when set off.
Here's some pics-


pics courtesy of Blogger and Howling Earth