WE SPENT THE 'CARNAVAL' WEEKEND IN THIS SMALL TOWN IN ECUADOR. IT WAS TIME WELL SPENT, NOT ONLY FOR THE CHARGED ATMOSPHERE OF THE CELEBRATIONS AND HUGE INFLUX OF PEOPLE, BUT ALSO FOR THE BEAUTIFUL SETTING OF THE TOWN AMONG HIGH HILLS AND VERY NEAR A CURRENTLY DORMANT VOLCANO. THE PEOPLE WHO JUMPED OFF THE BRIDGE WERE EXCEPTIONALLY COURAGEOUS. HATS OFF TO THEM!