For the end of the year in Ecuador it is common for people to buy or make large figures, which are then burned after midnight. These are called "viejos". They can be disliked political figures (as you can see to the left, a representation of the president), superheroes, cartoons, etc. Over the winter break I helped to make two "viejos" with my Guayaquil friends. After making them, we asked people passing in their cars for "charity" for the "viejos". After several days of ~20 people participating, we collected $360. This money is used to buy alcohol and fireworks/explosives to burn the "viejos". Many people gave money and told us to "burn him good", referring to the effigy of the president. The other viejo we made was a Dragonball Z character, 3 meters tall, as you can see in the background. Other New Year's traditions in Ecuador include eating 12 grapes at midnight, walking around the block with suitcases (in order to travel in the new year), wearing yellow underwear (for luck), and several other superstitions.
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