What was all that noise about!!!

Hi there:
Well, yesterday there were fire crackers a'goin' off quite regularly and causing the dogs to disappear under and into anything that they thought would protect them. The bravest of all the dogs, Crisis (aka. Isis) hid in the shower and wouldn't come out. Occasionally there are people here who feel the need to blow off a few fire crackers, so it doesn't seem all that strange all that noise but it did persist throughout the day here and there. What we found out this evening was the city of Banos was thanking the Virgen de Santa Agua for protecting them from an eruption. The Santa de Agua blesses the healing waters and those who live in the town and ask for her help. So there she is in the Cathedral in the church above the pulpit. Apparently, she is only taken down in extreme times after she has done her thing. Her crown is truely solid gold and usually stored in one of the banks, her gown is of real gold thread, and the town and those people of Ecuador, adore her.
Legend has said that there was a large eruption in the past and those people of the town decided that the destruction of the town was emminent and they had to remove the Virgen for her safety. At first 2 men tried to remove her from the church to safety but she became so heavy that two more men tried to help and then again she became so heavy that two more had to help and so one until 10 men were used. It became obvious that when after many men and enduring time just to get to the doors of the church that she simply was not leaving. They all agreed to put her down and return her to here rightful place in the church. Two nuns then lightly carried her back to her place above the pulpit where she wanted to be so that she could protect the town. And the town was saved from the eruption once again.
The Banos this time had a different objective. They felt it was time to forgive the military for their misdeeds of the last large eruption of looting the city rather than their job of protecting Banos. So on this evening, the military was given the blessing and forgiveness for the priviledge to carry the Virgen through town, so that she could bless Banos, to the sacred waters and return her to the church and sing her and sing Ecuadors praises. It was kind of weird and wonderful as you could really see these men and women be devoted to her but in military wear. I think it was rather nice for Banos to so publicly forgive the military, I just hope that the military are worth it.
Banos is a wonderful town that calls you. Even though you are right under a volcano there seems to be a protective bubble around her. In the church are huge paintings documenting the miracles of the Virgen. This church was funded, made, and decorated by the towns people not a rich community but a devoted one. The people are devoted to their religion but also very devoted to her the Virgen de Santa Agua (aka Mama Tungurahua the volcano) So the final part of the evening after mass was to go to the Virgins waterfall set off fire works and hot air balloons and sing.
Sing away and forgive but not forget
Robin