I was a little homesick when the holidays rolled around, but it was definitely a great experience being able to see how a different country celebrates Christmas. Peruvians celebrate Christmas on Christmas eve (Noche Buena). The family waits until midnight to eat turkey and fruit filled bread called Paneton (I'm not a huge fan... but it is tradition!) Then after, mostly on the coast, the presents are opened. It was interesting to see how the kids were so grateful for even the very little that they got. The next morning of Christmas was more like a normal day. Here is a cool poem another volunteer, Amanda Rodgers, wrote.
“Twas la Noche Buena when all through the casita,
Everyone was stirring, even la bebita;
The nativity scene was set with care,
Waiting for the moment to put Baby Jesus there;
The jovenes were all out dancing at the discoteca,
While the ninos at home hoped for a new muneca;
And mami in her high heels, and I in my flip flops,
Had just knocked back some anis schnapps;
When out in the street arose such a clatter,
But we didn’t even notice, and ate (fruitcake) til we all got fatter.”
-- Amanda Rodgers, Peace Corps Peru 17 Youth Development Volunteer
Thankfully there is an amazing thing called SKYPE that allowed me to talk with my family on Christmas Eve and Christmas. I didn't think I would miss home as much as I did, but I know I'm extremely lucky to be able to experience Christmas in South America.
ALSO- big surprise... my host sister ROSA had TWINS! When she was pregnant she went to our local health post and they told her she was having twins (she had a feeling she was from the beginning and was constantly telling me she had two in her stomach). Well, just to be safe she went to another doctor in a bigger town close to Tamarindo... and the doctor did a sonogram and said there was only one, a boy. She was sad and really confused because she was feeling kicking all over her stomach. She was still convinced she was having twins even though she sonogram clearly only showed one boy. Well, she went into labor right before Christmas and had TWO BABIES! A boy and a girl! They were about 4lbs each when they were born. They were SO tiny. It is really cool to see my host family come together to help out Rosa (yes even me) with the both of them. They were amazed that I knew how to hold a baby and rock it to stop its crying. They laugh every time I pick them up. I can't wait to watch them grow up over the next 2 years. (Pictures to come soon)
New Years Eve was amazing! I spent it on the beach ( Mancora ) at a placed called Loki.
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| Loki in Mancora. Only roughly 10 US dollars a night! |
So I forgot to blog about a little funny story a few weeks back that happened. Kelsey and I were going to our friend Christina Corzine's site for her birthday. Christina is a Peru 15er, and is a little more than halfway done with her service. She wanted to spend her last birthday in Perú wtih her host family, and she wanted us to experience it with her. I met Kelsey in Piura City and we made our way to a random paradero with random cars waiting to take us to Serran. Paraderos are funny because they are just in random places and it's known to everyone what random cars go where. The cars wont leave until they are full... and by full I mean the driver plus 2 people up front, 3 in the back... and sometimes 2 in the trunk. This could take 10 minutes or 2 hours. Finally the car started on its 2 hour journey... and everything was fine til about 45 minutes in... the car pulled over and wouldn't turn back on. So yes, I got out of the car... and was pushing it up the hill in the middle of the desert with 4 other Peruvians. Finally, someone got smart... and called for another car. Needless to say, it was an interesting journey to Serran, but I'm happy we were able to celebrate with Christina!
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| Kelsey and I on the side of the road |
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"Often the answer to our prayer does not come while we are on our knees praying but while we're on our feet serving the Lord and serving those around us." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Until next time,
Brielle
