Feliz Navidad

It’s definitely strange spending Christmas in another country. First of all it was hot and sunny and that really threw me off. Of course I am not with my family and I am eating different foods. Also in Nicaragua they celebrate Christmas on the 24th of December so that’s different as well. But at the end of the day Christmas is about spending time with people that you care about. I did that this Christmas. Before Christmas, I got together with a bunch of my Peace Corps friends and we had a little party to celebrate Christmas and one of the volunteers birthday. We made pasta and salad for dinner. Later on we made popcorn on the stove and played games and talked. It was really good. It was really fun to get together with friends during the holidays because it makes it feel a little like home. We were all saying that it is so cool that we have made such good friends from Peace Corps and that we will be friends for a long time.

For Christmas I went to my old host families house in San Juan de Oriente. My new host family was sad that I wasn’t with them for Christmas but the understood that I promised my old family before I met them. So when I got to my old training town, my family was happy to see me and wanted to know how I like my new town. I was worried it was going to be strange to be back since I don’t live there but I felt comfortable right away. Megan, who was also in my training town was back for Christmas as well so we walked around San Juan and said hi to our old friends. Everyone I have met in San Juan is so nice and friendly and welcoming. So in Nicaragua it’s tradition that you have Christmas dinner around midnight on the 24th. So you have to wait the entire day to eat. My family ate around 11 and by that time I was starving. We had a big dinner just like at home, there were about 15 people at the table and we had chicken, and beef and salad and rice of course haha. It was really good. I really felt like part of the family. Then at midnight we all hugged and said Merry Christmas, and then the fireworks started. They celebrate Christmas the way we celebrate new years. There was champagne and wine and fireworks and some dancing lol. It was interesting. Then I gave my family their gift, which was a framed picture of the whole family that I took. I think they really liked it. I was so exhausted by 1 am so I went to bed.

Then on the 25th, I was feeling a little sick, I think it was because I ate close to midnight and then went to bed soon after. I felt better later in the day. My host mom was really worried about me because I didn’t want to eat the whole day haha. I also got to skype with my mom and sister and pearly in the afternoon. I also called some of my other family members to say Merry Christmas. That made me feel really connected as well. I so thankful for technology! Megan and Sam (another volunteer) and I watched a Christmas Story at her house to get into the Christmas spirit. It was really fun. Overall I had a good Christmas and I am looking forward to new years. I am going to spend new years with my new family so that should be fun. Ok well hasta pronto ☺


Pictures
The Christmas tree and all the rocking chairs
The table with the coke-a-cola center piece haha
My host mom, her husbasnd, Alejandra and Isaura.
Alfredo and Tito being silly and dancing
The adults had wine and were toasting so the kids decided to toast with the coke
The candle on the table

Holiday Time

Hello All,
So I have been in my site and things are going well so far. I am slowly but surely getting to know my community. I have learned where the Internet cafes are, the pharmacies, the fruits and vegetables stands, there’s a gym and there is a pizza place too. I usually get lost about once a day but not for long because it's really not that big ha.

I started my service at a fun time in Nicaragua. Since it is close to Christmas there are a lot of celebrations going on. I have realized that I feel the most out of place here when I am at a social event. I never realized how comfortable socializing in the at home is to me. I know exactly what to do when I go to a party, how to greet people, where to site, what to say. But when I am here in Nicaragua, all that goes out of the window. For example I went to a baptism here at the Catholic Church, which was very nice and very similar to baptism I have been to in the us. It was for my host mom’s niece. My host mom and dad are the godparents. After the baptism we went to the family’s house for a little party. When we first got there I didn’t know where to sit. Everyone was looking at me like who is this girl? I ended up sitting in an area where no one else was sitting. Then we all sat down and I was thirsty, but unlike parties in the U.S. you can’t service yourself. They bring out pre-made drinks on tray with ice in them for you to take. After the one drink you get your eat your food. (Which is also pre-made on a tray) Then there is cake, which here in Nicaragua, they usually eat in napkins. I haven’t found out why yet but the cakes here are really good. Then of course I am just sitting there like a mute because I am having trouble understanding what people are saying and then I usually answer “si” to something that didn’t need a yes or no answer. Or I am being asked if I like the food in Nicaragua and if I am going to get married here haha. It doesn't bother me though. So it’s just very interesting learning different ways of doing things in another country. Cultural norms are so familiar and comfortable and to get use to new cultural norms is not easy! I am excited to go to more events here in Nicaragua and see how things are done and try to fit in better.


Well that’s all I have for now. Sometimes when I watch tv, I turn to the few American channels here and see all the Christmas commercials. It really makes me miss home! I am sad that I won’t be home for the holidays, but hopefully I will enjoy myself here and have some unique memories of Christmas in Nicaragua. Oh also I have a new address. If you want to my new address just email me, but it’s also on my facebook page. Later gators!!

Pictures:
I hate how it organizes the pictures when I upload them :(

The first two pictures of of the baby and my host parents at the baptism.
The next few pictures are of my host brother and sister before my host brother’s first communion (Communion here is a really big deal and everyone dresses up and attends the mass).
Also a pictures of the inside of the church.