¿Quien Causa Tanta Alegria?

Time is flying by. I have been so busy the past few days and grateful for it. I think that if I had more free time I would be going crazy waiting for the 21st. But fortunately I have had a full schedule. Friday was Purisima, a Nicaraguan Catholic holiday celebrating the conception of Mary. I had been planning on observing since it sounded a little like Halloween, my favorite American holiday. My friend loaned me a Virgin (remember its not a statue) and we made an altar out of flowers, Christmas lights and balloons. Of course I had to Shannonize it with some Nag Champa. I had initially bought three big bags of candy to give out (hence the halloween reference). To my dismay, I was told that this was not going to get me through the first half hour. Lucky for me, my friend had my back. His mom showed up in a Taxi with a huge sack of oranges, a crate of bananas, a tray of cookies, and a bushel? of sugar cane. The cane was in three foot long sticks and we had some borrachos over to chop it into four inch long pieces with machetes. Usually my friend has a big celebration at his house with his Grandma, who is extremely Catholic, but she was in Costa Rica visiting her daughter so we did it at my house. It was so much fun!! Groups came and sang songs about Mary, one group even brought along a Casio, plugged it in and started jamming on my porch. Instead of "Trick Or Treat" They say "Quien Causa Tanta Allegria? La Concepcion de Maria!" (Who is the cause of such happiness? The Conception of Mary!") We gave them treats in exchange for the singing, as per the tradition. It was a great time. I ended the night by going to some friends´ house and singing Silent Night to their altar. Not exactly a Mary tribute, but the closest thing I could think of at the moment. The next day was the first communion of Regina, my little buddy who I lived with for the first six weeks in La Conquista. She was all dressed up in her bride outfit and adorable. I got a great picture of her playing Monopolio in this get up. Priceless. The next day I went to Leon with my host family from La Paz. We visited this famous Cathedral where Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario is buried. I also saw a naked man run through the town plaza while the cops ate snow cones and laughed. It has been very eventful. Now I am just trying to relax and search out a VCR to tape my novela while I am in the states. This has been the cause of much worry. This probably sounds ridiculous to anybody reading this but hello, ya´ll have TIVO, right? And seriously, I have watched this show since I got to La Conquista and it has been integral in my spanish progress. I look forward to it every night and I just can't miss it. Especially since it is about to end. Well, enough about my Zorro addiction. As usual, I am hungry so I am going to go eat now.

December the third third third.....

If you don't understand the title, ask Sarah or Manda...
So this will be quick. I just put up a ton of new pics from the past couple months. It's the "final countdown!!!!" I wil be home in less than three weeks!! Whoo! Unfortunately I won't be here to enjoy a full month of 24 hour electricity. The government has announced that they will not be cutting the electricity for the entire month of December which means I have been eating meat again!! Just gearing up fpr Christmas... Anyway I'll post another soon. Feliz navidad!

I finally got my hammock!

Feliz Navidad!

Graduation Dinner at my adopted family's house.

The biggest f'ing bug I have ever seen. It is not a cockroach, I have been assured. I found it in my kitchen. It is as big as my cell phone.

At the AVC our boss wanted us to "standout" so we had to wear hats that we made out of paper bags. Who knew that Peace Corps had a "special" department.

Working hard or hardly working?

The only good part about being separated from my sisters is that I can rock this white eyeshadow and there is no one here to tell me I am tacky. HA!

Katie and Deena, two of my closest girlfriends, in our hotel at the AVC.

Another of my ladies, Lori, decorating our booth at the conference. Check out that hat!! She doesn't have the repuation for being the most stylish Peace Corps member for nothing!

Nadeska and Eynard getting married!

Another wedding photo. Tia Francie.... Something Blue?

The wedding reception. That is my host sister Nelly and host dad in the big glasses. These people know how to have a good time!

More at the wedding.

Thanksgiving!! Check out those palm trees and the hammock in the background.

Katie and Lori on Thanksgiving.

More AVC hat madness.