Apparently the 6 of
January is a huge holiday in the Catholic community here. From what I
understand they celebrate the Three Kings on this day. I had started my English
classes the day before, which I´ll be doing while the kids have a break from
school until March. But my host sister told me I have to cancel class for the
day because we´ll be dancing all day long. So the dance is pretty much the same
as the once they do for Christmas. Only this time they somehow convinced me to
join in. I tried to get out of it by saying it`s for the kids. But they found a
teenager to do it so I wasn´t the only big kid. I was still the tallest (and
oldest) by far and it was quite embarrassing. But it made my host family and
everyone so happy that it was worth it. So January 6th I put on the
hat and skirt that was made for me and headed to church.
We started with a mass
at 9am. Then we did some dancing and singing in Church. Afterwards we marched
out of the church and up the street to the Health Post, singing the whole time.
I embraced the laughs of the people we passed as we marched. After the Health
Post we marched in line to the other side of town where someone had prepared a
delicious lunch for us.
I was happy to get out
of the outfit and even happier that we won´t have to go to church at night
anymore to practice. But I´m really happy I did it. My regional coordinator,
Miguel Angel came to visit yesterday and told me doing stuff like that is a key
part of the Peace Corps Mission of promoting friendship between Peruvians and
the United States, because it shows that we, as people from the US, are open
and willing to integrate into the culture here. Because I embarrassed myself
all over town, the people of Chocta now have the idea that people of the United
States are open-minded and willing to try new things!
You´re welcome,
Amurica.
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