It is almost Christmas here and aside from strands of lights here or there it doesn´t feel much like the holidays to me. I am used to some nice crisp weather, wearing a warm sweater and seeing some snow not wearing flip flops and trying to stay out of the heat. I have been suprisingly busy the last few weeks which is good since it takes my mind off the fact that I am missing time with my family. I have been living in my community now for almost two months and am starting to feel more at home, which is good. Everyday I learn more about the people and relationships that exist there. Some of my favorite moments have been sitting on the floor of peoples houses talking or most likely eating. People ask a lot of questions about how things are in the United States which is a challenge to talk about since most of ideas they have are from movies or tourists who visit the island here. But is good for my Spanish to tackle things like politics and geography.I hope to move into my house in the next month which will be amazing. It has been really hard not to have much privacy. Plus, the noise really gets to me after awhile and it is difficult to find a place to sit quietly or do nothing if I want to. I feel fortunate to have a great host family and in some ways I think I will miss having them around. They have been very warm and always include me in whatever they are doing.
We have a group of tourists coming for a few days on the 25th, which will be an interesting experience for me. The tourism group and i have been working hard to prepare for their visit and I have been told that I am definitly part of the show. I am pretty sure that means wearing a traditional nagwa or dress and doing tradional dances with them. We shall see how that goes. I hope all my friends and family have a great holiday, know that I am thinking of you and sending my love.
A few photos for you all to enjoy. At the top, view from a typical wooden boat, cacao drying in the sun of my neighbors house, walking out in the finca.
4 comments:
Glad to hear you are doing good. I liked the 'shots of home' you put up today. They are beautiful.
I just got back from twentyish days of job related training in Atlanta. Not as different a world as yours, but a huge change from Prunetucky. I can relate to missing the 'family' portion of the holiday buildup. On the flip side, I got back into town, and within a few hours I was full up on holiday 'cheer'. Christmas is all about selling snowmen, might be a wonderful thing to spend it with your new/extended family down there. It's a good reminder of what it should be.
Well, here's my xmass wish for you, that old jack frost caries a snowflake down for you special.. or at least that you get a cool north wind for xmass.
Hope the touristy stuff is fun, hugs and happy thoughts.
~Noah
Happy Christmas, Piper, from Dad, Elvira, Maya, Carlo, John, and Reeses and Mischief (the cats)! We miss you this time of the year as you always took your time to visit and spend time here. Thank you for those times. It is snow everywhere here and cold, but we are waiting for everyone to arrive for dinner, as I am sure you remember from other Christmases. We hope you are with loved ones and friends. We love you.
Hey Piper!
Great posts! I especially like the mother's day entry. It seems like you are really settling in and enjoying your experience. I hope you enjoyed your Christmas. It may not be your traditional Christmas but it is special in its own way. Phil and I miss you and I am always thinking of you.
xo,
Liz
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