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Published: December 26th 2008
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26 December 2008
Friday
10:30 am
I have now spent three Christmases away from home and my family. The first was Christmas 2005 in Philly with Arielle, so I was basically with family… We had a cute tree and lights and gifts that we opened up during the days of Hannukah so it wouldn’t be just one big present orgy like Christmas morning typically is. And then we went to volunteer at the homeless shelter, were less than impressed with the management, and went for a drive through the deserted streets of Philadelphia. It was a good Christmas.
Then there was Beijing Christmas 2006… and the absolute depression. The whole holiday season sucked in China.
Home for Christmas 2007 with the Baade’s on Spencer Creek.
And I just celebrated Christmas 2008 in Nicaragua with the T----- family and my community - and I have to say, it was a GREAT Christmas!
I was feeling mighty sorry for myself after S left and when I realized that all of my best friends are home in the States for the holidays. Arielle is with her dad in Vegas and her grandparents in Colorado. Laura Beth is between the
bayou and her Tennessee hills celebrating with family. The whole gang is at home, even Elliott taking a holiday from his military service… And I am here. Far away.
But, luckily, I have a distraction. And, since Christmas in the Nica is nothing like Christmas in the States, I decided to hell with it - it’s just gonna be different and I’m gonna roll with it. And once I came to that conclusion, I had a great two days!
On the 23rd I got mail! And that was awesome! A good way to start the 24th the next morning. All day during the 24th people made nacatamales. I didn’t help, but I took photos. That afternoon there was also a CPC sponsored fiesta for the kids, complete with piñatas. The CPC is the govt Sandanista led community mayor type of thing. So, basically, Pres Daniel Ortega was Santa Clause here, as all the kids under 10 got gifts and there were 3 very expensive piñatas.
Woke up on Christmas day and it was brizando-ing, or like misty-sprinkling and a cold wind was blowing and… it just felt a little more like Christmas with the relatively cold and
eyebrows is cleaning the house
which means putting more white mud on... gross weather. Rocked out to some hip hop and rap while getting dressed, and went to drink my requisite two cups of coffee at Mita’s, and the family was all in her kitchen. They asked me if I would take care of the house. I was still hadn’t had my coffee and didn’t understand the question. Apparently they were all going to Jalapa and wanted me to watch the house. I was kind of put off and was like, sure. And retired to the porch to drink my coffee. Then The Boy came out and was like, do you want to go with us? Okay, you’re coming. So I went to go get ready, happy to be included in the family outing.
An hour later we all climbed into the back of Uncle H’s truck to drive to Jalapa, wherever that is - I had no idea. In the back were The Boy, Angsty Fro, Eyebrows, the younger brother, and the wife of another cousin. Mita rode in the front. They brought two nacatamales in a bag in the back of the truck. I figured they were a gift, but no! They were to eat during
the trip.
I love riding in truck beds in Nicaragua! There’s just something so typical about it and exhilarating at the same time. The morning turned out to be a beautiful day with big puffy clouds and we were just careening around curves and speeding along and passing people walking and bikes and other trucks with others in the backs and it was just a great trip! I know it doesn’t sound like much, but it was…
All I kept thinking - for the 2+ hour ride - while we were all having fun and making fun of each other and hunkering down against the wind with each other and trying to eat nacaatamales and corn bread with the wind and curves and the brother getting carsick… and the beautiful landscape and the beating sun…
All I could think was, I cannot believe it’s Christmas morning. What turn in life brought me here in the back of this truck going god knows where to see another aunt somewhere in Nicaragua? How did I get here, again? And the whole time I was smiling and laughing to myself and at the others just being like, SO THIS IS
CHRISTMAS!
We arrived at the aunt´s and were promptly fed more nacatamales and coffee. The afternoon passed rather uneventfully as The Boy and his cousins went church for the afternoon and the rest of us sat around and talked and tried not to fall asleep. Then they returned and ate and we went for a hike the top of a hill to take photos and see the surrounding scenery in northern Nica, and I had a good time and got some fun photos.
We drove home in the dark and, being exhausted, The Boy and I curled up to sleep - and then my cell phone rang at 10pm and it was my faaaaamily! Had a short but sweet 20 min convo with my brother, mom and dad! Perfect end to a great Christmas.
I leave Sunday morning to go to Estelí for two days and then onto Managua and Leon for new year’s beach fun! I am sooo excited for the ocean and traveling and reuniting with my fellow volunteers after a month.
But, you know, I just have to say, that I am perturbed that it’s going to be 2009. I’m sure it’ll be
a great year, but I have been waiting for and looking forward to 2008 for so long, and I can’t believe it’s over. For the last 6 years I’ve been planning on being in Beijing for the Olympics in 2008. And then either going to grad school or into the Peace Corps. Well, those two huge goals have been fulfilled. And the next big goal is to finish service in 2010 - as well as go to our 5 year reunion! So 2008. And 2010. But 2009? Nothing planned for 2009 except be a volunteer for a year. It just seems like a non-year, somehow.
Guess I need to get some decent new year’s resolutions going so I have some goals to attain in this upcoming non-year.
And on that note, time to go get lunch! Mmm hope it’s rice and beans and cuajada. Have had nacatamales for the last 6 meals…
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Mom
non-member comment
ahhhhhhh
OK. The blog, the email, the pics.......NOW I feel better! It's ALWAYS so good to hear from you. Glad you had a really good Christmas Day, Honey! I DO understand (and envy!) your pickup bed ride! Sounds great to me. We'll be looking and enjoying the photos over and over again, I'm sure. They make me feel closer to you, somehow! THANK YOU!