Starting Anew

Feeling better! Around 85% which is pretty good in my opinion. I'm able to talk, able to eat more than liquid, and basically be normal; so yay for quick recovery's! Today was certainly long. I woke up early because I have temporarily moved my bed to the living room where we don't use air conditioning which is apparently bad for my throat, which means that I'm up when the first person is up. In this case it was pretty much all the group because everyone went to Cayos Cochinos, which they absolutely loved. How could you not? Tropical islands and the beach and crystal blue water. Ethan has come back with one of the funniest sun burns I have ever seen. It seems he decided to put sunscreen everywhere except certain parts of his body, which included half his neck, his upper right forearm and his left foot. Anyways, I didn't go because I thought it would be difficult to snorkel, plus my doctors bill from my previous trip deterred me from spending more money. Instead I took a trip to the Hogar to help out with preparations for the fiesta.

The original plan was to go out in the morning, buy some presents for the kids whose birthdays were being celebrated (all the kids who have a birthday in October), make some copies and stop by the bank- all by myself. Well that lasted about 5 minutes after I walked out of the house- by myself- and was called out to on every corner 'hey baby'. Needless to say I turned around, my bravery gone, went to the house, changed into longer shorts, grabbed my stuff for the Hogar and walked over there. I'm quite glad that Ethan came because no one has hassled us before until I went down the street myself. Aye. There was nothing really to worry about, but it was simply a comfort level thing. At the Hogar I spent the morning chopping vegetables, helping bake cakes, and doing whatever chores I could. The kids were busy putting up oddly shaped balloons and other decorations. They were all so excited and every five minutes would make sure that Natalie and Ethan and the other volunteer were coming to the fiesta, to which I reassured them for the 20th time that yes, they would be there at six. I headed back to the house at 4, and everyone arrived just after I got back. Ethan and I went shopping for Birthday presents with surprising luck. We found a doll for Ruth, a motorcycle for Joel that he didn't put down at all, and a toy car for Francisco. We gave Santos the soccer ball I brought and Rosa the promise to take her shopping. I'm so glad they loved them. It began to pour on us on our way back so we both made a dash for the house as my white dress got soaked, but all was well.

La Fiesta was very fun! It started out a little interesting, mainly because the entire city decided to go without electricity from 5:40 - 8:00. So we were eating by lamp light, which used a very clever system that David rigged to use the battery from his car. After dinner, the talent show began with dancing acts, and singing acts, and a few interruptions to pass out presents. Moises had one of the funniest acts I've seen. He has a specific dance that he always does, which consists of waving is hands rapidly from left to right, then slowly bring them down his body and clapping. Well he decided to pair this with a costume made out of palm fronds and some pretty nice shades. Together the combination was too funny to handle. Daniel and some of the other boys pulled together a skit which make me laugh also. It was mainly Daniels excellent acting as the town drunk, as he held his beer bottle and stumbled around. Later the skit revealed that he could be saved through Jesus so there was a purpose to it all. Sherlin was MC for the night. She really should be a talk show host because she loves the spotlight in front of crowds, and her humor is perfect for it, and she's good! At the end of the night they all pulled us in to dance and tried to teach us to 'punta' which is done by moving your hips faster than mine can move. The entire night was so much fun. The kids were so excited, and we did get light half way through! The fiesta ended about 12 and here I am back at home. Apparently preparations are ideas are already underway for the next fiesta!