My family seemed great from the moment they picked us up in front of the church in the square of Atenas. Myself and two friends, Meagan and Caity were all with different related families. They lived in a building divided into three houses so we were basically next door neighbors. The first thing we did was go swimming at a local pool. Apparently the property was owned by an individual which seemed kind of strange to me. Pools are usually public or community owned in the states. We swam, had lunch, chatted in shaky spanish with the family, and of course, told them how delicious the food was.
Afterwards it was back to the house and then off to my 'mom's' friend's 25th wedding anniversary. We were picked up by one of her friends who drove us along crazy dirt and gravel roads which seemed to go straight up and straight down. He played American soul music for my benefit and talked about his trips to Vegas and Baltimore. After about 45 minutes we arrived on the farm/community/? where they were holding the ceremony and having the party. First there was a mass and a renewal of vows ceremony. People gave speeches, gifts were exchanged, communion was offered, a choir of kids sang, all overlooking the valley in this beautiful open air church with a dark-wood vaulted ceiling. It was a beautiful place. The service lasted about an hour and then we moved on to the party portion of the evening. Lots of dancing, drinking, and eating. A bit of garter and bouquet throwing and my rediscovery that I dance like a gringo. No surprise. Around 11 we headed back home this time with some different, much more sober friends of the family. Most of the people there had been friends with my host mom since high school; she told me that in August they're having their 35th reunion and a big party to celebrate. That's one distinct difference. Society is focused much more around small towns, the people you grow up with, and the family which is constantly around than in my experience in the states.
The next day I got up around 8:30 (sleeping in for me now), had breakfast (pancakes) with the daughters, and hung out while my host mom was at church. I had a chance to read and there was a beach volleyball tournament on TV. After a delicious lunch of starch on starch (fried fish, mashed potatoes, rice, beans, more potatoes with mayonaise on them), we set out for a walk. All three families went together and we walked across farms around central Atenas and eventually ended up at the top of a ridge overlooking the town and the entire valley. After navigating the cows and bulls on the way back down there was a bit of time to look at pictures from the walk (my host mom is a photographer), shower, and play with the new bunny my host sister had just received from a friend around lunchtime before it was already time for dinner.
We learned to make papusas (basically thick tortillas with beans and cheese inside) with repollo (a spicy, slightly pickled cabbage and carrot salsa) and once again, there was lots of music and dancing. Too soon we were saying our goodbyes before our host families drove us back to the field station.
There are some pictures on facebook and I'll try to post some here soon as well!
Comments are welcome as always!
Also, sorry if the change in my URL confused some people. It was danielatenascr.blogspot.com and now it's danielinatenascr.blogspot.com
Man, I'm just thinking about the food I bet you're able to cook now. After a semester in CR, you'll be a fucking unstoppable chef.
ReplyDelete