Independence month is over!

The month of September is officially over! Woo! This means no more independence day celebrations! I had a great time learning a little more about my host country, but sheesh, I'm glad to take a rest. (Figurative rest- I have a capstone to write, housing project to lead, and about $2,000 to deal out.) 

The last celebration was yesterday at the crowning of the Independence Day queen. There were candidatas from each grade. I think I bought votes for all of them, my favorite kids twice. I ate enchiladas, yuca, and cena typica. I also tried chicha, a fermented pineapple drink. It wasn't that bad! It's no whiskey, but I'll take it. I didn't want my host sisters to think I enjoyed the barely alcoholic beverage too much. I got a reputation to uphold here!

All the money from the votes (5 centavos cada voto), the food, and the dangerous elbow flinging flea market go to the school. Honestly, we need every cent. None of the teachers have been paid since the school year started in January because of the government turnover or something equally annoying. Kids are supposed to get some food every day too, but we haven't been getting the payments. I've already decided that when I leave, I'm going to throw a huge flea market with all my useless crap. I've bought so many organization containers and office supplies here. Someones gotta want that! People are already asking me what I'm going to do with my bed. Well folks, after I'm done SLEEPING IN IT I'll raffle it off to raise money for the school. I truly care about these kids and watching the Black Friday like bum rush is always worth a laugh.

Wendy representing the 4th grade.

One of my 9th graders selling me chicha. NBD.

Not bad! Kinda like... fizzy tart juice. 

Marjory reppin' the 7th grade.

Um... I danced to entertain the kids. It's always a crowd pleaser!

I got the candidatas involved to try and spread the fun, but they were so penosa! 

I did not venture inside the classroom with the flea market. I feared for my eye sockets. 

So serious! The candidatas in a row. 

Parades for days

I feel like I've been celebrating Independence Day for months! I've run with the torch, eaten plenty of plato tipicos, bought votes for like 7 different little reinas, and supported my students walking in the many, many parades we've had the past week. To my disappointment, you don't pick a shady curb to watch the parade pass by. In El Salvador we walk with the parade. So now I've got a great farmer's tan, and some even better pictures.

I have extra love for the marching bands. I tell everyone standing around me when the parades pass that I played the saxophone and was in the color guard. I really need to get my hands on some videos from my band nerd days. I have a feeling they'd be pretty impressed!

Here are some pics from the parade in San Lucas and in my pueblo of Osicala. It was fun to celebrate the 193 years of independence with my Salvadoran friends and family!

The band at San Lucas. My school doesn't have a band, so we went to watch the school over. A large percent of my community (of people who can afford it) sends their kids to this school because it has extra classes like computers and physical education. And band!

I think it's a little funny that my relatively conservative culture still permits baton twirlers in short skirts and high heeled boots. Unfortunately I forgot to take a pic of the twirlers in the pueblo. It was scandalous!  

The reina of the parade. Aysel wants that crown! 

The reina stole my umbrella. I really didn't want to walk in the hot sun, but who's gonna say no to the queen!?

My friend's daughter dressed as a nurse. They dress kids up in respectable professions to walk at the front of the parade. 

The kids in the pueblo.

My friend Erik playing in the high school band. They were good! 

Por la PAZ!

Yesterday I ran with the liberty torch under the burning rays of the Salvadoran sun. The liberty torch is a way to celebrate independence day throughout Central America. It passes from school to school throughout all of the Central American countries. According to The Costa Rica News: 

During its tour of El Salvador, the torch will be carried by more than 40,000 students from various schools, “to encourage them to develop values ​​of peace, brotherhood and citizenship."

Right on! I went with a group of students from my school, including some of my 9th graders. My favorite part was when they pass the flame the students yell "Por la paz!" 

Decorations at the school. The kids hang out during one of the 129482 recesses.  

My student Alfredo with the homemade torch. Each school has their own torch. 

The kids. 

So excited! 

It was so difficult to rangle them into a picture with me. 

Here comes the other school! 

Pass the flame. POR LA PAZ!

Here we go! 

The actual run ended up with about 6 kids who ran at a dead sprint ahead of everyone else, only stopping when the flame went out to relight. Me and my teacher friend were struggling to keep up. My short little legs were not made for running! At one point we were running down the mountain side and I thought for sure I was going to wipe out. When the police escort finally decided to pass us up we thought it'd be best if we hopped on the back of a pick up. We arrived to cheers, and some people shaming us with "Ya no vale!" Oh well! At least we took some great pics!