One Week
One week week from right now I will be back in Rhode Island! As Dr Seuss put it, "How did it get so late so soon? It's night before it's afternoon. December is here before it's June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?" I can't believe I only have two more days left in Corinto, a town I have grown to love and call a home. Early on Wednesday morning I'll be heading off to Leon to meet up with everyone else in the group, and then travel to a surprise destination, where we will spend our final days in Nicaragua.
This week has been filled with goodbye festivities and wrapping up with my responsibilities here. On Sunday a large group of community members and I went to one of the islands, where we spent the day swimming, relaxing and enjoying each other's presence, and of course eating some good food! During the week I finished up my English classes and work in the gardens, and met with Vanessa for our final check-in here and then went out to dinner with my family and supervisor. It was great to all be together and the night was filled with feelings of gratitude and happiness.
The biggest happening this week was La Griteria! La Griteria is a holiday that occurs December 7, and honors the Immaculate Conception. People swarm the streets to visit houses that have made shrines to Mary which are put in their doorways. Some of these shrines were very ornate and beautiful, and I'll make sure to post photos of them when I can! At each of these houses all of the people "gritan" (gritar=scream, making it the Griteria) "Quien causa tanta alegría?" and the people in the houses yell back "la concepción de María!" (Literally "Who causes so much joy?" "The conception of Mary!" Gramatically incorrect, yes, but I kept quiet), and then sing various songs while receiving small trinkets. These trinkets range from food (candy, chips, límon dulces, juice, instant coffee) to practical items (combs, hair ties, matches- lots, and lots of matches, soap, dish detergent, plastic cups and bowls, clothes hangers), as well as some pretty fans and Mardi Gras style beads. After receiving something everyone yells "Que vive la virgen ("The virgin lives") and is off to the next house. Basically Halloween - Costumes + Catholocism = La Gritería. I went with some local friends, and it was great fun being part of the crowd and gathering my treats, while learning all the songs.
There's no work tomorrow, but at night I'm having my third (out of four) despedida on the beach with friends and coworkers, which I'm looking forward to. We're having a large bonfire, and I know there will be an abundance of good food, drink, music, and as always, people! I know it will be hard saying goodbye, but I am sure that this is not a goodbye- only an "hasta pronto"!
This week has been filled with goodbye festivities and wrapping up with my responsibilities here. On Sunday a large group of community members and I went to one of the islands, where we spent the day swimming, relaxing and enjoying each other's presence, and of course eating some good food! During the week I finished up my English classes and work in the gardens, and met with Vanessa for our final check-in here and then went out to dinner with my family and supervisor. It was great to all be together and the night was filled with feelings of gratitude and happiness.
The biggest happening this week was La Griteria! La Griteria is a holiday that occurs December 7, and honors the Immaculate Conception. People swarm the streets to visit houses that have made shrines to Mary which are put in their doorways. Some of these shrines were very ornate and beautiful, and I'll make sure to post photos of them when I can! At each of these houses all of the people "gritan" (gritar=scream, making it the Griteria) "Quien causa tanta alegría?" and the people in the houses yell back "la concepción de María!" (Literally "Who causes so much joy?" "The conception of Mary!" Gramatically incorrect, yes, but I kept quiet), and then sing various songs while receiving small trinkets. These trinkets range from food (candy, chips, límon dulces, juice, instant coffee) to practical items (combs, hair ties, matches- lots, and lots of matches, soap, dish detergent, plastic cups and bowls, clothes hangers), as well as some pretty fans and Mardi Gras style beads. After receiving something everyone yells "Que vive la virgen ("The virgin lives") and is off to the next house. Basically Halloween - Costumes + Catholocism = La Gritería. I went with some local friends, and it was great fun being part of the crowd and gathering my treats, while learning all the songs.
There's no work tomorrow, but at night I'm having my third (out of four) despedida on the beach with friends and coworkers, which I'm looking forward to. We're having a large bonfire, and I know there will be an abundance of good food, drink, music, and as always, people! I know it will be hard saying goodbye, but I am sure that this is not a goodbye- only an "hasta pronto"!
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