Our Christmas Photo minus the ugly sweaters.
There are no reindeers
in my site, at least to my knowledge. This year, I was able to celebrate
Navidad with my wonderful Salvadoran host family who surprised me after I woke
up on the 24th with hugs and lots of “Feliz Navidad Karita!” They
had bought me a lovely two sizes too small red t-shirt and my host sister gave
me two sets of bracelets and a lovely homemade card. Most of the day was spent
preparing chicken sandwiches (imagine coleslaw with pieces of chicken in wonder
bread) and relaxing.
Making Christmas Ornaments.
Now few of you may
know, but I have been talking for months about wanting to kill a chicken during
my time in El Salvador and NO ONE up until Christmas had offered the
opportunity to sleigh one.
Shocking, I know. The gringa
with a large knife; of course she would hurt herself more than the damn chicken.
Most people offered the cooked chicken (which I enjoyed greatly) but I wanted
to pass through the tradition of watch-the-PCV-kill-a -chicken phase in my
community.
Well, needless to say,
I finally had my chance.
You can guess what I am about to do...
Our neighbors (who
have many a chicken little) said they would show me how it’s done (plus I was
invited for dinner to then eat the chicken I killed). Four little ninas were in
attendance in watching me and Senora Yanet showed how to cut the neck with the
knife. I have to say I did it! Call me
a murderer (except Jimmy Mattechueti who called me a turtle murderer all
through grade school after his turtle HIS MOM gave me RAN AWAY, I did not KILL
IT).
I do not think I will
ever do it again. I have never been the guns, bear traps, or clay pigeons kind
of gal but maybe joining the Peace Corps made that fact obvious. Who knows? Plus
especially with all the violence going on in the US right now with people
having access to guns who should not…I am good on the kill-joy. I did not suck its
blood like a vampire or put it on a stick and parade around; I know that’s what
you all thought. Needless to say it was not that bad; you tie the pobrecito
chicken upside down on a tree with a rope, then hold the neck and cut it a
little then quickly run away for the blood to drain out and the chicken to
slowly stop flapping around. I said the Hashkevienu. It was the only prayer I
could remember at the time and I wanted the poor thing to go in peace.
Chicken in a pot? Legs on the side?
After my murderous
rage ended, we plucked the feathers and I headed home. Lilian and I exchanged some
presents, which was truly a treat. I received some large feather earrings and I
made her a bracelet as well as some photos of us (printing photos is super
expensive here and a big deal).
We also wrote long
cards of how much we just love each other that BFF’s do in 5th grade.
J
Earlier last week a
group of friends and family picked names for “Amigos Secretos” (Secret Santa).
We met up last night with our presents and continued to play truth or dare
which continued for over an hour as well as several other games. It was such a
blast just laughing and enjoying each other’s company. I received a more
wearable bright pink t-shirt. J I gave some perfume to a friend of mine for my “amigo secreto”. I also
had given some small presents to my host family which was fun.
Isn’t that what the
holidays are all about?
Before I leave for
Nicaragua (SO EXCITED), I wanted a quick Christmas post. Mostly to recognize
and thank all everyone who have supported me this year. Thank you for your
lovely responses and reading about my experiences here. I hope all of you have
a lovely, safe Christmas and New Years with those to whom you are most close
with. Be thankful for not only the big
things – Health, Jobs, Family, Food, Housing, but also the little things and
moments that seem to always make the biggest difference. J
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