I was a little apprehensive about staying in Peru for the holidays, this year, but it really worked out as I was lucky enough to be able to celebrate Christmas in both the Peruvian and the American way.
Here in Peru, the Christmas celebrations occur at midnight on Christmas Eve, December 24th. I was very honored to be invited to celebrate with my friend Katty's family-especially when I learned what a close family affair these celebrations usually are. Typically you wouldn't celebrate Christmas with even your significant other (girlfriend/boyfriend) unless you were engaged, married, or had children together. So, I felt very fortunate to be invited to celebrate with them.
The celebrations commence with a countdown to midnight, exploding into a cacophony of hugging, kissing and toasting with firecrackers exploding in the background. (More like our New Year's celebrations!) Baby Jesus is uncovered (or replaced) in the manger scenes, presents are exchanged and everyone sits down to feast on Christmas dinner. At Katty's family's house, we had chicken, rice, arroz árabe [which literally translates to arabic rice, though, interestingly enough, it's made with bacon], potato salad, and macaroni salad. The potato & macaroni salad made me think of the 4th of July and summer picnics...which is maybe weird when you think of Christmas...but not so weird when you remember that it is summer here.
After some time spent socializing, everyone heads home to sleep late into Christmas day. I, on the other hand, had to wake up on the early side to make myself presentable to celebrate Christmas Day American-style. My new friend (and fellow Kiski alum) Katie invited me to Christmas dinner with several of her teacher friends. It was great to meet new people and be able to really catch up with her sister Sarah (a Kiski alum from my graduating class!). And, of course, I must rave about the food. There were all the fixins' -ham, turkey, sweet potato casserole (with marshmallows!) and, best of all, CHERRY PIE!
It was an amazing holiday and I felt very blessed to be surrounded by my adopted family!
Here in Peru, the Christmas celebrations occur at midnight on Christmas Eve, December 24th. I was very honored to be invited to celebrate with my friend Katty's family-especially when I learned what a close family affair these celebrations usually are. Typically you wouldn't celebrate Christmas with even your significant other (girlfriend/boyfriend) unless you were engaged, married, or had children together. So, I felt very fortunate to be invited to celebrate with them.
The celebrations commence with a countdown to midnight, exploding into a cacophony of hugging, kissing and toasting with firecrackers exploding in the background. (More like our New Year's celebrations!) Baby Jesus is uncovered (or replaced) in the manger scenes, presents are exchanged and everyone sits down to feast on Christmas dinner. At Katty's family's house, we had chicken, rice, arroz árabe [which literally translates to arabic rice, though, interestingly enough, it's made with bacon], potato salad, and macaroni salad. The potato & macaroni salad made me think of the 4th of July and summer picnics...which is maybe weird when you think of Christmas...but not so weird when you remember that it is summer here.
After some time spent socializing, everyone heads home to sleep late into Christmas day. I, on the other hand, had to wake up on the early side to make myself presentable to celebrate Christmas Day American-style. My new friend (and fellow Kiski alum) Katie invited me to Christmas dinner with several of her teacher friends. It was great to meet new people and be able to really catch up with her sister Sarah (a Kiski alum from my graduating class!). And, of course, I must rave about the food. There were all the fixins' -ham, turkey, sweet potato casserole (with marshmallows!) and, best of all, CHERRY PIE!
It was an amazing holiday and I felt very blessed to be surrounded by my adopted family!
