For our last full day in Las Vinas we had the privilege to spend the whole day with our host families. For all of us the day started in the same church. For some of us it was completely foreign to be in a Catholic church, but for a few of us we felt at home doing some of the same rituals that we do in the States. Towards the end, the leader gave WH students a "shout out" and wished us a safe journey home.
When church was over (about 1.5 hours, completely in Spanish) we parted. A few of us went to birthday parties today, complete with cake and piñatas. In our house we prepared tamales. Mrs. Barnett worked with our homestay Mom, Enma to make the tamales. We mixed the cornmeal mush and stirred, stirred, stirred so it didn't stick to the bottom of the pot. Black beans were added and it was left to set until after church. After lunch, we wiped the banana leaves, added mush, tomato sauce and a piece of chicken and folded the leaves over in a nice tight packet. Then they were put in the pot and steamed for a few hours.
We all played with our homestay children and some cousins, too. We took walks and read our books. Learta wrote a college essay with Sanjna's help. AJ and Jack tortured their kids and flirted with the little girls and Amanda and Kallie went to a birthday party with an additional mass!
Enma and Carlos, Jr. invited all the kids to our house to eat the tamales which were delicious and hot chocolate. They played with the kids and we parted for the night. Tonight we pack as tomorrow we will say our goodbyes after a visit to the school for one final fiesta. The students at the school have a presentation prepared for us followed by a lunch made by all the home stay mothers. After the students presentation, we are going to play and dance the Macarena with hopes that the students of the school will join in (Jack and AJ are extra excited!)
Adios! Mrs. Barnett and Ms. Martin
P.S. Last night we gave out the WH clothing we brought here for donations. Everyone was grateful.
When church was over (about 1.5 hours, completely in Spanish) we parted. A few of us went to birthday parties today, complete with cake and piñatas. In our house we prepared tamales. Mrs. Barnett worked with our homestay Mom, Enma to make the tamales. We mixed the cornmeal mush and stirred, stirred, stirred so it didn't stick to the bottom of the pot. Black beans were added and it was left to set until after church. After lunch, we wiped the banana leaves, added mush, tomato sauce and a piece of chicken and folded the leaves over in a nice tight packet. Then they were put in the pot and steamed for a few hours.
We all played with our homestay children and some cousins, too. We took walks and read our books. Learta wrote a college essay with Sanjna's help. AJ and Jack tortured their kids and flirted with the little girls and Amanda and Kallie went to a birthday party with an additional mass!
Enma and Carlos, Jr. invited all the kids to our house to eat the tamales which were delicious and hot chocolate. They played with the kids and we parted for the night. Tonight we pack as tomorrow we will say our goodbyes after a visit to the school for one final fiesta. The students at the school have a presentation prepared for us followed by a lunch made by all the home stay mothers. After the students presentation, we are going to play and dance the Macarena with hopes that the students of the school will join in (Jack and AJ are extra excited!)
Adios! Mrs. Barnett and Ms. Martin
P.S. Last night we gave out the WH clothing we brought here for donations. Everyone was grateful.
3 comments:
Thank you for sharing details about your last full day in Las Vinas. I see some of your new friends have their very own W-H t-shirts! It has been great fun following your adventures via this blog.
I would live to visit Las Vinas some day. Thank you for the recipe on making Tamales. The children looks beatiful in their WH apparel. Enjoy the celebration on your last day. Love you Mandy!!!!
I would live to visit Las Vinas some day. Thank you for the recipe on making Tamales. The children looks beatiful in their WH apparel. Enjoy the celebration on your last day. Love you Mandy!!!!
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