Yesterday evening I finally dragged myself out of bed for the first time since I woke up with a stomach bug on Thursday. I was supposed to go out to dinner Friday night with Belinda and a girl who was staying with her from North America, but they didn't end up going so I stayed in bed until Saturday.
After 3 days of rest I showered, fixed my hair, put on a cute dress and felt pretty good. The original plan was that Marcela ride with me to Josselyn's party at Belinda's, but at the last minute Marcela couldn't go so I had to go by myself. It was after dark and I needed to stop for gas and something to drink. I normally don't go out after dark except to drive straight home, so I was a little hesitant.
I locked myself into the car and drove to the gas station. Gas stations are almost always full service here. The man who worked there was kind and made me more relaxed, but I didn't dare get out of the car to go into the gas station for a drink. I decided to go to Mas x Menos (a fancy supermarket where there are armed guards) to grab a Gatorade. When I pulled up to Belinda's house I could hear the music pounding from the street. They were playing the only English song I heard all night. All of the furniture was moved out of the living room except a couch and a stereo. Everyone was dancing so I walked into the room dancing and singing the song. Everyone broke into a huge cheer. It was quite a welcome! I think they expect North Americans not to dance.
It got hot and sweaty but we had a great time. They had tons of little snacks and great music. Different people kept grabbing me and teaching me how to dance to all of the different types of music. The hardest one was the most traditional Honduran dance. You just slide you feet and wiggle your hips, but it's hard! Next time I'll have to wear more slippery shoes because my heels kept getting stuck. Or maybe I just can't do it. Yet. I need more lessons. When we got too hot we hung out on the porch and talked. It was a great opportunity for me to bond with the jovenes (youth).
Belinda, Walter and I were there to chaperon, but there was no need for us. Everyone was well behaved and enjoyed themselves. At 11:30 we turned off the music. Everyone helped put the furniture back in place. All of the kids from Los Pinos piled into the van with Walter. I had to take Joss and her cousin to pick up her other cousin and Aaron at a club. Walter drove ahead of us because it was not safe for me to go there alone. After we picked up Aaron and his cousin, Walter headed for Los Pinos and I took everyone else home. Aaron gave good directions, but kept encouraging me to run red lights. I joked that if I get a ticket he has to pay it. Then Aaron reminded me that for safety reasons at night it is best never to stop in the city. I had been told the same thing by my landlords and others. But since I never drive in the city at night, I forgot. After Aaron reminded me not to stop I slowed down enough to look both ways, then ran every red light. It was awesome! Everyone else did it too so you had to look carefully. A few times we did have to stop because cars were coming the other direction. But with Aaron's help we made it home safely. Joss had a great party and Aaron had a good night at the club.
This morning I was slow getting out of bed and late for church. I sat with Karla and the kids. Jose was at his college class. (Yes, on Sunday mornings!) There were a lot of kids from the Breakfast Program there. Each of them wanted hugs, which was awesome. I got my fill of hugs today! In fact I was thinking I may have been greeted by more people than any other person in the church since I got to say hello to many of the adults and almost all of the kids. I am so lucky! After church I was one of the last to leave. That is a record for me. Usually I bolt out of there.
I made plans to meet with Lourdes on Wednesday to work on sponsorship for the boys in El Sembrador. On Tuesday I am having lunch with Raquel! She learned that she is going to have a baby girl. She is very excited about that. Raquel is very feminine. She will be a great Mommy for a little girl. Monday I am helping Joss celebrate her boyfriend's birthday. Lots of good things to look forward to this week, and that does not even include my time with the kids at the Breakfast Program, which I look forward to most. Can't wait to see those kids tomorrow!
2 comments:
This reminds me so much of stories that my Dad use to tell of having kids over to his house when they were teens to dance. They would move the furniture out, roll up the rug and somebody would play piano while his Dad would play the clarinet. And everyone would dance until they dropped. So much has change but then so much hasn't. "When you want a new idea, read an old book."
Dancing to a piano and a clarinet - how cool! Sometimes it really is the simple things that make life extra special.
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