Fiesta!

Although nothing compares to the Seaway Festival, at least I was able to go to the big fiesta in La Chimba this weekend. Thursday night was the first day where they had a party outside the community center. My host mom asked me if I wanted to dance with her and I agreed. Once again, I dressed up in the native wear and strutted my stuff with the Ecuadorians. Two of the four other girls living in La Chimba also dressed up. The five of us joined in the very complex circle dance for a few hours. I´m not sure if it was fun or if it was the only way I was going to keep from freezing in my skirt. Either way, we were definitely the life of the party. The circle my host mom was a part of also took part in the competition. There were about 5 different groups competing and it consisted of playing guitar, singing and dancing. Jessica, Lesley and I joined my mom´s group for the first round of the competition. During the break we decided we were going to show the La Chimbanians how to really get down. We whipped out some pretty impressive dance moves. It was worth being laughed at to see the reactions of the people in town. I think the Chicha, some sort of fermented juice-like drink, also helped. Not only were the adults drinking but two times I saw women giving their kids wine. One thing that the Ogdensburg Mestival doesn´t offer is the six and seven year olds drinking.
Today was the bullfighting part of the festival. I´m not sure if the males are supposed to be really brave for getting in the ring, but I don´t see how letting a bull into a ring, standing ten feet from the wall and then taunting it means that you´re manly. I guess my cultural sensitivity isn´t all there today because I just don´t comprehend the reason of the bullfight or why people find it interesting to watch.
Tomorrow is the big day of the fiesta in La Chimba but unfortunately I won´t be there to experience it because I´m going on another trip with the Peace Corps. I´m going with half of the Health trainees to the province of Manabi for the week to see what other volunteers are doing at their sites and to practice giving Charlas (lectures-workshops) on different health topics. I´m excited to go to the coast and see a different part of the country and some of the projects I might be working on within my own site but I´m a little bummed to be missing out on the Saturday night and Sunday activities in town. Luckily, on my walk out of town to catch the bus this afternoon I was able to witness one of the town males passed out on his horse. Sitting up. It was impressive.
P.S. I saw a cow get killed on Thursday. Surprisingly, I thought it was really interesting and it didn´t bother me. Maybe because I don´t eat beef. Lesley on the other hand, a huge beef lover, couldn´t handle watching the process. Luckily, I got it all on my camera. There are pictures up on facebook and I also have a video for those who can handle it. :-)