First Post of the year, covered in sweat, drank three rum-n-cokes and seven cokes (not kidding), watched hours of Michael Jackson concert video, ate quiche. Happy new year from Guayaquil! Just what you expect out of a new year's celebration.
Stefano and his family were telling me all to just go to sleep and now I understand why: The family party started at 10 pm and was still going strong when grandma and I left. At 3:30 am. And by going strong I mean everyone was watching concert videos, singling along, eating cheese cubes and laughing at this one drunk uncle. It wasn't a very lively party, but definitely social and definitely celebratory and with excellent food. They also had this bartender/servant guy who would refil your drink and give you many napkins very frequently. It was the first time I'd been in the situation where all the party guests were white/mestizo and the server was black, so of course I acted awkward. Also, everyone there was costeño and really wanted me to talk about all the things that are wrong with serranos, so that was sort of awkward.
But the food was excellent, the rice-corn-cheese, quiche, little pieces of beef in spicy gravy. Desserts and appetizers too, and twelve of either grapes or cherries to wish on. I've been so lucky this year, my whole life, but this year's wishes included
-a great SIP
-health and safety for my family
-fun friend stuff
-getting to be a vegetarian again
-writing every day- at least a page in some form
-thanking God for stuff, being mindful, thankful, awake
-working on my mental health
-Keep on exploring, keep on checking in.
Ok so those are more like koans and less wishes, but the grapes tasted just as sweet. We also burnt our effegies of the last year, called simply "año viejos." Stefano and his mom bought Correas, hers made of old clothes stuffed with sawdust, his made of paper machae and wood. I bought a Mr. Potato Head, who we here call Señor Papas. I forgot he was from Toy Story and just remmebered fondly putting his eyeballs by his feet. We burned them in the street outside the urbanizacion, throwing firecrackers and shooting fireworks. Sometimes it got a little intense.
Here's me drinking champaigne while things explode behind me (I'll get that picture to you soon). Even though I missed the experience, i'm definitely glad I wasn't in a big city for new years- it was overwhelming and scary enough to see one set of fireworks go off, I have no idea what I would have done with a street, city full, and all the smoke they produce. See, look at me, already working on my mental health! I also went home early (ha ha almost four am) because I was sleepy, even though most of the people were staying to watch another vidoe. I'm not exactly sleepy, just chemically out of whack and I know that when that hits the only solution is to get by myelf, get in bed, write for a while and then trick myself into thinking I'm sleepy. I think it will work to night.
It's been nice to be here, to see a differnet family, a very different part of the country. Nice to eat so many plantains and see my friend. Nice to be in warmth and to use an air conditioner. Nice. Nice new year to you!
Ok, maybe I am getting sleepy. Nighty Night Blogy Blog.
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