It’s Wednesday afternoon, I have a slight “rasaca” or hang over, yet I still find myself sipping down some beer while I am once again in a drinking circle. A drinking circle, made up of teachers that I will be dancing with later this evening, a Mexican dance (ironically taught to me by Peruvians), for “El Día de Camaná” or The Anniversary of Camaná. November 9 is quite a special day here and it is celebrated quite prolifically; there are bands, parades, dances, and a decent amount of partying.
One would think these festivities would mainly fall on the day, but that is just not how things are done here. Starting the first of November, my town started revving up their engines for the weeks to come. Anything from a fat man, donkey, bike, and swimming relay race to cock fighting to street venders were to be found. One day there would be fireworks for the smaller outlying communities and the next would be a competition for the local high school bands.
So here I am with a 10 gallon Sombrero at 4’o clock in the afternoon, recently discovering that I will be dancing between 4-6 hours, thinking how terrible this could turn out to be. So of course, I had the time of my life. I can’t count the amount of time we went through our routine, but it was so much fun to shimmy through town in a Mexican Jarabe de Zapatillo outfit. By the time I was finished my feet could walk no more, but there was still foosball and fair games to play. I even contemplated getting on one of the sketchy carnival rides, and I still slightly regret not doing it. After this foggy week of festivities I am more than behind on my work, but I just remind myself it was a cultural experience and hit snooze one more time before starting back to my Monday morning routine.
Daily Dinámica: Mark your calenders for your town’s anniversary next year and make it something awesome. Who cares if it is the 12th anniversary or the 697th, it the fact that everyone gets together and gives a round of applause for making it through another year in a place you call home.
