Mi Casa es Su Casa

(Miercoles 9/14/10)

It's almost 7:30 on a Tuesday evening and I’m walking up my front stairs. Tonight is the final evening of the town’s Patronales (sort of comparable to founder’s day - emphasis on sort of), but all is eerily quiet as I rummage around in the dark for my house keys. I had heard Patronales would feature a fiesta-filled, week-long celebration (que bien!), but in my town - absolutely nothing happened. Even still, things are quieter tonight than usual. I wondered what was going on. Then, in an instant, the silence breaks. A series of happy cheers and shouts erupt and fill the streets outside. Neighbors are applauding all at once. “Wow - so exciting!” I thought. This was the kind of Patronales spirit I’d heard so much about! Just as soon as the thought crossed my mind, I wished it hadn’t; and knew I was completely wrong. “Emma, you idiot. You’ve lived in this country how long?” I looked around, and saw light bulbs in the homes around mine start to flicker on and light up. The luz had se fue’d earlier. And now, the electricity was back on, generating a lot of enthusiasm and applause... in addition to confusing the town’s Americana, apparently.

Entonces, I’ve been in my new place for about a week and a half, and the electricty doesn’t go out that much here, which I guess I got used to pretty fast. Things at the new place are going well. It’s tranquilla, and really safe. I’m in a different neighborhood though (no homes were available in my old neighborhood), so I do really miss being close to my host family and neighbors. But I’m back to visit at least once a day - each morning before school for 7:30 coffee with my dona.

* * *

Still working on it, but here are a few pictures of my house.

The kitchen: Currently living without a fridge, which means I only eat un-refrigerated things. You know, like plantains. Yum.

The lavadora. This machine is half the size of the bathtub, somewhat inefficient, and obviously - I love it. Washing clothes in a tiny washing machine and a series of buckets makes laundry an all-day affair. And yes, it does take this cute little guy at least 5 cycles to wash a week’s worth of clothes. Then of course, there’s the fact that if the electricity and water are out, the lavadora is rendered completely useless... No importa. All this only makes me love it more.

Okay, I think that’s it for now. Hope that life up North (or wherever you’re reading from in the world) is sending all the best things your way. Oh and, ven a visitarme - mi casa es su casa!

cuidense amigos y sigue la lucha,

XO