Happy New Year! We had a windfall of money gifted to us by one of the visiting Sisters from the States so we used that to throw a dinner and have a nice party. Like Christmas in Peru, everyone goes out to the streets at midnight. Drinking champagne and eating 12 grapes at midnight ensured our good fortune for the new year. The streets were ablaze with fireworks, sparklers and life-size dolls. The dolls look similar to scarecrows dressed in adult size clothing. They light them and buried deep inside are usually a few fireworks for a grand finale. The dolls are symbolic of burning the past year's troubles and starting anew. Above is a picture of a burning doll in the street.
The color yellow is the color of good luck at new year’s eve; so we had yellow flowers and yellow clothing on as well as yellow necklaces. Our drink of choice was Pisco, a clear grape brandy made in Peru. We pureed fresh mangoes and mixed them with pisco as a nice alternative to beer for the party. Of course, it didn't stop the guys from going out and buying beer but for the women of the house, we were happy with the pisco/mango drink.
After everyone goes out to the streets at midnight, they return to eat a dinner with family. The parties do not start until 1 AM. Ours was small, mainly all guys showed up. Peruvian women often have to have permission to go out at night from the family. It depends on the family but we have known a few that are over 30 that still have to ask. I danced until 5 AM. The party lasted until 7 AM but as a general rule now when the guys go out to buy their second case of beer for the night, I usually turn in. Let’s just say the dancing quality goes way down at that point so I have no incentive to stay.
On New Year’s day, Plaza Vea, a Peruvian version of super-Walmart, opened! We are all excited about this momentous event. We are certain it will change our lives. All the familiar foods from the States are supposedly sold there and they have the "lowest prices in town". Music to a missionary's ears. We were walking by the store yesterday while working in the community and there was a long line outside the store reminiscent in length of that found in Disneyland so we declined to go in but it is definitely in our future. I can feel it.
Another note of excitement: The youth center construction at the parish is finished. They have enlisted all the parish ministries that intend to use the space to help clean and paint the rooms. It should be operational by the end of the month.
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