Feliz Cumpleaños again

Gadys has really welcomed me into her family. Not only did I attend her daughter's quinceanera, but she also let me attend her niece´s first birthday party; Andrea turned 1. I officially have more pics of Gladys' family than I do of my own. I also may have become an official party crasher.

Andrea's party started with the usual games such as musical chairs, find the gift blind-folded, the sac race and of course, hit the piñata. I cheered on with delight. The kids entertained me with their competitive desire to win anything. Funny how children´s spirit and games transcend borders. Then, we sang happy birthday in Spanish, ate cake, and watched as Andrea actually opened her own presents.

After the fiesta, the other students and I went for a lazy Sunday stroll up a local mountain. At the top, several local men watched us approach from above. I yelled out "touristas aqui'" and suddenly we had a new cadre of friends. We took photos together and the men said that they would put the photos on their MySpace page. Well, they have made my blog, so touche´... ooops that´s French.

Upon returning back to my house, I spent some time figuring out to where all my belongings had now migrated. Esmeralda, my host mom, likes to clean my room every day, make my bed, and move all my stuff around. Each afternoon I have to think, if I were a brush, to where would I want to move next? She is so sweet and it's nice to have a motherly figure in my life again. Since we have the same shoe size, she even let me borrow a pair for the party last night. And, if you were wondering, the dress I wore is my 1 skirt I brought that converts into a dress.

Tomorrow I start Spanish school, and I need to find someplace that will take me in as a volunteer even though I lack any relevant life skills.