Maria Reina

I think I have officially fallen in love with Palacagüina. I know it’s only three weeks in and I’m sure problems will arise and our relationship will be far from perfect, but I have no doubts about being commited to this beautiful and sleepy mountain village for the next two years. This past Saturday was our fiestas patronales and the town transformed into a joyous and bustling party town.



Friday was a product fair in the park. Every class of 4th and 5th year students was responsible for a different typical Nicaraguan food. In addition to all of that, there were local coffee cooperatives, artisans, and performers. Everything in town was closed that day other than the fair (including the school, which I can rant about but am trying to be positive and not worry myself about classes being canceled at least two Fridays every month). It was an amazing feeling walking through the booths and hearing all the students call out to me to try their food. I also feel very well versed in most food now. I tried Pozol, Atol, Runpopo, Muntuca, Chicha, and by midday I thought I might burst.

I was amused by the booth that featured chickens and pigs. Walking down the street any typical day in town you come across chickens and pigs and other animals yet many people stopped to take pictures of the pigs in the pen. Including me.


This is Maria, my best friend in town, with Cristian, the most adorable little three year old I have ever met. I spend the day walking around the fair with them as Cristian begged to touch and try everything.

I definitely came to this town at the right time.

Fiestas

Fiestas Patronales are all the rage in Nicaragua. Every town has its own patron saint and when the day comes to honor that saint, the town goes all out. And not just for that one day. Like most holidays, Nicaraguans try to stretch out the party for as long as possible. I was lucky enough to experience the fiestas in my training town before moving out. The actually date of the party was July 24th but there was something going on for about 3 weeks before. I often wondered if they never got tired of carrying Santa Ana around the streets. I also wished they got tired of setting off fireworks at 4 am. The final weekend of the fiestas was absolutley amazing. The best part was seeing my 10 year old host sister and her cousins dressed up in beautiful marimba costumes and dancing all day long with the parade throughout town.

I wouldn’t mind if Americans celebrated the way Nicaraguans do.