Trying to bring your holidays to a foreign country is no small feat. Conveniently for me, America is kind of a big deal on the world scene, if not a hegemonic force. Likewise, my holidays are universally known.
But not necessarily understood.
Enter Goal 2 of the three-pronged Peace Corps mission: to promote a better understanding of the American people on behalf of the host country.
The holidays are a great time to bring a little bit of home abroad and share it with my fellow PCVs and Nicaraguan friends alike. Most people here have a vague idea about American culture and customs from exorbitant hours spent watching cable t.v. And they're always down for a party or food-centric gathering, so they make my task of ringing in the holidays in Nicaragua as easy as pumpkin pie.
Halloween was a smashing success. A PCV in Masaya hosted a party at which Nicas and PCVs alike donned costumes, put up decorations and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I was more than amused at the multiple goth-all-black-studs-and-chains ensembles. Guess some Nicas think Halloween is just a day for people to be freaks in general. Could be.
So then Thanksgiving rolled around. FYI many Nicaraguans lump this together with Christmas. They see families gathered around a turkey banquet in the movies and conflate the two holidays. So it was nice be able to clarify that for them.
I invited two of my community classes to join me in celebrations. In Diriomo, we had a potluck meal at a student's house, replete with fried plantains, rice, barbecued beef, lemonade and a smorgasbord of desserts. I led the giving-thanks bit pre-chowdown, and I'm happy to report that most people had quite thoughtful things to say. Of course the barrio was peering in the house to see a) what the gringa was doing....I'm always on the radar and b) what all the commotion was about. So hopefully aside from my darling class, even more people were exposed.
In Diriá, I give a class on Wednesdays that is primarily composed of single, childless women my age. Needless to say this is my favorite class handsdown, and I was more than elated to pitch the idea of doing a dinner with them. Por lo económico, we could not afford the feast that Dirimo threw. However we did have tasty, if humble little spread of fried plantains (they're a staple here), cheese, ensalada, tea and Coke. Our giving of thanks was poignant, as I would expect nothing less from this exceptional group of women. My closest friend in the community and student told the group she vehemently believes that I am an angel sent by God Himself. There were not waterworks, but I was obviously moved by it all. We are even planning to continue the holiday kick with a Secret Santa gift exchange at the end of December. We drew names and are going to make/cook/craft a gift for another. Considering I live in a land of skilled artisans and deft cooks, I'm not sure how I'm going to fashion something worthy but I'm sure excited to try.
Then on the real Thanksgiving day, I hopped on a ferry to the Island of Ometepe to celebrate with a few PCV friends, their friends from home and a Nicaraguan family. I carted a montón de vegetables there, we bought roasted chickens and even whipped up some brownies and pumpkin pie (thank you Steve's mom for mailing us the goods.) For good measure, and in case the Nicas wouldn't like our sweet potatoes, salads, stuffing, bread, corn, etc. we also ordered two pizzas. Our thoughts were, if you're gonna really go for it, you might as well go for it.
And feasted like Romans we did.
On a final note, at each Thanksgiving celebration I attended I made sure to interject to give a brief history of the day and its significance. Howard Zinn would have my head for the version I gave. (Author of A People's History of the United States and staunch realist about the grim underbelly of American history, in case you'd forgotten.) In my version, the European colonists arrived to the New World fleeing from religious persecution. In the midst of killing of the Indians and civilizing the uncivilized world, they realized they had no freaking clue what they were doing. And they were hungry. Very much so. During a particularly harsh winter the Indians decided to break bread with the poor starving colonists and have a ceasefire. And so it was that both parties laid down their weapons and shared a majestic moment of plenitude together.
Yes, I know the killing and pillaging continued after, but I didn't want to adulterate the pureness of it all. I did tell my students they should Wikipedia the holiday for a more complete (and neutral) version.
The holidays, both at home and abroad highlight the goodness of people. For all the days of the year we grumble, complain, discriminate, point fingers, blame and overall criticize each other, it's refreshing to share a few sacred moments of peace and joy. I am thankful, among many things, to see how universally-applicable the holidays really are.
“Peace on Earth, and goodwill toward men.”
Very good.
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