Happy New Year! (Feliz Año Nuevo)

 The week between Christmas and New Year’s is a slow work week. There are no brigades of doctors for One World Surgery, school is not in session, and many other employees take vacation. Allen and I were not sure what this meant for our work schedule since there are many letters from Padrinos over the holidays (my job) and maintenance is always needed (Allen’s job). However, we found that we also had a light work week which was a good thing as we needed to practice A LOT for the 20 minute dance performance that the volunteers were expected to give on New Year’s Eve.

Backdrop for the Dance Performance

Luckily we have quite a number of talented volunteers! We each suggested some song/dance routines from the internet and together formed a pretty good program. The “girls” (all are young women except Allen and I) led the effort, decided on the order, explained and simplified choreography, trained us, pulled the audio together, and decided costumes and props. We had at least 2 hour practices between Christmas and New Year’s except for extra tutoring sessions and a longer practice on the day of performance.

Unfortunately, Allen and several of the other volunteers were sick some of those days. They all came to practice anyway, but I am sure it drained their energy. Everyone was present for the dance and I think they all gave their best performance regardless of how they felt. Looking back on the video, I appreciate all the more the ability of the other volunteers. Here is a small portion of the dance video so you can see for yourself. The second song is called Ensename a Bailar (Teach Me to Dance) so the girls are all trying to teach Allen dance moves.

Part of the Volunteer Dance Routine

Aside from the dance which took place after dinner, the New Year’s Eve celebration was a lot like Christmas with mass, a special dinner, music, dancing, and a big bonfire. In addition, there was a huge fireworks display with a burning effigy that represented the old year, plus a lot of sparklers for kids and adults alike. We stayed up to welcome in the New Year thoroughly enjoying the fiesta and the community.

Burning Effigy of Old Year, also Source of Fireworks

Still Shot of Fireworks

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