Fiesta!

Last night Katie had a big despedido (going-away party). It gave me a chance, finally, to interact with some of the Enlace staff with whom I hadn’t yet had a chance to. We threw a few strips of beef on a barbeque made out of a car rim and threw on some hit by the Conejos (the band that played after the DJs at the dance my first night).

A great time was had by all except, perhaps, Haroldo who had a bit too much Vino Tinto Campeon (a fortified wine much like our native MADDOG 20/20). I had an opportunity to pick up some of the dance steps for local music from Elvira who I must say is an excellent dancer, one of the ones who doesn’t often try to lead. I also danced with Brenda, a quite uninhibited art student in her fifth month here on a scholarship to do community art projects.

I hung around for a long time chatting with Roberto, Matías, Jenny, and Joel among others, particularly about the lack of a decent translation of the English idea encompassed by the phrase “I wish”. When it came time to leave, I found myself playing host to Roberto (who commutes to Enlace from a town an hour away) and saddled with a very drunk and regurgitant Haroldo (caramba!).

Today I came home to find presents left me by Hilda and Chomo. I finally have the full complement of cooking and eating utensils along with a small library and collection of DVDs including No Country For Old Men (no wai! is favrit!). I also have a coffee maker (for what, I don’t know :-) ) and a toaster. I continue to find nice little surprises around the house. They must like me. I wonder how much of this stuff was left behind by past volunteers…