So last night was “El Año Viejo” and after I meet my new family, I got to go home for a little bit to unpack and relax. Around 8:30 pm my mom told me that we were going to be leaving soon to go to her uncle’s home to celebrate the new year. I couldn’t quite take a nap because of all the emotions I could feel going on in my body. When 7:00 pm came around my mom came to my room and asked if I wanted to disfraz with them tonight, at first I was like “oh sure” but I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about until my sister Karen came home with my costume for me to wear tonight. I had no idea what this entailed but I would soon find out.
When we arrived at this big’ole house at the top of so hill I felt undressed until I saw all cousins and other family relatives dressed up too. After everyone had filled into a seat, we waited until the music started and we watched as each person did a little dance along with a music video that played. Half way through, my mom told me that it was a skit they put on every year that resembles a show thats popular on tv here in Cuenca. I’ve seen a type of sow just like it and I thought to myself it was really funny, but that I couldn’t bare to get up and dance in front of all the family I had just met. Like a solid 45 people were all there sitting/dancing, young or old!
After the dancing portion we went outside to start our countdown and begin to light all 5 of our dummies for the New Year. As the countdown struck 0, and we lit the dummies everyone was up in arms, kissing each other on the check and embracing one another. As I turned to do the same to my abuela I noticed that she was crying. I wasn’t sure why until I saw that just about everyone else, that were in their 50’s and up, were tearing up too. My mom told me that’s because although we were burning away the old year, we also remember those that are no longer with us and hope for better years.
We then went home around 1:30 am, after eating dinner and dessert. In the morning when I finally had a day to sleep in, I got up with my mom and barred the 45 minute walk to school to learn how to get there on my own Monday morning. I’m just not one for a sweaty walk right before getting to class that early.
Later that afternoon we went to visit my abuela and both my other sisters, Sandy and Karen were there with their husbands. We were visiting to make a traditional bread that my abuela makes, but can no longer make herself. I got to step back and observe how they interacted and it’s just like my family when we all get together for a family gathering. We like to talk and enjoy one anthers company, and that’s exactly what they did. I felt like I was right in place when I was there with them.
