Xelajooooooo

Visiting Xela as you know, was a blast. This blog is long over due, but hopefully I will be able to capture my last few weeks there. I went to two Quinceaños and one wonderful soccer game. I can not remember those times without a huge smile on my face. IT makes me forget all about the cold and the rain that we lived through there. I believe my last two weeks there, I sounded like a frog and could not stop coughing. However, I made it through. My six weeks there were full of adventure and the start of many great friendships, both with those in my AMIGOS family, and those in Xela. I hope to return there soon. Perhaps not before I finish my exciting year at the Hogar, but soon after. I loved every minute of this.
Being a guest at a Quniceaños feels as though I was part royalty. The guests (mostly family) dress to the nines and the food, dancing, and music is top noch. It is a passing from being a little niña, to being an adolecent. The girls leave behind their dolls and playthings and move onto charting their own path. A move marked by a huge celebration, and a long night of dancing. It was wonderful. However, the whole time I remembered my own 15th birthday party, and in no way would I trade the amazingness that was Hawaiian and Mama Pelstring´s cake for the world. So with all of the tradition, I become more and more appreciative of my own memories that marked my growing up...if thats what you call it.
Then, of course, I could not miss my opportunity to see a famed soccer game in Xela....XELAWHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Well needless to say, I choked on smoke, watched a tee shirt get set on fire, and enjoyed one too many gallo (which is pretty nasty) all while getting absolutely DRENCHED. Probably the cause of my illness the rest of the time. But it was wonderful. Xela won 1-0, and of course there was much celebration after. IT was so wonderful. I highly reccomend enjoying a futbol game if possible on your visit.
Time came for us to leave, and it was rather sad. I wanted to stay, longer, and make Xela more my home. I loved everything about it. Language school, was school, but such a great way to learn! MY host family. Fed me, supported me when I lost my things, and made me feel so much a part of their life. AND..i climbed a mountain, soaked in hot springs, ate my way through with amazing food, AND DANCED alot. Xela was one stop on my way to Honduras, but hopefully i have not said a final goodbye.