quince aniversario!

Celebrations are not taken lightly here. Take, for instance, the 15th year anniversary of NPH Guatemala. I'm tellin' you, these people know how to go all out. It was a three-day event that started on Thursday morning and lasted until midnight on Saturday! Beginning Thursday, everyone met on la cancha to attend Mass. It looked incredible. The 9 NPH countries each had their flags represented, tissue paper flowers hung above, and the main aisle was decorated in typical Guatemalan-fashion with.. colored wood shavings! The Mass was the perfect way to gather the whole community before celebrating juntos.

Friday began the real fun. They had previously split us up into groups based upon the 15 areas of NPH. I was placed in transporte. After weeks of preparation, each group received 10 minutes on Friday afternoon to perform. It was then that we saw funny costumes, faces painted, clever skits, choreographed dances, ginormous flags, and cheers that all added up to a hilarious show. Even though I thought Friday was super divertido, I was told to "just wait" until Saturday.

On Saturday, all the kids, volunteers, teachers, tios, and employees of NPH met on the field for the largest competition in which I've ever competed. From 8am until 6:30pm, we were going going going. Stations consisted of obstacle courses, Mayan soccer, pass-the-soaking-wet-sponge-over-your-head game (above), karaoke, a makeshift mechanical bull, and so much more. After getting through all those games, we all met on the back side of the comedor to see team go against team in tug-o-war! It was an absolutely exhausting, but thrilling day. But! It doesn't end there. After the muddy finish to the games, everyone hurried off to the showers to clean up before a fancy dinner and dance. Only in Guatemala, right? :)