I'll Be Home for Christmas

Hello Friends,

As of this moment I am exactly 9 days and 1 hour away from being home. I am one excited girl. I can tell you that much. However, with that joy comes the sadness of leaving, which is more than I thought it would be.
Christmas in Guatemala is MUCH more festive than I ever thought it would be. I would almost say that they outdo us Americans in their decorations and celebration. Granted they do Christmas up a little differently around here, but all in all, they LOVE Christmas. Some examples:
1. Massive decorated trees every where. The largest of which is sponsored by a beer company.
2. Tons of Christmas lights. Everywhere.
3. The malls and stores are DECKED out. They put Fayette Mall at Christmas to shame...I can tell you that much.
4. They celebrate by shooting off fireworks almost constantly...the culminating event being Christmas Eve...which I hear can sound a little like a war zone.
5. They burn the devil in preparation for the coming of Christ. This consists of bonfires everywhere, with pinatas of the devil being burned.
6. They have multiple showings of the Messiah and the Nutcracker in various locations.
7. They definitely DO NOT wait for Thanksgiving to be over to start the festivities either.

Keep in mind all of this goes on in 80 degree weather...which is about the only thing to me that makes it really not feel like Christmas. However, it's kind of nice...because you're experiencing all the fun Christmas things...but you're not freezing your butt off. I have become a great hater of cold weather while being down here...I never realized how awful it was until I experienced life without it for a bit. AMAZING.

We are also having our Christmas concert for the elementary school tomorrow night. It's a Superhero Christmas..and I wish I could tell you how stinking cute all these kids are in their superhero costumes...but it's too cute to describe. My class, third grade, are Jedi. Although our original intention was to make the robes ourselves...an opportunity arose and a man who needed work ended up making them for 25Q (about $3) a piece. They are SO good. The kids love them and they LOVE carrying their light sabers with them. We told them they could wear their robes to Spanish class this morning if they were on their best behavior...and I did not hear one peep from them as we walked there and none of them got in trouble in Spanish (a TRUE accomplishment). It was probably the cutest experience of my life. Needless to say I am very excited for tomorrow night.

I can't believe how close I am getting to the end of my time here. It has truly been a wonderful experience that I have loved and has changed me and impacted me in so many ways. I hope to write again before I leave, but don't hold it against me if I don't...I have a feeling this last week will be pretty busy.

Peace, Love and Jedi Knights,
Claire

Shoutout to Melissa Coffey: LOVED talking to you today. I miss you. We were not meant to spend this much time apart. I am so glad I get to see you before you leave for Ecuador!

Shoutout to Haley: PLEASE make me an awesome a capella Christmas CD to listen to on the drive home from the airport. I can't wait to see you! Good luck on Finals!

To all College Students: Good luck on your finals! You can do it!
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