Miriam, Robyn, Alicia, Joel
Elmer, Juan and Lurdes
We were blessed to be invited into her home for the 'passing of Christmas.' Afterall, it isn't really Christmas in Peru until midnight. So, after a long day of celebrating at the albergue, Joel, myself and our 3 FLY went to the Garcia house around 8pm, again in La Campina de Moche.
Alicia had bought the turkey and Elmer butchered it the morning of Christmas Eve. Alicia filled it with raisins, spanish olives, onions and meat. The turkey was so large, it barely fit into the stove, so we had to leave the door partly open while it cooked. I helped cut and fry papa fritas and we brought more paneton (did I mention they love fruitcake, here?) Alicia handmade pockets to hold the silverware and we set the table with decorations made by the children at the orphanage. The exciting part is that we started our evening with dessert! Alicia made a strawberry gelatin pie and her neighbor brought over special cookies. It was nice to have dessert while we waited for dinner.
It's tradition to have the main meal at midnight and we were definately hungry by then. We enjoyed a dinner of turkey, french fries, bread, cookies and paneton... (what is it with the fruitcake?) 
It is similar to New Year's Eve in the U.S., as we all jumped up from the table at midnight and began saying "Feliz Navidad" and hugging each other. We even celebrated with sparklers and other small fireworks. We finished dinner around 1:30am and helped clean up a little while watching an old Selena concert. (Joel was so delighted) However, the party didn't stop there. After dinner, we all walked down to Lurdes' uncles' house and danced outside until 5:30 in the morning!!! Apparently this is normal. (I love it, I love it, I love it!)
Along with the rest of Peru, we spent most of Christmas Day sleeping. We finished Christmas by hanging out in our room with FLY, the other volunteers and all the kids at the orphanage. What a wonderful Christmas!!
