The Holidays in Sucre

 Some of the local women in the streets.

It's funny when you realize that you have become really comfortable with a place. Today, I realized I had hardly taken any pictures in Sucre, which lead to the realization that it felt like a place that I live. You don't tend to take mass amounts of photos of the places you live because they're consistent.
You're always there, never leaving. But I have become antsy and I know it is time to leave Sucre. The decision comes after quite a few days of questioning when I should leave. I think if I stayed, my Spanish would continue to improve and I would continue to enjoy my time in the orphanage. Plus, yesterday I went running for the first time in ages and it feels good to have the pain of knowing that I have started running again. I think it is something that I am going to have to keep doing as I move forward in the next three months of travelling.

But here is the real event of the past few days: Christmas in Sucre!

My original intention in coming to Sucre over the holidays was to study Spanish, volunteer and do a homestay. I accomplished two of those things. Spanish and volunteering have gone very well, however, getting myself into a homestay just didn't seem to work out. At first, I kind of thought I would be bummed, but as it turned out I think it was one of the best things that could have happened. The hostel I ended up staying at had a different vibe than most. I had been warned when the Beehive was recommended to me that most people ended up staying longer then they intended. To be honest, this hostel is a lot like a house and offers a variety of places to chill. But what really made it was the
people.

The two girls on my right are from Iceland! 

 

The hostel was full over the holiday which was lovely as it brought together so many different people with different traditions. I think that the favourite tradition that I heard about was from two girls from Iceland (Iceland!!). So apparently, on December 23 in Iceland, it is common for everyone to get together and have fermented swordfish! Ummm.. what? Fermented swordfish.They said it is gross and more of an old school tradition. But it was by far the most different tradtion I had heard about.

 Christmas table..

 Traditional Bolivian Christmas Dish!

On the 24th of December, most Bolivians celebrate by having a traditional Bolivian dish. The hostel offered this dish to us. It was called Piquena and had chicken and meat with potatoes and vegetables in a kind of soup. It was servedwith corn and salad and a variety of desserts. On top of this, there were three people who made the whole event extra special: the Germans- Pia and Johanes, and their extension-Hayley.

 Those who brought extra Christmas cheer -Johanes, Hayley and Pia

 Johanes organizing the homemade wine so he can bring it downstairs.

 Johanes and Pia are all about celebrating on the 24th. They made homemade gluewhein and then the next day they made homemade eggnog. I don't even like eggnog and let me tell you..this was amazing! Hayley embodied enough Christmas spirit for everyone (she follows Santa on twitter.. just incase you didn't know.. He has twitter!). She organized a Secret Santa for the 25th and a big lunch. On the 25th, she even got Guy to dress up as Santa to give out the Secret Santa gifts.

Guy as Santa. Unfortunately, Santa only had one boot this year as the elves haven't quite figured out zippers.

It was definitely a very memorable Christmas and one I won't forget. I think it is part of the reason that I am having trouble leaving. When I look back on Ushuaia, I talk about the magic of Ushuaia and the people I met there. But I think here tops it, the feeling is 10x stronger.
Tomorrow, I say goodbye and head to Tupiza with Aoife and Annelie for the next adventure!