La graduación

At school they usually put on a graduation dinner every Friday, as long as there is a student who is graduating.  Instead of having it Friday of this week, however, we had it on Wednesday because 2 girls who are graduating with me had made plans to leave on Thursday to travel before their flights back to States next week.  They didn't end up going until Sat though because of all the rain here, they didn't want to risk traveling with possible mudslides on the highways.  That worries me a little too, since I'll be taking off on Monday.....

Graduation night we prepared the kitchen/dining area by joining a bunch of plastic tables, covering them with fine Guatemalan textiles, and creating the ambience with candles in wine bottles.  Everyone brings a dish to share, and usually the school's student coordinator makes the main dish.  I brought a pineapple pie from the Mennonite-run Bake Shop up in Zona 3.  I've never had a pineapple pie, and I was impressed.  I thought it might turn out too sweet, but it was just right.  One of the students ordered pizza too; it was quite the spectacle to watch her try to order it on the phone with her less-than-great Spanish, but they came to the right place, and we were all very proud of her!

Graduation dinner

Joaquin, Rony, and Miriam - three of the teachers

It was sad to say goodbye to the teachers and administrators.  They have been so nice, accomodating, and informative.  I've only been here for 3 weeks but one of the girls was here for 7 weeks studying Spanish, I can imagine it would be harder for her to leave.  But we left our mark, in a way: the other 2 girls and I made little certificates for all of the teachers and administrators.  I think about 13 in all.  We gave each of them a title like they do in high school yearbooks, "most likely to...."  Just translating this phrase was difficult because apparently they don't have this school tradition here.  So we winged it, and it turned out great.  Edna's (the director) certificate read, "más predispuesta a salir en un anuncio de pasta de dientes (most likely to be in a toothpaste commercial)," due to her beautiful and spotless smile.  She said she was going to frame hers and put it on the wall at school.

The three graduates with our certificates - Me with Liz and Cassandra