As the time in Lima draws to a close, the Peru SST unit has a tradition of gathering the Lima staff and host families for a despedida, or goodbye party. This semester’s group felt a little intimidated, being only seven in number and having heard great things about elaborate past despedidas.
However, as they began preparing, the magnificent seven got inspired. They decided on a fall theme, with flowers in autumn colors, a pumpkin-carving contest and apple-bobbing (in Lima, summer is just beginning). During their last two weeks of language classes, they put in extra time to prepare a short drama of a traditional Peruvian story about a man who dreamed of flying. They even spent a day baking all the treats for the evening themselves: peanut butter pie, derby pie, Jell-O salad, apple crisp and chocolate chip cookies. In lieu of orange pumpkins (available in Lima, but imported and expensive), they opted for the local dark green zapallo squash – selecting some that were similar in size and shape to Halloween pumpkins.
Rudy and his host sister
Richard and Judy kicked off the evening with the director’s greeting and heartfelt thanks to the host families. We know that the students’ families back in the states share our gratitude to these wonderful folks who open their homes and hearts to our GC students and care for them and look out for them. Throughout the evening, the students took turns giving short speeches of thanks to their host families. There were some tears and hugs.
Jacob did a great job as MC for the evening.
Later, families said that in addition to the delicious desserts, one of the highlights of the evening was the “Lost in Translation” skit in which students presented their most embarrassing or funny errors in Spanish. The evening was a fun way for the students to wrap up their time in Lima and say a warm farewell to their host families. The next day, the students departed by bus for their service assignments in Ayacucho, La Merced and Tarma.
Time to go.The farewell party, or despedida, was held the evening before students left for their service assignments.Becca’s host family, the Castellanos, pose in front of the model pumpkin the students created.Service Coordinator Wilfredo Villavicencio with spouse Candy FelixLima Coordinator Celia VasquezAlan with his host father Eduardo NueJosh with his host father Carlos SesonLandon with his host parents Sonia and Percy PeraltaRudy with his host family, the OrbegozosBecca with the CastellanosJacob did a great job as MC for the evening.Becca thanks her family in flawless SpanishSonia and Percy begin carving their pumpkinPumpkin carving was a family affair with the OrbegozosJacob’s host family, the Torres, discuss the possibilitiesAlan’s host family working on their pumpkinLauren’s host family created the only two-sided designJosh and the SesonsBecca’s host brother Giuseppino knows just what is neededOur Spanish teachers Ana and Moises show off a pumpkin adorned with Ana’s lipstickA representative from each table came to the front to explain their pumpkin designs. Norma, Josh’s host mother tells about theirs.Chabuca, Jacob’s host motherFernando, Lauren’s host fatherBecca and host brother Pino Rudy and his host sisterLandon and his host mother, SoniaAlan’s host mother Cecilia makes the case for her pumpkinCelia announces the winner of the pumpkin-carving competitionAlicia, our wonderful cook, holds up the winner, from Rudy’s family. The judges thought it captured the face of a GC student upon arrival in Peru.Josh delivers a tribute to his host family.Service Coordinator Willy tells about the service projects the students have completed in Lima, and about the service assignments to come.The students perform “Vida y passion de Santiago el pajarero” by Julio Ramon RibeyroBecca played Santiago’s girlfriend, RosaluzSantiago, despierta! Alan was Santiago, and Landon was his friend, a condorJacob, the barber, was not sympathetic to Santiago’s dream of creating a flying machine.Santiago and the condor discuss flyingThe condor shows how he flies.Santiago believes the paper airplane proves that people can flySantiago comes to the viceroy, played by Rudy, for money for his project of creating a flying machine.The viceroy just makes fun of Santiago.The viceroy does not really want to read Santiago’s treatise on how birds fly. The barber prepares to give him a shave.The ambitious barber leaves his card with the viceroy.Lauren played the mathematician at the university who reads Santiago’s ideas.The mathematician responds with many logical reasons about why people cannot fly.Josh, a member of the public, responds to a call to end Santiago’s nonsense.The evil barber is behind the rabble-rousing against Santiago. He wants to buy a property Santiago refuses to sell.The barber gathers a crowd to carry Santiago to the top of the San Cristobal hill.Since Santiago wants to fly, the crowd throws him off the top of the hill! The inevitable response to visionaries?At the last moment, the condor rescues Santiago.The cast takes a bow.The bus departs, carrying GC students to Tarma and La Merced.Lauren says goodbye to her host family.Later in the evening, it was Rudy and Lauren’s turn to depart for service in Ayacucho. Rudy pauses with host parents Daladier and Ines.Time to go.Becca’s family sends her off with hugs.Josh said goodbye to little Leo.Early the next morning, Josh, Alan, Landon, Jacob and Becca boarded a bus for Tarma and La Merced.Reverendo Jorge Zamudio is our host at the Buen Pastor Anglican Cathedral. He closed the evening with a blessing.The students with Willy and CeliaThe students with Biviana Goto Sanchez, and actress and Spanish teacher who led the drama productionLandon, Becca, Rudy, Josh and Lauren with Moises Arce Zavla, their Spanish teacherRudy and Alan with Ana Bracamonte Bardalez, their Spanish teacherLandon with Sonia and Percy Peralta OlaecheaRudy and the Orbegozo Sanchez familyBecca and the Castellano Morales familyAlan and the Nue Pereda familyLauren and two members of the Angulo Ibarra familyJosh and the Seson Guevara familyJacob and the Torres Zacnich familyCelia addresses the group.Lost in translation: Meant to say, “No puedo esperar; tengo hambre! ” (I can’t wait, I’m hungry!) Actually said, “No puedo esperar; tengo hombre!” (I can’t wait; I have a man!)Josh cracking them up with a humorous miscommunication.Lost in translation: Meant to say: “Somos extraños.” (We’re weird.) Actually said: “Somos raros.” (We’re different – i.e. gay)
Lost in translation: Meant to say, “Discúlpeme, estoy un poco avergonzada por mi acento.” (Excuse me, I’m a Little embarrassed about my accent.” Actually said, “Discúlpeme, estoy un poco embarazada por mi acento.” (Excuse me, I’m a little pregnant because of my accent.)
Lost in translation: Meant to say, “Jacob va a Tarma para servicio voluntario.” (Jacob is going to Tarma for voluntary service). Actually said, “Jacob va a tomar para servicio voluntario.” (Jacob is going to drink for voluntary service).Rudy’s turn to speak.Jacob’s host dad, Victor, was clearly deeply touched by Jacob’s words.Jacob gives his thanks to his host family.It took Lauren’s host sister only seconds to win the apple-bobbing.The host siblings go for it with gusto.Some very game host siblings decide to give apple-bobbing a try.No apple yet for Josh.Rudy emerges from the apple-bobbing tub.Goshen students show how apple bobbing is done.Alan offers his words of thanks to his host family.Lauren gives her tribute to the Angulo family.What would you do if a giant condor offered you some pie? Father Zamudio accepts.Now it’s time for the desserts!The students, still in costume, served the desserts.Lauren and Rudy traveled by night bus. Ready for a new adventure in Ayacucho!
