The best day of my life

The best day of my life? No one can say for sure, since I don't remember every day of my life. I've had some good birthdays, I love every Thanksgiving, acceptance letters have been nice, and my friends and family so wonderful that good days aren't hard to come by.

However, the best day of my life (I think) happened the day after my last post, when I finally made it home to Don Juan.

Here's how it went: After traveling to Don Juan by gua-gua(minivan bus) I get off at the motorcycle stop to see my favorite motorcycle chofer waiting for his next passenger. His nickname, by the way, is Peito, or "Little farty." It doesn't bother me while we're driving along though!

We zoom along, me holding on for dear life (it had been awhile since I'd ridden a motorcycle). As we turn into my neighborhood, my next door neighbor Dariel, who is playing with a rock, jumps up and screams "ALICIA! LLEGO ALICIA!" This kid has a cute grin, and this day was no different. He sprinted alongside the motorcycle, screaming the whole time, calling other kids out of their houses. By the time I got off of the motorcycle, there were 20 little children screaming my name (and several women). The kids helped me carry my bookbag.

And guess who was sitting on the couch waiting for me? Denny (my cat).

I sat down because I'm not as strong as I was in my youth, and am soon plied with a baby. My other neighbor (a 2 year old girl) wraps herself around my legs. The kids seem at a loss for words (which has never happened), and are staring at me as I start leaking from my eyes. The house had been cleaned (oh, wonder of wonders), and several of them tell me how they helped "I swept! I took the trash out! Look where we put this game! Look at this folder here!" The 2 year old takes the place of the baby (mercifully, as she had the "I have to pee" look about her), and my neighbor pops in with lunch- beans, rice, and some sort of meat. I share with her daughter, and the kids show me the welcome home sign the art teacher made for me.

The excitement dies down, and as some kids leave, others begin to start playing. Soon, my Peace Corps friend Angela stops by with a family that I was going to take to Family Camp (they were able to go without me) and another woman from the neighborhood, who begins to sweep and mop my floor. We all share some sweet, cold soda straight from the udder of the colmado, and they tell me about how amazing the camp was. When the women leave, me and my friend share some fried platanos and guacamole she had made me.

She left and kids came back in to hang out, other women stopping by occasionally to say hello.

Over the next couple of days I made it into the school, saw some of my students, and had many happy reunions. Needless to say, even though I can't work to my full capacity, it was well worth it to return; I hope all of you get a day like I received.

Paz,
Alicia