Alli and Kyle in Nicaragua: Fiestas Patrias

A few weeks ago was Central American independence day. We celebrated very well here in San Nicolas. On the Friday before September 14th, the “running of the torch” took place. While the one we witnessed here in between the communities of San Nicolas was only a simulation, there is an official running of the torch that happens all throughout Central America and went through Managua on the day we had our running in town—really cool! The week of Independence Day we still “had school” on Monday and Tuesday, but it included a parade and ceremony on Monday and a reading of the constitution on Tuesday. We then had vacation days on Wednesday and Thursday (another post coming on that). Overall, it was a great week of celebrations. It was fun to see our students excited about their homeland--fiestas patrias means homeland party. And it was fun to see our town lit up in celebration. Here are a few pictures of the celebrations:

The running of the torch on Friday throughout the municipality

of San Nicolas

The torch arrived

Preschoolers singing a special song

Independence day mural-we helped with those letters! It says “Proud of my country, Nicaragua. Blessed and always beautiful”

The queens of the fiesta! They receive this honor for having the highest grades in the school. Go, girls!!

Prepping for the parade

Representing all the countries of Central America that celebrate independence together--No Belize, Mexico or Panama. It was fun to think of celebrating with El Salvador (Rachel and Luke!) and Costa Rica (Brittany and Luke!)