Luces!

Another amazing week has come and gone…Most of last week I spent relaxing, reading my Bible, reading for class, and reading for pleasure. (I’m really not a big reader, but it was nice to just relax a bit!) Most mornings I spent my reading time either sitting on my little balcony, on my bed or sitting in another bedroom with my legs sticking out on the roof below working on my tan. Monday and Wednesday afternoon I had one of my classes and then besides that had some free time.

Thursday I mixed things up a bit and went to La Unión to use the internet in the morning and then in the afternoon, Jen and I went to Sky Café and read on the roof up there. (More reading, yes!) The reading wasn’t as fun because it was for class, but at least I got my homework out of the way before the weekend began! Friday I made a morning dash to the market and made an impulse buy…I can’t say what I got yet as it is a Christmas gift for a family member. I just hope he likes it! Friday night we went to Parque Central for the lighting of the park. There was a big celebration of sorts with a stage, marimbas, fireworks, floating lights, cotton candy, people in costumes and lots of Christmas lights! There was a countdown and the whole city watched as the lights in Parque Central lit up all the trees in sight.

[Fireworks]

[Aleia and I eating some cotton candy!]

[Floating lantern being lit]

[The lights]
Saturday I went to a café with Aleia called, Y Tú Piña También. (Yes, that means ‘And Your Pineapple Too) I got to Skype with my family AND Google video chat with Andi Ruth! :) After lunch, our house went to the market to make a few small purchases and then my other two roommates when to a café, so Aleia and I went to the 24 hour prayer chapel I had stopped by to look at a few weeks ago. We spent a few hours there and it was really nice!
[The sidewalk leading to the prayer chapel]

Sunday, we had our group meal at Portal Antigua, a hotel near my home stay. Lunch was buffet style and included pool access. :) Best of both worlds?! Yes. Ate a hearty lunch and then laid out by the pool taking a break every so often to take a swim in the water, dry off in the sun and then snag a little more grub from the buffet. Then, time to repeat the process again. Our buffet time lasted until 4, so we sat down for an early dinner at 3:30 and tried not to stuff ourselves silly. It was a great day of food, sun, and company!
[Aleia and I in the pool =] We acted like we were 10 and got laughed at multiple times, but had a blast!]