Mother's Day Disco

I forgot to mention Mother’s Day.

I facetimed home to wish my mom a happy Mother’s Day and ended up talking to the entire family, including my grandparents (since they were on my sister’s phone). My family in the US got to meet my family in Chile. I was translating for everyone here and my sister was translating for everyone there. It was wonderful and I think the experience was enjoyed by all.

At one point, my host mom told my grandparents that I am a “dama y muy buena” aka “helpful and well-mannered.” My brother, David, heard this and started shouting “Mentira!” (liar) in Spanish. When my host mom heard this, she was hysterical and naturally had to tell everyone.    

For our almuerzo, we had a “disco.” All the meat and vegetables were cooked in a large iron disk (same idea as cooking in a wok).  This was accompanied by papas and ensaladas. My host mom invited our neighbor/her best friend, Jovita, and her family to join us for lunch (since her daughter lives in Valparaiso and we assumed that her son and husband wouldn’t do much for her for Mother’s Day).

Here are some photos to document the day:

(Camila starting the disco)

(the infamous Whitney Houston)

(my host mom's marido, Alfonzo, keeping watch on the disco)

(Jovita's marido aka Frank Sinatra...he asked me to photograph him)

(Mani and her friend Ignacia)

(Javier Antonio, Jovita's son)

(mi familia. so precious.)

(I'm part of the family!)

P.S. The night before, my host sisters taught me the basic steps of the “cueca,” the national dance of Chile. My host mom was a bit embarrassed that I am already better than she is. She informed me, however, that no one can beat her at the cumbia!  My goal is to learn the cueca by the Fiestas patrias in September.