Feliz dia de Independencia!

Happy 4^th of July!!!!

Peace Corps Ecuador celebrated US Independence Day a day early this year with a grand event called Manana Deportivo. Each training community came to Cayambe to represent in a sudden death soccer tournament, but not before we crowned a queen of the event! Each of us picked a representative for the competition, which was part beauty contest, speech contest, and team spirt. Becky was the chosen reina (queen) for Olmedo, and we came decked out in custom made tee-shirts that said: “Olmedo, Achaychay” (our town, and what people say in place of “brrrrrr” here when it's cold) on the front, and our names and the number 24 on the back to symbolize the fiesta date in Olmedo. The competition was fierce, and the lovely Jcov took the sash to become Reina de Ombibus 102, my training group.

After the fluff of the morning, the real competition began: sudden death soccer. Each game lasted just 12 minutes, but at this high elevation it felt like an hour. A few quick plays left us bent over catching our breath, but it was super fun! After an all-day competition, the group from Ayora deemed “Javier en la Casa” took the trophy home. Fun was clearly had by all.

There were also a group of volunteers that traveled into the area of a meet-and-greet event. We had an American-style BBQ with hamburgers and hotdogs, veggie skewers, potato salad, coleslaw, fruit salad, guacamole and chips galore. DE-licous!

Today, I have big plans with the girls from La Chimba and Olmedo to have lunch together and watch a movie at Lavanya's house to celebrate the actual day. I wish you all a great day!