Somoto Carnaval 2009

Every November, Somoto holds "Carnaval" which is a huge concert/party lasting from 8pm till 5am...or depending when everyone passes out. I don't think there is a large significance of this celebration so much as an excuse to block off the streets of Somoto and throw a huge charade. This year we had Las Nenas, Los Mokuanes, Los Paisanos, a couple Disco Moviles (DJs who play the top hits), and some Mariachi bands. Also this year we had around 15 other PCVs come to visit and party with us, mostly everyone crashed on Matt and Jess' floor next door, as well as the JICA (Japanese Peace Corps) girls from Somoto and Nica friends as well. Nothing epic happened this year, it was a great time to hang out with friends, dance to some non-reggaeton music (reggaeton is like spanish rap), and just have a Salvaje time.

Taeko!!!

Yuka!!!

One of my students, Anielka...and then Yuka again in the background.

I can't remember why Danny and I took this picture...but we look hilarious nonetheless

Henry, Me, Yuka, Danny

Matt why are all the faces you make for the camera so ugly?

It's Lake one of the Canadians! With Matt and Danny in the background.

Penny and I with the HOT Paisano singer!

Elise, Danielle, Jessie, Mike (a fellow UCD Aggie and EAP Chile), Me

PCVs...official sponsors of Toña...

With Henry my favorite student

Finally some eye candy in Somoto!

Some other pix from 2009!

Here are some pix from 2009 that I wanted to share with everyone!

In PC Nicaragua every month we try to have a Trivia Night held in one of the major cities. This is from Oct, where my team "The Nubbins'" won in Matagalpa. Our team is made up of me, Jen (Biz 50), Niko (Health 49), and Nancy (Health 49)

A cute pic I took of Eddie while we were watching part of the parade in November.

Every parade is not a Nicaraguan parade unless you have a "gigantona" (giant woman) and "enanito" (little midget) dancing around to a drum beat.

The enanito

The gigantona

Another one of Eddie on his scooter at the house.

Eddie on the fair's wheel...during big events like Carnaval in November a company brings the fair games and machines. It's a place for ppl to take their kids, but sadly it's always ruined by the drunks getting thrown into the backs of trucks by the police.

For the Small Business Fundraiser every year we hold a cocktail party at the Holiday Inn. This event raises money for the National High School Business Competition, and we had a great turn out this year including US Embassy workers, PCVs from all sectors, and some Nica friends as well.
We are pretty, oh so pretty!
Nancy, Me, and Penny

All the Madrizers at the cocktail party...this is after the rain got us, hence why my hair is curly in this picture.

Here I am with a folkloric dance group from the Somoto Mayor's office.