Stepping Out of the Boat

We got dressed up for the party since we were told people go all out for Christmas parties (it's true). I (Claire) was especially proud of the job I did on my hair, so for those of you who are interested in those things, I've included pictures. Most women go to the salon before a party like this.

Like idiots, we arrived at the party when it was supposed to start: 7:30. We had been told that there is usually a raffle drawing for gifts at the beginning of the party to ensure that people arrive on time, so we arrived on time. We were the first people to get there. When are we going to learn? In truth, most people didn't arrive until 8:30 or 9:00 - and this year the raffle wasn't until the end.

When we arrived, the maintenance staff was all there, dressed up. I think they set up the whole party, but this year, unlike other years, they were going to stay and enjoy the party... then clean up afterwards. The separation of the social classes here is so blatant. The maintenance people sat at a table by themselves. I think they had a good time, but I felt so awkward about the whole thing. There is one place where social classes are all equalized, though: the dance floor.

The dance floor was in the middle of all the tables, which each had several bottles of wine ready to go. They were all gone within an hour, and the beer, rum, and whiskey was flowing. John and I aren't big drinkers at all - a glass of wine here, a beer there - and we were in awe about the fact that they had enough liquor at the party to drown an army, but they didn't have any water or pop - they had maybe two big bottles of Pepsi and Sprite. We spent most of the evening thirsty.

Back to the dance floor. Dancing is huge here, so naturally, they were blasting meringue, rigatone, and bachata music all evening. Everyone was dancing. In fact, John and I were in a dance routine together for the Christmas concert, and we did an encore presentation of that with the other teachers who participated. Then, the dance floor was open for everyone to dance. Older teachers were dancing with younger teachers, the directors were dancing with the maintenance staff, everyone was having a great time on the dance floor. They even had dance contests and fun dance games.

At one point I imagined what would happen if at a school Christmas party at home I even suggested that we all get up and dance meringue together. I think everyone would laugh at me, and then leave. Here, it just so natural. The dance floor is where all conflicts dissolve and all social barriers disappear. In fact, the best dancers, incidentally, were the maintenance staff. I call them "maintenance staff," but here, they're treated like maids and butlers - by administration, teachers, and students. I wonder - is it a coincidence that they have darker skin than the administrators and most of the teachers? Racism is alive and well here.

We got to meet everyone's husband or wife and attempt to communicate half in Spanish, half in English. After dinner, at about 11:30, they did the raffle drawing. John won a present: a set of whiskey glasses. We are happy to have them, but I must say that we won't be using them for whiskey. That's like drinking nail polish remover (in my opinion).

How many of you are eating fresh watermelon this time of year? We can't buy a regular sized watermelon here because we have to carry our groceries home from the store on foot, but we've just discovered mini-watermelons. They're sweet and firm and so summery and tasty! I ate half of it last night and am now preparing to eat the other half.

// posted by The Roths @ 7:40 AM