Today, October 1st is "Dia de los ninos" (or Day of the Children)here in El Salvador. All of the kids at the orphanage were curious to know what we do for "dia de los ninos" in the US, however I explained we sadly don't have this celebration. So the nuns have made this essentially an all week celebration culminating with a fiesta this evening. Monday there were clowns with pinatas and way too many "dulces" for the little ones, there were homemade pupusas and other traditional foods and finally tonight a "el drama & bailar" (drama and dancing). I'm constantly in awe of the how amazing of a job these nuns do with these children. I know when I am there I constantly forget of the outside world and any troubles I've ever had, and find myself immersed in this world of simple happiness. I have never been more upset to not have my camera with me than I was tonight.
Here's how it went down.
So I was just about to start my girls group (which I recently
got permission to do!) and then we all got called to the main room for the show. First there was an acting group (of sorts) and they did some skits or "dramas", the first of which two men dressed as over-the-top women lip-synced to a woman dressed as a man and chased him about the stage. Then later, they had a guy dress as a bride and the woman as the groom and a crazy grandmother was getting an exerocismo- I think. I don't know, the kids didn't even get it. They did get that the guy was a girl and the girl was a guy and kept chanting "BESO, BESO" or "kiss!".
got permission to do!) and then we all got called to the main room for the show. First there was an acting group (of sorts) and they did some skits or "dramas", the first of which two men dressed as over-the-top women lip-synced to a woman dressed as a man and chased him about the stage. Then later, they had a guy dress as a bride and the woman as the groom and a crazy grandmother was getting an exerocismo- I think. I don't know, the kids didn't even get it. They did get that the guy was a girl and the girl was a guy and kept chanting "BESO, BESO" or "kiss!". So then the nuns decided to do their own skit. Once again, I don't have a clue what the premise was, but from what I could gather, they were all old people injured during various wars in central america and met and hospital and were dancing. Either way- their costumes were hilarious and they pretended to have crazy injuries like missing legs and would hop around or dance in wheelchairs. 
Finally, they had all the kids dancing to traditional music. And now my favorite part. The acting troupe brought with them a five year old Michael Jackson impersonator. This kid brought the house down. Hands down one of the best I've ever seen. He did all of Billie Jean (mostly original choreography) and then "Thriller"! The kids all knew MJ and were bopping along. I was sitting with 3 of the older kids and they all knew "Thriller" but asked me to explain what the song was about. I'm like, oh great, how am I going to pull this off? I wish I could have video-taped this, but in my broken spanish here is what I said.
Finally, they had all the kids dancing to traditional music. And now my favorite part. The acting troupe brought with them a five year old Michael Jackson impersonator. This kid brought the house down. Hands down one of the best I've ever seen. He did all of Billie Jean (mostly original choreography) and then "Thriller"! The kids all knew MJ and were bopping along. I was sitting with 3 of the older kids and they all knew "Thriller" but asked me to explain what the song was about. I'm like, oh great, how am I going to pull this off? I wish I could have video-taped this, but in my broken spanish here is what I said. "Es un hombre camia en el lugar quien las personas muertes son, el cemitario? (the kids nod) Y, las personas muertes se levante (this is where I put my arms out like a zombie and the kids go oh! zombios" I nod). Entonces los zombios y el hombre Michael Jackson bailamos!". The grammar in that explanation is so far from correct but somehow the kids got it and now understand the premise of "Thriller". We all had a good laugh.
The kids at the orphanage LOVE to make fun of my accent when I speak either english or spanish and like to ask how to pronounce names in English. For example, "say Ang-hel-ee-ca" in ingles"- Angelica! (roaring laughter).
Finally, the other day the cleft on my chin was the source of much
conversation and question. They had never seen it before and were touching my chin and asking "what was this hole?". (Sr. Susan I hope you're reading this, because this story originates with you) (Background for my response: when I was a sophomore in high school I had to make a mask of my face out of some plaster and I showed mine to Sr. Susan who was so impressed that I had all details including the cleft in my chin. I said, I had never really paid attention to that before, to which she replied, "Well, that's where God put this thumb and said 'You're done'.
conversation and question. They had never seen it before and were touching my chin and asking "what was this hole?". (Sr. Susan I hope you're reading this, because this story originates with you) (Background for my response: when I was a sophomore in high school I had to make a mask of my face out of some plaster and I showed mine to Sr. Susan who was so impressed that I had all details including the cleft in my chin. I said, I had never really paid attention to that before, to which she replied, "Well, that's where God put this thumb and said 'You're done'. The kids liked that story too.
P.S. For everyone who felt Michael Jackson was more of a menace to society, I still beg to differ as this evening was a perfect example of how great artists transcend culture, generations and language to have an impact. The King of Pop lives on in El Salvador.
P.S.S.- Meghan, if you're reading this. Didn't you have a wall calendar titled "nuns have more fun" at one point in college?
Well, Dia de los ninos looked like lots of great fun for the kids. I really liked the Sponge Pants Bob Pinata. Was that really filled with candy? WOW...I think we have a children's day in the US too.....it's everyday!!! Actually, National Children's Day is the 2nd Sunday in June. Glad you are having a wonderful experience with the children and nuns at the orphanage.Adios Mom
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