Feliz Navidad!

Spending Christmas away from home was interesting. There was a part of me that was sad to be away from home during that time, but I really enjoyed spending the holiday with my new family, and I know that I will not forget that experience any time soon.

Peruvian Christmas is such a blast. The most important part of the holiday is right as the clock strikes midnight. Each family serves a big Christmas Eve dinner late at night on the 24th, around 11:30 or so, and once the clock changes to 12, everyone jumps up, hugs, and  goes outside to watch the fireworks. The streets are full of all of the neighbors, everyone is hugging and wishing each other a ''Feliz Navidad!!!', even if they've never met before. The fireworks fill the skies. No matter which direction you look, you can see the colorful explosions. People light sparklers and drink champagne.

Standing outside of my new house, with my new family, watching the fireworks, I felt a great sense of tranquility. It was one of those perfect moments, where you forget about the things that are worrying you, the things that are bringing you down. The only thing I could feel at that instant was joy. I was very happy to be there in that moment and I never wanted it to end.

After watching the fireworks for a while, we went inside and opened presents, which was very fun. My little host brother, Mathias received so many gifts that he was thrilled about, which was very cute to watch, and it was just an all around good time. I really felt like I was a was a part of that family, and that meant so much, considering the fact that I couldn't be with my real family. I had a new family to share that special day with, and I loved it.