As you might be able to tell we had an incredibly busy social calendar while Meg was here. One Saturday night in December in Arboleda, a small town just next to Palacios, we went to the graduation of some of the highschoolers from Palacios who we know. This included Lalo, the son of Mumi and Pepe (they work at the clinic), and Stefanie who had been volunteering at the clinic on Saturdays and who has just started medical school. (Graduation here is in December because the season's are opposite...) It was awesome and so different from any highschool graduation I have been to in the States. It started around 6....well was supposed to start around 6 but like all things here was late....all of the kids processed in, had their names called, and received their diplomas. We then went to eat dinner at a nearby house with Lalo's family. Afterwards we returned to the cancha (field) where the graduation had been held to celebrate with all of the other graduates, families, and friends. There was a live band, soda, beer, and lots of dancing. We stayed out until about 3am and at that time it was not just the students still dancing, full families were still out including grandparents and little kids....AT THREE AM!! We later found out it lasted until 6 or 7 in the morning!
Before we leave, with Don Louis, one of the caretakers of the clinic property
When we first arrived, the girls and a nice sunset
The boys, Marvin, Pepe, Dave, and Kevin
Graduation was held at an outdoor field...it is basically a concrete basketball court/ futsol court (small sided soccer). However, to our disappointment basketball is more or less never played.
Students waiting in back and then processing up the center aisle
Mumi and Pepe, Lalo's parents. And Santiago, one of their grandchildren
Maria, she works at the clinic, handing out diplomas
Stefanie and her dad
Lalo and Mumi, first dance after everyone has received their diplomas
The graduation from afar....
