Last
week I was informed that we would begin celebrating the 34th
anniversary of Liceo Gregorio Urrutia, the high school with which I am working.
I was not exactly sure what to expect (as with many things here) but excited to
share in some community celebration. I was also told the afternoons would be
filled with competitions rather than classes. Also, I was advised that there
would be two “alianzas” or alliances-
Roja and Azul- divided by homerooms. My head teacher’s class belonged to the
Alianza Azul but I chose to pledge allegiance to the Rojas.
Monday morning began with an
opening ceremony at 11am. The director, Don Ruben, spoke and a few students received
awards. The choir sang then two beautiful songs and the National Anthem (which
I have yet to learn) and the #1 Cueca Couple entertained us with the national
dance. Following the ceremony we indulged in empanadas and wine with some municipal
bigwigs and fellow colleagues. The afternoon was filled with team challenges;
spelling tests, math quiz, karaoke and a trivia quiz. One of the questions was
the Republican Candidate for U.S. presidency. Saludos, Mitt Romney.
On Tuesday there were more
competitions and activities for the students as the teacher began preparing for
the dance routine. As we brainstormed, there was suggestion of me playing
Olivia Newton John and my host teacher, Milton, would be John Travolta ala
Grease Finale. I am happy to say that idea was later extinguished.
Wednesday the teams of professors spent
the morning listening to and choreographing our dance to El Fotografo by Adrian
y los Dados. [For those interested, here is the inspiration http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytBjwYgyQ84] After
lunch and a quick costume change, we all ventured to the municipal gymnasium
for the talent show. Singing, stand-up and suggestive dances in boxer briefs by
young men were all to be seen. The latter of which would not have happened
during my high school’s homecoming week. The other professors chose a
role-reversal, women dressed in mustaches and men in wigs and dresses provided
much entertainment and competition. We followed with our somewhat dysfunctional
dance but had a fantastic time. That evening was the Staff Dinner. Nelson
cooked a lovely meal and we shared wine and conversed. I had my first
FantSchopp. Yes, beer + Fanta. We danced around the cafeteria for awhile, at
one point Sergio toasted Barack Obama, and when the Old Smuggler Whiskey came
out with a 2.5 Liter bottle of Sprite and lemons, I decided to excuse myself
and head for home.
Thursday morning was a day of
physical activities including various futbol matches and paldin, a traditional Mapuche game involving hockey-like sticks and
a ball played on a field. I visited the Stadium for the first time. It is a
walk over a scenic yet shaky footbridge crossing the river. There were flocks
of goats and chickens casually strolling around the field. Following was a
float competition, more representative of my high school experience. Both were manipulations
of ships, one including a dragon breathing “fire,” which was actually a fire
extinguisher NOT being used for its intents and purposes. That evening was
their version of the homecoming dance. The teachers, though assumed supervisory
roles for the most part, danced for awhile and watched the crowning of king and
queen.
Finally on Friday a few professors
sent out for churrascos and chatted
in the Teacher’s room for a few hours before closing out the week. It was a new
experience for me to participate in activities as a teacher rather than a
student. I embraced the celebration and am happy to have had the opportunity to
participate.
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