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Giving Thanks

Today was Thanksgiving in the United States.  It is hard for us Americans to realize the rest of the world does not celebrate Thanksgiving!  Fortunately, Mark is from the United States and he has started a tradition down here in Arequipa celebrating Thanksgiving - Peruvian style!  He uses the day to give thanks to his family, friends and employees - complete with a turkey dinner and trimmings.  We even had beautiful LIVE music from Jose, a friend of Mark's.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays since it is a time when my family traditionally gets together.  It was hard to be away from my family and friends, but I was fortunate to still be able to celebrate it with my Peruvian family and friends.  It was a lovely day with the weather dry and in the mid-70's and sun (normal for Arequipa).  Joining in the festivities were:  the English teachers that work at SEPA - Nathaniel from California, Aaron from the US, and Nadine from Germany; the teachers from the Arequipa Educational Institute, Mark's family and domestic help, employees from the SEPA office and pizza restaurant as well as several children from the school and family friends.  A good time was had by all before some of them had to go off to teach!  Remember, it isn't a holiday here!   

We had the "feast", as Jeffrey called it, at the AMP Casona.  The Casona is where the SEPA Institute is housed (where I go to school).  It is a renovated "casona" or Spanish home made of sillar (type of stone - supposedly 'petrified' volcanic ash) and traditional bricks.  It has several outdoor patios surrounded by living quarters which are now a pizza restaurant, offices, and school classrooms.  The renovation is not complete yet, but what is done is authentic and very beautiful.  They also have lots of art showings, concerts, classes and exhibitions here.  They are working on making it an artesian center where artists of all kinds can work, exhibit and sell their works.  Malena is in charge of the art exhibits and showings and is an artist herself.  If you look closely in some of the pictures, you can see some of her work on the walls of the Casona. 

I hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving!  I cetainly counted my blessings today! 

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