The boys have been begging me to come to their school today for their presentation. I went, and they were so impressive! In their physical education class, every grade learns different traditional dances. Then, they have a day of dances, each grade presenting what they have learned in full costume. Many of the dances are rooted in the indigenous worship of Pacha Mama, including a "Dance of the Devils" that one grade presented. Needless to say, we're not real hot on our boys participating in this, but the dance presentation is their final grade for the class. This year, our boys asked if they could choreograph their own dance and present that instead. They were given approval.
They picked a Christian song, and have been practicing every night since I have been here. I spent long hours walking with them around the market looking for the right "outfit" for the presentation. They even made masks. And the grandes and medianos mastered their breakdance.
This morning I went to their gym. Parents and costumed children everywhere. Basically the morning was chaos, with kids running everywhere, even through the middle of other dances. But things changed when our boys presented. The grandes took the stage. I watched as the crowd grew silent, then cheered and whistled. There was no running around, no interruptions. Just staring and then wild clapping! They rocked!!
In the afternoon, the medianos presented their dance. Same reaction from the crowd. I was actually sitting farther back and had to change my seat because so many people crowded in front of me to watch. Cheers and whistles! The grandes also presented a second time, and on the way home they proudly declared that they had been invited to present the dance at the colosium the next day. I guess that means they all passed :)
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