Spring Carnaval

It's easy to decide that something isn't your thing, to pull out your cell phone and sit on the sidelines. I've done it many times, and I'm sure you have too. But as an exchange student, it is especially important to not do this. If you decide not to take part in something and really give it your all, you're passing up opportunities, experiences that may never come your way again.

I advise that in situations that stray from what you're used to, you put on a different pair of figurative shoes and play along. Otherwise your eyes will find themselves judging and you will look and feel completely out of place. 

Today at Calvacade, a spring carnival, I was an actress playing the role of a village girl.

My host dad helped organize the carnival for my village. Everyone was very excited about the day. Organizations prepared floats, fliers were put up from here to the cities (and those are pretty far away), and my host sister and I were hired to sell confetti. 

I was excited about the day myself, but it turned out very different than any carnival I ever pictured. It brought together the people from this small village, people who have a very different lifestyle than myself. 

The floats were attached to tractors and for part of the route, the spectators were cows. After the initiative feeling of being out of place among the village people, I decided to change that. So after the introductions where people were clearly caught of guard at meeting an American, I did my best to fade that factor and be a part of the carnival.
I walked in front of the floats with my host sister and two friends selling confetti. We traveled all throughout the village and ended on the soccer field, where each float put on a show. My host sister’s hip-hop club did a dance, hippies sang a song, and the soccer team kicked around soccer balls. When all the confetti was sold I changed jobs and worked the snack bar. We sold waffles, syrup drinks, wine and beer (note that none of this is available at my U.S high school's snack bar). At the end I got my own, well-earned nutella waffle. And then I headed home with my host family.

My host sister, host dad, and I dressed up!

My two host sisters (19 and 14 years old).

Host sister and me

Following the parade!

My host dad leading the floats.

That wasn't the end of Calvacade. I deeply regret not taking pictures, but dinner was hosted in the village hall that night and we all dressed up. My host sisters didn't come so I went with my host parents. I ended up being the only person younger than 40, which was fine for the meal but got awkward when it came time to dance. My host dad taught me a few French dances but after a few songs, he danced with my host mom as I took on the role of a waitress. I cleared tables, prepared and delivered the cheese, salad and pie courses. I played bartender and sold beer and wine (note the irony considering I have another five years before I can legally drink).

The party went on until two in the morning. It wasn't the carnival, or the dinner party I expected, but by living in the moment and playing the role, the role became myself and I had a great time.