Day 14

Our last day gifted us with the traditional Nica dish of Nacatameles, a mouth-watering calorie bomb of a corn tamal mixed with vegetables and pork. And a big serving of love. All donated and prepared by Chacrasecans. Spent our final moments with the high-flying Sonadores and then went into Leon to celebrate the birthday of perhaps the biggest dreamer of them all, Concepcion Montes, or Con as we call her. 

About thirty years ago, in a patriarchal culture, at a time of deep sexism, Con emerged as one of the brilliant leaders this community needed to get on the path of self-sufficiency, self-worth, and self-determination. She has a knack for energizing people into action and negotiating conflict. What I most love about Con, though, is the way she leads with profound, all-encompassing compassion. I learn from her everyday, and know I speak for countless people.

Felicidades, Con! Gracias por todo lo que hace! La queremos muchisimo!

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After several rehearsals, the Sonadores performed their play, which captures an important event in Chacraseca's history. We watched them portray the Cerro Negro volcano threaten eruption (along with spooked animals and panicked villagers), the priest praying for the Virgin Mary's protection, her answering the prayer (look at Wendy, wearing the white dress), and the celebration--which continues more than 50 years later in Chacraseca.

The play, attended by parents and friends, was truly a community event. Just before showtime, a number of us helped finish preparing and putting on the costumes. Teachers and program supporters spoke before and after about the significance of the gathering, and recognized the Tengo Un Sueno program's contributions. This was a community building moment, with 33 kids in the middle whom we hope continue to give Chacraseca a point to unite around.

Thank you to all the travelars on this Summer's trip, for choosing to share your life this way, for choosing to engage as global citizens this way. Thank you again, Chacraseca, for your open arms, your big heart, your honesty, your questions and answers, your pain, your medicine. Thank you for the doorway into another world, for the mirror into the million worlds we carry with us. We don't have to, not any of us have to say goodbye. In some way, we all keep walking this path.