My Kinda Day

The library after the female teachers put up all the decorations

Every March 19th in Colombia is MEN’S DAY!  This is a day where us gentleMEN get recognized for our contribution to society.  Now honestly I did not remember this day from last year or realize it was yesterday (I wrote this a while back) until around 4:15 when a teacher asked me if I wanted to attend a celebration that the female teachers were going to throw for the male teachers at the high school.  Now as I teach elementary school I felt quite special and said “Claro que si” to the invite.  But like I was saying before, I had not celebrated this day last year :(  and thus did not no what to expect-- A set of dominos for everyone?  A few cases (canastas) of light beer? Strippers? 

As we were all beckoned into the classroom my heart started racing and my mouth salivating as I smelled something meat grilling and strippers...only kidding about the strippers.  But the lovely female teachers really had started an indoor barbecue complete with balloons taped to the ceiling, white tablecloths on the tables, and Ben 10(a popular kids cartoon)  PARTY HATS!  After the initial shock of this incredibly nice gesture we were seated and then served juice.  I know you are asking yourself now, “But what about the prayers.”  Well just hold on one hot minute as I get to that part.

Before I could even lift the juice glass to my lips to taste the sugary goodness, we were all told to close our eyes.  Then one teacher praying led to another and unlike the juice, the prayers were flowing at this point.  After the high praise from the female teachers, they began to serve the fruits of their labor, the beef chuzos (shish kabobs).  After finishing the AMAZING meat sticks, it was getting a bit late so some of the teachers began to head back home.  I soon followed, but the magic of Men’s Day doesn’t stop there.  On my walk back home I witnessed three things that really made this day unforgettable. 

1. There was a group of teens listening to the catchy rap song, Teach me How to Douggie while dancing the dance---Only the best parts of American culture make it to Colombia!
2. Four of my neighbors were playing with the dreidels I had given them for Hanukkah.
3. My host mom was running a comb through a bald man’s head

I can’t imagine a better way to end Men’s Day.  I just wish us male teachers had done something as nice for the female teachers for Women's Day, March 9th. 

Me and my Ben 10 party hat