What are Zapallar and Kermess?
Trip Start
Jun 28, 2008
1
7
Trip End
Jul 01, 2008
Zapallar, Chile
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
So, you're probably wondering...what is Zapallar and what is Kermess?
Zapallar is a really beautiful, scenic, quaint beach town about 2 hours northwest of us. Peggy, myself and four other friends from Nido spent a very lazy and wonderful weekend in her parents' GORGEOUS beach house. This was unlike any beach house I had ever been too. It was fully furnished (I mean fully, there were 3 different coffee makers - press, espresso, and drip!), large and spacious, and every room had a view of the ocean. It was the perfect retreat for some teachers who needed a break!
We spent our weekend cooking and eating, eating some more, cooking, napping, going for walks, eating, and laying in the hot tub, playing games, and more eating. Now, for those of you who are in VA and are shaking your heads because you're a little chilly since it's fall, remember I didn't get a summer. So I deserve it!
We all had a wonderful time and felt fully rejuvenated for the coming week.
...So, for Kermess. Well, about a month ago we received an email asking if people would volunteer for Kermess. I just thought, "What the heck is it and why are they asking for volunteers so far in advanced?" Well, I soon realized that it was a very big deal. Kermess is an international festival with music, games, and food that actually a lot of schools have, but since we ARE an international school, it's a really big deal for us.
Over 30, I think, countries were represented with food & beverage stands and the workers at Nido have been setting the stands up for the past three weeks. Everyday when we came to school more progress would have been made on these huge, wooden stands. It made me realize that this was not just a little festival the school put on.
On Saturday I arrived with an agenda to eat at as many different stands as possible. I did pretty well. My favorites were probably Columbia and Japan. However, the Brazil stand was infamous and everyone said I had to go there to get a caipirinha. They were these really strong, limey drinks, which I guess is like the national drink of Brazil? Oh and I know what you're thinking, and yes, they sold alcohol at Kermess. I know, I couldn't believe it either! But seriously, no more than two caipirinhas.
Besides the food, one of the best parts was definitely the performances. Although I really liked it when this middle school garage band played "Highway to Hell," my favorite part probably was the Rapa Nui dancers. Rapa Nui is the local term for Easter Island. These men and women performed many dances and were just fantastic. I already planned to visit Easter Island while I was here, but this just got me even more excited. I was even pulled up front and danced with one of the men!
So, now you know all about Zapallar and Kermess and aren't wondering if these things are names of foods or games or muppet characters. I am really getting excited about the weeks to come. I already have a plane ticket to the States for Christmas and I am so excited! I'll be staying over a month and I can't wait to see everyone! Just a little over five weeks and I'll be home (and back in the cold!)
Love you all,
Megan
