Today we had a very unique and unexpected experience. We helped butcher some chickens! Of course we didn't actually help with the chopping of the heads, but we did help pull out all the feathers. It was revolting. The way that Brother Erasmo, Julia's husband, killed the chickens wasn't very humane. He stuck his machete into the ground and then sawed the chicken's head off. Not really enjoyable to watch. We then dunked the beheaded chickens into boiling water and pulled out all their feathers. Das was slightly traumatized by the whole thing. Even though it was disgusting, it was fun watching Dassi. Everyone found her reactions to be quite humorous and they are still laughing about it.
This morning we were busy butchering chickens and preparing a big meal for after the weddings. Finally after being postponed several times, Erasmo and Julia and Luis and Elia got married.The afternoon was pretty quite. At 4 o'clock we left for the courthouse for the weddings. I don't know if you can really call it a wedding all they did was sign some papers in the courthouse library. It only took about 30 minutes. While they were doing that Jason took Dassi, Jasmine, and I to see the lake behind the courthouse. It was a truly picturesque view with the mountains in the background and the sun shining on the water. It was so beautiful.
After they finished the "weddings" we went to church about 10 minutes away. Because it was a newer church and we were in a small room, Nicole couldn't translate what Jason was teaching about. I think it was about taking care of each other and such, but I'm not positive. I really hate not knowing the language. Anyways after Jason was done teaching they always serve coffee and sweet bread or whatever. Tonight they served coffee and tamales. Tamales are extremely filling! They served us each 3, and we had to eat all of them because it would be rude not to. I am normally full after one tamale and stuffed by the second, so that third one really was a bit too much for my poor stomach. I was so full! On the ride home Das and I rode standing in the back of the truck. It was so cold, but because we had eaten so much we didn't feel like sitting down. When we got home we were suppose to have a big meal in honor of the weddings, but Nicole graciously allowed us to skip out. Well, its been a busy day and I'm tired, so adios!
