Prospero Año y Felicidad

When I was younger, New Year's meant having my best friend over, feasting on sweet treats and a ton of sparkling apple cider and staying up waaay past midnight. One year I was lucky enough to be put on the guest list of a swanky party at the very top of the Bank of America building in the city to watch my dad's band play the event. Then it became more of watching movies with my fam and toasting to the new year at midnight (I mean there were a few wild years during the college times, but nothing to worry the 'rents about). Last year, my mom, sister and I were so consumed with the movie we were watching - NO, I think we were actually reading! We were so consumed with the books we were reading (to be fair, I was reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) that when I glanced at the clock and 2012 was less than a minute away and we hadn't even popped the apple cider! So, of course, we paused the TV so we wouldn't miss the ball dropping, poured ourselves some apple cider in fancy champagne glasses and pressed play, bringing in the new year just a couple minutes late. Then we promptly picked up our respective books and continued reading. A wild time, for sure.

What I'm trying to say is New Year's away from the fam wasn't carrying as much weight as Christmas had just a week earlier. I didn't expect much and I was content with that; however, Guadalupe was not. Año Nuevo in Guadalupe is a mix of Halloween/Día de los Muertos and a drag show and is completed with a dinner at midnight. It also involves a lot of traditions to bring luck, money, good health etc. to the new year. Here's a look at a few of the traditions I was able to participate in.


Welcome to the parade of Mamarrachos where men dress up as ladies, are driven around the town and throw candy into the crowds. I'm still not exactly sure what the significance of this particular tradition is, yet. My host sister had some trouble trying to explain what was going on but it was definitely a sight to see.



A coffin (with a human inside, alive of course) was also a part of the parade

I think the man inside the coffin was meant to represent the passing of the past year, el año viejo
Before our midnight dinner, my host sisters and I went to the plaza to take a few vueltas. Basically, we walked around the plaza for an hour in a crowded mess of people completing their own vueltas. This is actually a normal activity on any night in Guadalupe but it was especially packed for the new year festivities.

Juana, me and Trini
Muñecos (kinda like scarecrows) are burned in the street at midnight to represent the passing of the previous year
Other traditions include wearing yellow underwear to bring luck, running around the block with a suitcase to bring safe travels and throwing rice and some kind of seeds on the ground or at people to bring money for the new year. My peruvian New Year's celebration was eventful and confusing and I now feel prepared to tackle what lies ahead.

Hope you all had an amazing 2012 and are ready to join me in kicking some 2013 ass!

Feliz Año a todos!

Comments

  1. Auntie KrisJanuary 10, 2013 at 2:58 PM

    Wow, I like that stuff. When you come back perhaps we can incorporate the throwing of rice at people... random people... just for fun.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Auntie KrisJanuary 10, 2013 at 2:59 PM

    P.S. You look great honey.

    ReplyDelete

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