La Cueca

Stuart Ward International Night Activity.

People came from all around the world for this.

Peru. 

Hawaii. 

Brazil. 

Texas. 

Chile. 

Mexico. 

Colombia. 

Oregon. 

South Africa. 

and we even had a few Native Floridians.

 Oh yes, 

my mom and I dressed as Chilean huasos.

Well I was a huaso and she was a huasa.

Only because we were the performers for La Cueca, Chile's national dance.

I know, 

in front of e v e r y o n e. 

Vomit.

Emma, Cody, Margo, Reagan, and her grandma all came to enjoy the activity.

[but mostly to watch us dance]

Dinner and dessert first. 

 Basically these are my only friends.

 Love 'em.

Whenever I'm free - I'm with them. 

So.

Mission prep.

Waso-p. 

 Everything was going great. 

I had my stomp down to the beat,

I was ready. 

Then out of the clear, blue Chilean sky, 

both the soles of my boots tore off. 

Bam. 

Situation just went from 'I'm going to throw up, I'm so nervous' to 

'I'm going to throw up, I don't have my stomp'

If you know La Cueca 

[which I'm betting you don't]

the dance is all about the stomp. 

No stomp = no dance. 

I had to fix it. 

This was the first thing that came to my mind because glue would take at least an hour to dry 

and we had half an hour max[imum]. 

Duct taped shoes. 

With a little sharpie zing. 

Whatever, it was one time!

I couldn't eat dinner, I was so nervous to dance for the crowd. 

Mom and I have been practicing all month.

This was the real thing. 

Time to make Nana proud.

Three. 

Two. 

One. 

They're calling my name. 

We're walking on the stage. 

The music's starting. 

Clap, clap.

Here we go.

La Cueca. 

That was the l o n g e s t two minutes and one second of my life. 

My legs burned like fire. 

It was worth it though, 

so much fun.

Lots of [well deserved] applause. 

My mom and I rocked the show.

and don't bother telling me my taped up boots looked like New Balance sneakers, 

because Cassie already beat yah there.

One things for sure, 

we made one proud Nana.

Look at that smile.

 The rest of the activity was great. 

I ate some food and desserts, 

which were all super tasty. 

After all the performances,

[props to everyone who participated] 

we had a church tour.

D'awww. 

We've got the greatest missionaries.

Somos Chilenos.

Bailamos la cueca con exito!

Lo hicimos!