La Marcha

Yesterday was one of the best days yet! Since we arrived, Daniel has been talking about la marcha, a day when all of the schools in Carmen de la Legua compete in a marching contest. At B Group, students have been practicing for the march for weeks. Each day, students spend time marching on the roof of the school. Only the best marchers are selected to participate, so students invest much time and energy into practicing and rehearsal. The school competes in the primary and secondary levels and the B Group teachers march with each group as well.


There was no school on Thursday, as students and teachers alike met to practice, practice, practice! Monique, Aimee, Erin, and I went with the teachers to watch them practice marching by the river. As we were watching, Daniel approached me and asked me if I would like to participate in the march with the other teachers! I immediately said YES and away I went to practice. :) 

Marching with with the other teachers during practice. The woman in front of me is the director of the elementary school. Janina, an English teacher at the Language Center is to my left.

Daniel takes the march very seriously, as you can see here in the picture!

After about an hour of practicing the march, we went back to the school and starting making arrangements for my uniform. Just like in the military, everyone needs to match! I ended up borrowing Sofia's (another English teacher from the Language Center) clothes and shoes. We are the same size!

Thursday night, we also made signs for B. Group. Aimee, Erin, and Monique proudly displayed them during the march! It was nice to see the signs so I knew where they were sitting. 

One Spanish and one English sign! Everyone got a big kick out of them. :)

We woke up early Friday morning and had breakfast with Daniel before heading to the main plaza in Carmen de la Legua. When we arrived, there were bands playing, many students in their uniforms, schools practicing on all the side streets, and lots of excitement in the air!

Me with some other English teachers from B Group. This is after they helped me finish getting ready. I needed a bun cover for my hair, black socks, and the flag pin! Thanks, ladies!

Even the smallest kiddos participated! Here is group dressed as little sailors. There were wee ones dressed in many different outfits, including army soldiers, traditional Peruvian clothes, nurses, and many more!

A picture with a couple of the girls from B Group in their uniform! They are from the primary school.

We got to the plaza around 8:30 am. At this time, Erin, Aimee, and Monique went to the bleachers to watch the march from there. Unfortunately, yesterday was a SUNNY day in Carmen de la Legua and they felt it! Everyone got quite a bit a sun while waiting and watching the march. 


As for the me and the other teachers, We were able to see the behind-the-scenes action! Because the primary school WON last year, they marched last of all the primary schools. We waited, and waited, and waited... Finally, we started inching closer to the plaza. It was encouraging to hear the crowd bursting with energy and excitement as we neared the march. We marched with the primary around 1 PM.

The other teachers at B Group patiently waiting to march with the primary school.

Almost ready to march! You can see the crowd to the left. The important people from the community sat on the right.

When they announced B Group, the crowd went CRAZY!  There were flags that said "Yo Amo B Group" (I Love B Group) and the crowd threw pica pica into the air. I was just bursting with pride, even though I am not Peruvian! It was definitely an experience I will NEVER forget. 

We marched through the street, in front of the crowd and all the important members of the community. I could definitely tell that this was a very important thing for B Group and for Carmen de la Legua. All the teachers and students had worked very hard and wanted to WIN!

After we were done marching with the primary, we walked back to march with the secondary students as well. We did the same thing as with the primary, but the secondary had very official flag carriers and even alumni that marched with the school!

The B Group flag carriers. These were the BEST of the BEST marchers from the secondary school. I had 4 students that carried a flag! :) This was taken after the march.

Once we were finished, we went back to B Group to wait for the results. Monique, Aimee, and Erin joined the rest of the teachers at the school later and brought me some new clothes - I don't think I had ever been so happy to see jeans and tennis shoes in my life! :)

Then the news came - the secondary school WON FIRST PLACE! There was a large celebration with all of the teachers of B Group in the lobby of the school. Parents and other students began to congregate in the street by the school, waiting for the students who marched to return.

When they arrived, there was a HUGE party! There was lots of pica pica in the air, loud horns, and cheering. Daniel and the march coach both gave heart-warming speeches, and the students began chanting for a day off on Monday. :) 

The marchers with the happy crowd at the school.

I am so thankful to have had this opportunity to march for B Group! Winning first place was just the icing on the cake. Congratulations B Group Secondary School! I am so proud of you!