Every year during the month of February and early March, Peru celebrates Carnival. This is a time where vibrant color parades are being orchestrated through the city streets in Peru. Where our colorful culture attire is in hands display by the performers that start the water fights into the crowd of audience. It’s a time where everyone in Peru can be a kid again, at least that’s how I viewed it. I will forever remember the first time I got to celebrate Carnival at the age of seven. I remember Peru was hot during that time, and A/C there wasn’t the best but there was nothing like having fun with under the sun with water to make it better. I remember running up and down the stairs of Papi Veco’s house (my abuelo) and up to the 4th floor on the roof, me and my cousins would grab a bucket of water with foam and splash those that walked down the street. During this time of the year no one in Peru was safe. If you were walking down the street, you were a target by your neighbors or friends. Of course, we would primarily do it to close family and friends. And if you didn't want to join, you were an"aguafiestas." We took turns either being up on the roof or down on the street. The whole family had a blast; we’d have fun with neighbors and family friends. It was like grown-ups unplugged from their world of responsibilities and got to enjoy their family and their culture. Who knew being soaked and sprayed by foam would bring the community so close together.  I know when I have my future kids, I will take them to Peru to experience their cultural heritage just like I got to. 

– J

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more