constant state of confusion

Yesterday is a prime example of how I have no idea whats going on here. I thought I was participating in the parade with my school down in the center of Antigua. Imagine my surprise when I was shuffled onto a bus and driven an hour outside of Antigua to Lago de Amatilan. I figured it out pretty quickly, but it just makes me wonder - what else am i missing in these conversations with the locals? But we were still in a parade of sorts, so i had that part right. I had the honor of lighting and carrying the first torch for our group. This also means I had to speak into a microphone is spanish in front a huge crowd of locals. - but with the glory of being the torch holder as came the responsibility of running with the torch through the streets. This is tricky because 1. the torch is heavy. 2. the torch is very much so on fire. 3. i had to run (in and of itself would have been difficult enough). The main danger I saw of this activity was catching my hair on fire, or giving second degree burns to the person behind me - both l very real possibilities in my mind. But alas I think i won the hearts of my fellow students and teachers with my realistic, vive Guatemal!s The festivals continue through the weekend, but my days of being a torch holder are done. Im off to study mas español. hasta luego.