Nicaragua: I buy my own diamonds

At the end of July the school days here grew shorter, and more frequently they disappeared altogether. The reason, you ask? To make time for marching practice. You see, September 14-15 are some pretty important days in the history of Central America. They mark the time when independence from Spain was proclaimed back in the early 1800s. Hence, each year students set to the streets for Independence Day Parades in mid-September.

The following are a few captured moments from my town's festivities this past weekend. The parade fun began at 7am and concluded approximately three hours later.  

I have heard from a number of people around town that they are glad the marching practice is now over because they are tired of listening to drums and whistles every afternoon.

Could it really all be over, though? These people dedicated themselves to almost two months of practice; the chance that they would declare it a completed activity after only a three-hour showcase is slim. That's why there will be two more weeks of practice for a final performance at the end of September. May the drumming continue.