Retire to Lake Chapala

Pop pop and Gammy's take on Quince años

We were invited to a girls quince anos party. A lady that we know has a daughter who was having her 15th birthday party and it is a very big deal for the Mexican folks. First we went to their church where there was a mass said just for her, Karen Anais Castellanos Bobadilla, or just Karen to us that knew her. It was sorta long, but very interesting and beautiful. Of course there were lots of cute, and very well behaved kids. Then on to a place called Las Palmas which is big outdoor place to have an "evento". It also is a farm where they grow palm trees. It is right on the shore of Lake Chapala and BIG. There were 45 tables with 10 chairs each and they were all full. Yes 450 people! There was a dance floor and all the tables were covered with an elaborate tent. Each chair was covered with a white slip cover and a blue sash tied in a bow. When we sat down at a table of people we knew there were bottles of coke, sprite, mineral water and a dish of peanuts. Then the waiters brought ice and a bottle of tequila to each table. They kept the ice bowls full as the people showed up. There was a band of about 15 with brass, drums and guitars. When the time was right the Quinceañera (birthday girl) danced with young men from her age group then, all the men in her family, starting with her godfather took turns cutting in 'til they all had danced with the Quinceañera. Then everybody could dance and just about all of them did! In the meantime the waiters were serving the meal. It was Birria which is a spicy Mexican stew made from just about any kind of meat, usually lamb. It was served with refried beans, the best we ever had, and rice accompanied of course with hot salsa. It was a great affair. Bigger and more elaborate than most weddings we had been too. Pop Pop had had more than his share of the tequila and we thought we had better leave while I could still remember the way home. Who knows how late the party went on. We had a great day. We're really enjoying living here.