Grand Quinceanera last night for Yuleidi in VO

Just after we came in

Some kind of dance production

Yule and the guys

We were thinking of not going but all the kids wanted to. Went with a car full and only three of us left at 11:30. The live band had just played one song and I couldn't take any more. The noise level had been high all evening and these guys were louder.That dance floor was full of crazy kids most of the night but they were having a good time and fun to watch.

Beer or Piña coladas and lots of food. An almost slide show on the screen with lots of fotos of Yule. The guys parade around with the girl for about 20 minutes and then dad comes out and dances with her. This was held in the huge Villa Obregon Ejido center across from the plaza.

Wendy's Quinceañera

By far the most impressive Quinceanera I've been to and I'm sure the family went into debt to pay for it. Wendy and her mom are neighbors of mine and I've been hearing about this for months. My Canadian neighbors arrived about a week ago and they are also good friends with the family. We did contribute but sure hope many others did.

It started with a Misa (Mass) at the church that was an hour and a half long. I didn't understand any of it but am sure it's a ritual of coming of age (15 year old girl) and income for the church. Probably 60-70 people at the Misa which started at 5:30.

The party started at 8 at Marisco's Ruby. They rented the whole hall for the night. Food, beer, a bottle of tequila on each table, fancy music system and light-show. Must have been 300+ people there, mostly from our community but probably most of the teenage boys in the area. Jimmy, Sandy and I were the only gringos. I took my Mexican neighbors family and we left early because they have a 2 year old ... and the Disco music was ... well, disco music. Very fun party.

Wendy arriving at the church

Her court

Her court at the party

The disco as the teenagers took over

Quinceanera

This was my second Quinceanera and we got the invitation a few hours before the party. I don't know if that was an after thought or if they were still unsure they could capture the pig that was rumored to be running around the neighborhood early in the morning. The feast included many parts of pig and each way it's cooked has a different name.

A Quinceanera is the turning of age of a 15 year old girl and the celebration can be pretty elaborate - but this was simple. I had only met her parents so buying two blouses sized medium was not going to fit a large girl - I told them I'd help exchange later. The last Quinceanera the girl went to the dentist to get her 3 front teeth fixed.

The house was in the country beyond Jaluco and I was really surprised by the number of mosquitoes and 'no-see-ums'. The bugs finally chased us back to Melaque about sunset