Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Weddings, Birthdays and Other Celebrations

 
 
In our last blog we sent you a photo of a very pretty flower that grows on the Frangipani tree in our back yard.  This is a photo of the whole tree.  Actually there are two of them.  We do like them but soon they will lose their flowers and leaves.  But they are lasting much longer this year than other years.
 
 
As in most cities and towns in North America, the town Christmas tree is a Christmas tradition.  This is the beginning of the one in the center of Tlaqupaque.
 
 
And this is how it looks after it is all decortated.
 
 
Last year, for the first time, the town fathers thought it would be a good idea to build an outdoor skating rink in the center of the central park.  The kids loved it but it did mess up the central park for a couple of months.  This year they are doing the same and this photo is the start of construction with the most necessary pieces of a skating rink, the compressors.
 
 
Last year it poured rain on the outdoor rink and you know what happened to the ice.  This year they are constructing a frame that will be covered as to protect the ice in case of rain.
 
 
They first covered the ice area with sand and you all know that sand needed tamping.  This photo shows how it was tamped.
 
 
I go every day to the café San Pedro for a cappuccino and this is my favorite barrista.
 
 
Karen, one of the girls who visited us this summer, celebrated her 19th birthday along with 22 year old cousin.  This is the birthday girl with one of her cousin's children.
 
 
The birthday girl, her sister Romina and her mother Teresa.  All visited us in Alberta this past summer.
 
 
The Herrera family is huge the they gather often, not only for birthdays but on most Sundays at their mother's home.  This is some of the men in  that family.  I am not one of them, but they wanted me to be in the photo.
 
 
And a few days later, Teresa, Karen's mother had a birthday and this is some of the women in that family.  The women at the end is the matriarch and a very proud one.
 
 
This is our dentist, Maria,, part of the Herrera family, doing karaoke.   Thank God she is dentist as she would never make a living as a singer.
 
 
The couple that sell us chicken and eggs in the market invited us to their wedding which we attended.  This is the groom's mom and dad, standing outside the church before the wedding.
 
 
The mom and dad and the bride and groom, Omar and Karla.
 
 
And one more photo of the bride and groom.
 
 
There are five bands that play at the Parian on a daily basis.  On Friday and Saturday and Sunday, one of the bands, along with two Mariachi singers give us one hour of free entertainment.  Nancy and I go often to listen.  One of the violin players in one of the bands, has befriended us and we visit with him often.  This is Manual, our friend,, playing his violin. He is not always so serious looking.
 
 
As in past years, Nancy and I host a celebration around American Thanksgiving and Mexican Independence.  Our party this year was on Dec 2nd, missing both holidays by a few days but it did not seem to bother anyone, as 28 or 29 showed up. A couple, we think, just walked in off the street as no one seemed to know who they were. It was a great party but a whole lot of work for Nancy.  She cooked ham and turkey with mashed potatoes and salads. We are debating on whether to continue with it another year as it keeps getting bigger and bigger.
 
The first to show were Karen and Romina.  This is Karen, ready to help us get ready.
 
 
Karen, Romina and Nancy, getting things set out for the other guests.
 
 
From left to right, John Lopez from California.  He is 85 years old and pretty healthy.  The next is Maria, our dentist, and then Teresa, the mother of Karen and Romina, and then, me.
 
 
A few of the many guests.
 
 
From left to right around the table, Stephen  from Vancouver Island, Paul from Toronto, Betty from Portland, Lori who lives here and Ron
 
 
Again from left to right around the table.  Richard from Queretaro Mexico, Maria and Teresa and finally John Lopez.
 
 
Two more have been added to the table, Nancy and Randall, who lives here full time,
 
 
Just a general view of the seating of the people
 
 
As you can tell this is towards the end of the party.  Too much beer, wine and Tequila.
 
 
 
Lori and Stephen,  Lori lives and works here, and Stephen spends half his year here.
 
 
A few of Olivia's sisters.
 
 
We did enjoy ourselves a whole lot and it will be hard to shut it down as people  expect it to happen.  We will see.
 
That's ALL for this blog.....and we'll see if we have more photos to share with you in our next few months.