I'm partied out

Today I went to a friend’s birthday party. The activities started at 10 am and didn’t finish until nearly midnight. In between there was food, drink, and music galore. The birthday girl was definitely the center of attention, dancing with everyone, telling hilarious stories, and even hosting the post-party party at her house.

All the more remarkable when you consider that she was celebrating her seventy-fifth birthday!

Elisa, the mother of my coworker Quique, and matron of the Alvarez family, received a day-long “Feliz Cumpleaños” from her friends and family today. It started with a Mass in her honor, including a special blessing from the priest. From the church we went en masse (pardon the pun) to a banquet hall, where the birthday gal was received with applause and the music of a six-man marimba band.

She proceeded to dance the day away, putting the slightly younger of us to shame. We then ate a delicious catered lunch, and the dancing continued to the salsa and disco beats of a local dj. Finally, after an eternal wait (ok, so it seemed to me) they brought out a colossal white birthday cake, which was absolutely delicious… despite its sheer lack of chocolateness.

Around 6pm, the marimba was wheeled out of the hall as everyone said good-bye with hugs and kisses. This being Guatemala, however, I knew that the party was far from over. Members of the immediate family (like 40 of ‘em) were invited back to Elisa’s house for Party, Part 2.

Evidently I’ve been adopted into the Alvarez clan, because not going to the house wasn’t even an option. Which was just fine by me!

One of the things I love most about Guatemala is the way family members and friends constantly tease each other. The attacks are relentless, biting, and funnier than hell. Sarcasm is king and Wit is queen. (Needless to say, I fit right in.)

At the very same time, though, signs of affection are abundant. Hands are held, arms embrace, and kisses flow fast and frequent. In fact, the fondness that Elisa was shown by her family was as close to “smothered by love” as I think I’ve ever seen. So the joking and jesting —which had me near tears, I was laughing so hard— is wrapped in this wonderful envelope of warmth and love.

Looking at her face, radiant with pride and joy, I knew (despite the tremendous pile of presents that awaited unwrapping in the next room) that Elisa had already received all she had hoped for on her 75th birthday.