When I was a sophomore in college, I had to write a report on a Latin American tradition. I chose the Quinceanera and wrote a two page paper on the topic, never dreaming that someday I would get to experience one for myself! (Don't know what I'm talking about? Check out this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincea%C3%B1era). Here's my experience of a party, Latino style!
We arrived at the Quinceanera two whole hours late. Now, before you chastise me for being rude, it's important to understand how time works here in Bolivia. For example, if someone tells you that a party starts at eight, that means you should start getting ready at eight, maybe run some errands, call your mom, and only then think about calling a taxi for the 20 min ride over to the party. As it was, we were the first people there. How very American of us :)
The party was held in a discoteca (or a club), called Ronny's. Imagine a middle school dance, only make everything a little more crazy -louder music, brighter lights, and better food! I couldn't stop smiling at the whole thing, it was so very Latino! The birthday girl was wearing her crown and a gorgeous dress, looking like a princess. I felt a little under dressed in my cotton dress! Beer, vodka with juice, and soda were served. I tried a little of all three but declined the rum when it appeared!
And then the dancing began! OH MAN. Can these people move! Even the men shake their hips like none other. And no, I did not shake what my momma gave me, or at least not a lot. Can't shake hips if you don't have them :) I swear these people are double jointed to move the way they do! A sweet twelve year boy asked me to dance and that was really fun. We did a little traditional dance, it's hard to describe but it's like swing dancing only with more hip movement, of course. One of my favorite parts of the dancing was when the "Tonight's gonna be a good night" song came on -only it was in Spanish!
After a while, the birthday girl (who by this time was in another dress!) had her father/daughter dance, which then turned into a dance with every male relative, then her mother, then her friends, and lastly anyone that stepped in! It was very sweet.
Oh my! I almost forgot the food! There was fried chicken, mini hamburgers, coconut balls, and chocolate marshmallows. All very, very good. And the evening wouldn't have been complete without a birthday cake! I like the cake here so much better here than in the States. Here, it seems like it is soaked in sweet cream, making for a very wet but delicious cake!
We stayed at the party until 2am! And I believe we were among the first to go. Katie said that it is common for parties like this to last until six in the morning. Ain't no party like a Bolivian party, cuz a Bolivian party (literally) don't stop! I love the tradition of it though, a girl becoming a woman, dancing with her loved ones.
In some ways, I feel like this trip is becoming somewhat of a Quinceanera for me, in that I'm growing up and learning so much, about the culture -yes, but also about myself. Speaking of which, I got to go out in the town today -solo! I'll write about that tomorrow :) Until then, amigos!
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