Una Quinceanera a Woon Kooc

Last night was the quinceanera of Ceci, one of the daughters of the family I am living with. This is a *big deal*. I feel really lucky to have been here for the celebration and to have been invited (though my stomach doesn´t feel the same way). The celebration began days in advance with Carmen (my host mother) making about ten large plastic flower centerpieces to place on the tables at the restaurant where the party would be held. Shiny white material was purchased, a dress was commisioned. Hair was done, nails painted, makeup purchased. Carmen painted 50 cloth napkins with flowers and wrote "15" in the corner. We stood over the kitchen table, folding the napkins, tying them with a bow, preparing them to hold the silverware at the restaurant--a homemade party favor.
When i returned home on Tuesday afternoon, the house was abustle with excitement as everyone prepared for the celebration. I became the official photographer, digital camera in hand, a soaked up the frantic energy, the dogs running in circles, Maria´s jealous antics. (Pictures to come).
The service took place in a large church around the corner. Ceci walked in, escorted by the father and three youth (training to do whatever it is that catholic youth train to do in the church during their communion classes). Ceci looked like a bride. I was worried that my knee-length skirt and stockingless legs would be to riské, but Ceci beat me out. Her floor length, sparkling dress had no sleeves, a tightly laced empress waist. Glitter on her arms, a light blue eyeshadow, and hair pulled back to reveal shining earings. The service was short--much about sangre, el cuerpo de Christo. And much about the ´povre´which was quite encouraging. There was music, a guitar played by a young man with a great voice. Though the church was cavernous the service was intimate. When communion was completed, the service concluded, Ceci left first, followed by the father and the young assistants.

On to Woon Kooc.
Who knew that Xela has its very own Chinese banquet hall?? It was on to Woon Kooc for dinner and celebration. We began with waiting. Much waiting for what I´m not sure. Eventually, it arrived....Tall glasses of tang! My favorite overly sweet flourescent orange drink. And then there was more tang. And then the kids were served hamburgers. I was beginning to think that this wasn´t a chinese restaurant. But the waiters were wearing those little red waiter-vests like big chinese banquet halls. And the room was overly big, just like many weird, suburban chinese restaurants. And they were pushing carts like in Cinatown, and on every table stood a lable-less bottle of black liquid i hoped was soy. And then came the whiskey. Lots of whiskey and water. The kids had finished their hamburgers and most were on to their second course of sugar packets. By the end of the night, not a sugar packet was to be found. Apparently sugar is an appropriate apetizer and desert. I politely refused this pre-diner snack, but was met with looks of confusion. The fact that i fail to put sugar in my tea or coffee is totally uncomprehensible.
And finally....the meal. I wish i could tell you what it was. There was rice. And brocolli and meat. Fried meat. Sauteed meat. And ham, definitely ham in the rice. My stomach could tell you more, but i think it would rather forget the night existed.
And cake. A wedding cake really. Layered, with flowers, curls of icing, pink dots, the lot. Sheet cake hear is awesome. None of that dry, flaky stuff we settle for. This is drenched in peach syrup, moist and spongy, sweet and dense. When i woke this morning, there was cake for breakfast. At school today it was one students birthday and there was cake.
So two weeks and two birthdays celebrated here and christmas on its way. I may break my record for most amount of cake consumed in a three week period. We´ll have to wait and see. perhaps there will be cake for dinner.