Una sorpresa para mi cumpleanos!!

Kung Fu Kata and Miguel (Birthday Boy too!) Antes de un gran fiesta! I thought we were going to an intimate dinner after sunset drinks at The Rosewood and was already super thrilled- New jewelry from my favorite Virgins, Saints and Angels from Pablo- mi novio!

45 is a big number if it's the amount of cookies you ate....Not so much if it's the year you are turning despite the hazing and " abuelita vieja, "  (old little grandma) comments I have received of late. But I dish it out plenty so I suppose I just need to smile and take it....Which is just fine....Especially when blissing out in a crowd of  gorgeous men!

So my darling Pablo (aka Todd) who has his finger on my pulse thought it would be grand if he threw me a surprise party as a few other San Miguel friends also are blessed Aquarians. "In style" is all I have to say- 10 piece Mariachi Band that hiked over from the Jardin and knocked out with all their hearts some fabulous Mexican Ballads and a tasty TACO stand complete with Mama, Papa and nino running it-Dancing tunes after the mariachi thanks to Sam, All of our kids running everywhere, having a ball and Homemade Desserts thanks to Monica and her sister (the other birthday girl) and loving friends and family to pull it all off!! It was such a special birthday- I will never forget it. Thanks sweety and everyone who was there!

Jorge belting out a mexican cancion filled with passion, no? Check out that 10 piece band, que padre, eh?

One of my favorite Trios....or should I say Trias? Ann, Janan and Mary who helped make the party a ton of fun!!!

Explanation of traditions by Jenny with a little help from Wikipedia!

El Diablito antes de explosion! The Devil before the explosion!

During the Dias de los Muertos Celebration part of the fun was the blowing up of papier mache charactres such as El Diablo, La Bruja, La Ballerina, El Payaso etc (Devil, witch, ballerina, clown etc) that was filled with a few treats and trinkets. The fuse would be lit, children eagerly awaiting the explosion just a few feet away then a mad dash to retrieve the dust covered candy, body parts etc.....Of course this was done in front of the church AFTER the blessing of the horses so added to the excitement was the hilarity of the children scrambling through poop! We covet the body parts the kids retrieved and they are part of the color paper flower arrangement on our coffee table. When we asked the locals what this all means? Solamente para la diversión. Only for fun! Pobre diablito! Above "Smithereens" photo by local photographer- It's brilliant!!

Danza de Los Voladores de La Papantla, Veracruz (Dance of the Flyers) is a traditional dance from the pre-Hispanic period. According to Totonac myth, at least 450 years ago there was a severe drought that brought hunger to the people. The gods were withholding the rain because the people had neglected them. The ceremony was created, to appease the gods and bring back the rains. The tallest tree in the nearby forest was cut down, with the permission of the mountain god, stripped of branches and dragged to the village. The trunk was erected with much ceremony. The youths climbed the 30 meter pole and four jumped off while the fifth played a flute and drum.

Further unwinding and finally they reach the earth.

Little Mason Hillers fascinated with the toy Voladores

The cloth across the chest symbolized blood. The hat is adorned with flowers for fertility, mirrors represent the sun and from the top stream multicolored ribbons representing the rainbow. These costumes are made by the voladores themselves The four ropes are each wound thirteen times, which times four is fifty two, the number of years in a Mesoamerican solar cycle.The caporal then bends fully backwards to acknowledge the sun, playing all the while. The four voladores represent the four cardinal directions as well as the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. The caporal represents the fifth sun. The four voladores seated on the cuadro face the caporal and at the appropriate moment fall backwards to descend to the ground suspended by the wound ropes. As the ropes unwind, the voladores spin, creating a moving pyramid shape. As the other voladores descend the caporal plays the “son of goodbye” and dances on the narrow platform

Amigos y hermanos. This was last fall after the torrential downpours of Summer in San Miguel. Come October the hills are green, flowers are blooming and all we want to do is be in nature. El Charco de Ingenio is 10 minutes by drive from our house. The botanical gardens have lots of footpaths, estuaries and peace which make for a pretty good Sunday afternoon.

Natural wildflowers in bloom.

The grass is so tall in November. Will is getting the "itchys" making his way to Daddy

Love my big boy. Still hanging with the family, so we are cherishing it because who knows when the social switch will blast off and he will not want to join us on all our excursions. Hopefully no time soon.

Ninos de la colonia

This is the boys and their friend Pablo de Ciudad de Mexico.