Mariolinas Birthday Weekend

Mariolina, Carol, Elisa and I at the main birthday dinner.
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Only a week or so after I arrived Mariolina turned 36 (although I was quickly to learn that she looked and lived much closer to 25 than 35). To celebrate her birthday, a large group of young people arrived to stay for the weekend. We all ate large dinners together every night in the back "garden," spent the days at the beach, and twice went out clubbing at night. The main principal members of the group were Koque (pronounced KOE-kay) and Carlos, two of Antonios nephews who, over the years, have become very, very close to Mariolina. The rest of the group was made up of their friends and several couples from Cordoba, Seville, and Madrid.

Everybody eating paella at a beachside restaurant.
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It was a really wonderful weekend for everyone. The atmosphere was constantly happy, jovial, and open. Despite the fact that I was, in reality, a stranger, I was treated like part of the family. I had my first paella (yes, truly delicious) on the beach and also my first taste of clubbing (yes, truly exciting.)

Everyone went out of their way to make me feel at home, although I still only understood about a third of what was being said around me...

Koque and Carlos soaking up some sun on La Playa de San Juan.
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Mariolinas nephews and their friends were enthusiastic, open and wonderful people. Dinners last for hours and hours, beginning with toasts, far too much food and non-stop talk and ending with music and songs, far too much alcohol (more than I can describe), and non-stop laughter. Everyone went out of their way to include me and make me feel at home, although I was more often than not completely lost when I tried to follow conversations. The Spanish was spoken very rapidly and I usually could only catch phrases or words unless Mariolina took the time to explain it to me. On the other hand, my late-night singing abilities (well honed after years of late night porch and Augusta jamming in West Virginia) were a big hit. Everyone wanted to hear me sing and, better yet, sing American hits. As it turned out, "Country Roads" was a favorite song of Antonios and he asked me to sing it almost every night.

Elisa, Carol and I share a friendly kiss.
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The things that surprised me most about my first several weeks in Spain were the dinner-hour and the time people went out clubbing. Dinner in Spain is usually eaten between 10:30 and 11:30 and, when we went out clubbing, we would leave around 3 in the morning, only to return at 6 as the sky was starting to get light again. All in all, it was a fabulous weekend. I was delighted by the family, the company, the beach, and the music and dancing of Spain!