Day to celebrate Birthdays!

Eye on the prize!
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Well, as it turns out I got to witness two kinds of birthday celebrations in Mexico on March 9, 2006. I was invited, along with Micaela's children, to go to the small birthday celebration for Melissa, a granddaughter of the woman we are staying with. Those present included myself, Micaela with her five children, Melissa, two young cousins, Melissa's mother, and the grandmother.

The children played while food was being prepared. When it was ready the children were seated first so the adults could enjoy their meal without worrying about them. There was a salad with a dresssing made of avacados, crema, mayonaise, and cilantro, along with a little salt and chile serrano. Mmmm! We also ate the albondegon (meat loaf) that I helped to prepeare the previous day. After we ate it was time for the pinata. The children were gathered in the courtyard and took turns hitting the pinata. The younger children were not blind-folded, while the older or more forceful children were. There is a traditional song that is sung during each persons' turn, which one of the children sung. The end to the celebration... Candy everywhere!

two kinds of birthday celebrations

See the man being serenaded on his balcony?
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Later that evening after spending time at a cafe, Micaela and I were walking home when we noticed music coming from down the street. As we approached we saw that a band was gathered with a small crowd of people who were singing underneath the balcony of a second story window. We realized that someone was being serenaded for their birthday. We watched as the window was finally opened by an older man. As soon as he appeared everyone cheered and clapped. The current song was finished and they begun to sing the traditional birthday song, entitled Las Mananitas. More songs were played with the family of the man singing along. Though I had always heard about the tradition of serenading on birthdays, I had never had an opportunity to witness it!