Feliz Cumpleanos Mother
Yesterday the time had come. My mother querida was 80 years young. At this point, all the best, good health and world peace.
This was the first big birthday I was able to celebrate. No, that's not entirely true. This was the first big birthday I was able to celebrate in Peru. And that was completely different than in Germany. In Germany, people are invited, the guests are shown to the drinking trough and there may also be something to eat.
There are also invitations in Peru. At a certain time. I now know that the time doesn't matter. If there, then there. If you're too early, you'll have to wait a while. Because drinks and food are served later. If you're late, that's not a problem. There is plenty of food and drink available. But now comes the really big difference. When the music comes on in Peru, you start straight away. There is no waiting, who goes first. Immediately, people are on the dance floor and moving with sheer joy, as if this was the highlight of the party. No start-up time when dancing.
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Start-up time for catering? I still can't say if that's really the case. My reticence was probably misplaced. However, it's not really clear to me when you can drink your first beer. I waited three hours until a cousin gave me a signal. Under the motto, what about beer. Since I wasn't the host, I first contacted my lovely wife. She said the moment had now come. So off to the fridge, out with the cool water and into the tube. The wait was over.
Then there was also something to eat. All of Mamita Lolita's children took part in preparing the food and portioning it onto the plate. Honestly guys, I think that's really cute, but messy. Until everything was finally the way we wanted it, there were actually no plates missing. The herd flew out to limit the damage. With success. And then napkins were missing. The same picture from the front.
As an outsider and observer of the whole situation, I found it very chaotic, as already described. But these situations also somehow have a system. Maybe that was a family-bonding measure from the employment office.
The guests didn't let this bother them. I'm not used to having so much patience from Latinos.
This is how the next dance rounds went. The drinks found grateful buyers and the atmosphere was excellent. It's just a shame it was Tuesday. The first guests left the party. Too bad and without closure.
Here comes the second big difference to our birthday parties. For us, the birthday cake is cut at the beginning. In Peru, when you cut it, you probably want to say: it's nice that you were there, eat your piece of cake, hasta manana. It's not that bad. But the cutting of the birthday cake is once again a highlight of the celebration. There the birthday child is really celebrated again and that was very nice for me, but also for Mama Lolita.
And another day is over, and another party is over, and again I am enriched by some experiences. I hope it was a nice day for Mama Lolita. I found it very pleasant and am looking forward to the huge party in Cachaquito. An avalanche of relatives, acquaintances and friends rolls in. That goes beyond anything the small mountain village has ever experienced. Or not. Let's see.
Do you want to know what happens next? Me too!
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