Snow is a 4 letter word: Alfonsito turns 14!

A new first for Vic and I. We were invited to our neighbour's son's 14th Birthday party!

Alfonso, Lily and their son Alfonsito (meaning little Alfonso - very common in Mexico to name your first borns after the parent of the same sex), have been our neighbours in the casita behind Neek Kaan complex for as long as we've stayed here. Apparently though they've been here for 14 years!

We first met them through their music - they enjoy playing some lovely Mexican music in their yard on the warm winter evenings, and we enjoy listening to it! Some people might be offended with their neighbours' loud music, but this is Mexico, and a party (or fiesta), large or small is always extremely important with family. At least it's not the loud thump thump thump of the discoteques, which we hear can be quite annoying during the Holy Weeks and summertime. We've yet to experience anything too terribly annoying, and generally just enjoy it!

One early morning as Vic and I were heading out for our run, Alfonsito approached us on his way to school (about 6:45). He wanted to invite Vic and I to his birthday party.

We queried his Mom and Dad on what to buy for a 14 year old? Fortunately, they gave us some good hints and we had fun doing a little shopping.

We were welcomed by Alfonsito and the whole family, as well as about a dozen or so teens, and made to feel quite at home. We had typical Mexican snacks (botanas), and enjoyed meeting many of his aunties and his grandma.

Lots of fun pictures, which you can see below.

One interesting event that occured due to this party was trying to locate wrapping paper. We asked at one of the local tiendas (small corner stores), who directed us to what we had thought, for all these years, to be a soft drink outlet, which turned about to be a small paper store, about 1 block from our new house. The "shed" that houses this tienda, is about a 10' x 10' red Coca Cola hut, but his selection was perfect for us. 2 sheets of wrapping paper, a bow, and 2 caramels, cost us a grand total of 10 pesos! (about 80cents) And so conveniently located. You never know what you're going to learn every day here. There's always something new.

Hugs from Mexico!