A Christmas party for the ages

Latinos celebrate Christmas Eve like Americans celebrate New Year's Eve, a huge party. This was our first Christmas in Latin America, for in years past, we flew back to the states to be with family. We heard of the huge Christmas parties before but until you need a designated walker to walk you home, one can't fully relate. There were 60 adults and kids cutting loose, singing and dancing, launching fireworks and genuinely partying all night.
   The kids decided to do karaoke, all on their own and in front of everyone. The girls decided there would be a cash prize for the winner. No cash? Well, it was an opportunity for the girls to hit up the adults for donations. It was adorable watching the mini entrepreneurs approach the adults saying there would be a talent show and they needed money for the winners. The moms and dads donated 10 to 20 cordobas (30 to 60 cents) a piece. Once the kids collected the money, their show began. Singing in front of large groups can be scary which made watching the girls sing on their own, in front of everyone, all the better.
   The rockets, firecrackers and all other manner of TNT were under the purview of the dads. Living in a country that equates noise with happiness can be challenging at times but when purchasing explosives, it rarely gets any better than here. The music was blaring at night club level, the kids were screaming in anticipation, the wives were backing up to their safe "Mom Zones" and in a flash, the dads erased all evidence of human evolution in their quest for fire. The thunder, crackling, popping and explosions drove the crowd mad with excitement, well except for the moms that is. Ultimately, colorful bombs were flying in the sky, M80s were popping on the ground and the kids were running around with their sparklers like a rave party. It was awesome!
   Salsa, Cumbia, Merengue, whatever played, nearly everyone danced. Dancing in Latin America is like breathing air in the states, it's an automatic response. The old danced, the young danced, and after a while it become a group hypnotism. We just moved with the beat and the evening became perfect. In fact, at 2am when the music had to be turned off, people, including my wife, were bummed out. I haven't seen her in such a party mood in more than a decade...rock on girl. The best part of it all is we live next door so getting home was a breeze, hence the designated walker comment mentioned above, hee, hee, hee.
   On a side note, our friends opened their lovely home for all to enjoy. They cooked a 12 pound turkey and roasted a hundred pound hog along with all of the side dishes. Drinks were flowing like the Colorado river too. Their hospitality is unparalleled. This party capped nearly 10 days of nonstop partying and was a Christmas party for the ages. Jose Luis and Cecilia are genuinely wonderful people and we are so happy to have them as friends.   
     

Setting up for dinner.

A full bar welcomed the guest as they arrived.

This guy has seen better days.

The food was insanely good.

Jose Luis, wearing the blue shirt, is a super cool guy.

The lights kept changing colors adding to the party atmosphere. 

Beautiful women for a picture. Cecilia, far left, was the hostess and is my wife's really good friend.

Karaoke singers.

Watching the kids sing was a hoot.

Making crazy for the camera.

Making crazy for the camera

I wonder if she feels like a fairy with a magic wand.

Kids love sparklers.

Party time in the backyard.

Dancing with sparklers, it doesn't get any better.

Tried my best to get a picture of the skyrockets.

Our friends just moved here from Canada and love it.

Dancing into the wee hours of the morning.