![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/mum-dad-uncle-aunty-perla.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/p>\nI have been down in this neck of the woods for almost 9 years and unfortunately was never lucky enough to be invited to this special coming of age event of a 15 year old girl in Mexico – until now!<\/p>\n
My very good friend Jose Luis (who you would all know as the ‘Mayan Sacrifice’ guy from the bar in San Cristobal de las Casas who only wears the wrestling t-shirts) thought it would be a great event for the group to experience and share with him. \u00a0Truth be told I think he was very nervous and wanted some friendly, curious faces around! \u00a0He gave us the stunning invitation that was a ‘message in a bottle’ and then we all started stressing about what we were going to wear. \u00a0You see Quincea\u00f1eras are formal. \u00a0And we on our Tucan Travel Magical Mexico tour, weren’t carrying our best threads! \u00a0It was very weird for me to see my very good friend who only ever wears t-shirts emblazoned with wresting paraphernalia, dressed in a suit. \u00a0He would not however, cut his one skanky braid off though.<\/p>\n
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I should probably tell you what a\u00a0Quincea\u00f1era is before I go any further. \u00a0It is\u00a0a celebration of a girl’s fifteenth birthday and her transition from childhood to adulthood, typically involving a church ceremony followed by a massive party. \u00a0Been as where in Mexico, that means a lot of tequila. \u00a0You can catch some EXTREME\u00a0Quincea\u00f1eras on MTV Channels ‘Quiero Mis Quinces’. \u00a0The dress is normally ball gown type in the girls favourite color. \u00a0In this case Perla Estefania’s dress was purple. \u00a0As was the dress of her mini me (her cousin who was 4) and the mu\u00f1eca (doll) that is handed over to her Mum later in the evening.<\/p>\n
It’s traditional to buy a gift so I went out during the day and purchased some\u00a0turquoise and silver earrings with a matching necklace, Hello Kitty chocolate and a card. \u00a0Nothing to flashy, but something memorable. \u00a0Pretty sure the rest of the group spent that day figuring out their outfits. \u00a0They all scrubbed up fine by the way.<\/p>\n
At 3.45pm we left and headed to their local church where the mass was to be performed. \u00a0We were ushered into the church and were treated very kindly by the family. \u00a0There were a few funny looks but once people knew who we were it was open arms. \u00a0The mass went on for about 45 minutes. \u00a0It was made up of various speeches and blessing. \u00a0Jose Luis and his wife sat in the pews as it is tradition for the young lady to be accompanied by her God parents. \u00a0After the mass, we were part of the photo party and encouraged to take photos. \u00a0Perla Estefania was happy to take pics with us and she looked absolutely gorgeous in her dress. \u00a0After the mass, we walked with the family to where the party would be taken place. \u00a0Well we walked half way then it bucketed down rain, so we were taxied in an Uncles car that was equipped with a huge purple ribbon!<\/p>\n
![\"Dad](\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/Dad-and-daughter.jpg\" "\\"Dad")
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We were ushered into the event hall and sat right next to the cake. \u00a0We took up two tables and after a couple of tequilas there was no\u00a0awkwardness. \u00a0We had our own waitress Gloria for a while who made our drinks and was quick to let us know that there was more tequila and brandy available. \u00a0Winning. \u00a0Then the food came, and then more, and then more, just when I thought it was over – the main dish came. \u00a0Slow cooked pork with veges, rice and salad. \u00a0Bloody delicious. \u00a0More food, more drinking and then came the big events.<\/p>\n
The birthday girl has her entourage and traditionally they do a couple of dances that are generally professionally\u00a0choreographed. \u00a0Perla Estefania’s favourite song at the moment is that Twilight song – 1000 years. \u00a0So that was the tone for a few of the dances. \u00a0She was flanked by 4 boys most of the time while doing her dramatic dance. \u00a0Her wish was to dance with her Dad on this special day. \u00a0So Jose Luis dressed up as the ‘beast’ and danced with his daughter – at the end of the song much to her surprise he pulled off the mask and revealed himself. \u00a0It was at that stage I’m sure we all lost it, tears flowing. \u00a0The pride that flowed out of that mans smile, I’ll never forget. \u00a0The next moment we all lost it was when Perla was dancing with her cousin in a matching purple dress, the mu\u00f1eca and her Mother. \u00a0At the end of that dance, she hands the doll (her innocence) over to her Mother. \u00a0Maybe it was the tequila, maybe it was the song, maybe it was the specialty of been invited to such a special event – but I don’t think there was a dry eye in our group.<\/p>\n
After these emotional parts of the festivities we got stuck into more tequila (Mexicans become very offended if you don’t drink and eat – A LOT) and then came my favourites – the Mariachis!!! \u00a0I love these fellas. \u00a0Think Antonio Banderas in Desperado – but there were 7 of them, ok and maybe they weren’t that hot. \u00a0But the pants, the voices, the passion – well the tears were over. \u00a0They sang a few songs to Perla, had a couple of drinks and then slipped away. \u00a0Leaving one of my ladies very disappointed.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.tucan.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/Doll-mini-perla.jpg\" "\\"The")
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We were then hooked up with DJs and a mixture of music. \u00a0Cumbia, reggaeton, salsa, bachata and more. \u00a0At one time I looked around and all of our seats were empty. \u00a0Been the odd ones out at a\u00a0Quincea\u00f1era is never bad, you’re never short of boys to dance with.<\/p>\n
The night ended with Perla and her parents equipped with the mu\u00f1eca walking around to every table, handing out something to take home and ensuring we had a good night.<\/p>\n
And just to let you know, tequila doesn’t give you a hangover!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I have been down in this neck of the woods for almost 9 years and unfortunately was never lucky enough to be invited to this special coming of age event of a 15 year old girl in Mexico – until now! My very good friend Jose Luis (who you would all know as the ‘Mayan […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":4954,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[8],"tags":[42,125,318],"yoast_head":"\n