¡Feliz cumpleaños!

Over the past few years as we have increasingly spent more time living in Celestun, we have gradually made more friends with the locals.

Hiring their services, patronizing their businesses, meeting friends of friends, and volunteering our services in various ways, have all contributed to us gradually becoming a small part of the community.

Even so, we feel very honoured and humbled when a local friend invites us to be part of any personal family event or celebration.  Recently, one of our friends invited us to attend a birthday celebration for three of their family members.  It was a big event, with her husband and two daughters all having birthdays in the same week.

The families here all seem very close; supportive and loving, and those feelings were very apparent as they welcomed friends and relatives into their home, then later took turns talking about and congratulating the ones having birthdays.

Christianity plays a large part in the every day life of the average Mayan around here and the local minister is always invited to any special occasion and this event was no exception.  A guitar was brought along and while the minister played, a few family members sang some songs.  Soon after we all took part in singing some hymns and then the minister provided a sermon.  We were given a bible to try and follow along through some readings.

As in Canada, food and cake are an important part of any birthday party and this one was no exception.

We started with Octopus and Conch (pulpo y caracol) ceviche with tortilla chips.  Then we had seasoned chicken breast rolled up into soft, fresh tortillas.

The kids all had candy bags and marshmallow flowers were passed around for everyone to eat.

Finally it was time to sing Happy Birthday and cut the cake, made locally and very delicious!  Soon after everyone ate a piece, the crowd gradually cleared out.