Las Fiestas Patrias 2008
We celebrated the 16th of September in the temple.

Instead of closing so people could have a vacation, the temple was open for groups to come, and come they did, beginning with the "madrugada" session which started at 5:30 A.M. We went in the afternoon, when groups of youth came for baptism, we we were kept very busy. In addition, there was a young woman who is going on a mission who came for the first time, and that is always very special. After all the fun was over, there was the washing and cleaning to finish so the temple would be ready for the next morning. That was the busiest time we had seen yet.

Friday evening Brother and Sister Ordaz invited the Dyers and us to be their guests at the "Noche Mexicana" at the Chuburná stake center.We arrived just in time to see them dancing the Jarabe Tapatío as the Pensiones ward number.

There was a large, enthusiastic audience to show appreciation for the dances performed by the different wards. We were surprised by the way each pair of dancers of "la Bamba" moved a long sash with their feet to make a bow that they held up at the end of the dance. Afterward we ate tamales typical of this area, one of ground beef and one of chaya (an herb that looks like grass) and cheese, and drank horchata, the popular rice-based drink flavored with vanilla and cinnamon. The night was warm and the company was excellent. It was fun to see Brother Ordaz out of his white clothing, and see many temple workers and patrons with their children and grandchildren.

La Bamba