The year is flying by and I'm getting behind in recording our little adventures.
Feb. 2, 2009, we took advantage of the 3-day weekend that Mexico observes when holidays fall in the middle of the week. (The way the U.S. does really fits into this national culture of celebrating whenever possible.)
Bro. Oropeza's birthday is really Feb. 5, but that would be a work day, so we celebrated on Monday, the 2nd. Sis. Oropeza planned a dinner with mole poblano -- naturally-- since they are from Puebla, and we have been hoping to taste that traditional dish.

Brother Smith and Gerhard brought out the piñata and the FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS banner from storage, set up four tables and chairs for 20 people, just as people began to arrive.
The little Sánchez girl enjoyed running on the grass and chasing the dragonflies--"caballitos" as they are called here. She really wanted to catch one, but they darted away.
The Sánchez trio sang traditional Yucatecan songs that Bro.Oropeza has said were his favorites. He told us of his love for the Mayan people, and recounted the story of Felipe Carrillo Puerto who fell in love with an American girl and wrote to her the lyrics of the song, "Peregrina." http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/travel/rross-merrimer/rrmalmareed.html#alma

Everyone got sentimental for a few minutes,





but that only lasted until the dinner was served.
The Sánchez family came with Yucatecan tamales. They were made with lots of shredded chicken and steamed in banana leaves. There were two dishes of salsa, one more picosa than the other to suit individual tastes.

The main dish was prepared in a clay pot by Sis. Pérez and brought to the table accompanied by bowls of chicken, rice, and soupy beans.

Brother and Sister Cetina brought the drink. They chose limeade, freshly squeezed and with ice, to complement the slightly sweet taste of the mole, which is a little different from that we are used to in northern Mexico.

Brother and Sister Cejín came late into the afternoon, but we were still all enjoying visiting. Sister Cabañas, the Relief Society president of Centro Ward, who just lives across the street, also came and visited with the Oropezas in their apartment.