What would you do if you end up in a strange country, not knowing the language, not having any friends and your child was about to turn seven years old…? We improvised…
Looks like we’re running this blog with a two weeks delay. Nadia’s birthday was on the 12th, but I didn’t get to write about it until tonight. This might be one of the hard to kill habits, I got from my former life – you know the one involving shirts, ties and jackets. The currently lacking parts of my wardrobe.
We arrived in San Miguel de Allende at the end of October. That means we had couple of weeks to prepare for Nadia’s birthday. The most challenging was to find her new friends and invite them to the party. We enrolled our children to a local kids club, run by two American expats. Nadia and Alex quickly conquered hearts of Roombo regulars, unfortunately none of them were available to attend the party. Fortunately there is no shortage of kids on our street, even if most of them are boys…
On the day of the party, Agnieszka stayed home, while I took the kids to the library. That gave her a chance to prepare the festivities properly and without being constantly bugged by the two pumpkins.
At the library, lured by a promise of an English language story time, at first we wandered around aimlessly, only to discover new attractions.
You need to know, that in San Miguel de Allende, but I guess in other parts of Mexico as well, agendas do not seem mandatory. Things have a tendency to happen when and where it’s suitable, not when it’s been scheduled for. We learned that lesson before, with our maid, who decided she prefers to clean the house on Saturdays, rather then Thursdays as previously agreed. Therefore we weren’t extremely surprised to find out, that for whatever reason there is no story time that day. Even though it was heart breaking for some of us, we didn’t suffer for long. Instead, we stumbled upon children’s jewelry class. Open for the public and completely unannounced…
When we got back home everything was ready for the party. Well, maybe except for pizza and balloons, so I welcomed the opportunity for a quiet walk on my own, while Agnieszka and the kids awaited the guests. Turns out, Agnieszka almost had to drag some of the guests by their ears to the party. Boys at certain age tend to be real shy… Fortunately, when I got back, the house was already full of kids. Two large pizzas weren’t enough for all of them!
The main attraction of the day was obviously the pink, Hello Kitty piniata which Nadia carried back home from the local market few days before. The problem was, that the damn thing was empty and standing in the doorways with two hot, large pizzas on my hands, I realized I only have a few moments to change that. The kids all around me were screaming “piniata”, leaving very little room for interpretation. With a pocket knife, adhesive tape and a bag of candy I disappeared in the bedroom, while Agnieszka fed the little monsters.
I was done in no time, but then there was another challenge. Or even two. First, we didn’t have a baseball bat, so we had to improvise with a broom stick (turns out in Mexico, this actually is quite the norm). Secondly, there was no backyard and I didn’t like the idea of a bunch of kids swinging broom sticks around our nice rental house. If we ever wanted to see that deposit check back, we had to take it to the streets. All we needed was a piece of rope and a willing neighbor. We found both without problems. Our cloths line fitted nicely with the spiderweb of electric wires suspended between the buildings. And remember the party garage opposite our bedroom…? I mentioned them before in my rant about San Miguel de Allende. Obviously there was a party going on and there were multiple volunteers to swing a piniata on a line. And they were professionals too…
Nadia and their friends playing on the floor.
12-Nov-2011 15:40, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. u850SW,S850SW , 4.8, 18.28mm, 0.013 sec, ISO 800
Nadia, Carla, William and Alex's legs...
12-Nov-2011 15:40, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. u850SW,S850SW , 4.8, 18.28mm, 0.013 sec, ISO 400
Piniata hunging over a cobblestone street in Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Underneath Alex dancing...
12-Nov-2011 16:09, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 28.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
Nadia with a broom stick getting ready to hit her Piniata, while other kids are watching the preparations. The scene on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:09, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 28.0mm, 0.011 sec, ISO 200
Nadia with a broom stick ready to hit her Piniata. The scene on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:09, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 28.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
Nadia with a broom stick getting ready to hit her Piniata, while other kids are watching the preparations. The scene on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:10, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 28.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
Nadia with a broom stick getting ready to hit her Piniata, while other kids are watching the preparations. The scene on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:10, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 6.7, 85.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
Nadia with a broom stick getting ready to hit her Piniata, while other kids are watching the preparations. The scene on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:10, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 8.0, 108.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 400
Nadia blindfolded trying to hit a Piniata on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:10, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 6.7, 28.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Nadia successful at hitting a Piniata on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:10, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 6.7, 28.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Nadia with her Hello Kitty Piniata hunging suspended between building on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:10, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 6.7, 28.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Piniata with a broken arm after being hit by a broom stick on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:10, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 6.7, 28.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Nadia hitting a Piniata on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:10, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 28.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Nadia swinging a broom stick on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:10, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 6.7, 45.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 200
Neighbors kids helping operate te Piniata and watching the scene on the street below them on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:10, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 9.5, 28.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 200
Our American neighbor operating the other end of the line suspending the Piniata hunging over a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:10, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 8.0, 108.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 200
A Piniata with a broken arm in front of a spider web of electric cables on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:11, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 8.0, 45.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 200
Nadia still trying to hit the Piniata on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:11, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 6.7, 28.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Carla, our Mexican-American neighbor getting ready for her turn to take a swing at a Piniata on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:11, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 8.0, 108.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 400
Carla in action on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:11, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 6.7, 55.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
Almost all kids living on that street come out to see what's going on.
12-Nov-2011 16:11, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 6.7, 28.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Nadia is wearing the broken Piniata leg as a hat, while Carla is still trying to hit it. The boys are watching from a distance.
12-Nov-2011 16:11, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 6.7, 28.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
William, Carla's brother picking a lolly-pop that fell out of the Piniata, while Carla still swinging. Other kids watching from a side.
12-Nov-2011 16:11, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 28.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Kids getting ready to pick-up candies fallen out of the Piniata suspended over a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:11, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 28.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Carla taking a hit at a Piniata on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:12, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 28.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 200
Carla blindfolded with a mop pole getting reeady for the next swing. Behind, her mom with a glass of red wine (vino tinto) and Agnieszka cheering vigorously.
12-Nov-2011 16:12, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 108.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Agnieszka blindfolding Alex, while Nadia is holding the broom stick. It's Alex's turn to hit the Piniata visible to the left.
12-Nov-2011 16:12, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 55.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 200
Alex working the broom stick, other kids watching.
12-Nov-2011 16:12, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 108.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
Alex taking a one hand swung at the Piniata, other kids slowly loosing interest.
12-Nov-2011 16:12, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 85.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Alex taking swings at the kids rather then at the low hunging Piniata.
12-Nov-2011 16:13, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 45.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 200
Alex still trying to find his aim, while other kids obviously grew tired of watching his fruitless attempts at the Piniata.
12-Nov-2011 16:13, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 135.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 400
Agnieszka disspencing brown bags for the kids to collect fallen candy on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:13, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 70.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
A Mexican boy with painful anticipation watching Alex in taking empty swings at the Piniata on a cobblestone street of Colonia San Rafael in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
12-Nov-2011 16:13, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 135.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 400
Kids picking up candy despite Alex swinging the broom stick furiously around them. Agnieszka running to the rescue.
12-Nov-2011 16:13, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 70.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Kids picking up Piniata's follen candy, while Agnieszka is trying to take control over Alex's bloodlust.
12-Nov-2011 16:13, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 55.0mm, 0.011 sec, ISO 200
Agnieszka helping Alex hit the Piniata, which makes the kids happy to pick-up follen candy.
12-Nov-2011 16:13, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 85.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Agnieszka is helping Alex hit the Piniata, other kids are picking up fallen candy.
12-Nov-2011 16:13, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 85.0mm, 0.011 sec, ISO 200
Agnieszka helping Alex take aim at the piniata, while other kids are picking up fallen candies.
12-Nov-2011 16:13, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 55.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
Neighbours (and local store owners) are watching the scene from a safe distance.
12-Nov-2011 16:14, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 85.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 200
The bigger kids had much more experience in getting the job done.
12-Nov-2011 16:14, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 28.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 200
Diego making an effort to reach the piniata. William is watching it with full approbation.
12-Nov-2011 16:14, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 70.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Diego with a broom stick taking aim at the piniata.
12-Nov-2011 16:14, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 45.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 200
Diego chasing piniata.
12-Nov-2011 16:14, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 45.0mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 200
Kids are picking up candy, while Diego is still hard at work.
12-Nov-2011 16:14, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 45.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
Diego taking aim at piniata.
12-Nov-2011 16:14, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 45.0mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200
All done, all candy out and collected...
12-Nov-2011 16:15, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 45.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
The piniata didn't brake, but all the candy got out through the broken leg.
12-Nov-2011 16:15, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 108.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 200
Diego is jumping, trying to get the piniata.
12-Nov-2011 16:15, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 28.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
Another neighborhood kid looking for a piniata.
12-Nov-2011 16:15, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 28.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
Everyone had a really good time trying to hit the piniata.
12-Nov-2011 16:16, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 28.0mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 200
Even more picking up the candy.
12-Nov-2011 16:16, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 28.0mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 200
A sudden outburst of candy got all the kids excited.
12-Nov-2011 16:16, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 55.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
Kids picking up candy from a broken piniata.
12-Nov-2011 16:16, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 70.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
Kids picking up candy.
12-Nov-2011 16:16, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 45.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
Kids pocking up candy.
12-Nov-2011 16:16, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 45.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
Agnieszka examining the inside of the piniata.
12-Nov-2011 16:17, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 28.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 200
Agnieszka holding Nadia's birthday cake.
12-Nov-2011 16:29, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 3.8, 28.0mm, 0.022 sec, ISO 200
Our neighbour holding the cake andd explaining local customs.
12-Nov-2011 16:30, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 3.8, 28.0mm, 0.022 sec, ISO 200
Nadia is getting ready to blow the candles.
12-Nov-2011 16:30, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 3.8, 28.0mm, 0.022 sec, ISO 200
Kids watching Nadia in anticipation.
12-Nov-2011 16:30, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 3.8, 28.0mm, 0.022 sec, ISO 200
Nadia and her cake.
12-Nov-2011 16:30, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 70.0mm, 0.011 sec, ISO 200
The local custom is for the birhday kid to bite into the cake after blowing the candles.
12-Nov-2011 16:31, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 3.8, 28.0mm, 0.022 sec, ISO 200
Nadia took a real big bite.
12-Nov-2011 16:33, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 85.0mm, 0.011 sec, ISO 200
Nadia took a big bite.
12-Nov-2011 16:33, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 4.5, 55.0mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 200
The remains of the piniata...
12-Nov-2011 16:35, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 5.6, 108.0mm, 0.011 sec, ISO 200
Remains of the piniata.
12-Nov-2011 16:35, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 6.7, 108.0mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 200
Kids eating cake on the stairs in our house.
12-Nov-2011 16:36, PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K100D , 3.8, 28.0mm, 0.167 sec, ISO 200
Diego and Gustavo eating pizza.
12-Nov-2011 16:46, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. u850SW,S850SW , 3.5, 6.7mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100
Agnieszka and Blanca working on their vino tinto (red wine).playing Twister with the kids.
12-Nov-2011 16:46, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. u850SW,S850SW , 3.5, 6.7mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 200
Robert folding the line.
12-Nov-2011 16:55, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. u850SW,S850SW , 3.5, 6.7mm, 0.013 sec, ISO 64
Nadia playing with a broom stick on an empty street.
12-Nov-2011 16:56, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. u850SW,S850SW , 3.5, 6.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 64
Overall, despite being the new kids on the block, Nadia and Alex didn’t have any problems fitting in. For being just a few days in a complete new environment, I think we did quite well. I don’t know much Spanish, but by the look on the guest faces, I’m sure they liked it too. And I don’t mean only the pizza…
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