Quinceañera

Last week I traveled to Mexico City for my cousin Alma's Quinceañera.

What is a Quinceañeraa you may ask.

A Quinceañera is much like a mix between the Bat Mitzvah and a Sweet Sixteen here in the states. Families are known to save up money long before the fifteenth birthday in order to make this the most lavish celebration ever. And lavish is sometimes an understatement.

Alma's Quinceañera involved live bands, limousines, flowers, catered food, lavish gowns, and lots of gifts.
The day began with a Thanksgiving Mass (Misa de Acción de Grácias) held a the Templo de La Merced, a former and one of the oldest preserved Spanish convents built in the 18th century. 

  
Alma entered La Merced followed by 4 chamberlains dressed in tuxedos, her godparents and of course, her loving mother and father. 

Everyone was dressed formally and the scene resembled a wedding complete with Alma's ball gown and some stunning jewelry. The priest spoke to Alma about the importance of the Quinceanera tradition.  Her parents took the podium to wish her good luck and to tell her how proud they are of her.

After the tears are shed and eyes are dried, the true fun begins.  Consider the mass as a pre-party for the festivities to come.  After mass ended, everyone huddled around the quinceanera for that perfect photo op.  

While the photographers and videographers recorded every detail of this makeshift photo-shoot, we (the family) all jumped into our vehicles and rushed to the grand ballroom located in one of the poshest hotels of the city.  When we got there, we were greeted by Alma's portrait along with a doorwoman in a bright green coat who sat us in our designated tables and chairs.  
Security was strong and only those with an invitation and proper identification were allowed in.  After the Alma's entrance she dances a waltz with her chamberlains.  The Quinceanera usually selects the song she wants to dance to and in this occasion she choose Jen ai marre by French artisit Alizee.  

She then proceeds to dance her with her father as her last dance as a child and first dance as a woman.  After the first waltz, the party begins.  A 3 course dinner is served waiters.  Starting with a cream of cilantro soup, then an alfredo pasta and finally a chicken with pesto dish.  Yummy!  After the food, Alma popped out with her chamberlains and surprised everyone with a hip hop routine (Boots with the fur anyone?)  

After the hiphop routine was over Alma yet again disappeared.  By this tie the alcohol was flowing.  The smell of tequila began to fill the room.  All of a sudden alma reappeared, but this time dressed a salsa dancer.  She performed a Salsa routine with one of her dance instructors.  

After the salsa routine she went backstage and changed into an arabian costume. She then performed an arabian inspired dance while hr chamberlains (dressed in an aladdin style outfit) stood at attention on the sidelines. She then changed back into her gown and got ready for the cake photo ops.  

 The party ended at 5 am, and the after party began the next morning at 10 am. We all had a blast!