Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
Member Is Offline
|
|
Ensenada Birthday Party
While visiting my friends Gene (Nomad Hose A) and his lovely wife Magda, I was honored to be invited to the birthday party for Magda's sister's
granddaughter. It was so much fun! We arrived at large hall, filled with the chatter of the greater family. The excitement of the children was
palpable. The smell of a most delicious meal was in the air, as were more yellow helium balloons than I can remember seeing in one spot - ever.
The children came in to get a bite to eat, then outside to play - either on the swings or in the ever-present inflated cage for jumping.
[Edited on 2-16-2007 by Natalie Ann]
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
|
|
|
Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
Member Is Offline
|
|
The excitement among the children had to do with the pinata... and when oh when might it be time to begin with it?! There is an "order" to all this,
you know. First all the children gather for a photo... here's the birthday girl (with the decorated stick for pinata breaking) and a few of her
friends. The pinata, you will notice, is a thing of beauty.
[Edited on 2-16-2007 by Natalie Ann]
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
|
|
|
Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
Member Is Offline
|
|
Another bit of the "order" of things is that all the children line up from smallest to tallest - and they seem to do this calmly, no pushing or
shoving... in fact, if someone small was too far back in line, he/she was gently moved by the others toward the front.
First the birthday girl gets her try. Then, beginning with the smallest children, it's time to take that stick and whack! This little bit of a girl
had one heck of a swing.
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
|
|
|
Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
Member Is Offline
|
|
Carlos swings his bat so furiously that his Grandma Magda calls to all to back up, get out of the way.
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
|
|
|
Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
Member Is Offline
|
|
There are a number of times when precious pieces of the pinata fall off and are retrieved, held closely by one of the girls. And some of the boys
poke that stick right up through the bottom of the pinata, releasing small amounts of the candy at a time.
And then it's time for the big boys. The pinata takes a heavy hit... the candy begins to fall.
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
|
|
|
Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
Member Is Offline
|
|
I never understood that one pinata could hold all that candy. There was plenty for everyone. And by everyone, I mean all the children and many of
the adults... for you can see that once the pinata is broken, the action is not limited to children alone.
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
|
|
|
Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
Member Is Offline
|
|
In the aftermath of the pinata, each child is given a "goodie" bag filled with more candy and small toys, trinkets. By this time the presents and
cake are almost anti-climatic. Everyone gets cake. Time to go home. A good time was had by all.
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
|
|
|
Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3326
Registered: 12-13-2002
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mellow
|
|
Great series Natalie Ann!! The colors and the kids are beautiful. Thanks, ++Ken++
|
|
|
tehag
Super Nomad
Posts: 1248
Registered: 1-8-2005
Member Is Offline
|
|
Piņata
No blindfolds? I always thought that's part of the deal, and there are all kinds of sly ways to peek.
|
|
|
Paula
Super Nomad
Posts: 2219
Registered: 1-5-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
|
|
"Another bit of the "order" of things is that all the children line up from smallest to tallest - and they seem to do this calmly, no pushing
or shoving... in fact, if someone small was too far back in line, he/she was gently moved by the others toward the front."
This is one of the many amazing things about Baja!
|
|
|
Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
Member Is Offline
|
|
Well, Paula, I did make it sound like it happened all on its own, those children lining up... and indeed it seemed to. But note that Magda is in many
of the photos. Not much taller than many of the children themselves, she had a way of gently guiding both the children and the proceedings of this
celbration. She's an amazing woman, who smiles alot and seems loved by all - a joy to know.
Tom - No blindfolds. Although that pinata was rigged to rise and fall a good distance at the hands of the gentleman controling the rope. It danced
wildly... teasing one into swinging as it got closer and then suddenly shooting upwards or to the side, out of reach. Most everyone smallest to
tallest got a turn at batting that pinata before we got a kid big enough and quick enough to break the candy free... and getting a turn is important,
so I guess it worked out just right.
Thank you, Ken.
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
|
|
|
FARASHA
Senior Nomad
Posts: 848
Registered: 6-3-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
WHAT LOVELY PHOTOS - brings over the atmosphere perfect.
I love watching kids enjoying such events, if they are happy - the whole worlds seems to smile!
Thanks Nena for sharing >f<
|
|
|
bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
Nena
Que bonito
I love to go to the birthday parties. It took a few tries before we figured out that the 5 o'clock time applies to children only. The adults dont
get there until 9 or 10. BUT during this learning process we had a blast with the kids.
|
|
|
tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Natalie,
Looks like a great time had by all! LOVE that first photo.
|
|
|
sylens
Senior Nomad
Posts: 584
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Ensenada
Member Is Offline
Mood: ando bajando
|
|
beautiful
photos, nena!! you sure captured the spirit of the birthday party. thanks for sharing.
lili
|
|
|
bahiamia
Nomad
Posts: 143
Registered: 12-16-2004
Location: Bahia de los Angeles
Member Is Offline
|
|
Natalie, I really enjoy your photos. Besides being well composed and beautiful, the contain alot of "spirit". Great job.
|
|
|
vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
|
|
What a great series...it warmed my heart.
In San Nicolas it is common to blindfold the kids, and there is a song that goes with the activity. Since the kids can't see, the men have a "dirty
trick" they like to play. They'll introduce an empty cardboard box into the mix then shout directions about where to swing. The kids will beat the
dickens out of the box thinking they are going to be showered with goodies at any moment!
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
|
|
|
FARASHA
Senior Nomad
Posts: 848
Registered: 6-3-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
WILD GRANNY - UH? Love that shots Hose A!!
|
|
|
Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
Member Is Offline
|
|
Well, Gene, those are quality shots you took of Magda. I'm sure she'll be pleased to come home from work today, find her little bottom has been
posted here, along with that pile of candy.  
And yeah, Farasha, Magda is one wild granny - ever so much fun!
Vgabndo - The little song was also sung at this party. I'm hoping perhaps Gene will get it's name/words from Magda and print them here. When the
song begins, your turn begins... and as it is winding down, the kids know their turn is ending and, again without a fuss, stop swatting at the pinata
and quickly deliver the stick to the next in line.
Mia - Thank you so much for the compliment. Your praise holds special meaning for me, as you are one heck of a photog yourself. I've been admiring
your desert shots since you first began your website.
Ken - I am rather fond of that first shot also. Thank you.
Judy - At this party, adults and kids all showed up together - which I especially liked, as it gave me time to meet many members of Magda's familia
and also the children. After pinata and cake/presents, everyone headed home. Possible we had no late-nighters because there was no booze at this
party.
Thank you, Lili. It was fun having dinner with you and Steve while I was in Ensenada... looking forward to seeing you again soon.
As I said before, this was one fun birthday party and I felt honored to be invited. I'm looking forward to a longer stay when I return next week...
and to one really grand birthday party in March, for little Carlos. Do we ever have some fun surprises planned for him! I can hardly wait.   
Here's one last shot of one cute little party attendee:
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
|
|
|
Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks, Gene... sweet Magda will now likely put rocks under my mattress. Just you wait until she and I put our heads together and talk about this...
you'd best watch your back, amigo.  
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
